Portnoy and his co-writer Judy Hart Angelo were commissioned to write the song based on the producers of Cheers‘ fondness for their Broadway song “People Like Us” for the musical Preppies. “I do have songs on my shelf that will never see the light of day that I have fondness for, nothing comes near the spotlight of the Cheers juggernaut, as I call it.” I am lucky that it is one of my favorite things I ever wrote.” Portnoy says. “I am lucky that the song, for whatever reason, rose to the top of the mountain. So, naturally, people want to know: Portnoy, how did you come up with this? Do you like what you’ve created? This song that you and the world will never escape. Portnoy’s voice is heard everyday (I’d say it’s safe to assume that somewhere, right now, someone must be watching Cheers) and the song undoubtedly has a legacy, infiltrating its way into other TV shows ( Friends, The Simpsons, Ally McBeal, Saturday Night Live, How I Met Your Mother…) and being the ultimate earworm of multiple generations.

“Pretty much, yeah.” he says, then adds, “But I’m flattered that there is continued interest.” “You’re probably exhausted talking about this song,” I tell Portnoy, who recorded it for the TV show 32 years ago.

Everybody knows your name piano