We Were the Remote Control: The Sanford and Son Theme Song

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We Were the Remote Control: The Sanford and Son Theme Song

If you grew up in the '70s, you know this sound the second it starts. That funky Quincy Jones theme song, "The Streetbeater," meant one thing in my house: Sanford and Son was on.

I can still picture it. My dad's on the couch, I'm in the other room, and I hear him call my name. I knew exactly what that meant. There was no remote control back then. I was the remote control. I'd walk over to the TV, turn that big dial to the right channel, and get back out of the way.

Some nights that wasn't the end of it. The picture would get fuzzy, and I'd be standing there moving the antenna around until Dad said, "Right there! Don't move!" Sometimes that meant holding it in place for a minute.

Kids today will never know that job. Looking back, I wouldn't trade those moments for anything. It was family time, just my dad, me, and Fred Sanford clutching his chest yelling, "Elizabeth, I'm coming!"

Press play and take a trip back with me.

So tell me in the comments: were you the remote control in your house too? What show did you have to get up and turn on?