The opening theme was "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets. This choice was inspired by the song's successful use in the 1973 film American Graffiti , which also starred Ron Howard.
The "Happy Days" theme was penned by the prolific duo and Charles Fox , who were also responsible for hits like "Killing Me Softly with His Song" and the theme for Wonder Woman . Performer(s) Usage Period Original Recording Jim Haas (lead) & session singers Seasons 1–2 (Closing Credits) The Hit Version Pratt & McClain Seasons 3–10 (Opening & Closing) Final Version Bobby Arvon Season 11 (Opening & Closing) Commercial Success and Pop Culture Impact happy_days_theme_song
The show did not originally open with the song "Happy Days." Instead, it relied on a 1950s rock-and-roll classic to set the mood. The opening theme was "Rock Around the Clock"
A final, more "contemporary" version of the theme was introduced for the show's farewell season. The Songwriters and Singers Performer(s) Usage Period Original Recording Jim Haas (lead)
As the show shifted to a live studio audience and focused more on Henry Winkler's Fonzie character, producers replaced the opening with the now-iconic "Happy Days" theme.
The version by the duo Pratt & McClain was a massive success beyond the television screen. Released as a single in 1976, it climbed to . Interestingly, the song was not originally intended to be a radio single; it was recorded quickly—from the first meeting to a finished record in just seven days—to meet audience demand after the show became a hit.
