Sonny Curtis passed away on September 19th.
You might not know his name, but if you’re a fan of 1970s television, you may know one of his lasting contributions.
Sonny wrote and sang “Love Is All Around,” the opening theme song for the Mary Tyler Moore Show.
I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to call the song iconic; one of the best TV themes ever. And paired with the wonderfully composed and edited shots of Mary moving through her world, it’s a key element of a memorable title sequence that’s maintained its emotional power for more than half a century. America was in LOVE with Mary Tyler Moore and this show with its exceptional open was a big reason why.
There are three versions of the title sequence in the video below. Notice how both the visuals and the song change over the years.
In the first open, we learn that Mary is moving to Minneapolis to take on a new job. The theme song that debut season included lyrics like “How will you make it on your own?” and “This world is awfully big and, girl, this time you’re all alone.”
Then, in the next versions, we see and hear that Mary is clearly more confident as she navigates life in the big city. The new lyrics reflect that growth and confidence, even as she deals with frustrations now and then.
Each open is an example of great storytelling, contained within just 54 seconds. Brilliantly, that story is allowed to evolve over the seasons, just as Mary’s life evolves.
These opening sequences are beautiful work that still hold up today. And they’re an example of the lasting value of a good story, well told.
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