Alice Theme Song Lyrics
Behind the Music: Meaning & Story
The Alice theme song, “There’s a New Girl in Town,” is a “delightful and cheerful tune” that perfectly captures the resilient spirit of the series’ lead character. Composed by David Shire with lyrics by the legendary Alan and Marilyn Bergman, the song is famously performed by the show’s star, Linda Lavin. It tells the story of Alice Hyatt, a widowed mother who leaves her old life behind to find herself, eventually landing a job at Mel’s Diner in Phoenix, Arizona.
The show was a successful spin-off of the 1974 Martin Scorsese film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. While the film was a drama, the sitcom leaned into a “warm and humorous atmosphere.” The theme song was updated several times throughout its nine-season run, reflecting Alice’s growing confidence and the changing styles of the late 70s and early 80s. The lyrics “she was just passing through” highlight the temporary nature of Alice’s initial stop in Phoenix, which turned into a nearly decade-long stay.
With 202 episodes, Alice became a cornerstone of CBS’s Tuesday night lineup. It introduced iconic characters like the abrasive Mel Sharples and the sassy waitress Flo Castleberry, whose catchphrase “Kiss my grits!” became a cultural phenomenon and led to the spin-off series Flo. Even after the final episode in 1985, the theme song remains a “heartwarming reminder” of the joy and laughter found within the walls of Mel’s Diner.