I LOVE the 1992-2002 Rob Mounsey "Hold On To Love" theme with revovling lighthouse/cast montage, and yet, this 1983-1990 opening theme with glittering jeweled logo (1983-1986) is, I think, the single classiest opening to a soap opera (perhaps all television) that there ever was....?
i miss you mom..r.i.p 10/06/1984...................she loved these shows.i was a little boy and i watched these shows with her sometimes..tear are running down my cheaks......
This era was the high point of GL. I used to watch it w/my Grandma. Grandma is gone now, and I'm in my 40's, supporting a family. It was the loss of people like my grandmother (gone due to age,) and people like me (gone due to cultural changes putting us in the workforce during soap opera hrs,) that is putting an end to soaps.
i wish i could find the mike-tim (kevin bacon)-darren storyline on youtube. mike was investigating the muder of darren's girlfriend. tim was the main suspect. darren was the son of a senator. this would be roughly 1981. in a reenactment of bacon's death scene from friday the 13th (or a reenactment of nancy loomis's death in halloween), mike lunged from the back seat of a car and slapped his hand over tim's mouth. in the commercials it looked like a horror movie preview.
I STILL LOVE this theme!! I was totally addicted to GL when I was a teenager--couldn't get enough!! I loved everything Nola, for some reason!! Then "The Four Muskateers"--I had dreams of being with them!! Yes, I was a sad teenager!! Still, some good memories!!
This should've been the last theme Guiding Light ever used and kept until its cancellation ! Period ! ! It is almost a little sweeter and prettier than Ritournelle. I hated the Disco/1981 theme. GL had its peak before 1981. Everything after that was substandard. I hated Reva, hated her, hated her, hated her ! ! Didn't like the Reardons, the Lewis', Quentin McCord, Nola ! ! But loved the class and dignified manner of Alexandria played by Beverlee McKinsee. Too bad, its all gone now.
Hard to believe that this show has come to an end and how sad that it is leaving the air when the show it at its worst. Guiding Light had its best years from 1983-1986 or when Pam Long served as head writer. CBS should have hired Ms. Long to revive this soap instead of canceling it .She would have raised t the show's ratings with her masterful storytelling. as she was able to crack out stories like a whip if ever asked to. As I close my opinion here, goodbye Guiding Light. You will be missed.
I would love to see the 4 musketeers together again. This show needs to be saved from a possible cancellation in the near future. One way is to bring back former head writer, Pamela Long, who held this position at this time.
I have to agree with you coolwafferman. I also would rather watch the old episodes than any of todays episodes. It simply is just not the same. I don't even bother tuning in anymore.
What inspiring music. I like this opening best. I started watching Guiding Light in 1986 and the opening was already different. I wish now they could switch back to this opening or the music.
Everything I hear this song I think of the four musketeers high school crushes and dances and watching this show. Theme opening theme setup the entire episode and made you look forward to the next day's show.
This episode aired August 29, 2003. The "My Guiding Light" theme debuted the week before on August 22, 1983. Speaking of August 22, 1983, that's the day Laura Breckenridge was born!
this just made me think, ok i know buzz runs company now but what happen to the bording house they show in this intro... also wow the spaulding mansion doenst look the same inside now either
After many budget cuts and so forth they totaly lost alot of quality looking sets. take Cedars as an example mid 80's had a great 4 we3st setting and that total disappeared.
I want to know what happened to that announcer! I always liked the way he announced the show--"And now, Guiding Light..", like 'here's what you've been waiting for, at long last!'! I'm crazy, I know, but when I was 12-15, that WAS what I was waiting for, every day! HA
This has ALWAYS been my favorite opening of Guiding Light. Not only because of the brilliant music but because of the fire burning sun that accompanied it.
No other them on Guiding Light has matched this timeless musical score. I wished CBS would bring it back.
