lavern and shirley
Comedy Theme Song Archive

Laverne And Shirley Theme Song And Lyrics

updated on
Song TitleMaking Our Dreams Come True
ArtistCyndi Grecco
ComposerCharles Fox & Norman Gimbel
Premiere Date (UK)7 July 1978
Final Episode Date10 May 1983
Total Episodes178 (8 Seasons)
Original NetworkABC
GenreSitcom / Pop

Laverne & Shirley Theme Song Lyrics

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight! Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated! We’re gonna do it! Give us any chance, we’ll take it Read us any rule, we’ll break it We’re gonna make our dreams come true Doin’ it our way Nothin’s gonna turn us back now Straight ahead and on the track now We’re gonna make our dreams come true Doin’ it our way There is nothing we won’t try Never heard the word “impossible” This time there’s no stopping us We’re gonna do it! On your mark, get set, and go now Got a dream and we just know now We’re gonna make our dream come true And we’ll do it our way, yes our way Make all our dreams come true And do it our way, yes our way Make all our dreams come true For me and you!

Behind the Music: Meaning & Story

The Laverne & Shirley theme song, titled “Making Our Dreams Come True,” is one of the most recognizable opening sequences in television history. Performed by Cyndi Grecco and backed by the Ron Hicklin Singers, the song reached #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976. Composed by the legendary duo Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel—who also wrote the themes for Happy Days and Wonder Woman—the track perfectly encapsulates the blue-collar optimism of the show’s protagonists.

The famous opening chant, “Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!”, was a hopscotch rhyme from star Penny Marshall’s childhood. In Yiddish folklore, a schlemiel is someone who spills their soup, and a schlimazel is the person they spill it on. Combined with “Hasenpfeffer” (a German rabbit stew), the chant set the stage for the physical comedy and camaraderie between the two brewery workers living in Milwaukee.

Airing from 1976 to 1983 (premiering in the UK in 1978), the show was a spin-off of Happy Days and ran for 178 episodes. The lyrics reflect the independent spirit of the 1970s, emphasizing that the girls will “do it our way” while breaking rules and pursuing their dreams. It remains a cherished anthem of female friendship and working-class determination, symbolizing the joy and laughter Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams brought to millions of homes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the words at the start mean?
“Schlemiel” and “schlimazel” are Yiddish terms for an unlucky or clumsy person. “Hasenpfeffer” is a traditional German rabbit stew. Penny Marshall used to chant this on her way to school as a child.
Who sang the theme song?
The song was sung by Cyndi Grecco. It was her only major hit, making her a classic “one-hit wonder” of the 1970s.
Is Laverne & Shirley a spin-off?
Yes, it is a spin-off of Happy Days. The characters Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney first appeared as double dates for Fonzie and Richie.
✅
Editorial Note: Content for Laverne & Shirley has been verified by the ThemeSong.info Editorial Team. Music credits for Cyndi Grecco, Charles Fox, and Norman Gimbel have been accurately cited based on ABC production archives.