The Addams Family Theme

The theme for the TV series The Addams Family was written and arranged by longtime Hollywood composer Vic Mizzy. The song's arrangement was dominated by a harpsichord, and featured finger-snaps as percussive accompaniment. Actor Ted Cassidy, reprising his "Lurch" voice, punctuated the lyrics with words like "neat," "sweet," and "petite." Mizzy's theme was popular enough to enjoy a single release, though it failed to make the national charts.

Other appearances

• The theme appeared in the films The Addams Family and its sequel Addams Family Values.
• The 1992 animated adaptation of the series also used the theme as its theme song.
• The song was briefly revived in 2007 for a series of Addams Family TV commercials for M&M's candies.
• The theme also appears in the Addams Family musical and is included on the original cast recording.
• For many years, the intro to the song has been a staple at sporting events across the United States. It is used in basketball games with the fans yelling "DE-FENSE" instead of snapping their fingers.
• The song was combined with The Simpsons Theme for Treehouse of Horror IV's credits.

"Addams Groove"

"Addams Groove"
Single by MC Hammer
from the album Too Legit to Quit
B-side	"Too Legit to Quit," "Street Soldiers"
Released	December 17, 1991
Format	CD single, 7", 12"
Recorded	1991
Genre	Pop
Length	3:58
Label	Capitol
Writer(s)	MC Hammer, Felton Pilate, Vic Mizzy
Certification	Gold (RIAA)
MC Hammer singles chronology
"Too Legit to Quit" (1991) "Addams Groove" (1991) "Do Not Pass Me By" (1992)

The theme song was performed by MC Hammer in his single "Addams Groove", which was featured in the film The Addams Family (1991).

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single. The video featured Hammer and several of his dancers performing in their unique style around the Addams mansion, as well as most of the cast of the film. The video opens with Hammer pleading with Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) to not have his head chopped off in a guillotine. It concludes with several scenes taking place in the Addamses' backyard cemetery, including Thing crawling up and down a Hammer dancer and Gomez (Raúl Juliá) dueling in a swordfight with Hammer over Morticia (Anjelica Huston).

The music video was played before showing of The Addams Family movie for the first few weeks of its release.

Track listing

Australian CD single

1. "Addams Groove" - 3:58
2. "Addams Groove" (Instrumental) - 3:55
3. "2 Legit 2 Quit"

Japan Mini CD single

1. "Addams Groove" - 3:58
2. "Addams Groove" (Instrumental) - 3:55

UK 7" vinyl single

1. A. "Addams Groove" (L.P. Mix) - 3:58
2. B. "Street Soldiers" (Saxapella Reprise) - 5:02

UK 12" vinyl single

1. "Addams Groove" (L.P. Mix) - 3:58
2. "Addams Groove" (Instrumental) - 3:55
3. "Street Soldiers" (Saxapella Reprise) - 5:02
4. "2 Legit 2 Quit" (Edit) - 4:00

Charts

Peak positions

Chart (1991)	Peak Position
UK Singles Chart	4
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	7

End of year charts

End of year chart (1992)	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	76

External links

• The Addams Family Theme from the original television series.