"The Brady Bunch," a beloved American sitcom that aired from 1969 to 1974, captivated audiences
with its wholesome charm, relatable family dynamics, and memorable characters.
Beyond the television screen, the cast of "The Brady Bunch" ventured into the realm
of music, releasing albums that further solidified their cultural impact.
From their debut album, “Merry Christmas from the Brady Bunch” to the compilation
of their greatest hits in "It's a Sunshine Day: The Best of The Brady Bunch," these albums
allowed fans to immerse themselves in the musical world of the Brady family.
With catchy tunes, infectious harmonies, and a touch of nostalgia, the albums showcased
the vocal talents of the cast, offering a delightful extension of the show's enduring
legacy.
In this video, we’re taking a closer look at some of these classic albums put out by
the Brady Bunch…
Merry Christmas from the Brady Bunch Merry Christmas from the Brady Bunch was the
first album released by the group and acted in parallel to its burgeoning success as a
show.
It was put out on November 2, 1970, and released on Paramount Records.
Unsurprisingly, the album is all Christmas classics, with the added twist of being sung
by the adorable kids who played the Brady children on the show.
It was released to positive reviews, including in Billboard Magazine, which noted that the
popularity of the show would likely help with the marketing of the album, but that it still
was a well-done collection.
They referred to it as a first rate collection that included classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer," “The Little Drummer Boy", "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town", "Silent Night”,
and more.
Though the tunes are ones that are familiar to most people, the album was recorded in
the in the late 60’s and has the folky rock sound that was prevalent back then.
The album was actually put out again by MCA Records in 1995, though at that point they
changed the title to Christmas with the Brady Bunch.
Meet the Brady Bunch "Meet The Brady Bunch" is the second album
released by the cast, and it was put out in 1972.
The album features a collection of songs performed by the Brady children, capturing the musical
spirit of the show and its iconic characters.
"Meet The Brady Bunch" consists of twelve tracks, showcasing a mix of original songs
written specifically for the album and popular songs from the TV series.
Some of them include, "Meet The Brady Bunch" the show’s theme song), "Time to Change",
"We Can Make the World a Whole Lot Brighter", "I Just Want to Be Your Friend", and "It's
a Sunshine Day" The album reflects the musical trends of the early 1970s, incorporating elements
of pop, bubblegum pop, and light rock.
The songs are characterized by catchy melodies, harmonies, and youthful energy, appealing
to the target audience of the show.
The album gained moderate success, capitalizing on the popularity of "The Brady Bunch" and
its musical moments.
While it did not achieve significant commercial success on the charts, it served as a way
for fans to engage with the show beyond the television screen, offering them an opportunity
to enjoy the voices of their favorite characters singing a variety of songs.
Several songs from the album have become synonymous with "The Brady Bunch" and have remained nostalgic
favorites among fans.
Tracks like "Time to Change," "We Can Make the World a Whole Lot Brighter," and "It's
a Sunshine Day" continue to resonate with audiences, reminding them of the memorable
musical moments from the show.
"Meet The Brady Bunch" album encapsulates the spirit of the TV series, allowing fans
to further connect with the characters and their musical talents.
It represents a nostalgic slice of 1970s pop culture and serves as a testament to the enduring
popularity of "The Brady Bunch" and its beloved characters.
The Kids from the Brady Bunch “The Kids from the Brady Bunch" was also
released in 1972.
It was another album that showcased the musical talents of the Brady children.
The album features a collection of cover songs and original tracks performed by the young
cast members.
The album consists of twelve tracks, including a mix of cover versions of popular songs from
the time and original compositions.
The specific tracks featured on the album include "American Pie", "I Just Want to Be
Your Friend", "Everything's Love", "Baby, I'm-A Want You" and more.
The album showcases the vocal talents of the Brady children: Maureen McCormick, Barry Williams,
Christopher Knight, Eve Plumb, Mike Lookinland, and Susan Olsen.
The album, like all the other Brady kids albums, featured prominent session musicians providing
the backing tracks.
But the kids all sang their own parts.
That was actually a rarity for TV show-based albums at that point.
As with the other album released the same year, “Meet the Brady Bunch”, "The Kids
from the Brady Bunch" album reflects the popular musical styles of the early 1970s.
