15 Unforgettable Cartoon Theme Songs

[Jibar]

Anath over at Applegeeks posted this (http://www.cracked.com/index.php?name=News&sid=1970) up, and I had to let you guys know.
It's like they rooted through my childhood and dug up all the awesome.
I'm very proud to say that apart from Pro-Stars and G.I.Joe I watched every single one of those cartoons, and can sing along to most of the theme songs. :biggrin:

And because they should be on there:
Earth, fire, wind, water, heart, go Planet! By your powers combined I am Captain Planet! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTg6qM-hRNg&mode=related&search=)
Scooby Doo, Where are you? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ1xAysJjdQ)

[Dhavaer]

But what about Roger Ramjet?

[Dihan]

Where's the X-Men theme or the Pokemon theme?!:smallfrown:

[Closet_Skeleton]

Where's the X-Men theme or the Pokemon theme?!:smallfrown:

I don't even remember the X-Men theme... Wasn't it just the main character's names?

From that list I only watched Mighty Max, Power Rangers and the odd episode of Batman.

[Dihan]

I don't even remember the X-Men theme... Wasn't it just the main character's names?

X-Men theme is here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tFc9svb2os).

[Artemician]

Does anime count?

If so..

The ED of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzimiya: Hare Hare Yukai, especially the all-dance special, which can be seen here (http://www.veoh.com/videos/v226492nBkMWaMB). The TV version (http://www.veoh.com/videos/v234378wq2pqyDJ) isn't too bad either.

Also, both the Opening and Ending themes of Ouran High School Host Club: Sakura Kiss and Shissou (http://www.veoh.com/videos/v240201cH2HTCnZ) respectively. They're fantastic.

And as for what takes the cake, the Opening of Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu: Sore Ga, Ai Deshou (http://www.veoh.com/videos/v442907CJYzRYGs)

If anime isn't allowed,.. then

Fairly Odd Parents. I swear, that tune gets stuck in my head so much it's not even funny anymorre.

[Ebon_Drake]

I loves me some nostalgia. Some more overlooked awesomeness:
Defenders of the Earth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nm_jJBkHtU)
Bravestarr (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPHIfCstm5A)
Ulysses 31 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgJ4qYP44Rk)
Peter Pan and the Pirates (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifqS7pI7BL4)

[Om]

I can only assume that neither Mighty Mouse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYpBoYa4pno) or Danger Mouse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjdt3Rehc08) were never popular the other side of the Atlantic. The latter is my ringtone today

[Nevrmore]

Underdog
Mortal Kombat
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Rugrats?
Josie and the Pussycats
Cow and Chicken

I'll think of more and post clips to the above songs later.

[Beleriphon]

Seen and enjoyed all of those. All of them.

[Muz]

Bah! Uncultured swine! :smallwink:

You left out the most important one! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGaLRZwb3G0) :smallbiggrin:

[Jack Squat]

how could no one mention Super Chicken (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3SZ_kLSz4A) or George of the Jungle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eobpXo6HcYI)?

[kjones]

How 'bout the ever-popular Kung Foo Rooster (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2005/06/15)?

[Lemur]

Bah! Uncultured swine! :smallwink:

You left out the most important one! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGaLRZwb3G0) :smallbiggrin:

Pff, you wish. There's no way that theme song can compete with you know what (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALzDcMDhf2o) :smallamused:

Not a cartoon show, but the closing for Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e0yOfyJEq8&mode=related&search=) was definitely one of the best TV themes ever. Sorry for the poor quality link.

The one for the cartoon show (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTUiFYHhhe4) wasn't that bad, I suppose, but I wouldn't place it on the same level.

Here's one for the "painfully stupid" category. Anyone remember King Arthur and the Knight's of Justice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNjhbOH8m2U)?

[NecroPaladin]

They're Pinky and the Brain,

Pinky and the Brain,

One is a genius,

The other's insane...

