John Sebastian - Welcome Back (REACTION)

[@joeboucher695]

John Sebastian was the leader of a sixties band called the Lovin' Spoonful ("Summer in the City," "Do You Believe in Magic," Daydream"). He wrote "Welcome Back" for the show. It's basically the story of Mr. Kotter returning to his hometown to give back to the community and find himself. A few TV theme songs hit the charts arounf the same time: this, the Rockford Files, Theme from S.W.A.T. , "Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow" from Baretta. And of course the Barney Miller theme shoulda been a hit.

[@allengray5748]

Joe!! Nice one! Baretta " And datts da name of datt tune"! Best of it's time.

[@VidiotSavante]

I remember hearing all of those great TV themes on the radio! My favorite was The Rockford Files theme from Mike Post. He's one of the best and also did the themes for Magnum P.I., Quantum Leap, The Greatest American Hero, Law And Order, The A-Team and many others.

[@NondescriptMammal]

Let's not forget the theme from M*A*S*H by Johnny Mandel, which was an instrumental on TV, but in the movie on which the series was based, the song had lyrics and was titled "Suicide is Painless". As an instrumental it actually hit the top of the singles charts in the UK.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

I thought Hawaii Five-O was kind of a hit as well. Long time ago.

[@allengray5748]

@@stevedahlberg8680 Long time ago 2010 or 1968? Just curious 😉 Liked both til both got weird. ☮️

[@johnathanstruble1064]

You guys just went Hall of Fame in my opinion , for taking us old folks back to the past! When TV was Golden! WKRP, CHEERS, THREES Company...thank, big smile on my face.😁

[@doug_nu_york4853]

It’s in the top five of TV show theme songs, right along with the greatest American hero

[@charlesartis]

THEY ARE ONE AND TWO ALL TIME

[@MrDeadstu]

Running home after school to see what the Sweathogs were going to get up-to is a precious childhood memory, and this song is perfect audio nostalgia.

[@John_Chu]

Fellas, I was the one who mentioned that Sebastian played harmonica on The Doors “Roadhouse Blues.” I thought you’d revisit this. Ha ha. Love it.

[@AirplayBeats]

I remember now.

[@genetheroux7916]

Loving Spoonful.....Summer In The City, Do You Believe In Magic, Daydream, Jug Band Music, Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind, Darling Be Home Soon, Nashville Cats, Daydream,...

[@SK-lk3iu]

Yesss!!

[@kathybwell]

Welcome back Kotter, 75-79. Thanks for bringing back memories this morning guys. Song is pretty decent for a sitcom theme song.

[@ML-un1oi]

Thanks for the memories. The band the Lovin Spoonfull are worth checking out. Great reaction fellas! Appreciate you Appreciate

[@tjmasson1013]

Oh man this brings back great memories. Loved that show. Good ol days man

[@t.j.payeur5331]

The first time we heard this on the TV we oldtimers said "Wait a minute, is that John Sebastian? It is!" Goddamn, it was nice to watch you guys go back in time to a simpler place.."Do You Believe in Magic" is a great song too, you'll just love it...

[@matzabean]

You’ve got to do the Sanford and Son theme! It’s Quincy Jones produced with Chuck Rainey’s ridiculous bass line.

[@allengray5748]

Dudes!! Didn't know Loving Spoonful guy. Didn't know SUMMER IN THE CITY and DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC ✨ was the same band. Wow 😳 A.D. D. I'll blame. Awesome Channel Guys!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎

[@markwilliams5606]

John did a Great performance at Woodstock Legendary ✌️🪴

[@suesebree8670]

And he was higher than a kite! LOL

[@danrumble74]

John Sebastian did a lot. He was in a band called The Lovin' Spoonful. He also did a song at Woodstock called "the younger generation" and Schoolhouse Rock's "3 is a Magic Number" 😉👍

[@009AWB]

Massive respect for anyone who has a chance for fame and fortune yet returns to the world of the streets and places full of despair to try and relieve some of the suffering of others.

[@MikeOstrowski-iq8wf]

“Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington & Vinny Barbarino were my favorite character’s 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 “What”

[@DannyD714]

Juan loved your reaction to the song from the tv series that made him a household name. you guys rock! signed Epstien's mother.

[@micheled6111]

Omg. Mr Kotter. John Travolta was a great Vinny Barbarino too!

[@Michael-Philip]

Great Song, brings back memories.

[@emanuellawton7942]

It was written for the show and the show was an instant hit so the song was released as a hit single shortly after the show's debut.

[@Caseydog3]

Welcome back Kotter tv show

[@cshubs]

I once saw Gabe Kaplan, aka Mr Kotter, do stand up in Cincy about 20 years ago. He worked clean and was very funny.