It encompasses a mix of pop, rock, and light bubblegum pop elements, catering to the youthful
audience of the show.
While the album didn’t have significant commercial success, it served as a way for
fans to connect with the music of "The Brady Bunch" beyond the television episodes.
The release capitalized on the show's popularity, offering fans the opportunity to own a musical
memento featuring their beloved characters.
The songs from the album have become nostalgic favorites among fans of "The Brady Bunch."
Tracks like "We'll Always Be Friends" and "Merry-Go-Round" have resonated with listeners
over the years, serving as a reminder of the musical moments within the series.
"The Kids from the Brady Bunch" album stands as a musical representation of the Brady children's
fictional band within the show.
It provided fans with an opportunity to enjoy their favorite characters' voices singing
a mix of covers and original songs, leaving a lasting impression on the fans of "The Brady
Bunch" and capturing the essence of the early 1970s musical landscape.
Chris Knight and Maureen McCormick Chris Knight and Maureen McCormick, who played
Greg and Marcia, decided to branch off from the group and record a duet album called,
fittingly, "Chris Knight and Maureen McCormick."
Released in 1973, the album played on their characters' on-screen romance.
It featured cover versions of popular songs of the time, including Dusty Springfield's
"You Don't Have to Say You Love Me."
They also recorded a duet cover of The Partridge Family's hit "I Think I Love You."
The album aimed to capitalize on the popularity of the characters and their storyline, further
blurring the lines between the show and their musical endeavors.
But at this point, it’s been all but forgotten, as the Bradys released more memorable and
culturally potent records in the years after this.
The Brady Bunch Phonographic Album The Brady Bunch Phonographic Album was put
out in 1973, marking the end of the Brady kids’ official releases.
It was on Paramount Records, and was originally titled “Growing Up with the Brady Bunch”
before undergoing a title change at one point during pressing.
Then in 1993, it got reissued onto CD and three of the tracks from Chris Knight and
Maureen McCormick’s duet album.
Like the other albums, this offering was well reviewed by critics, adored by hard core fans
of the show, and generally didn’t generate a ton of overall sales.
It failed to appear on any of the major charts, but that didn’t mean fans of the troupe
weren’t pleased with the effort.
Billboard was sure to point out in its review that the album was straightforward and in
the open.
Aka there were no hidden messages in the songs, and the general vibe was one of good natured
and simple fun.
The album featured songs like "I'd Love You to Want Me”, "Parallel Lines" and "A Simple
Man",
It's a Sunshine Day: The Best of The Brady Bunch
"It's a Sunshine Day: The Best of The Brady Bunch" is a compilation album released in
1993 that features a selection of songs from the musical catalog of "The Brady Bunch."
The album aims to capture the essence of the show's music, presenting a collection of their
most popular tracks.
The album consists of twelve tracks, handpicked from the group's previous releases.
These linclude classic Brady favorites like, "Sunshine Day", "I Want to Be With You", "Time
to Change", "Keep On", "We Can Make the World a Whole Lot Brighter", and "It's a Beautiful
Morning."
As a "best of" album, "It's a Sunshine Day" brings together some of the most memorable
and beloved songs associated with "The Brady Bunch."
The album holds nostalgic value for fans of "The Brady Bunch" who grew up watching the
show.
The songs featured on "It's a Sunshine Day" evoke a sense of a bygone era, and serve as
a reminder of the musical moments within the series.
The album offers a trip down memory lane, allowing fans to relive the musical highlights
from their favorite TV show.
The release of "It's a Sunshine Day" in 1993 helped revive interest in "The Brady Bunch"
and its music.
The album coincided with the release of "The Brady Bunch Movie" in 1995, which brought
the show back into the cultural spotlight.
The inclusion of some of the album's tracks in the movie further rekindled nostalgia and
introduced the music to new audiences.
While the album may not have achieved significant commercial success, it has become a cherished
collectible for fans of "The Brady Bunch."
The compilation allows fans to conveniently access the most memorable songs from the group's
repertoire in a single package, serving as a timeless memento of the show's musical legacy.
OutroNow it’s time to hear from you.
Have you heard any of these Brady Bunch albums?
Did you own any when you were younger?
Do you think they were a proper fit for the vibe of the show?
Let us know in the comments section below.