And so on until...

"What are we doing tonight, Brain?"
"The same thing we do every night, Pinky...TRY TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD!"

God, I loved that cartoon.

[GryffonDurime]

Not a cartoon show, but the closing for Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e0yOfyJEq8&mode=related&search=) was definitely one of the best TV themes ever. Sorry for the poor quality link.


I was just about to post that too...apparently it's supposed to be one of the most recognizable themes from modern TV. Up there with the Simpsons and whatnot.

[Muz]

Pff, you wish. There's no way that theme song can compete with you know what (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALzDcMDhf2o) :smallamused:


Speed Racer?? How old ARE you? :smallwink:

[Jack Squat]

Speed Racer is still aired...

[Gumbo T]

Bucky, I said Bucky, Captain Bucky O'Hare (http://youtube.com/watch?v=LWmJ6UPlSCA)

[Destro_Yersul]

They're Pinky and the Brain,

Pinky and the Brain,

One is a genius,

The other's insane...

And so on until...

"What are we doing tonight, Brain?"
"The same thing we do every night, Pinky...TRY TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD!"

God, I loved that cartoon.

A hell yeah! I used to watch that all the time.

linky :smallbiggrin: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJPFSNu_QNs)

[Hephaestus]

No Pokemon?!!?!?!?!?! :smallfurious:

Dexter's Lab, Ed Edd and Eddy, Powerpuff Girls, I'm only 17 and I've watched speed racer before... Pinky and The Brain, Magic Schoolbus! Please tell me everyone else was obsessed with The Magic School bus and watched every episode and ironically did better in school because of it? Bill Nye worked that way too...

[Destro_Yersul]

Yeah, I watched Magic School Bus and Bill Nye. I can still remember the theme songs, and it's been years since I saw either of them.

[Jack Squat]

Please tell me everyone else was obsessed with The Magic School bus and watched every episode and ironically did better in school because of it? Bill Nye worked that way too...

yep...I also had the books.

BTW, Beakman was better than Bill Nye

[Raven T.]

Bucky, I said Bucky, Captain Bucky O'Hare (http://youtube.com/watch?v=LWmJ6UPlSCA)

I actually remember that...somewhat vaguely...

As to the science shows: I wound up liking both of them...and do you realize they repackaged (with a new crew) Beakman?

[Raistlin1040]

Flintstones.

[J_Muller]

THUNDERCATS HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

That list has also made me remember how awesome TailSpin was.

I did so love Pinky and the Brain. This list has reminded me that when I was younger, I obsessively watched Speed Racer. That and, for reasons I don't quite remember, Sailor Moon.

I was so weird when I was four...

[Logic]

TMNT, GI Joe, and Batman were all some of my favorites, though at different times of my childhood.

Stupid AFE network.

*Grumble grumble*

[ray53208]

the flintstones, underdog, scooby doo, johnny quest, batman, thundercats, transformers, he man, pinky and the brain, speed racer, hong kong fooey, the jetsons, bullwinkle, josie and the pussycats, gi joe.

those are my fifteen and i think just about everyone out there would be able to sing these from memory alone. at least the chorus.

[Kitya]

Apparently Nikalodian only carried Danger Mouse one season and it wasn't a huge hit in America. I grew up in Canada where we could rent them, which we did. *grin* I LOVE Dangermouse! Barnes & Nobles is actually selling the entire series on dvd. I own seasons 1 and 2 already. *chuckles* The funniest story I have about Dangermouse is, the whole family loved it, but, even tho dad enjoyed it, there was something about it... dad never made it thru an entire show without falling asleep. I think subliminals must have been at work.

