# In which everyone laughs at my musical ignorance ("Jeffersons" theme song)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-everyone-laughs-at-my-musical-ignorance-jeffersons-theme-song/213259>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [November 14, 2003, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-everyone-laughs-at-my-musical-ignorance-jeffersons-theme-song/213259 "2003-11-14T16:11:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-everyone-laughs-at-my-musical-ignorance-jeffersons-theme-song/213259/1 "2003-11-14T16:11:43Z")

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I’m about to ask what I’m sure is a REALLY dumb question. Please be kind!

I’ve always loved the style of music exemplified by the theme songs of _The Jeffersons_ and _Good Times_: kinda gospelly, lots of organ, great vocals, and so on. What the heck is that style called, and more to the point, what artists perform it?

I hesitate to call it anything like R&B, because sometimes it seems like people use that term as an umbrella to mean “anything written/performed by black artists.” It seems to be a little bit gospel, a little bit blues, a little bit – what? If I wanted to buy some CDs in that style, who would I look for?

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**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-everyone-laughs-at-my-musical-ignorance-jeffersons-theme-song/213259/2 "2003-11-14T16:19:40Z")

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Soul.

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**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2003, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-everyone-laughs-at-my-musical-ignorance-jeffersons-theme-song/213259/3 "2003-11-14T16:23:41Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Scarlett67 \*  
> \*\*I’m about to ask what I’m sure is a REALLY dumb question. Please be kind!
> 
> I’ve always loved the style of music exemplified by the theme songs of _The Jeffersons_ and _Good Times_: kinda gospelly, lots of organ, great vocals, and so on. What the heck is that style called, and more to the point, what artists perform it?\*\*

Both tunes are heavily gospel-influenced, as you note. I have no problems regarding either song as gospel music.

Interestingly enough, actress Janet DuBois (of _Good Times_) performs _The Jeffersons_ theme song. I don’t kow off-hand who does the _Good Times_ theme.

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**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-everyone-laughs-at-my-musical-ignorance-jeffersons-theme-song/213259/4 "2003-11-15T03:56:03Z")

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Well we’re movin on up,  
To the east side.  
To a deluxe apartment in the sky…

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**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-everyone-laughs-at-my-musical-ignorance-jeffersons-theme-song/213259/5 "2003-11-15T05:57:19Z")

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Great. Now I’ve got _The Jeffersons_ theme song endlessly looping through my head. Time to play some 3 Doors Down . . . .