TV Theme Song Top Ten: Best Friend (#6)
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (70520)
United States
February 23, 2023 10:41am CST
Blood work done! The appointment is next week. It’s regularly-scheduled stuff, so I’m not concerned about anything. (Those are the ones you have to worry about, right?) Let’s sing along with another one of my ten favorite TV theme songs! Here’s an oddity for you.
#6: Best Friend - Harry Nilsson
What’s the oddity? I never watched the series. I know Bill Bixby was in it, and Brandon Cruz played Eddie, and it was based on a movie. But no, it wasn’t a TV show on my radar.
The song, on the other hand, was great! I wish it were longer!
Actually, it (sort of) is. The song originated as “Girlfriend,” then Harry Nilsson reworked it as “Best Friend” for the TV series.
Nilsson was kind of busy then. He had covered “Everybody’s Talkin’” for Midnight Cowboy, did this song, and even appeared in an episode of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. This was also about the time that Three Dog Night covered his song “One” and made it a big hit.
He was one of a kind, and his talent is sorely missed. I’ve still never seen the show but I still love the song.
Best Friend
Written by Harry Nilsson
Recorded by Harry Nilsson
From The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, 1969-72
Talkin’ man to man:
Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
15 people like this
13 responses
@xander6464 (44629)
• Wapello, Iowa
23 Feb 23
It wasn't a bad show but it was no "My Favorite Martian." That was Bill Bixby's best work.
4 people like this
@FourWalls (70520)
• United States
24 Feb 23
Not close to Ray Walston’s, though. He spent the 80s stealing shows he guest starred in,
3 people like this
@xander6464 (44629)
• Wapello, Iowa
25 Feb 23
@FourWalls He did a lot of stealing before the 80s too.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (70520)
• United States
24 Feb 23
Oh, I did, too. I was so happy to find the entire series on DVD, even if it was from Australia. I have a region-free player so it doesn’t matter.
2 people like this
@noni1959 (10166)
• United States
24 Feb 23
@FourWalls Once in a while I can find episodes on YouTube. I gave away my blue ray and now wish I didn't.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (48249)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
23 Feb 23
I watched that show for a while. Jodie Foster was one of Eddie's friends.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (70520)
• United States
24 Feb 23
Wow, Whodathunkit! He didn’t offer her a human liver and some fava beans and a nice Chard/onnay, did he? 
3 people like this
He was a busy boy back then. And not a Nope, but a Yup!@FourWalls (70520)
• United States
24 Feb 23
How about that! Thanks, I’ll look the rest results up tomorrow and see if I should kick my hypochondria into overdrive.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (70520)
• United States
23 Feb 23
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day and nope ya tomorrow! 
2 people like this
@Virtually2021 (828)
• Southend-On-Sea, England
23 Feb 23
Sounds like some good songs.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (70520)
• United States
25 Feb 23
With no Barney Fife! Can’t have that.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (81963)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Feb 23
Loved Nilsson, saw the show but have forgotten all about it,
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (70520)
• United States
24 Feb 23
I don’t know if I could even muster an interest in watching it. Even as cute as Bixby was.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
24 Feb 23
I recall the song and agree that it is a great one. I think I watched the show, but can't recall a thing about its.
About Midnight Cowboy, Nilsson's version was great, but I liked Fred Neil's (who wrote it) best. What a voice the man had.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (70520)
• United States
25 Feb 23
Can’t argue that point in the least! It’s great to hear the original versions of songs (like Harry’s version of “One” versus the Three Dog Night rendition).
@FourWalls (70520)
• United States
24 Feb 23
Oh yes. Had a mad crush on Edward Mulhare . 
Funny story: the series, though American, was only issued on DVD in Australia. Good thing for me I have a region-free DVD player.
Funny story: the series, though American, was only issued on DVD in Australia. Good thing for me I have a region-free DVD player. 1 person likes this
@JudyEv (344575)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Feb 23
@FourWalls I have some video tapes I bought many years ago but can't play them here. I need to find a shop that can convert them to whatever-it-is-they-need-to-be-converted to. 
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (183856)
• United States
24 Feb 23
I'm pretty sure I used to watch that show.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (70520)
• United States
24 Feb 23
I know I saw a few episodes but I didn’t pay attention beyond the theme song.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35944)
•
4 Mar 23
A real corny show I did watch a few times, why I have no explanation? Even the song was corny, (my opinion) but I'm sure Harry did not mind the residuals and paycheck for writing that tune. Now "One" that was a keeper!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (70520)
• United States
4 Mar 23
It makes a little more sense as “Girlfriend” than “Best Friend.” Not much, but….
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35944)
•
8 Mar 23
@FourWalls Now "Coconut" there's a song title for you, and a catchy song to boot. and mentioned on TV and in the movie "Practical Magic too 
1 person likes this
