David Naughton probably didn't wake up in 1979 thinking he was about to record a permanent piece of American pop culture. He was an actor. He was the face of Dr Pepper. But then came "Makin' It," the theme song for a short-lived sitcom that somehow outlived the show by decades. If you’ve ever found yourself humming that disco-infused melody, you aren't alone. It’s a weirdly resilient piece of music.
The makin it song lyrics are basically a manifesto for anyone who’s ever felt like an underdog. It's about that specific, sweaty desperation of trying to prove everyone wrong. You know the feeling. It’s that "look at me now" energy.
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The Story Behind the Lyrics
Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris wrote this track. These guys weren't amateurs; they were the powerhouse duo behind Gloria Gaynor’s "I Will Survive." You can hear that same DNA in the structure. It’s got that defiant, rhythmic pulse. While the show Makin' It—a blatant attempt to capitalize on the Saturday Night Fever craze—lasted only nine episodes, the song exploded. It peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
People forget that Naughton wasn't a "singer" by trade. He had a charm, though. A vulnerability. When he sings about being "the one they said would never make it," it sounds sincere. Most disco tracks were about the dance floor, but these lyrics were about the struggle. It's about the hustle.
Honestly, the lyrics are pretty straightforward. "I'm makin' it / Had to lay it on the line." It’s not Shakespeare, but it works because it’s relatable. Everyone has a "they." Those people who said you'd fail. The song is a three-minute middle finger to those people.
Why We Still Care
Music historians often lump this in with "one-hit wonders," but that’s a bit reductive. The song captures a very specific transition in the late 70s. We were moving away from the gritty, cynical 70s into the aspirational, "greed is good" 80s. This song is the bridge.
It’s about self-actualization.
Look at the second verse. It talks about "taking a chance" and "making it mine." This isn't just about fame. It's about agency. In 1979, the economy was a mess, interest rates were climbing, and the energy crisis was looming. A song about finally winning? That’s escapism at its finest.
Breaking Down the Makin It Song Lyrics
If you look closely at the chorus, the repetition is the point. It hammers home the idea of progress.
"I'm makin' it / I've got the chance and I'm gonna take it."
There is a frantic energy there. It reflects the disco era's obsession with movement. If you stop moving, you're dead. If you stop "makin' it," you've failed. It’s a high-stakes sentiment wrapped in a catchy synth line.
The bridge adds a layer of reflection. It mentions "looking back" and "seeing how far I've come." This is a classic narrative trope. It's the hero's journey in four-four time. Naughton’s delivery is breezy, almost lighthearted, which contrasts with the underlying anxiety of the lyrics. He sounds like he’s trying to convince himself as much as the audience.
Cultural Impact and Longevity
You’ve heard this song in movies. You've heard it in commercials. It showed up in Detroit Rock City. It was in Cold Case. Why? Because it’s the ultimate "montage" song. Whenever a character needs to go from a loser to a winner, you play this track.
It’s iconic.
But there’s a bittersweet edge to it now. We know the show failed. We know the disco era crashed shortly after. When we listen to the makin it song lyrics today, we’re listening to a time capsule of pure, unadulterated optimism that was about to hit a wall.
The Technical Brilliance of Perren and Fekaris
We should talk about the production. Freddie Perren knew how to mix a hit. The strings are lush. The bassline is driving but not overwhelming. If you isolate the vocals, Naughton is doing a lot of heavy lifting to stay on beat. He’s not a powerhouse vocalist like Donna Summer, but his "everyman" quality makes the lyrics more accessible.
If a superstar sang this, it would feel like bragging.
Because it’s David Naughton—the guy from the soda commercials—it feels like a victory for the rest of us. It’s a song for the guy who works a 9-to-5 but dreams of the spotlight. It’s for the girl who’s been told her dreams are too big.
- Year Released: 1979
- Label: RSO Records (the same label as the Bee Gees)
- Chart Position: #5 Billboard Hot 100
- Legacy: One of the most recognizable TV themes of the disco era
Misconceptions About the Meaning
Some people think the song is purely about wealth. It’s not. If you listen to the full version—the 12-inch disco mix—there’s more focus on the internal journey. It’s about "the feeling of being alive." It’s about the rush of finally being seen.
In the late 70s, "making it" meant something different than it does now. It wasn't about viral fame. It was about stability. It was about proving your worth in a world that felt increasingly unstable.
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The lyrics mention "turning the corner." That’s a powerful metaphor. It implies that the hard part is over and the sun is finally coming out. Even if the sitcom didn't last, that sentiment is immortal.
A Note on the 70s TV Sound
The 1970s was the golden age of the "lyrical theme song." Think about Cheers or The Jeffersons. These songs told a story. They set the stage. "Makin' It" followed this tradition perfectly. It gave you the backstory of the characters before the first scene even started.
Modern TV themes are usually just a 10-second atmospheric hum. We lost something when we moved away from these narrative-driven songs. The makin it song lyrics remind us that a good hook can carry a legacy much further than the visual media it was attached to.
Naughton’s career continued, of course. He went on to star in An American Werewolf in London, which is a masterpiece. But for a huge segment of the population, he will always be the guy singing about making it. And honestly? There are worse things to be remembered for.
How to Use the Inspiration Today
If you’re a creator, or just someone trying to get through a tough week, there’s a lesson here. The song is about persistence. It’s about the fact that "making it" is a verb, not a noun. It’s an ongoing process.
You don't just "make it" and stop. You keep "makin' it."
That’s the secret sauce of the track. It doesn't promise a destination. It celebrates the climb.
- Listen to the full 12-inch version to hear the orchestration.
- Pay attention to the bass transition in the second chorus.
- Read the lyrics without the music to see the narrative arc.
- Apply that "underdog" mindset to your own projects.
It’s easy to be cynical about old disco tracks. It’s easy to call them cheesy. But there is a genuine heart in these lyrics that most modern pop lacks. It’s earnest. It’s hopeful. In a world that feels pretty heavy right now, a little 1979 optimism isn't a bad thing to have on your playlist.
Next time you hear that opening beat, don't just skip it. Listen to what David Naughton is actually saying. He’s telling you that your turn is coming. He’s telling you that the people who doubted you don't know what they're talking about. He’s telling you that you’re finally, finally, makin' it.
Final Practical Takeaways
To truly appreciate the song, find a high-quality vinyl rip. The digital versions often compress the strings, losing the "warmth" that defined the RSO Records sound. If you're a musician, try stripping the song down to an acoustic guitar; you'll realize the chord progression is surprisingly sophisticated. It relies on major-to-minor shifts that evoke a sense of longing before resolving into the triumphant major chords of the chorus. This musical tension is what makes the "victory" of the lyrics feel earned rather than cheap.
Go back and watch the opening credits of the show on YouTube. You'll see the disconnect between the high-energy song and the somewhat dated visuals. It’s a fascinating study in how music can vastly outperform the medium it was designed for. That is the true legacy of this track. It broke free from its origins and became a universal anthem for anyone who's ever had a dream and a little bit of rhythm.