"Cause I'm saved by the bell!"

Let’s take a trip back to the early '90s, to the sunny corridors of Bayside High, big hair, neon jackets, and that unforgettable opening theme. Welcome to Show Tunes, where we dive into the theme songs that defined your favorite TV shows. Today’s feature? None other than the iconic Saved by the Bell.

Before we get into the music, let’s rewind to the cast of characters that made Saved by the Bell a Saturday morning staple.

First up: Screech. The lovable nerd obsessed with computers, insects, and (perhaps a bit too much) Lisa Turtle. Lisa, of course, was the gossip queen and fashionista, decked out in bedazzled jackets, shoulder pads, neon colors, and those gloriously weird shapes (basically, a walking Pinterest board of '80s fashion).

Then there’s A.C. Slater: the hunky jock with a big... heart. He started off as Zack Morris’s rival but quickly became everyone’s friend. Zack, meanwhile, was the ultimate bad boy with a special charm, and yes, the uncanny ability to freeze time. (Except for those uncles at family gatherings—where time also ceased to exist, mysteriously.) Kelly Kapowski was the classic all-American girl.. minus the Polish surname. Head cheerleader, a bit clumsy, endlessly lovable, and of course, the object of Zack’s obsessive affection.

And last but certainly not least, Jessie Spano: the outspoken feminist, often dressed in oversized men’s clothing, and Slater’s on-and-off girlfriend.

Now that the scene is set, let’s talk about that theme song. Composed by American musician Scott Gale, the theme came together almost by accident. After initially rejecting NBC’s offer to write the music (the show was only expected to run for seven episodes), Gale had a sudden change of heart. Just two minutes later, he called back with a simple hook:
“It’s alright, ‘cause I’m Saved by the Bell.”

Series creator Peter Engel wasn’t thrilled. Having just lost the argument over naming the show Saved by the Bell, he was determined that the title wouldn’t end up in the theme song too. But out of the five submissions NBC received, Gale’s was the clear winner.

So, not only did Engel lose the battle, he lost the war. And honestly? We’re glad he did. Gale’s song is the perfect example of how a theme can reflect exactly what a show is. It’s upbeat, relatable, and instantly nostalgic. Just a few notes and suddenly you’re back in those chaotic mornings when “the alarm gives out a warning” and you’re sprinting to catch the bus two minutes later.

The catchy chorus has lived rent-free in fans’ heads for decades. Even if it didn’t resonate with everyone (which it did), it’s undeniably an earworm.
Anything that makes you look back on school days fondly has clearly done something right.

And the show's success speaks for itself: the original run spawned spin-offs like Saved by the Bell: The College Years, The New Class, and even a few movies in the mid-90s. If you haven’t seen them, grab some popcorn, you’re in for a serious nostalgia trip.

Even 35 years later, Saved by the Bell remains a cultural gem. It captured the vibe of a generation and packaged it in a way that still resonates today. 
 
That’s it for this edition. Join us next time as we dig into another TV theme or find out more on Show Tunes.