[@allengray5748]

Part III 😁 How did you guys get into WELCOME BACK KOTTER?? That's funny in itself. Up your nose with a rubbah hose!! ☮️

[@0okamino]

Signed, Epstein’s Mother 🤣

[@edithdriver2094]

Heyyy it’s the sweat hogs 😀

[@bhart62]

“Hi there, Freddie Boom Boom Washington”. I loved that show as a kid.

[@punkydoodle4774]

This was the theme song for Welcome Back, Kotter tv sitcom. Vinny Barbarino was John Travolta's breakout role.

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

I love that you love hard songs, yet melt like butter for 70s sitcom songs. Thanks guys.

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🎉reach out🎉”

[@cosmiccowboy7764]

The show that started John Travolta’s career - Vinnie Barbarino- Mr Kot - Ter!

[@audiofile8833]

A song from my teen years. Thanks for reviewing this one!❤

[@4444kermit]

Thanks guys. I really need that. Better times and message.

[@leemcclements8889]

Aw...this brings back memories! Welcome Back Kotter was a great show!

[@ericwilliams1031]

So much nostalgia with that song.

[@stevencorreia9193]

Oh the memories, watching that show 🤣🤣

[@CCDzine]

The Doors have a live album called 'Alive She Cried' and there's a song on that album called 'Little Red Rooster' in which John Sebastian plays a mean blues harp (harmonica).

[@somersetcace1]

The theme to Welcome Back Kotter!

[@paulgatton1785]

Yes---check out John Sebastian and the "Lovin Spoonful" ---"Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind" and "Do You Believe In Magic"

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🎉reach out🎉”

[@ugadawgs1990]

Rockford Files, Greatest American Hero, SWAT, and Hawaii Five-O were all great theme songs.

[@5d512]

And MASH, Hill Street Blues.

[@allan6467]

Awesome reaction. This really brings back memories. Another great one is Santana "Winning", from the show "The Greatest American Hero".

[@joeburt1106]

Watched it as a kid. The song was really popular!

[@joelliebler5690]

John is so smooth. He as always had an easy way about him either doing his solo albums or with his Lovin’ Spoonful!

[@willinghamsctt]

Mr. Kotter!. All the Sitcoms had GREAT music back then with SERIOUS session players. Taxi, Good TImes, Barney Miller, etc. so many incredible theme songs. I miss that.

[@lindalee5866]

Yes to Taxi and Barney Miller (3rd version) theme tunes! Will add a few for your consideration above.

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🎉reach out🎉”🎉

[@joannfowler8407]

I loved the show !!

[@yournamehere6002]

It was written for the show specifically, but became a big hit on radio

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🎉reach out🎉”

[@danmayberry1185]

Legend.

[@CCDzine]

There were some great 1970s TV themes but this is at the top, along with the Quincy Jones song for Sanford & Son, José Feliciano's theme for Chico & the Man, and Harry Nilsson's theme for The Courtship of Eddie's Father.

[@CoronaMechanics88]

Thank you guys…this brought back awesome memories…respect…

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🎉reach out🎉”

[@submandave1125]

Another little known musical connection to "Welcome Back Kotter" is that the actress who played Julie Kotter, Marcia Strassman, had a top-40 hit in 1967 with "The Flower Children."

[@chopa2less]

"Nashville Cats" was a pretty good John Sebastian (w/The Lovin Spoonful) song, as they delve into some country with a sense of humor and some decent instrumentation.

[@cindyp1033]

Love that song! Younger Girl is beautiful also❤

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🎉reach out🎉”

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

​@@cindyp1033“🎉reach out🎉”

[@jamesgallerani2271]

you guys definitely need to do a theme song segment

[@jonathanlocke6404]

I honestly don't think the t.v. series would have been successful without this theme song. It really just invited viewers in...My two favorite t.v. themes are this and "Love Is All Around"...

[@Michael-Philip]

Troggs ? I just listened to it, don't remember that one.

[@jonathanlocke6404]

@@Michael-Philip Not the Troggs song. It was written for the Mary Tyler Moore show...

