<P> The series ' opening theme song `` Those Were The Days '' , written by Lee Adams ( lyrics ) and Charles Strouse ( music ) , was presented in a unique way for a 1970s series : Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton seated at a console or spinet piano ( played by Stapleton ) and singing the tune together on - camera at the start of every episode , concluding with live - audience applause . ( The song dates back to the first Justice For All pilot , although on that occasion O'Connor and Stapleton performed the song off - camera and at a faster tempo than the series version . ) Six different performances were recorded over the run of the series , including one version that includes additional lyrics . The song is a simple , pentatonic melody ( that can be played exclusively with black keys on a piano ) in which Archie and Edith wax nostalgic for the simpler days of yesteryear . A longer version of the song was released as a single on Atlantic Records , reaching number 43 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number 30 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in early 1972 ; the additional lyrics in this longer version lend the song a greater sense of sadness , and make poignant reference to social changes taking place in the 1960s and early 1970s . </P>
<P> The series ' opening theme song `` Those Were The Days '' , written by Lee Adams ( lyrics ) and Charles Strouse ( music ) , was presented in a unique way for a 1970s series : Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton seated at a console or spinet piano ( played by Stapleton ) and singing the tune together on - camera at the start of every episode , concluding with live - audience applause . ( The song dates back to the first Justice For All pilot , although on that occasion O'Connor and Stapleton performed the song off - camera and at a faster tempo than the series version . ) Six different performances were recorded over the run of the series , including one version that includes additional lyrics . The song is a simple , pentatonic melody ( that can be played exclusively with black keys on a piano ) in which Archie and Edith wax nostalgic for the simpler days of yesteryear . A longer version of the song was released as a single on Atlantic Records , reaching number 43 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number 30 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in early 1972 ; the additional lyrics in this longer version lend the song a greater sense of sadness , and make poignant reference to social changes taking place in the 1960s and early 1970s . </P>
who sang all in the family theme song
who sang all in the family theme song
Carroll O'Connor Jean Stapleton
Carroll O'Connor Jean Stapleton