This is my favorite Guiding Light opening/theme. I was 13 years old, we had our first VCR and I recorded/watched every day! I made tapes of this music, and used to listen to it over and over! What a freak, right?? HA Ahh, the memories! Good times!
This is one of the best openings of GL along with The disco theme and the theme used from 1975-1981. I even like the early 70's theme and one of the creepy organ music they used back in the 50's.
Man I wish CBS would stop fooling around, and show some of these great classic episodes soon. The soaps episodes today are boring.
you might be lucky this christmas and see an old episode. or some special occasion this year. i hope! i just started watching GL and golly i picked the wrong time to watch it. so i need to watch CBS on christmas if they don't fill it in with sports. but if they don't there is always btm85bubs eps from the early 80's probably the best times of GL!
I sure hope that CBS airs old episodes of their soaps this year,and I really don't mean old episodes within the last few years,I mean as way back as this opening or farther. Yes, you did pick a bad time to start watching GL,because the show is at a all time low with ratings and storylines. Well, I have a few old episodes of GL.I rather watch that then what they put out on CBS everyday with storylines going no were and bad camera work.
Does anyone have some of the opens from late 1984 and 1985? That is when I really loved this show, and I'd love to see the montages of those opens. Thank you!
freshman in HS during this period. remember when philip and beth ran away? it seemed like they were gone forever. then they met up with that santa claus/st nick dude - he came back later on when beth started screwing that lujack guy.
It was Nola and Quint's engagement party. Nola always had her movie fantasies so everyone was dressed up - she and Vanessa dressed the same and fought about it that night. I miss those writers and their stories they were so much more fun.
I remember watching this before ESPN and cable t.v. dominated people's veiwing habits this reminds me of high school and watching the Four musketeers story line through my sophomore and junior years 1983-1984. And this opening and closing credits to me were the best ones outside of Y&R theme which I think they were trying to modify into it's intro and it worked beautifully.
Thanks for sharing this opening with us! The opening of a show really sets the tone, and this wonderful intro brings to mind the heart of GL, which unfortunately seems to have been lost along the way. I wish the producers and writers would watch some of the old clips for inspiration.
This is definetly the best GL intro I have ever seen. I keep hoping they will return to this opening theme. The show was was so great during this time;up until around 1985 when they started writing off characters such as Nola, Quinton, Justin, Jackie, Jennifer, Morgan, Carrie, Hope and Mike. Back then Guiding Light wrote storylines that centered around families, something they don't have anymore. Bring back the rest of the Reardons and Lewises.
To me, this one was 2nd best. I guess the one people consider best is the one that aired when they first started watching it. For me it was the one that I think preceded this one. It was a "guiding light" shining through tree branches and the music was fantastic. The theme was played with a harp and I forget what else. Maybe a violin. It's been too many decades since I've heard it. :( But it was beautiful and lyrical, especially the extended version played during the closing credits.
CBS needs to show Classic Soaps More,And I don't mean in the last few years episodes I'm talking about the 1970's or 1980's.I think they could spend more time to show old episodes instead of day to day nothing!
Does anyone have this theme with the closing credits. Pamela Long Hammer and Jeff Ryder were the head writer and co-head writer, with Gail Kobe as exec producer.
They've been trying to get GA back for a few years, but he's moved on directing for ATWT. TPTB seem to be hesitant on recasting the role, but have kept a door open for him to return anytime he wishes.
What are your first two favorites? This is definitely my #1. The "disco version" that someone made hateful fun of is actually my second favorite GL theme, but don't tell what's his name! HA
This is such a wonderful theme... I was never very fond of the theme that broke the pictures up into shards of light from the lighthouse (although I like the lighthouse itself in the opening theme.) I think that an awsome opening theme for now would be like this but include clips from each GL era.
Yep, this was always my favorite soap theme. Elegant and mournful and ultimately triumphant. Those damn producers after Gail Kobe left messed with it-particularly hated the S&M version with the sound fo a cracking whip. The perky version was unbearable, too. I wish Ellen Wheeler would consider reinstating it.