[@allengray5748]

Jonathan, like the Larry Tate picture!! ☮️

[@richardeast3328]

The Sweathogs

[@mitzifrancis9843]

As a young girl, I LOVED John Sébastien with the band The Lovin Spoonful! When I was 17, a group of friends gathered to say goodbye since I was heading off to spend a year in Finland (and part of the time in what was then the Soviet Union, where I ended up in a Leningrad hospital for infectious diseases surrounded by a high wall topped with barbed wire...and with an expired visa). At that send-off party, my dear friend, Elliot, sang one of my all-time favorite Lovin Spoonful songs, "Darling Be Home Soon". And in the 1980s, a local radio station held a battle of the songs. The Lovin Spoonful tune, "Do You Believe in Magic" won round after round...as it should! Other Loving Spoonful songs you might enjoy are "Summer in the City", "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind", and "Nashville Cats". By the way, while the two Soviet hospitals I was in were in poor physical condition (in one, the bottom left leg of my bed was broken, and the sheets often had holes in them, so I kept sliding down to the bottom getting my foot caught through the hole and too weak to pull myself up) the people caring for me were all wonderful. Especially to a 17 year old all by herself since everyone else in my small group had to leave me behind because all our visas were expiring.

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤

[@mamaflush9945]

Wow! haven't heard this song in years. lol My granddad and uncle loved the series Welcome Back Kotter. Great choice guy's👍Just as others have said John Sabastian played in the band "Lovin' Spoonful" here's a suggestion for one of their songs, if interested. "The Lovin' Spoonful - Daydream (On The Ed Sullivan Show" (by the channel: The Ed Sullivan Show) I suggested the live performance in case you two want to see them live. "The Lovin' Spoonful" was an American folk rock band formed in Greenwich Village, New York City, in 1964. The band was among one of the popular groups in the US for a short period of time in the mid-60's and their music and image influenced many of the contemporary rock groups of their era. The founding members were John Sebastian (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica, autoharp), Zal Yanovsky (guitar, vocals), Steve Boone (bass), Joe Butler (drums). It was fun rocking with you gents. thanks for sharing. peace out~

[@tonytony5380]

Fun watching you guys time trip with us Definitely check out the loving spoonful John's 60s band

[@genecase9464]

I believe The Rockford Files and Hawaii 5-0, both instrmentals, were also tv theme songs released as singles and did pretty well. May have been others as well. My personal favorite is the little diddy from The Twilight Zone! Loved it as a kid, still do.

[@robertrodriguez9445]

Memories

[@NondescriptMammal]

Ah yes, it brings back memories of John Travolta in his breakout acting role as one of the Sweathogs

[@stevediller9937]

Good Time Music!

[@se6550]

....man I miss the seventies. :)

[@edithdriver2094]

It’s good times music 👏

[@douglaslaney8536]

Show was to be originally named Kotter. They heard Sebastian’s song for the show and decided to rename it.

[@joeykopack]

This is in my top 2 TV theme songs my other is WKRP in Cincinnati

[@joeykopack]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJjVh4OVf5V1fs0si=s17GhzbIylOs7TbH Great baseline

[@60secthebaptist9]

Gotta agree. top 5 theme songs.

[@doplinger1]

That’s hilarious you guys are watching Kotter! 😆😆😆 Now you have to listen to Hohn Travolta’s hit from 1976 - “Let Her In”!!

[@StuartBearden]

Thanks guys😊

[@RonaldWilliams-qh7zc]

Man I remember when this came out back in 1975 I believe it was either 75 or 76 yeah those were the good days! No actually it came out when the show started

[@NewOldVideos-d5o]

Late 70s John Sabastian opened for comedian Steve Martin.. he played for a while and the crowd grew restless. He stopped after on of his lesser know songs and said "When I go back stage, Steve is going to ask me what kind of crowd we have. I want to tell him something good". THEN he played this and the crowd cheered, ( Steve Martin was great )

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🎉reach out🎉”

[@jacqueline4514]

OMG, I’m a kid again and Television was still good 😂. I have a suggestion; two of the GREATEST TV theme songs are smooth Jazz GOLD; the theme song to “TAXI” called “Angela” by Bob James, and the theme to the show “HILL STREET BLUES” ❤❤❤

[@esdel1955]

I think Sebastian wrote this song for the show, then released it when it became popular.

[@TheDivayenta]

Their biggest hit was “ Daydream”. His group was The Lovin’ Spoonful- derived from the old cocaine blues song “ Spoonful”.

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🎉reach out🎉”

[@suesebree8670]

Listen to Darling, Be Home Soon. Also his Woodstock gig. He was sooooooo high. 😊😊😊

[@freeforever6971]

Looking good Mr Kotter!

[@jonpriest]

john was an original sweathog .

[@daveg3917]

Holy shit!!! Welcome back Cotter!

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🎉reach out🎉”

[@johncampbell756]

This was written for the show. The show creator wanted a Lovin Spoonful style song and was sble to get the main guy from the band to do it. One of my favorite TV theme dongs is from the show Angel, a spin-off from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The theme was written sbd perfirned by a band called Darling Violetta. There is a durorising hood quality fan shot live video of a live medkey of the theme and the Beatlesque "Star Shoes (Love Is Eferything)" on youtube. I'd link it, but Youtibe doesn't like it when I do. (Disclosure of bias: the guitarist and the camera person are both close friends of mine.)

