Legendary pop artist B.J. Thomas sang the Growing Pains theme song throughout the show’s runs from 1985 through 1992. He was joined in duet versions of the song by Jennifer Warnes for four seasons, and by Dusty Springfield in one season.
As Long as We Got Each Other
The official title of the Growing Pains theme song is ‘As Long as We Got Each Other,” which fit well with the family-oriented theme of the show depicting the Seavers as they made their way through suburban life.
Whatever trials and tribulations came their way, you could bet that Jason (Alan Thicke) and Maggie (Joanna Kerns) would work through them together … and with their kids: Mike (Kirk Cameron), Carol (Tracey Gold), and Ben (Jeremy Miller).
Given that cast and his reputation as a songwriter and musician in his own right (not to mention real-life son Robin Thicke’s notoriety in the music industry), many fans assume that Alan Thicke himself wrote the show’s theme song.
In fact, though, show creator Neal Marlens turned to Steve Dorff to create the theme. Dorff, in turn, recruited lyricist John Bettis to write the words.
Commercial Success
In a somewhat unusual move, Dorff, who had become known for his work in creating television theme songs, released a “soundtrack” of his small-screen work in 1988, which he titled, Steve Dorff and Friends: Growing Pains and Other Hit TV Themes.
Three songs from Growing Pains made the cut:
- The Growing Pains theme song (Thomas and Springfield version)
- “Swept Away”, by Christopher Cross (from the “Aloha” episode)
- “This Is The Day”, by B.J. Thomas (solo, from the “Graduation Day” episode)
The Thomas and Springfield version of “As Long as We Got Each Other” by B.J. Thomas and Dusty Springfield climbed all the way to Number 7 on the Adult Contemporary charts in the United States.
The individual songs featured on Growing Pains episodes did not make the Top 40, though “Swept Away” was nominated for the Emmy award for Outstanding Achievement in Music and Lyrics.
