The theme song for the 1980s television series, The Greatest American Hero, is more than just an introduction to a quirky superhero show; it’s a piece of pop culture history. Sung by Joey Scarbury, “Believe It or Not” resonated with audiences, climbing the Billboard charts and embedding itself in the collective memory of a generation. But what’s the story behind the man who sang this iconic tune, and how does he feel about being forever linked to a song about a hapless superhero?
Joey Scarbury, the voice behind the unforgettable Greatest American Hero theme song, didn’t set out to become synonymous with a TV show. In a candid interview, Scarbury recounts how his journey into singing this now-classic track was almost accidental. “That’s a long story,” he begins, explaining a simple twist of fate. “I was bored and sitting around doing nothing and a buddy of mine said come down and work for me and I did it.” This casual decision, around two decades prior to the interview, marked the beginning of his unexpected association with television history.
For Scarbury, the connection to the Greatest American Hero theme song is a daily reality. Whether interacting with colleagues or customers, the song inevitably surfaces. “Every day,” he confirms when asked about how often the song comes up. He notes that older customers, recognizing his name, often make the connection, especially within industry circles where he works. The inevitable question follows: “How often do they ask if you can you sing a bit of the song?” Scarbury’s response is consistent: “All the time but I don’t.”
Despite the constant requests, Scarbury remains somewhat reticent about performing the song on demand. His last full performance was about six years prior to the interview, prompted by a New York radio station, WPLJ, an ABC affiliate known for playing oldies. They were hosting a theme song revival event at the China Club in 2005, featuring singers of various iconic theme songs. This event, broadcast live, was a rare public performance for Scarbury, who describes himself as “pretty reclusive.”
Being flown out to New York with his wife for the radio event was, in his words, “a kick.” This experience stands in contrast to his usual preference for privacy. While he has performed at funerals with songs like “The Lord’s Prayer” and even sang the national anthem at local sporting events, including three Dodgers games, performing “Believe It or Not” publicly is a different matter. He’s never performed it at private events, not even family weddings.
Although he “still sing—very rarely—but don’t record,” Scarbury admits to missing singing “a little bit.” He clarifies, “I like singing. I still sing recreationally. Performing I don’t miss a whole lot. I was mostly a studio singer who became a performer.” Reflecting on his performance career, a standout moment was a charity event at the Universal Amphitheater around 1982. Sharing the stage with music legends like Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, and Glen Campbell, Scarbury performed individually as part of a memorable lineup.
Living a quiet life in Acton, California, a rural setting he prefers, Scarbury married before his Greatest American Hero fame. He met his wife while working at Sears in the catalog department, predating his touring days with Loretta Lynn. They have three children – Cody, Jeremy, and Katelyn – who, according to Scarbury, “think it’s cool” and are “proud” of his connection to the famous theme song, even though they weren’t around when it first hit the airwaves.
Interestingly, Scarbury hadn’t watched an episode of The Greatest American Hero in years until he was contacted by a fan who compiled a DVD of all 66 songs written for the show. This compilation was “kind of cool” for Scarbury, a reminder of the extensive musical work associated with the series.
When approached for the interview, Scarbury confessed to initial apprehension, true to his reclusive nature. “Again, I stay to myself and was apprehensive at first, but you were persistent so I agreed.” He recalls past interviews, mostly “back in the day,” but isn’t one to keep memorabilia, possessing only his gold record and a few magazine clippings. Fan conventions and autograph signings are not part of his routine, though he entertains the possibility with a simple, “Maybe.”
Looking back, Joey Scarbury appreciates the unique journey he’s had. “Once in a lifetime,” he reflects. He acknowledges his beautiful family, a number one record, a gold record, and a career doing what he loves. With humility, he concludes, “Luckiest guy in the world,” recognizing the extraordinary confluence of events that led to his place in pop culture history, all thanks to a theme song that asked, “Believe it or not?” and indeed, many did.
