Before John Travolta became a disco king, David Naughton was busy "Makin' It" on the small screen and the charts.
The Song
"Makin' It" is the catchy disco-pop theme song from the 1979 ABC sitcom of the same name, which starred David Naughton. Released in 1979, the track captures the buoyant, aspirational spirit of the disco era, perfectly embodying the show's premise of working-class teenagers trying to make a name for themselves. The song was produced by Michael Lloyd, a prolific producer known for his work with teen idols and soundtracks. Its infectious melody and optimistic lyrics quickly made it a memorable staple of late-70s radio.
The Artist
David Naughton is an American actor and singer, perhaps best known for his dual role in the late 1970s. Before "Makin' It," he was already recognizable as the star of the popular Dr Pepper "Be a Pepper" advertising campaign. His acting career continued well beyond the sitcom, notably starring in the classic 1981 horror-comedy film An American Werewolf in London, which solidified his place in pop culture. While "Makin' It" was his biggest musical hit, Naughton continued to act in various television shows and films throughout the decades.
Chart Performance
"Makin' It" proved to be a significant hit for David Naughton, climbing into the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It peaked at number 5, a remarkable achievement for a TV theme song. The single's success helped to briefly propel the sitcom into the public eye, even though the show itself had a relatively short run. The song's popularity demonstrated the strong crossover appeal of disco music at the time, able to launch a TV star's music career into mainstream success.
Cultural Impact
The song "Makin' It" is a quintessential piece of late 1970s pop culture, instantly evoking the disco era and the aspirational themes prevalent in media of the time. While the sitcom itself may not have achieved long-lasting iconic status, the theme song has endured as a nostalgic reminder of the period. It stands as an example of how television theme songs could become major pop hits in their own right, defining the sound and feel of a specific moment in history.
Fun Facts
- The sitcom Makin' It aired for only nine episodes in 1979 before being canceled, making the song's chart success even more impressive relative to the show's run.
- David Naughton actually recorded an entire album titled Makin' It following the single's success, also produced by Michael Lloyd.
- The song features a prominent saxophone riff, a common element in many disco and pop hits of the late 70s.
- Naughton's prior fame from the Dr Pepper commercials undoubtedly contributed to his immediate recognition and the initial interest in his musical venture.
- The song's upbeat tempo and simple, direct lyrics made it a favorite on dance floors and roller rinks across the country.Before John Travolta became a disco king, David Naughton was busy "Makin' It" on the small screen and the charts.
The Song
"Makin' It" is a dynamic disco-pop song performed by David Naughton, released in March 1979. It served as the theme song for the ABC sitcom of the same name, in which Naughton also starred. The track was co-written by the successful songwriting team of Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris, who were also behind hits like Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive". With its upbeat tempo and optimistic lyrics about seizing opportunities, "Makin' It" perfectly encapsulated the show's spirit of young people striving for success in the disco era.
The Artist
David Naughton is an American actor and singer, prominently known for his work in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Prior to his musical success with "Makin' It," he gained widespread recognition as the energetic spokesperson in the "Be a Pepper" advertising campaign for Dr Pepper. Beyond his disco hit, Naughton also starred in the cult classic 1981 horror-comedy film An American Werewolf in London, solidifying his place in film history.
Chart Performance
"Makin' It" achieved significant commercial success, climbing to number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks in July 1979. The song spent a total of 16 weeks in the Top 40 and 24 weeks on the chart overall. It also reached number 11 on Billboard's Disco Top 40 Chart. Despite the sitcom itself having a short run, the song's popularity demonstrated its strong appeal and became a major pop hit.
Cultural Impact
The song "Makin' It" remains a vibrant artifact of the late 1970s disco craze. It became emblematic of the era's aspirational themes and the crossover potential between television and pop music. While the Makin' It sitcom was short-lived, airing only nine episodes and later being ranked among TV Guide's 50 Worst TV Shows of All Time, the theme song transcended the show's fate and is still recognized today. The track's infectious energy contributed to the collective memory of disco, even as the genre began to face a backlash by the summer of 1979.
Fun Facts
- The sitcom Makin' It premiered in February 1979 and was canceled after just nine episodes, yet the theme song continued to climb the charts after the show's cancellation.
- David Naughton recorded an entire album also titled Makin' It following the single's success.
- Early pressings of the single explicitly stated it was from the Makin' It television show, while later pressings sometimes connected it to the 1979 comedy film Meatballs, where it also appeared on the soundtrack.
- The song was notably featured in a Subway television commercial in 2017.
- Director John Landis cast Naughton in An American Werewolf in London partly because he was impressed by Naughton's energetic performances in the Dr Pepper commercials.