Jason Mraz Surprises Boston Fans With Iconic Sitcom Theme

Jason Mraz and New England go together like pancakes and butter.

The singer started his 2024 summer tour at Providence Performing Arts Center on June 30 before stops in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont and Massachusetts -- once to play with the Boston Pops at Tanglewood and once to headline at Leader Bank Pavilion in the Boston Seaport.

At the latter show on July 6, he showed Boston just how much he cares with a sweet rendition of "Where Everybody Knows Your Name," the theme from Cheers.

The unexpected setlist addition came early in the night, between the groovy "Feel Good Too" from Mraz's latest album Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride and the optimistic "Living in the Moment" from 2012's Love Is a Four-Letter Word.

It was the friendly, good-vibes star's way of saying hello.

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The crowd seemed to enjoy the surprise, singing and giggling along as Mraz tried to get the tune just right.

READ MORE: Failed Massachusetts Sitcom Had a Silly Fatal Flaw

Cheers wrapped an 11-season run on NBC in 1993, but the sitcom and its theme remain popular. The show followed life inside an old Boston Bar and characters played by Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Woody Harrelson and Kirstie Alley, among other talents. Nicholas Colosanto, who played lovable bartender Coach in the first couple of seasons, was a Rhode Island native.

"Where Everybody Knows Your Name" set up each episode nicely with lyrics about finding a place to escape all your worries. Gary Portnoy's full version of the song is worth a listen for the silly lyrics most people don't know, including a cat hanging by its tail and "your third fiancee" leaving you waiting at the altar.

Yep, life is tough. It's made a little easier by shows such as Cheers and musicians like Jason Mraz.