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🎉reach out🎉”🎉

[@danhill5619]

Lovin' Spoonful (

[@jimscholle2932]

I watch several reaction channels and have yet to see anyone explore The Lovin’ Spoonful. All John Sebastian. All incredible music. Go down the rabbit hole. ( Then do The Association. Another group no one seems to stumble upon: Along Comes Mary, Cherish , Never My Love, to name but a w! Love your channel guys.

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🎉reach out🎉”

[@kdm71291]

I still see that guy on that unicycle riding down the street!

[@ivansavoie3190]

Welcome back Kotter was one of the best shows back then I MO

[@CHICAGOWIND1981]

React to Chico and the Man theme song and Hard Times at El Barrio by the legend Jose Feliciano. You guys definitely gonna dig it.

[@bennettmusiccollective3218]

🔥🔥🔥

[@adamkenney6932]

Gift of Gab from Blackalicious had a solo album that had a song called Flashback which I think borrowed some inspiration from this one.

[@curly8029]

Our introduction to John Travolta is what I associate with this song. Welcome Back Kotter was a really big show.

[@charlestcool]

Maybe you guys could spend a week or two reviewing TV show theme songs. Like the theme from SWAT, The Rockford Files, sanford and Son, Gimme a Break, WKRP in Cincinnati, The Jefferson’s, etc. I think it would be fun;)

[@allengray5748]

Oops 😬 Didn't know he was from Loving Spoonful. ☮️

[@angelskunk2206]

This was the theme song for a 70s sitcom “Welcome Back Kotter” (Later in same video)…oh, so you already knew that…lol

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🎉reach out🎉”🎉

[@bradsense7431]

Other notable tv theme songs. From 1968- Name Of The Game by Dave Grusin. Another good one was Taxi by Bob James. The shows only played a portion of the songs so definitely listen to the full versions.

[@steviemccormick3762]

The man from Lovin' Spoonful !!!!

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🎉reach out🎉”🎉

[@lisarainbow9703]

Arnold Horschack.....lol...😂

[@jimmyjohn2815]

😛 Super

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🎉reach out🎉”

[@davidmolina3520]

Back to my teens 🙃

[@Frankincensedjb123]

This isn't a song, it's a TV show 😉

[@trishriley9681]

I loved Welcome Back Kotter and this song❤

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

🎉❤🎉🎉🎉

[@violetflame23]

Great reaction La and Che. I loved Welcome Back Kotter and this theme song. Two other great TV theme songs were from Chico and the Man sung by Jose Feliciano and WKRP in Cincinnatti sung by Steve Carlisle.

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🎉reach out🎉”

[@marcribe6483]

I still have this album. This album has like three lesser songs. Everything else is gold. The last track of this album Let This Be Our Time To Get Along is a beautiful instrumental where the harmonica takes the lead. Re-imagined versions of two Lovin' Spoonful covers (Didn't Wanna Have to Do It and Warm Baby). A cool album.

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

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[@jamesjenkins7639]

Sebastian also has a conection to rap music,P Diddy used part of this song on one of his songs that he did with another artist.

[@jamesjenkins7639]

By p. Diddy and mace called welcome back

[@jamesjenkins7639]

2:30

[@jenniferfoster1692]

My childhood!! Freddie 'Boom Boom' Washington! Vinny Varbarino! The Sweathogs! I loved this show so much, it was kind of edgy for the time but still silly and hilarious.

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🤘reach out🤘”

[@josephrodgers3119]

ABC TV asked him to write a song for a new TV sitcom. Henceforth Welcome back....Kotter.

[@lindalee5866]

Great tune. To add to the few other TV theme tunes recommended below, here are some youtube links to a few favorites: "Late Night" theme (w/David Letterman): kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJDUmpajgJZmpck -- best TV band ever--every night was a slight variation on the original! "Miami Vice" (80s cop show): kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnvYYWqrjq-KrpY, "Peter Gunn" (late 50s noir-ish PI drama): kzbin.info/www/bejne/e57KkGl3g8-KsNE, "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" (60s sitcom): kzbin.info/www/bejne/anKzg3h4g7Sba7M, and "Baretta" (cop drama 80s): kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5XJd52pg6ibbJo .... to name just a few! And definitely check out the theme from "Taxi" (my favorite) and "Barney Miller" as recommended by others! Cheers.

[@thomasripley1548]

He did with his first band.....

[@AirplayBeats__ON__TELE-GRAM]

“🎉reach out🎉”