I miss the four musketeers. Those were great days!!! I loved this opening more then any of the others 'cuz it was just a beautiful song. And the cast back then was just wonderful!
The original airdate of this episode was Monday, August 29, 1983. This theme debuted the week before on August 22, 1983. This episode re-aired on CBS on New Year's Day 2003.
I could not agree more. This is the music I remember best growing up to the show. I wish they had NEVER changed it. I also miss hearing it with the closing credits. They ruined soaps when they stopped closing credits/music!
I Believe This Was A Video Clip Of "Guiding Light" Video Open From August 29, 1983.
radiodj1520 3 weeks ago
I LOVE the 1992-2002 Rob Mounsey "Hold On To Love" theme with revovling lighthouse/cast montage, and yet, this 1983-1990 opening theme with glittering jeweled logo (1983-1986) is, I think, the single classiest opening to a soap opera (perhaps all television) that there ever was....?
DarthSnoopy96 11 months ago
i miss you mom..r.i.p 10/06/1984...................she loved these shows.i was a little boy and i watched these shows with her sometimes..tear are running down my cheaks......
RYELLOWFAST2010 1 year ago
This era was the high point of GL. I used to watch it w/my Grandma. Grandma is gone now, and I'm in my 40's, supporting a family. It was the loss of people like my grandmother (gone due to age,) and people like me (gone due to cultural changes putting us in the workforce during soap opera hrs,) that is putting an end to soaps.
HGbunny 1 year ago 3
@HGbunny Well written. I am too in my 40's and watched with my grandma.
msgreeneyez26 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
i wish i could find the mike-tim (kevin bacon)-darren storyline on youtube. mike was investigating the muder of darren's girlfriend. tim was the main suspect. darren was the son of a senator. this would be roughly 1981. in a reenactment of bacon's death scene from friday the 13th (or a reenactment of nancy loomis's death in halloween), mike lunged from the back seat of a car and slapped his hand over tim's mouth. in the commercials it looked like a horror movie preview.
johnrunion 1 year ago
I STILL LOVE this theme!! I was totally addicted to GL when I was a teenager--couldn't get enough!! I loved everything Nola, for some reason!! Then "The Four Muskateers"--I had dreams of being with them!! Yes, I was a sad teenager!! Still, some good memories!!
Manlyrog 1 year ago 3
I Loved Guiding Light , i stayed to the terrible end
thug00187 1 year ago
This was always my favorite opening of GL this was when it was really good
BruhTV 2 years ago
This should've been the last theme Guiding Light ever used and kept until its cancellation ! Period ! ! It is almost a little sweeter and prettier than Ritournelle. I hated the Disco/1981 theme. GL had its peak before 1981. Everything after that was substandard. I hated Reva, hated her, hated her, hated her ! ! Didn't like the Reardons, the Lewis', Quentin McCord, Nola ! ! But loved the class and dignified manner of Alexandria played by Beverlee McKinsee. Too bad, its all gone now.
softwater88 2 years ago 4
I agree, this version of the theme was really sad and epic. At least we have Youtube.
churlyryan 2 years ago 2
I just came back and watched it again...I'm gonna miss the show so much...especially those years of the show.
rekcufrats 2 years ago
One of my favorite opening themes!
excuseyou77 2 years ago 5
Seeing Charita Bauer in this opening brought a tear to my eye.
mern2356 2 years ago 2
Hard to believe that this show has come to an end and how sad that it is leaving the air when the show it at its worst. Guiding Light had its best years from 1983-1986 or when Pam Long served as head writer. CBS should have hired Ms. Long to revive this soap instead of canceling it .She would have raised t the show's ratings with her masterful storytelling. as she was able to crack out stories like a whip if ever asked to. As I close my opinion here, goodbye Guiding Light. You will be missed.