I grew up on HeMan, Thundercats, all of those... *chuckles* and then got to love Tailspin and Ducktales thru my youngest brother. I STILL watch Magic School Bus.. it's on *thinking here* Discovery Kids I think... at some ungodly hour, so I had the dvr recording it. My kidlet got so addicted to the theme song that she would actually stop drinking her bottle to watch the song, and then continue drinking after it was finished. Didn't care for the actual show.. yet.. but loved the song! Of course, she's that way about 3,2,1 Penguins and Veggie Tales too. *chuckles* I like the dvd veggie tales song better than the tv one.. altho the "do you like my yellow sweater" is definitely funny to me.

On top of that, I am investing for her future by recording ALL the ScoobyDoo movies when they're on tv, and all the Charlie Browns, and Rudolphs... the OLD rudolphs, which I grew up on. Rudolphs Shiny New Year was my second favorite tv show every season... the first was of course Charlie Brown. *grin*

[Totally Guy]

I like the intro to the Danger Mouse spin off- Count Duckula, well the first half of the intro where it's all spoken. The second half is all singing and I couldn't ever hear what the words were.

Duckula Intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnCpMHKCasU)

Was this aired elsewhere? The main character is trying to do an american accent most of the time.

[Om]

I like the intro to the Danger Mouse spin off- Count Duckula, well the first half of the intro where it's all spoken. The second half is all singing and I couldn't ever hear what the words were.Funnily enough I was just thinking of this yesterday. Bananaman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbPxRAeClJA) probably completes the trinity of great British cartoons from that era.

[TheThan]

Wow there’s only two shows I don’t recall from that site, that’s Mighty Max and Pro Stars.

[bosssmiley]

I can only assume that neither Mighty Mouse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYpBoYa4pno) or Danger Mouse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjdt3Rehc08) were never popular the other side of the Atlantic. The latter is my ringtone today

Om: nothing but pure win wrapped in skin. :smallcool:

"Mighty Max"? "Pro-Stars"? "Sonic" cartoon? Who they then?
"He-Man" at #13. And no "Hong Kong Phooey"? No "Dangermouse"?

*pffft*

[Dihan]

Do Fireman Sam and Postman Pat count?:smallbiggrin:

[Om]

Om: nothing but pure win wrapped in skin. :smallcool: What can I say? Its so very true.

I do have to make a small correction though, it appears that Mighty Mouse was actually American.


Do Fireman Sam and Postman Pat count?My cousin was obsessed with Fireman Sam when he was a kid. Personally though I was always a fan of Postman Pat... with his black and white cat.

Ahhh those were the good 'ol days.

[Gavin Sage]

Not too bad a list but honestly did they have to make fun of so many? 90s cartoons whoop the pants off the ones they have today.

(Oh and Batman is cool but that's awesome background music not a real good theme)


Does anime count?

Why not? But such painfully modern choices haven't stood the test of time, you simply have to mention Eva. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR7DVmfV9jk)

And if not, to bridge the genres there's the Samurai Pizza Cats (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXiJYcK4-GU).

[Vaniel]

Wow, this... awesome

Batman, the original (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN8_y3nbCmY) This... no words...

Spiderman, the original (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgFWjFbN498)

Power Rangers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8O-szIV-OE) Where's the White, Green and Black Power Ranger?

Transformers: Beast Wars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyJD2PL6408) Oh yeah, this one was HOT

Reboot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCq8p9UlFk0) This is my cult cartoon... :D

Digimon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvB78tN2qOQ) This one was good for a few seasons. :D I loved the Giant Cactus

Pokemon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOSfBrLhlMI) Team Rocket, why... I voted for you every time :P

Next...

Sailor Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxiJIDY19tM) I watched this a little. Oh... I'm ashamed

Dragonball Z (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-Hjf43k3Cs) I LOVED DRAGONBALL! :D I have all the mangas!

ScoobyDoo, where are you? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ1xAysJjdQ) Didn't watch this a lot, but hey! :D

[Icewalker]

Pokemon = most annoyingly unforgettable theme ever.

I remember animaniacs...ah...good times...

only recognize one or two others though.

