Television Theme Songs: The Jeffersons

Believe it or not, I wasn't alive in the 60s or 70s, but those decades are where most of my favorite TV show theme songs come from. In fact, many of these shows I've never even seen, so I have completely untainted opinions about the songs, based purely on their own musical merits.

But, as much as I like some of these themes, they lose almost all meaning to me, because I've never actually watched these shows. Today, I'll be taking a look at the theme to The Jeffersons.



"Well we're movin' on up!
(Movin' on up!)
To the East side.
(Movin' on up!)
To a deluxe apartment,
in the sky

Movin' on up!
(Movin' on up!)
to the East Side!
(Movin' on up!)
We finally got a piece of the pie!

Fists don't fight in the kitchen
Beans don't burn on the grill
took a whole lot o' tryin
Just to get up that hill

Now we're up in the big leagues
Gettin' our turn at best
As long as we live
It's you and me, baby.
Ain't nothin' wrong with that.

Well we're movin' on up!
(Movin' on up!)
To the East side.
(Movin' on up!)
To a deluxe apartment,
in the sky

Movin' on up!
(Movin' on up!)
to the East Side!
(Movin' on up!)
We finally got a piece of the pie!"

So, this song means almost nothing to me. Don't get me wrong; I think it's a fun, upbeat, peppy song in its own right. But the lyrics are almost without significance to me.

Apparently, a soul-singing woman and at least one other person she knows have become successful enough to move up to Manhattan's East side?

I'm not from Manhattan, and haven't spent any time there, whatsoever. Is living on the East side a positive show of social status? And deluxe apartments that hover above the city? These were desirable in the 1970s? Where are our flying apartments, today? I want to visit deluxe apartment in the sky! I may want to live there!

Fists don't fight in the kitchen! Holy cow, this levitating domicile has magical powers that prevent people from boxing while cooking! AND it stops beans from burning on the grill! That's amazing!

I know all of my smart-alec-y questions would be answered if I'd just watch the show, but that's too much effort. I'd rather just enjoy the song for what it is, and wonder what hidden meanings the lyrics may have.