Makin' It (song)
Encyclopedia
"Makin' It" was a 1979 pop song performed by David Naughton
. It was the theme song for the television show Makin' It
, in which Naughton starred. It was written by Freddie Perren
and Dino Fekaris, the team also responsible for Gloria Gaynor
's #1 hit "I Will Survive
" and Peaches and Herb's #5 hit "Shake Your Groove Thing
" and #1 hit "Reunited
". It was released as both a 7-inch single
and a 12-inch single
, with an instrumental version of the song titled "Still Makin' It" as the B-side.
It appeared in the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100
chart for 16 weeks, and in the top 10 for five weeks. It debuted at #89 on March 31, peaking at #5 for two weeks, July 21 and July 28.
It is unique in that, unlike other hit TV themes such as "Believe It or Not" (from The Greatest American Hero
) and "Welcome Back" (from Welcome Back, Kotter
), it lasted longer in the Top 40 than the program for which it was the theme lasted on the air. The program was canceled by ABC
after only 8 episodes. Furthermore, the song entered the Top 40 on May 12 -- almost two months after the TV series left the air.
The song also appeared on the soundtrack of the 1979 film Meatballs
. It was also featured in the 1999 film Detroit Rock City
(despite the movie being set in 1978 and "Makin' It" not being released until 1979), as well as episodes of the television series Cold Case and Fame
David Naughton (actor)
David Walsh Naughton is an American actor and singer best known for his starring roles in the 1981 horror film An American Werewolf in London, the 1980 Walt Disney comedy, Midnight Madness, the 1984 comedies Hot Dog.....
. It was the theme song for the television show Makin' It
Makin' It
Makin' It is an American sitcom starring David Naughton as a disco dancer in the late 1970s. The series only lasted nine episodes, airing on Fridays at 8:00PM on ABC from February 1 through March 23, 1979 before being canceled...
, in which Naughton starred. It was written by Freddie Perren
Freddie Perren
Frederick "Freddie" Perren was an American songwriter, record producer, arranger, and orchestra conductor best known for as a co-songwriter and co-producer of such mega-hits as "Boogie Fever" by the Sylvers, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, and "Shake Your Groove Thing" by Peaches &...
and Dino Fekaris, the team also responsible for Gloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor is an American singer, best known for the disco era hits; "I Will Survive" , "Never Can Say Goodbye" , "Let Me Know " and "I Am What I Am" .-Early career:Gaynor was a singer with the Soul...
's #1 hit "I Will Survive
I Will Survive
"I Will Survive" is a song first performed by American singer Gloria Gaynor, released in October 1978. It was written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris...
" and Peaches and Herb's #5 hit "Shake Your Groove Thing
Shake Your Groove Thing
"Shake Your Groove Thing" is a song by disco duo Peaches & Herb. It reached #2 for four weeks on the Billboard Disco chart in 1978. The single reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the Billboard R&B Chart.-In pop culture:...
" and #1 hit "Reunited
Reunited
"Reunited" was a hit song for R&B vocal duo Peaches & Herb. Released from their 1978 album, 2 Hot, the song was a huge crossover smash, topping both the pop and soul charts...
". It was released as both a 7-inch single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
and a 12-inch single
12-inch single
The 12-inch single is a type of gramophone record that has wider groove spacing compared to other types of records. This allows for louder levels to be cut on the disc by the cutting engineer, which in turn gives a wider dynamic range, and thus better sound quality...
, with an instrumental version of the song titled "Still Makin' It" as the B-side.
It appeared in the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart for 16 weeks, and in the top 10 for five weeks. It debuted at #89 on March 31, peaking at #5 for two weeks, July 21 and July 28.
It is unique in that, unlike other hit TV themes such as "Believe It or Not" (from The Greatest American Hero
The Greatest American Hero
The Greatest American Hero is an American comedy-drama television series that aired for three seasons from 1981 to 1983 on ABC. Created by producer Stephen J. Cannell, it premiered as a two-hour movie pilot on March 18, 1981...
) and "Welcome Back" (from Welcome Back, Kotter
Welcome Back, Kotter
Welcome Back, Kotter was an American television sitcom starring Gabe Kaplan and featuring a young John Travolta.It originally aired on the ABC network from September 9, 1975 to June 8, 1979.-Premise:...
), it lasted longer in the Top 40 than the program for which it was the theme lasted on the air. The program was canceled by ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
after only 8 episodes. Furthermore, the song entered the Top 40 on May 12 -- almost two months after the TV series left the air.
The song also appeared on the soundtrack of the 1979 film Meatballs
Meatballs (film)
Meatballs is a 1979 Canadian comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman. It is noted for the first film appearance of Bill Murray in a starring role and for launching Reitman into a distinguished career of financially successful comedies including Stripes and Ghostbusters , both starring Murray...
. It was also featured in the 1999 film Detroit Rock City
Detroit Rock City (film)
Detroit Rock City is a 1999 film about four teenagers in a Kiss cover band who try to see their idols in Detroit in 1978. Comparable to Rock 'n' Roll High School, Dazed and Confused, The Stöned Age, and I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Detroit Rock City tells a coming of age story through a filter of 1970s...
(despite the movie being set in 1978 and "Makin' It" not being released until 1979), as well as episodes of the television series Cold Case and Fame
Fame (1982 TV series)
Fame is an American television series originally produced between 1982 and 1987. The show was based on the 1980 motion picture of the same name. Using a mixture of drama and music, it followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Although...
Charts
| Chart (1979) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
5 |