[Jibar]

Sailor Moon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxiJIDY19tM) I watched this a little. Oh... I'm ashamed

You're ashamed? I watched the whole first season. The only reason I stopped watching was because I missed the first few episodes of the second lot.



And if not, to bridge the genres there's the Samurai Pizza Cats (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXiJYcK4-GU).

That show was amazing.

[Vaniel]

You're ashamed? I watched the whole first season. The only reason I stopped watching was because I missed the first few episodes of the second lot.

Yeah, I'm ashamed of my manly pride. Watching Sailor Moon, hehehe.

Wasen't that bad :smallbiggrin:

[Totally Guy]

Funnily enough I was just thinking of this yesterday. Bananaman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbPxRAeClJA) probably completes the trinity of great British cartoons from that era.

Oh! I just remembered the Dreamstone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ijzFH-KA7o).

The intro is more of a plot synopsis than an actual theme tune. Although the music within the show was all philharmonic orchestra.

[Telonius]

Funnily enough I was just thinking of this yesterday. Bananaman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbPxRAeClJA) probably completes the trinity of great British cartoons from that era.

Yeah, they aired in the US in the early 80s. Dangermouse, Count Duckula, and Bananaman. I think they were all in a row, though I can't remember what channel it was on. Maybe Nickelodeon? I have some vague memories of watching "Spartacus and the Sun Beneath the Sea" and "The Mysterious Cities of Gold" at around the same time.

[Grod_The_Giant]

I always liked the Justice League Unlimited theme song...don't have a link, though.

[Robberbaron]

If y'all have to bring up Bill Nye, I feel duty bound to mention that Mr. Wizard did it first, and to my vague recollections, better. I don't see how they can expect that list to get any credibility when they call it a cartoon one, but include Power Rangers. All that aside, for me it was Scooby Doo, Yogi, Hong Kong Phoeey, Danger Mouse, Underdog, Seven Cities of Gold, Belle and Sebastian, for when I was a kid, for newer stuff, Talespin, Ducktales, Batman Animated Series, and X-Men. Reason Carmen Sandiego rocked was Rockapella, they did a great job.

[Jayabalard]

that list kind of spans too much time... I know most of them well, but I never even heard of a couple of them.

[Robberbaron]

The span I was watching was around a decade, around '85 to '95 or so. So far I've not seen a children's cartoon that I thought was anything other than bilge, in the last decade or so. Cartoon network does ok, Teen Titans and TMNT were all right, not seen their take on Batman, mainly I watch some anime for cartoons now, cept for my DVD collection.

[Om]

Earthworm Jim (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0SN8w6f4_4&mode=related&search=)

[Charity]

Om: nothing but pure win wrapped in skin. :smallcool:

"Mighty Max"? "Pro-Stars"? "Sonic" cartoon? Who they then?
"He-Man" at #13. And no "Hong Kong Phooey"? No "Dangermouse"?

*pffft*


Thank god someone mentioned Hong Kong Phooey! I was about to dispair, and yes Dangermouse is better than all of those other cartoons... nope don't argue you wippersnappers *waves cane dangerously*
Oh and my wife swears by Cities of Gold though I found them all a bit annoying.
But for cool theme tunes try out Jamie and the magic torch or Crystal tips and Alistair the shows were mad as fish however.

[Alysar]

How could no one have mentioned Captain Simian and the Space Monkeys (http://youtube.com/watch?v=qgp8EYeSybo)

[purple gelatinous cube o' Doom]

My favorite on the list is definitely Ducktales (woo ooo). :smallbiggrin:
Which, consequently is still my favorite cartoon.

[WhatIsGravity]

2 pages and no Looney Tunes?

[blade_runner]

What, no one remembers Captain Planet? Anyway, as long as I'm wound up, Starship Troopers: The Roughneck Chronicles. This show was so memorable that I saw the last half of one episode and, 10 years later, bought the DVD set on Amazon so I could see the rest.

