In addition to the nine years of constantly groovy synthesized slap bass that can transport listeners straight back to New York City in the ’90s, one of the most unforgettable musical moments from Seinfeld is undoubtedly George Costanza’s unique answering machine message. Who could possibly forget the way he grates on the ears by crooning, “Believe it or not, George isn’t at home, please leave a message at the beep…” with a touch of desperation?
Younger fans might be surprised to learn that this catchy earworm wasn’t an original composition tailored for the show; instead, the melodic line is lifted from the beloved theme song of the ‘80s superhero series The Greatest American Hero. Unsurprisingly, the original lyrics had little to do with George Costanza’s constant struggles with phone calls and relationships.
This iconic tune was crafted by the talented Mike Post, who collaborated with lyricist Stephen Geyer. Mike Post is the mastermind behind several memorable theme songs, including the classic hits “Magnum P.I.” and “Theme From L.A. Law.” While television theme songs are often overlooked outside of their corresponding shows, “Theme from The Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not),” performed by the charismatic Joey Scarbury, actually soared to the number two spot on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1981, capturing audience hearts completely.
The song even earned its own music video, capturing a nostalgic vibe with a backdrop seemingly filmed inside a smoke-filled suburban garage, a perfect touch for the era.
In an interesting twist, Scarbury later revealed in an interview that he wasn’t particularly fond of Seinfeld, and expressed his displeasure over not receiving compensation for the show’s use of his song, as they opted to re-record his voice. However, he was pleased to finally earn a paycheck when the song made an appearance in the film The 40-Year-Old Virgin, proving that there is always a silver lining.
When a highly anticipated Seinfeld soundtrack was released in 2021, the show’s composer Jonathan Wolff felt compelled to clarify in various interviews that the final track on the album, “Believe it or Not (George’s Answering Machine),” wasn’t entirely his own work. “Just to clarify, that is the one piece of music on the album that I did not create!” Wolff frankly told Forbes at the time. “That’s the theme song for The Greatest American Hero. And it’s a wonderful song,” he affirmed, crediting its classic status.
However, the karaoke-style instrumental version featured on Seinfeld was indeed of his own making. Wolff had to employ some imaginative production techniques to ensure that the finished recording sounded less than perfect because, in a surprising revelation, Jason Alexander’s singing turned out to be far too good. Though George isn’t portrayed as a musician, Alexander is a seasoned Broadway performer whose unique talents can even make songs about greasy slabs of reheated beef sound entertaining!
“After Jason left,” Wolff explained, “it was suggested, ‘Is there anything we can do to make the sound worse?’ And I said, ‘Watch this!’ And I detuned my track. I know it was evil to do that to Jason,” he admitted with a chuckle, reflecting on the creative process.
Wolff “sabotaging” Alexander’s pitch made perfect sense within the context of the scene. In the episode titled “The Susie,” the answering machine message is intentionally crafted to be as irritating as possible, further exasperating George’s girlfriend, whom he is deliberately avoiding due to her desire to end their relationship.
Sadly, the track from the recent Seinfeld album didn’t achieve the same chart-topping magic as the original, failing to captivate the Billboard audience in the same way.
**Interview with Music Historian and Pop Culture Expert, Dr. Lisa Thompson**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Thompson! There’s a lot of buzz around George Costanza’s answering machine jingle on *Seinfeld*. What makes this jingle so memorable?
**Dr. Thompson:** Thanks for having me! The jingle is memorable for several reasons. First, it encapsulates the quirky, relatable personality of George Costanza, played brilliantly by Jason Alexander. His delivery of the line “Believe it or not, George isn’t at home…” is both humorous and desperate, reflecting his struggles in life seamlessly.
**Editor:** It’s fascinating that many fans may not realize the song’s origins. How does that connection to *The Greatest American Hero* enhance its uniqueness?
**Dr. Thompson:** Absolutely! The melodic line is derived from “The Greatest American Hero” theme, which is already a beloved classic. This unexpected connection adds layers to the humor of the scene. Here you have a catchy, heroic tune turned into something entirely mundane and comedic—George’s struggles with communication and relationships. It’s that juxtaposition that makes it so effective.
**Editor:** Mike Post is known for his impactful theme songs. How does this particular song fit into his body of work?
**Dr. Thompson:** Mike Post is a phenomenal talent, and his ability to create catchy tunes for television is well recognized. The fact that “Believe It or Not” peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 speaks volumes about its appeal. It’s interesting to see how a piece of music originally meant to evoke heroism ended up being recontextualized for a sitcom about the everyday absurdities of life.
**Editor:** Joey Scarbury, the original artist, had mixed feelings about his song’s use on *Seinfeld*. Can you tell us more about that?
**Dr. Thompson:** Sure! Scarbury’s reaction highlights a common issue in the music industry regarding artist compensation and recognition. He felt overlooked, particularly since *Seinfeld* opted to re-record the song with a different vocalist. However, his later inclusion in *The 40-Year-Old Virgin* allowed him to receive some recognition and financial compensation, illustrating how timing can change a musician’s fortune.
**Editor:** Lastly, the release of the *Seinfeld* soundtrack in 2021 reignited interest in the show’s music. Why do you think soundtracks are important in television culture?
**Dr. Thompson:** Soundtracks are immensely important as they elevate the viewing experience, evoke emotions, and often become nostalgic for fans. They bring back memories tied to specific moments in shows, creating a deeper connection. The *Seinfeld* soundtrack serves as a reminder of how integral music is to the storytelling process in television, and it’s great to see more appreciation for it in recent years.
**Editor:** Thank you so much for your insights, Dr. Thompson! It’s incredible to see how these musical moments resonate throughout pop culture history.
**Dr. Thompson:** My pleasure! It’s always fun to explore the intersections of music and television.