29september67 2 years ago 5
This almost makes me wanna cry now...if it weren't just a silly soap opera that is. Boy the show was good then.
rekcufrats 2 years ago 10
Just by you saying it and me watching it, I am crying right now.
honeycone71 2 years ago 5
I thought I was the only one with a tear in my eye!
davetteb100 2 years ago 3
This was back when GL was good.
auntangie55 2 years ago 14
That music brings back so many memories...lol..loved that music..GL was so good back then..The voice at the end is also burned into my soul...lol..
sara31tx 2 years ago 5
THE Light is ON! you should check it out....GL hasn't been this good in like 3 years!
ABTCdirector 3 years ago 2
Yes....As Philip returned today 2/20/09...now let's get Melinda back and get this show rolling again!
parkman35 3 years ago
I would love to see the 4 musketeers together again. This show needs to be saved from a possible cancellation in the near future. One way is to bring back former head writer, Pamela Long, who held this position at this time.
29september67 3 years ago
Well, Krista Tesreau's coming back as Mindy, so that's the closest we'll get to the original 4 Musketeers.
CarlD2 3 years ago
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29september67 3 years ago
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29september67 3 years ago
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29september67 3 years ago
The guy with the chef hat being tossed with plate, was that Ed Bauer?
williambrown007 3 years ago
Yes, played by Peter Simon..Maybe that was from a Bauer barbeque.
CaliforniaGuy888 3 years ago
I loved that theme soooo much! Beautiful!
rekcufrats 3 years ago
I have to agree with you coolwafferman. I also would rather watch the old episodes than any of todays episodes. It simply is just not the same. I don't even bother tuning in anymore.
ronniekalil 3 years ago
What a nice, rousing theme tune!
rosebankross 3 years ago
What inspiring music. I like this opening best. I started watching Guiding Light in 1986 and the opening was already different. I wish now they could switch back to this opening or the music.
debro2009debro 3 years ago 3
Everything I hear this song I think of the four musketeers high school crushes and dances and watching this show. Theme opening theme setup the entire episode and made you look forward to the next day's show.
newsoul 3 years ago 2
My favorite soap theme song,ever.I remember turning on Guiding Light just to see and hear this opening segment.Great song,and beautiful melody.
AUGUSTALLEN28 3 years ago 2
This episode aired August 29, 2003. The "My Guiding Light" theme debuted the week before on August 22, 1983. Speaking of August 22, 1983, that's the day Laura Breckenridge was born!
jgee1981 3 years ago
Sweet and poignant, yet also has that "epic" feeling. Everything a soap theme should be-- the best ever, IMO.
maryhatch 3 years ago
this just made me think, ok i know buzz runs company now but what happen to the bording house they show in this intro... also wow the spaulding mansion doenst look the same inside now either
2olivemartini 3 years ago
The boarding house is still adjoined to Company. Alan was staying there a few months ago when he stumbled down the stairs while the roof caved in.
stiffkids2006 3 years ago
After many budget cuts and so forth they totaly lost alot of quality looking sets. take Cedars as an example mid 80's had a great 4 we3st setting and that total disappeared.
jbm3840 1 year ago
I wish they would bring back the old theme song or something , I don't care for the one they use know
ems5429 3 years ago
Now this one I remember!
1pixie 4 years ago
I want to know what happened to that announcer! I always liked the way he announced the show--"And now, Guiding Light..", like 'here's what you've been waiting for, at long last!'! I'm crazy, I know, but when I was 12-15, that WAS what I was waiting for, every day! HA
Manlyrog 4 years ago
This has ALWAYS been my favorite opening of Guiding Light. Not only because of the brilliant music but because of the fire burning sun that accompanied it.
No other them on Guiding Light has matched this timeless musical score. I wished CBS would bring it back.
banalust 4 years ago
I don't think I've ever seen this particular opening. It really is nice and the best I've seen from GL.
whitbyterry 4 years ago
What I liked about this opening was that it also reflected nice moments, life moments...Happy and sad, with action...
