Some songs have an inherently nostalgic sound. John Sebastian's "Welcome Back" is one of those songs. When we listen to it now it brings back golden childhood memories and memories of simpler times. But, even when its dulcet notes played at the beginning of the hit 70s series Welcome Back, Kotter, it felt nostalgic. The storyline of the show was about a teacher who goes back to the neighborhood he grew up in to teach at the rough and rowdy high school that he'd gone to as a youth. The students there are a handful, particularly a certain group dubbed "The Sweathogs." Since the essence of the show is nostalgia, "Welcome Back" fits perfectly, taking us back home with Gabe Kotter.
Sebastian is the former frontman for The Lovin' Spoonful. The sound of "Welcome Back" is reminiscent of their breezy pop sound. The song hit the Billboard Hot 100 in May of 1976 and also placed well on the country music charts. This song is considered by many to be one of the best television theme songs of all time, with the likes of Sanford and Son, Baretta and Barney Miller. Listening to "Welcome Back" is like taking a bite of a ripe apple, so satisfying and sweet as only the 70s could deliver.
You can learn more about John Sebastian here:
About the Curator - Sonya Alexander
After graduating from UCLA, Sonya trained to be a talent agent. After realizing she belonged on the creative end, she started freelance writing, covering film festivals for Los Angeles local papers. She's written about film, video games, global affairs, wildlife conservation and, most recently, music. She specializes in classic rock, classic soul, blues, classic country, classical and world music and is tri-coastal, residing in Los Angeles, New York and New Orleans.
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