MovieChat Forums > Family (1976) Discussion > Which theme music do you prefer?

Which theme music do you prefer?

posted 15 years ago by fentress
6 replies | jump to latest

There was an earlier version the first few episodes that was more melancholy sounding. Then they replaced it with the slightly more upbeat version which I think was used all remaining seasons of the show. Which do you prefer?

At first, I thought the earlier theme was a bit on the mushy side. But then it sort of grew on me. I like the later score too, but I think I like the earlier score better.

I vaguely remembered this show from the 70's. I was a teen-age boy then; I didn't really appreciate it at the time. But out of nostalgic curiosity, I recently watched a few episodes on the DVD. The Lawrences' clearly upper middle class lifestyle made me less sympathetic at the time the show originally aired. I grew up quite poor and was painfully conscious of it. It mattered at the time, but it doesn't matter so much now. Somewhat surprisingly, I am quite impressed watching this this on DVD now. This was really a substantive, well crafted program with characters that ring very true to life.

[–] ethersmum 15 years ago

I prefer the slower, more melancholy theme music of the first few episodes. I also just prefer the serious, artsy/character-study feeling of the first season. "Family" was more of a drama in the beginning, then sold out a bit (in my opinion) in the later seasons to become more of a dramedy, thus becoming more palatable to the masses, I suppose.

Nobody's character changed as drastically as did Sada Thompson's Kate (not counting the Heilveil/Baxter-Birney switch) from the earlier seasons to the latter: she started out in the pilot episode as a harder, dare-I-say slightly hipper mother/wife to become a more uptight, Patrician, old-fashioned matron. I LOVE anything Sada Thompson does, so I love both versions of Kate, but the earlier one is just cooler: not as nice, to be sure, but more real.

As much as I adore this show, for me, the later seasons descended into hokey territory at times. Still, even at its hokiest, "Family" is superiour to anything that has aired since.

[–] Owlwise 15 years ago

Oh, I agree! While the later theme is quite good, the original has a more thoughtful, reflective quality, doesn't it?

Yes, those original six episodes are in a class by themselves. Mind you, I enjoyed the entire show for as long as it ran, and wish it could have gone on another season or two. The writing & acting were always good. But I find those first six episodes especially moving, insightful, poignant.

The episode "A Right and Proper Goodbye" really stands out for me; to this day, it still gets me teary-eyed. It deals with generational transition & death beautifully ... but it also deals with unresolved tensions that have lasted a lifetime, even though there's clearly deep love between Kate & Hattie.

Willie's adoring love for Hattie, and his desperate denial of her approaching death, is also quite convincing. In a way, I'm sorry we didn't get to see more of their relationship -- she obviously sees some of her own qualities in him, and he obviously finds a support for his artistic dreams that his parents couldn't quite provide. The fact that she wants to leave the family farm to him says an enormous amount about their bond. She loves the entire family, of course; but Willie is her legacy to the future, the one who'll carry some of her own spirit forward. I've often thought that if he did succeed as a writer, then one day he'd write about her.

[–] jayhawks71 15 years ago

I prefer the updated theme myself. The original theme was so somber. The updated theme seemed to mix somber with upbeat and reflected both the serious and the playful interactions withing the family.

Does anyone know of where one can find the music for the theme?

[–] spike71 15 years ago

I prefer the updated theme also. The original was depressing. As far as finding the music, the only one who'd know is John Rubinstein who wrote the theme and played Jeff Maitland. He's currently starring on the Young and The Restless. Perhaps if you wanted to go out on a limb, you could find out if he can receive fan mail there and you could ask him. It's a beautiful theme. I'd love to hear it aside from the beginning of the show.

Any word on the remaining 3 seasons??

[–] tigerbos 15 years ago

I prefer the original, slower version. Much more somber, melancholy yet beautiful. It reminds me of early music on the Windham Hill music label.
My only wish is that Sony would release the other seasons. Sadly, it's been such a long time since they released the first and second seasons, I don't think they're going to release the others.

I think she's the saddest girl ever to hold a martini.

[–] taylorje 14 years ago

I prefer the earlier melancholy version.

I loved the show too. I wished I had a family like the Lawrences.