CaliforniaGuy888 3 years ago
This is my favorite Guiding Light opening/theme. I was 13 years old, we had our first VCR and I recorded/watched every day! I made tapes of this music, and used to listen to it over and over! What a freak, right?? HA Ahh, the memories! Good times!
Manlyrog 4 years ago
This is one of the best openings of GL along with The disco theme and the theme used from 1975-1981. I even like the early 70's theme and one of the creepy organ music they used back in the 50's.
Man I wish CBS would stop fooling around, and show some of these great classic episodes soon. The soaps episodes today are boring.
coolwafferman 4 years ago
you might be lucky this christmas and see an old episode. or some special occasion this year. i hope! i just started watching GL and golly i picked the wrong time to watch it. so i need to watch CBS on christmas if they don't fill it in with sports. but if they don't there is always btm85bubs eps from the early 80's probably the best times of GL!
YRfreak101 3 years ago
I sure hope that CBS airs old episodes of their soaps this year,and I really don't mean old episodes within the last few years,I mean as way back as this opening or farther. Yes, you did pick a bad time to start watching GL,because the show is at a all time low with ratings and storylines. Well, I have a few old episodes of GL.I rather watch that then what they put out on CBS everyday with storylines going no were and bad camera work.
coolwafferman 3 years ago
Does anyone have some of the opens from late 1984 and 1985? That is when I really loved this show, and I'd love to see the montages of those opens. Thank you!
dkell9395 4 years ago
this is when daytime serials had budgets to produce grander shows nowdays most are produced cheapily in studios in brooklyn,ny
sny625 4 years ago 3
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atwtgl 4 years ago
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atwtgl 4 years ago
freshman in HS during this period. remember when philip and beth ran away? it seemed like they were gone forever. then they met up with that santa claus/st nick dude - he came back later on when beth started screwing that lujack guy.
malinwj 4 years ago
whats with the girls dressed up like scarlett ohara
MostHauntedCharmedG 4 years ago
Nola and vanessa were in some kind of competition. I vaguely remember this. I think I was 12 or something. It was to impress quinton. I think.
alot2acres 4 years ago
It was Nola and Quint's engagement party. Nola always had her movie fantasies so everyone was dressed up - she and Vanessa dressed the same and fought about it that night. I miss those writers and their stories they were so much more fun.
frecklzface12 4 years ago
Those were the days of the Guiding Light that I once knew.
DJSoapbubble 4 years ago
I remember watching this before ESPN and cable t.v. dominated people's veiwing habits this reminds me of high school and watching the Four musketeers story line through my sophomore and junior years 1983-1984. And this opening and closing credits to me were the best ones outside of Y&R theme which I think they were trying to modify into it's intro and it worked beautifully.
newsoul 4 years ago
Thanks for sharing this opening with us! The opening of a show really sets the tone, and this wonderful intro brings to mind the heart of GL, which unfortunately seems to have been lost along the way. I wish the producers and writers would watch some of the old clips for inspiration.
robbaltimore 4 years ago
This is definetly the best GL intro I have ever seen. I keep hoping they will return to this opening theme. The show was was so great during this time;up until around 1985 when they started writing off characters such as Nola, Quinton, Justin, Jackie, Jennifer, Morgan, Carrie, Hope and Mike. Back then Guiding Light wrote storylines that centered around families, something they don't have anymore. Bring back the rest of the Reardons and Lewises.
rowdyreptile12 4 years ago
To me, this one was 2nd best. I guess the one people consider best is the one that aired when they first started watching it. For me it was the one that I think preceded this one. It was a "guiding light" shining through tree branches and the music was fantastic. The theme was played with a harp and I forget what else. Maybe a violin. It's been too many decades since I've heard it. :( But it was beautiful and lyrical, especially the extended version played during the closing credits.
