“In The Street” by Cheap Trick is the theme song for the tv show- That 70’s Show. I didn’t watch this show when it first aired from 1998-2006. I was in full swing mom-mode and this show just did not appeal to me. I didn’t really know anything about it. And then a few years ago, it caught my attention. I’m not even sure why but I started watching it on Netflix and I was hooked! The theme song, which I had never heard before, immediately became one of my favorites.
About the song- originally recorded by Big Star and released in 1972, it gained popularity as the theme song for That 70’s Show. Cheap Trick’s version of the song was used as the theme song beginning with the second season.
The tv show takes place in a suburb in Wisconsin in the late 1970’s, following a group of teenagers who are friends and sometimes boyfriend and girlfriend. Having grown up in the midwest in the late 70’s/early 80’s, this show grew on me rather quickly. The characters were wearing the same clothes I wore as a teenager. They reminded me of people I grew up with (including myself). The decor of the house reminded me of my childhood home. In fact, the pots and pans used were the same ones we had growing up with the orange and yellow flowers on them. There’s an orange ashtray on the coffee table that looks like the same one we had, except ours was green. I later read that they actually scoured thrift stores in search of 70’s clothing and household items to create an air of authenticity. The show feels like a step back in time and when I hear this song, through it’s association with the show, I’m transported back to those oh,so fun teenage years and the 70’s.
And in case you aren’t familiar with the show, you might recognize the actors who brought some very memorable characters to life- Topher Grace (Eric), Mila Kunis (Jackie), Ashton Kutcher (Kelso), Danny Masterson (Hyde), Laura Prepon (Donna), Wilmer Valderrama (Fez), Debra Jo Rupp (Kitty), and Kurtwood Smith (Red).
I found a fun video of the song. This was not what the opening credits of the tv show were- just a random video. I hope you enjoy my song for 51 Weeks: 51 Songs From the Past: Week 11.
It looks like fun, doesn’t it?
Hello, Wisconsin!
-Kat
Dandelion Fuzz 
lol – the show made it to Australia! I didn’t watch it often but as soon as I started watched the video clip I recognized those 2 characters. 🙂
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When it first aired it wasn’t on my radar but when I happened to come across it years later, I liked it a lot. I really think it’s because it does make me feel nostalgic since I grew up in the 70’s. 🙂 And I was so buried in parenting the first time it aired that I had no idea what it was about or who was in it. lol
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I’d already hit my twenties by the 70’s so, apart from the bell bottoms, I didn’t relate to it so much. Plus, as an Australian, our ‘scene’ wasn’t quite the same. I still enjoyed the episodes I watched though.
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I knew a lot of kids like the characters on the show and was acquaintances with some but never was part of the partying crowd.
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I lived in a student house for a couple of years while I was at uni. and enjoyed some of the partying, but like you, mostly as an observer. 🙂
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Never heard of ‘That 70′ s Show’. Don’t think it ever made it to our screens here in the U.K, Kat. However, what a wonderful trip back in time I’d have by watching it. Many of those items were certainly also in our household.
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Between the sets, clothing and references to 70’s pop culture, it really took you back to that time. 🙂
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