When you think of iconic sitcoms, apart from their ensemble cast, unforgettable moments, and impeccable plots, it is the music that draws the most attention. From Friends’ iconic I’ll Be There For You theme song to The Office’s instrumental catchy opening, it is often the songs that end up laying the foundations of a series’s success. And when you think of How I Met Your Mother, apart from the slap bet or Ted’s never-ending quest for the perfect woman, it is the sitcom’s short and snappy intro that catches the most attention.
However, the song, as famous as it may be, is, unfortunately, also one of the most overlooked aspects of the beloved sitcom. The song, called Hey Beautiful, sounds pretty different when heard in its entirety. But the series mostly used its repetitive ending— pa pa pa pa, pa pa pa pa…pa pa, da da da da, da da da da da… as the opening credits of the show, featuring just 12 seconds of the whole song as a sequence of photos flashed on the screen.
Even though used as a short excerpt, the song remains iconic and one of the most recognizable tunes for fans of the show. But what many fail to realize is that the creation of this iconic opening tune is a testament to the creativity and talent of the show’s creators, Craig Thomas and Carter Bays, who actually wrote and performed it. So, here is all you need to know about Hey Beautiful and how the How I Met Your Mother creators ended up creating it.
Hey Beautiful was Written and Performed by How I Met Your Mother Creators
When the New York-based How I Met Your Mother premiered, its charming group of cast drew fans from across the world, uniting them with its catchy Pa pa pa pa, pa pa pa pa…pa pa, da da da da, da da da da da… tune. The short yet instantly appealing tune caught on the heartstrings of fans. However, what many have failed to realize is that it is actually from a song called Hey Beautiful, written and performed by the series creators and their band, The Solids.
Starting as a college rock band, The Solids comprised How I Met Your Mother creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas as well as their friends and band members Patrick Butler and C.C DePhil. The members of the group first met in 1996 at the Wesleyan University, the same one that is attended by the sitcom’s characters Ted Mosby, Marshall Eriksen, and Lily Aldrin. Long before the catchy song and before the creation of the series, The Solids actually became famous for their songs The Future is Now and Clowns Like Candy, both of which ended up being used for different series.
It was Bays and Thomas who wrote Hey Beautiful, before performing and recording it with their band. Contrary to the 12-second clip that plays in the opening credits of the series, the song is actually 3 minutes and 42 seconds long with a cheerful and upbeat tune. With only its short ending having made it to the series, the lyrics of the song parallel the life and journey of Ted Mosby, which makes it seem odd that Bay and Thomas didn’t use the entire song in the series even once.
How I Met Your Mother Features Different Renditions of Hey Beautiful
As iconic as Hey Beautiful is, even more iconic is the way How I Met Your Mother found ways to creatively revisit and reimagine the song. Although the entire song has never been used in the sitcom, its iconic opening sequence featuring the end bits of the songs has appeared in various renditions throughout the series to fit the theme of the particular episodes.
In season six episode 21, titled Hopeless, the intro changed from its usual one to the main cast playing the intro as a band and singing the iconic tune after Barney tells his dad that they are also a band. Then in next season’s 7th episode, titled 46 Minutes, the tune changes again as Barney goes on to appoint himself as the leader. Sounding close to the original one, the intro announces Barney as the new leader of the gang. The song yet again changes in the same episode when another opening of the series is shown, this time featuring Barney, Ted, and Robin along with Arvydas and Stripper Lily, changing back to the original yet a darker theme.
In the final and ninth season of the series, in episode 11 titled Bedtime Stories, the theme song changes into sort of a lullaby rendition, matching the theme of the episode. The song once again changes in the same season’s 16th episode, How Your Mother Met Me, based on the perspective of Tracy, the same song is played but instead of the usual gang, it is Tracy and her friend’s pictures that are shown.
The many variations of Hey Beautiful not only reflect the creativity of the series’ creators, Craig Thomas and Carter Bays, but also are a testament to the song’s adaptability. Even in its many forms, the song perfectly captured the mood of the episode without losing its authenticity and core theme. These diverse renditions have not only enriched the viewing experience but also offered fans a sense of nostalgia while keeping How I Met Your Mother’s musical identity fresh and dynamic.
How I Met Your Mother Remains a Beloved Sitcom
It has been a decade since How I Met Your Mother ended, yet it continues to light up the lives of audiences across the world. Heralded among one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time, Ted Mosby’s journey to finding his ‘one true love’ and the quirky antics of his friends continues to resonate with viewers worldwide. However, beyond its unique storyline, the show’s music is also one of the reasons why it stands out.
Music and songs in the series aren’t just an accompaniment, but rather the defining elements that make it even more iconic. Apart from The Solid’s Hey Beautiful, the series features several recognizable chart-toppers and memorable original songs, which enhance the emotional resonance of each episode. From the Puzzles Theme Song to Sandcastles in the Sand to songs like AC/DC/’s Highway to Hell and Cristin Milioti’s La Vie en Rose, these songs have made the series even more enjoyable to watch.
This unique integration of music, filled with mesmerizing original scores to solidified hits, not only amplifies the show’s main theme but also serves as a bridge between humor and heartfelt moments. Hence, it is no surprise that even years after its finale, the songs from How I Met Your Mother continue to evoke memories of love, laughter, and legen…wait for it…dary friendships, cementing its place as a sitcom that’s truly timeless.
How I Met Your Mother is available to be streamed on Netflix.