60sThru80s 4 years ago
...best guess on the time period for the better one was mid-70's to about 1981.
60sThru80s 4 years ago
CBS needs to show Classic Soaps More,And I don't mean in the last few years episodes I'm talking about the 1970's or 1980's.I think they could spend more time to show old episodes instead of day to day nothing!
coolwafferman 4 years ago
you are so right. I really would love for CBS to show more of the 70s and 80s shows.
trublueone 4 years ago
Does anyone have this theme with the closing credits. Pamela Long Hammer and Jeff Ryder were the head writer and co-head writer, with Gail Kobe as exec producer.
crxman28562 4 years ago
I'm still waiting for Phillip to come back.I loved the old characters much better than the present. You're right,they should air the classics.
mfgilbert 4 years ago
How do you know Phillip will come back?
sheff06 4 years ago
They've been trying to get GA back for a few years, but he's moved on directing for ATWT. TPTB seem to be hesitant on recasting the role, but have kept a door open for him to return anytime he wishes.
stiffkids2006 4 years ago
CBS needs to air the Classic Soaps more often instead of today's Crap!And that is my Third Favorite Guiding Light theme.
coolwafferman 4 years ago
What are your first two favorites? This is definitely my #1. The "disco version" that someone made hateful fun of is actually my second favorite GL theme, but don't tell what's his name! HA
Manlyrog 4 years ago
This is such a wonderful theme... I was never very fond of the theme that broke the pictures up into shards of light from the lighthouse (although I like the lighthouse itself in the opening theme.) I think that an awsome opening theme for now would be like this but include clips from each GL era.
amyanda 4 years ago
This is the theme GL had when I started watching it. This along with All My Children's original theme are the two best ever in daytime TV.
ExtonJock 4 years ago
Yep, this was always my favorite soap theme. Elegant and mournful and ultimately triumphant. Those damn producers after Gail Kobe left messed with it-particularly hated the S&M version with the sound fo a cracking whip. The perky version was unbearable, too. I wish Ellen Wheeler would consider reinstating it.
TimWil 4 years ago
What year do you mean? When was the worst opening?
Restlessi 4 years ago
*sigh* soooooooo pretty! I never watched GL but I came across this theme, and happily discovered it debuted 6 days before I was born!
golddustwoman83 4 years ago
This version makes me think of a couple running down the beach in slow motion into each others arms.
heyheyheydude 4 years ago
this is great i graduated from hs in 82 and watched gl and started watching it that year, what a classic
2olivemartini 4 years ago
OMG. GL golden years.
Gustavek 4 years ago
I love that opening...takes me back to watching with the babysitter when I was in 1st grade!
nici010376 4 years ago
Loved this theme. By far the BEST them GL had!
Najee1020 4 years ago
This opening, like GH's in the early 80's, is the epitome of great soap themes.
imaccrazy06 5 years ago
I miss the four musketeers. Those were great days!!! I loved this opening more then any of the others 'cuz it was just a beautiful song. And the cast back then was just wonderful!
finn3602 5 years ago
The original airdate of this episode was Monday, August 29, 1983. This theme debuted the week before on August 22, 1983. This episode re-aired on CBS on New Year's Day 2003.
Bluebirdsims 5 years ago
CLASSIC! This was THE BEST OPENING they have had!
dexbi 5 years ago
No doubt this is the best "Guiding Light" opening theme ever. they should bring it back with a new format.
doobiekat 5 years ago
About damn time someone uploaded this,thanks.
oz615 5 years ago
Best theme song GL ever had.
sheff06 5 years ago
I could not agree more. This is the music I remember best growing up to the show. I wish they had NEVER changed it. I also miss hearing it with the closing credits. They ruined soaps when they stopped closing credits/music!
jmsweat 5 years ago
what??
sheff06 5 years ago
5 !
Gustavek 5 years ago