Theme From “Greatest American Hero” (Believe It Or Not) – Joey Scarbury | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#2) & Adult Contemporary (#3); 1981
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Joey Scarbury owed much of his success to three very important people: songwriter Jim Webb, songwriter/arranger/producer Mike Post, and his mom. Mother Scarbury was singing the praises of her 14-year-old son one day at the furniture store where she worked; praises overheard by Jim Webb’s father.
Dad Webb introduced Joey to his famous songwriter son, Jim (Wichita Lineman, By The Time I Get To Phoenix, and Up-Up And Away, plus many others). He, in turn, tapped Joey to sing his song She Never Smiles Anymore.
Smiles bombed and Mixed Up Guy, another Webb composition, only reached #73 in 1971. Still, Joey soldiered on, singing backup for other artists and recording for numerous labels.
Along the way he also sang on Mike Post recording sessions which led to vocal chores for a new Post project; the theme for an ABC-TV series called The Greatest American Hero. Although the show failed to hit home, while Joey’s recording hit a home run.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Mike Post
Lyrics Written by:
- Mike Post
- Stephen Geyer
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).