(I'm warning you, watch it once, and you'll never get it out of your head.)

link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg-Qs-M6WyI)

[Serpentine]

Banana Man!
It was actually... almost... epic.

[Gygaxphobia]

Transformers?

Battle of the Planets?

My most memorable cartoon ever is Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd in "What's Opera, Doc." Seriously check it out (it's on Youtube)

[AtomicKitKat]

I grew up in the 80s, but sadly had to compete with my mother for the TV, since they showed Cantonese Soap Operas back then at about the same time that I'd be home from school. :smallfrown: Back then, there was no dedicated children's channel like now. I remember Transformers, Silverhawks, Sabre Rider and the Star Sheriffs, all the ones on CRACKED.com except Pro Stars, King Arthur and the Knights of Justice, etc. Oh, and I never saw the live Carmen Sandiego show before. :smallconfused:

Edit: Ok, vaguely remember the premise of Pro Stars. And yeah, I totally understood that Mighty Max=the male Polly Pocket, even back then. I mean come on, how hard was it to understand? It's a miniature figure, in a setting, that can be folded in half to look like something else. I also remember some military-themed toys that followed a similar concept("It's a watch, but wait, if you open it up, you can have a whole military base. On your wrist!")

[Dib]

Even as a teenager... I still enjoy watching cartoons... though only superhero ones (good ones that is)... but this makes me want to watch Gummie Bears again, they were just too cool :smallbiggrin:

[Steve_the_ERB]

Even as a teenager... I still enjoy watching cartoons... though only superhero ones (good ones that is)... but this makes me want to watch Gummie Bears again, they were just too cool :smallbiggrin:

Pashaw! Even as a grown man I enjoy watching cartoons. I don't get to relive the old ones as much but I'll sit down with the kids to watch Spongebob, Fairly Oddparents, or Jimmy Neutron.

And I have to agree with the shoutout to Mr. Wizard. He was the man!

[Qooroo]

I remember some of those very fondly. Animaniacs? Hell yes. And Pinky and the Brain had a brilliant theme, despite the shorts being better than the full episodes.

I figure the only reason the left Reboot off is because of how Canadian the phenomena was.

Finally, please tell me I'm not the only one who can still recite the entire opening to Mummies Alive! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3vhpk7DhZM) The bad pseudo-rap...oh, how I loved that show.

[AtomicKitKat]

Oh Mummies Alive. How I love thee, Nefertina, ancient Egyptian Tomboy!:smallredface: :smallcool:

[MPHopcroft]

Speed Racer?? How old ARE you? :smallwink:

The original Japanese version (Mach A Go Go!) was from the early 1960's. The title was a refernce to the hero's original name, Go Mifune (named in partial tribute to the legendary actor Toshiro Mifune).

[MPHopcroft]

Yeah, they aired in the US in the early 80s. Dangermouse, Count Duckula, and Bananaman. I think they were all in a row, though I can't remember what channel it was on. Maybe Nickelodeon? I have some vague memories of watching "Spartacus and the Sun Beneath the Sea" and "The Mysterious Cities of Gold" at around the same time.

Nickelodeon aired Dangermouse and Duckula in its very early days. Because the Dangermouse episodes were so short, even in packs of two, Bananaman was used as a filler.

The Disney Channel also imported Cosgrove-Hall's stop-motion version of The Wind in the Willows, which was an exquisite piece of work. Unfortunately the studio's one significant feature, an adaptation of Raold Dahl's The B.F.G. starring Jon Pertwee, did not receive any sort of American release other than direct-to-video.

[Gerrtt]

Gah...it really makes me chuckle that I've seen like everything on this list, and I dont mean oh I saw it once, but that I remember watching the shows for long periods of time.

It's all pretty ridiculous though, no matter how awesome it was 10+ years ago. Simply amazing, this list is.

[Sewer_Bandito]

That list has also made me remember how awesome TailSpin was.


