You know that feeling when you're standing in a new city, suitcase in hand, and you have absolutely no idea if you’ve made a massive mistake? That’s the exact energy Mary Richards brought to Minneapolis in 1970. When the lyrics we’re going to make it after all kicked in during the opening credits of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, it wasn't just a catchy jingle. It was a radical statement of intent. Honestly, it’s kinda wild how a fifty-year-old sitcom theme song still manages to be the unofficial anthem for anyone trying to reinvent themselves.
It’s about resilience. It’s about that specific brand of optimism that doesn't feel fake or "toxic." Most people think the song is just a happy tune about a woman getting a job at a news station, but if you look at the history of how that show was built, the phrase carries a lot more weight.
The Story Behind the Song
Sony and Curtis (the songwriters) actually had to rewrite the lyrics. In the first season, the song asked, "How will you make it on your own?" It was skeptical. It reflected the era's doubt about a single woman surviving—much less thriving—without a husband. By the second season, the lyrics shifted to the iconic "You’re going to make it after all." That change mirrored a shift in American culture. We moved from asking if women could be independent to asserting that they would be.
Sonny Curtis, who was a member of The Crickets (Buddy Holly’s old band), wrote the track in about two hours. He hadn't even seen a full episode; he just had a four-page summary of the pilot. He captured a vibe that resonated so deeply it outlived the show itself. You’ve probably seen the statue in Minneapolis. People literally go there just to toss their hats in the air. It’s a pilgrimage for the hopeful.
Why the Message Still Works in 2026
Life is messy. We’re currently living in an era where "making it" feels harder than ever for a lot of people. Whether it's the weirdness of the modern job market or just the general exhaustion of social media, that 1970s brand of "we’re going to make it after all" feels like a necessary antidote to the doom-scrolling we do every morning.
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It’s not about becoming a billionaire.
Mary Richards wasn't running the network; she was an associate producer who sometimes had bad dates and terrible parties. That’s the secret sauce. The song suggests that making it means finding your footing, keeping your integrity, and surrounding yourself with a "chosen family" that actually has your back when things go sideways.
Breaking Down the Cultural Impact
- The Hat Toss: This wasn't scripted to be a "moment." It was a spontaneous bit of filming on a freezing cold day in Minnesota. That one gesture became the universal symbol of "I’ve arrived."
- The Single Woman Trope: Before Mary, single women on TV were usually looking for a man to complete them. Mary was just looking for a good life.
- The Workplace Family: The show proved that your coworkers could be your support system, a concept that paved the way for everything from Cheers to The Office and Parks and Recreation.
What Most People Get Wrong About Success
We tend to think of "making it" as a finish line. You get the house, you get the promotion, you win. But if you actually watch the show, Mary’s life is a series of small wins and significant setbacks. The phrase we're going to make it after all is actually a bit of a lie if you think "making it" is a permanent state. It’s more of a mantra for the middle of the journey.
It’s about the "after all" part.
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That specific phrasing implies struggle. It implies that there were moments—maybe a lot of them—where it looked like you weren't going to make it. That's the nuance that AI-generated motivational quotes usually miss. Real human success is crunchy. It’s got grit. It involves crying in the bathroom because your boss is a jerk and then going out for a drink with a friend and realizing you’re actually okay.
The Feminist Legacy
Let's talk about the 1970s for a second. When the show aired, women couldn't always get credit cards in their own names without a male co-signer. That’s the world Mary was walking into. When the song says "Love is all around, no need to waste it," it’s not just talking about romantic love. It’s talking about the love of self and the love of community.
Working women in the 70s saw Mary Richards as a pioneer because she was allowed to be flawed. She wasn't a superhero. She was just a person trying to navigate a world that wasn't necessarily built for her. That's why the song hits so hard for anyone who feels like an underdog.
How to Apply the "Mary Richards" Mindset Today
If you’re feeling stuck, there are actually some pretty practical takeaways from this whole "make it after all" philosophy. It’s not just about tossing a beret in the air and hoping for the best.
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Embrace the pivot. Mary moved to a new city after a breakup. She didn't have a concrete plan, just a general direction. Sometimes, the "after all" happens because you were brave enough to leave a situation that wasn't working.
Build your "WJM-TV" crew. Find the Lou Grant to give you tough love, the Murray to keep you grounded, and the Rhoda to tell you the truth. You can’t make it alone. Independence is great, but interdependence is what actually keeps you sane.
Accept the "Chuckles the Clown" moments. There’s a famous episode where Mary laughs at a funeral. It’s dark, it’s weird, and it’s deeply human. Part of making it is accepting that life is going to be absurd and inappropriate at times. You have to be able to laugh at the wreckage.
Final Thoughts on the Anthem
The reason we're going to make it after all stays in our heads isn't just because of the catchy melody. It’s because it’s a promise we want to keep to ourselves. It’s a reminder that the current struggle is just the "before" part of the "after all."
Next time things feel overwhelming, maybe don't look for a 10-step productivity hack. Instead, maybe just remember that a woman in a polyester pantsuit once convinced an entire generation that being single, independent, and slightly overwhelmed was a perfectly valid way to live. And she was right.
Actionable Steps for Your Own "After All" Moment
- Audit your support system. Who are the people who actually celebrate your wins? If you don't have a "Rhoda," go find one.
- Define your own "making it." Ignore the Instagram version of success. Is it a quiet apartment? A job where you're respected? A weekend with no emails? Write it down.
- Practice the hat toss. Metaphorically, at least. Celebrate the small arrivals. You moved to the new city. You finished the project. You survived the week. That counts.
- Acknowledge the struggle. Don't "manifest" your way out of reality. Acknowledge that things are tough right now. The "after all" only matters if you admit there was an "even though" before it.