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Watch an acoustic performance of 'Love Is All Around' by its songwriter, Sonny Curtis

Sonny Curtis on writing "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" theme song. The performance begins at the 2:04 mark.CBS Sunday Morning

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by Luke Taylor

January 13, 2022

Sonny Curtis may not necessarily be a household name to many music fans, but as a songwriter, Curtis has created such songs as "Walk Right Back," which was a hit for the Everly Brothers and for Anne Murray, and "I Fought The Law," a hit for the Bobby Fuller Four that was most famously covered by The Clash.

But Curtis is also tied to an iconic television show that is permanently associated with Minneapolis: The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which ran on CBS from 1970 to 1977, and continues to air in syndication on various platforms.

In a story by Mo Rocca on CBS Sunday Morning, Sonny Curtis recounted how a friend who worked at a talent agency told him about a television program in development starring Mary Tyler Moore was in need of a theme song. Working from a synopsis, Curtis penned what would become "Love Is All Around."

Eager to play the song for the show's production team, Curtis met with producer James L. Brooks, who initially said he wasn’t at the point of considering theme songs, but he asked Curtis to play the song anyway. When Brooks mused aloud, "I need a cassette player," songwriter Sonny Curtis thought, I believe I've got a shot at this.

"Love Is All Around" proved to be another big hit for Curtis (who cut his teeth musically as a friend and bandmate of Buddy Holly). The song was covered in 1984 by influential Twin Cities' rock band Hüsker Dü. Although some may have seen the Hüsker Dü version as a lampoon, Bob Mould confirmed the cover was in earnest in a note to NPR following Mary Tyler Moore's death in 2017. "It's a great song," Mould explained, "and it was a nice tribute to the band's home town."

Minneapolis embraced Mary Tyler Moore and became a hometown of sorts to the actor, even dedicating a statue to her in May 2002 — which will mark 20 years ago this year.

Mary Tyler Moore Waves To The Crowd
Mary Tyler Moore waves to the crowd next to the statue honoring her in Minneapolis in a dedication ceremony on May 8, 2002. The statue depicts Moore tossing her tam (i.e. hat) as seen in the opening sequence of the "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."
Mike Ekern/Getty Images

Watch Sonny Curtis's solo acoustic performance of "Love Is All Around," performed on the front porch of his home outside Nashville. Rocca — whom public radio listeners will also recognize from Wait, Wait … Don't Tell Me! — adds a punctuating "meow" in tribute to the MTM Enterprises stinger seen at the conclusion of each televised episode.

Sonny Curtis - official site

CBS Sunday Morning - official site