Welcome Back Kotter Theme Song Written by John Sebastian

Welcome Back Kotter Theme Song

Artist: John Sebastian

Lyrics by: John Sebastian

Welcome Back, Kotter (1975-1979)

Gabe Kaplan: Gabe Kotter

Marcia Strassman: Julie Kotter

John Sylvester White: Mr. Michael Woodman

John Travolta: Vinnie Barbarino

Robert Hegyes: Juan Epstein

Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs: Freddie “Boom-Boom” Washington

Ron Palillo: Arnold Horshack

Welcome Back Kotter Theme Song (Excerpt)
Welcome back
Your dreams were your ticket out
Welcome back
To that same old place that you laughed about …

Mr. Kotter and the Sweathogs

Robert Hegyes, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Gabe Kaplan, John Travolta, Ron Palillo

Welcome Back, Kotter – Cast Poster

Vinnie Barbarino
I got my own idea of what God is like: I know he’s a sharp dresser, and he’s good-looking. And of course, he’s Italian.

Your Dreams Were Your Ticket Out

Who’d have thought they’d lead ya – Back here where we need ya

When composer John Sebastian had problems rhyming lyrics for a show called Kotter, he decided to tell a story instead. Since the teacher, played by Gabe Kaplan, was returning to his alma mater, the lyrics set the tone for the show, welcoming Mr. Kotter back to James Buchanan High School.

The producers liked the song so much that they decided to change the title of the show to Welcome Back, Kotter. The song subsequently hit number one on the charts.

Welcome Back, Kotter

Watch the Complete Series on DVD

Welcome Back, Kotter: The Complete Series DVD

John Travolta
Acting is a mix of luck and choice. I got lucky.

Welcome Back, Kotter

The show was a big hit, at least for the first three seasons. By the fourth year, Gabe Kaplan had left over creative differences with the producers. John Travolta, the show’s breakout star, had soared to new heights with Saturday Night Fever, and appeared only occasionally as a special guest star.

John Travolta

Starring as Vinnie Barbarino

Welcome Back, Kotter 8×10 Original Photo – Personally Signed by John Travolta

John Travolta
I wouldn’t trade my career with anybody’s. I’d trade a few movies with Tom Hanks – ‘Apollo 13’ and ‘Forrest Gump’ – but other than that, I love my career.

Welcome Back, Kotter Cast

Robert Hegyes, John Sylvester White, Ron Palillo, Marcia Strassman, Gabe Kaplan, John Travolta, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs

Welcome Back, Kotter – Cast Poster

Welcome Back Kotter Theme Song

MP3 Music

Welcome Back – Theme from Welcome Back, Kotter by John Sebastian Welcome Back – Theme from Welcome Back, Kotter by John Sebastian

Gabe Kaplan
I mean, I would have loved to have kept on being a big television star. If that’s the way things would have broke, I would have loved to have done that. I just didn’t really want to continue and be someone who took whatever was offered.

Colorful Musical Hearts

Our bass clef and treble clef heart designs are available on several products, including shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, magnets, aprons, playing cards, buttons, and PopSockets. Give a fun and practical gift to your favorite musician, music teacher, or music student.

Treble and Bass Clef Heart Royal Blue on Grunge Bassist Customizable T-Shirt Treble and Bass Clef Musical Heart Royal Blue on Grunge Bassist T-Shirt

Unique Gifts for Music Lovers

We’ve designed 2,000+ products for string instrument musicians and fans. Find a unique gift for your favorite player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music collection.

Find the Best Music Gifts

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This means that–at zero cost to you–we will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

TV Guide: 50 All-Time Favorite TV Themes – Year by Year Celebration 1953 to 2002 – Audio CD The Big Book of TV Theme Songs – Themes from 71 Popular TV Shows – Hal Leonard Publishing All-Time Top 100 TV Themes – Includes Many Popular Television Shows – 2 Audio CDs The Greatest TV Themes of the 50s and 60s – 40 Original Classic Soundtracks – 2 Audio CDs