family matters
Theme Song Archive

Family Matters Theme Song And Lyrics

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Song TitleAs Days Go By
PerformerJesse Frederick
ComposersJesse Frederick, Bennett Salvay, Scott Roeme
Original Air DateSeptember 22, 1989
Episodes / Seasons215 Episodes (9 Seasons)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Theme Song Lyrics

It’s a rare condition, this day and age To read any good news on the newspaper page Love and tradition of the grand design Some people say it’s even harder to find Well then there must be some magic clue inside these gentle walls ‘Cause all I see is a tower of dreams Real love burstin’ out of every seam As days go by We’re gonna fill our house with happiness The moon may cry We’re gonna smother the blues with tenderness When days go by There’s room for you, room for me For gentle hearts, an opportunity As days go by It’s the bigger love of the family

Behind the Tune: Meaning & Story

The Family Matters theme song, “As Days Go By,” is a cornerstone of 90s television nostalgia. Premiering on September 22, 1989, the series was a spinoff of Perfect Strangers and featured the Winslow family. While the show became famous for the antics of breakout character Steve Urkel, the theme song anchored the series in its original premise: the strength and love of an American family.

Interestingly, the show’s musical identity evolved. For the first five episodes, the theme was actually a version of “What a Wonderful World” (composed by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss). However, the show soon transitioned to the original composition “As Days Go By,” written and performed by Jesse Frederick, Bennett Salvay, and Scott Roeme—the same team responsible for the iconic themes of Full House and Step by Step.

With its upbeat piano and soulful vocals, the song perfectly set the tone for nine seasons and 215 episodes. It highlighted the “magic clue” found within the Winslow home: a “tower of dreams” and “real love” that helped them navigate life’s challenges. Even today, the opening bars of the song immediately bring back memories of the heartwarming lessons and comedic moments shared by the family on ABC and later CBS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the original theme song for Family Matters?
In the very first few episodes of Season 1, the show used Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” as the opening theme before switching to the original song “As Days Go By.”
Who is the singer of the theme song?
The song is performed by Jesse Frederick, who also sang the theme songs for Full House, Step by Step, and Perfect Strangers.
How many seasons did Family Matters run?
The show ran for 9 seasons, airing its final episode on July 17, 1998.
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Editorial Note: Music credits and broadcast history for Family Matters have been verified by the ThemeSong.info Editorial Team. We ensure composer accuracy and series run dates are correctly cited for our readers.