Kate & Allie Theme Song Lyrics
Behind the Music: Meaning & Story
The Kate & Allie theme song, “Along Comes a Friend,” is a warm, mid-tempo soft rock track that perfectly encapsulates the show’s themes of female solidarity and the evolving American family. Written and performed by John Loeffler (who would later become famous for his work on the Pokémon theme), the song’s lyrics about “offering a hand in sharing” mirror the premise of two divorced mothers joining forces to survive New York City life.
Premiering in 1984 on CBS (originally as a mid-season replacement), the show starred Susan Saint James as the traditional, somewhat uptight Kate McArdle and Jane Curtin as the more bohemian and intellectual Allie Lowell. While the prompt mentions ABC, the show was actually a cornerstone of the CBS Monday night lineup for most of the 1980s. It was lauded for its realistic depiction of post-divorce life and the strong, platonic bond between its leads.
The theme song accompanied a famous opening credit sequence featuring a montage of snapshots of the two families in Greenwich Village. The song’s message—that you aren’t alone even when you feel you are—resonated deeply with the 1980s audience, helping the show earn multiple Emmy Awards during its six-season run.