‘All in the Family’ was a legendary TV sitcom during its run from 1971 to 1979. It was a consistent #1 in the Neilsen ratings and even had a spin-off show ‘Archie Bunker’s Place.’ The father on the show was played by the great Carroll O’Connor.
Carroll made a guest appearance on the ‘Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour’ in 1971, dressed in a tuxedo. He explained that his appearance was to perform a song he had written the lyrics to after being inspired.
Carroll told the audience, ‘I think by now that you’ve all heard the opening theme for ‘All in the Family,’ but I don’t know if you’ve taken much notice of the very nice closing theme.’
He continued to say, ‘I asked my friend Roger Kellaway who composed the music, if I could have permission to write the lyrics to it. He said fine, and I wrote the lyrics to it.’
Carroll sings his freshly composed lyrics while Roger plays piano. He sings, ‘Got a feelin’ it’s all over now. All over now, we’re through. And tomorrow I’ll be lonesome, remembering you. Got a feelin’ the sun will be gone. The day will be long and blue. And tomorrow I’ll be cryin’, remembering you.
The audience loves the performance and applauds with enthusiasm. They had just experienced a rare moment in television history. No one even knew that Carroll had written the lyrics except the music composer Roger Kellaway.
‘All in the Family’ is remembered as one of the greatest sitcoms in American television history. Archie Bunker is one of the most famous TV dads in our culture. The beloved lead character is shown in a rare performance among fans doing something entirely out of the ordinary!
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