The original opening theme for the sitcom Bosom Buddies was Billy Joel’s “My Life.” The series premiered on ABC in 1980 and starred Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari as two men disguising themselves as women to afford an apartment.
The television version was not simply Joel’s commercial recording. The opening used a re-recorded version featuring Gary Bennett on vocals and Mike Lucas on piano, making it sound familiar but not identical to the hit released by Joel. The song itself first appeared on Joel’s 1978 album 52nd Street.
A common mix-up comes from later broadcasts and home-video releases. Syndicated reruns, including runs on USA Network and MeTV, often replaced “My Life” with “Shake Me Loose,” performed by Stephanie Mills. That replacement also became the opening heard on DVD releases, so viewers who encountered the show later may reasonably remember a different theme. “My Life” remains the answer for the original opening credits.