Tailspin is on Toon disney at 12:00 p.m., and Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers is on at 11:30 a.m. I watch those everyone morning. :smallbiggrin: :smallredface:

Here's Chip: http://youtube.com/watch?v=hWCZIvtzHgw&mode=related&search=

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

Hm...well.

There's Thundercats, Transformers; Darkwing Duck, Ducktales;Tailspin.

Powerpuff girls, Dexter's Lab, Freakazoid...I don't think anyone's mentoined freakazoid?

Super-dude extraordinaire! Freakazoid! Fricasee!

[Sewer_Bandito]

Hm...well.

There's Thundercats, Transformers; Darkwing Duck, Ducktales;Tailspin.

Powerpuff girls, Dexter's Lab, Freakazoid...I don't think anyone's mentoined freakazoid?

Super-dude extraordinaire! Freakazoid! Fricasee!


Freakazoid was epic. They should have never canceled that show :smallfrown:

[ocato]

There's no need to fear, Underdog is here!

When criminals in this world appear
Ignoring laws that they should fear
and frightening those that see and hear
the call goes up from far and near for
UNDERDOG, underdog, UNDERDO~G

When headlines in the paper read
of those who's hearts are filled with greed
who rob and steal from those who need
to right these wrongs with lightning speed goes
UNDERDOG, underdog, UNDERDOG

That's been stuck in my head for a week.

[WhatIsGravity]

What, no one remembers Captain Planet? Anyway, as long as I'm wound up, Starship Troopers: The Roughneck Chronicles. This show was so memorable that I saw the last half of one episode and, 10 years later, bought the DVD set on Amazon so I could see the rest.

(I'm warning you, watch it once, and you'll never get it out of your head.)

link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg-Qs-M6WyI)

I first watched it when I was around 12 or something. I just watched it again a few months ago. I'm going to watch it again. :biggrin:


Oh Mummies Alive. How I love thee, Nefertina, ancient Egyptian Tomboy!:smallredface: :smallcool:

I remember that too!

[Sewer_Bandito]

I watched captain planet every morning before school this year. It came on toon disney at 6 a.m. :smallbiggrin:

[PlatinumJester]

Where is Top Cat. That cat was one damn cool Mofo. Plus his theme tune was so upbeat and positive.

Or the Samurai Champloo Theme.

[maskimus]

("Grouchy Old Man" Voice) Pffwhaahh!!
You young whippersnappers with your fancy "anime" and quality "computer animated" tripe. FLIBBIDDY FLOO!!
If you want great cartoon theme songs, track down these.

Hercules - sung by Jonny Nash.
King Kong
(two really crappy cartoons with great music)

Marvel Superheroes-
Captain America
Incredible Hulk
Submariner
Iron Man
Mighty Thor

Great Stories, crappy animation, great songs!!:smallbiggrin:

[Penguinsushi]

Pashaw! Even as a grown man I enjoy watching cartoons. I don't get to relive the old ones as much but I'll sit down with the kids to watch Spongebob, Fairly Oddparents, or Jimmy Neutron.

Same here. Except I don't have kids...


as for "unforgettable cartoon theme songs"...I'm going to mention the Smurf's theme. You didn't specify that it had to be "unforgettable" in a good way...

"La la la-la-la la, LA la-la-la laaaaaaaa..." AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

:smallwink:

~PS

[Aidan305]

Darkwing Duck (http://youtube.com/watch?v=czCqMWRFVg4). I loved that show.

Freakazoid! (http://youtube.com/watch?v=_Ubj8GbhvB0) My favourite episode was the one in scream-o-vision.

One that I loved as a kid, but never got past the first series: Road Rovers (http://youtube.com/watch?v=SZ-GgcoBOBQ)

And if VR counts then Knightmare (http://youtube.com/watch?v=2LcRDPYML0M) had a brilliant opening.