The Best 'Toon Tunage: Phineas and Ferb, South Park, the Simpsons, Merrie Melodies

 

When you’re the father of two wee daughters — ages five and 21 months to be exact — the process of accepting their incessant “car music” comes in three stages:

(1) I bet the Jonas Brothers can’t throw a football.

(2) If Miley Cyrus were my daughter, that would make me Billy Ray Cyrus, which would make me cry a great deal.

(3) Okay, fine, maybe Dora the Explorer shouldn’t be tied to the outside of the space shuttle.

You eventually get used to the songs, singing along with your brood solely as a matter of self-preservation. But there’s rarely genuine enjoyment involved. That’s what makes the music of Phineas and Ferb, the Disney Channel’s No. 1 animated series for kids six to 14, such a revelation. The story of two inventive brothers, an exasperated older sis and a pet platypus named Perry (who’s also a secret agent), Phineas and Ferb blends sly humor, slapstick -- and some of the best ’toon tunage in TV history. (Gitchee Gitchee Goo is pure power-pop goodness.)

It also got me thinking of 10 other great televised ’toons that consistently mastered melody far beyond having a catchy theme song. Feel free to sing along:

Merrie Melodies (1931-1969) Nothing makes me laugh harder than Bugs Bunny calling that sinister square dance for those warring hillbillies. “Grab a fencepost, hold it tight /Womp your partner with all your might!”

Spongebob Squarepants (1999-?) Surrealism has never been so catchy. “The best time to wear a striped sweater is all the tiiime.” When Spongie comes on my iPod, I rarely skip ahead.

The Simpsons (1989-?) Wow, where to start with the Springfield spoofery? How about Flaming Moe’s, Lisa It’s Your Birthday and The Monorail Song. Oh, and Rock Me, Dr. Zaius.

South Park (1997-?) Thei nfamouscombo platter of R. Kelly, Tom Cruise and Trapped in the Closet helped Matt Stone and Trey Parker score an Emmy nom.

The Flintstones (1960-1966) Remember the Bedrock Twitch? “When you get an itch, you do the Twitch, in Bedrock! Twitch! Twitch!”

The Jackson 5ive (1971-1973) Okay, this is a bit of cheat, as the songs were already album cuts — and the animation was crappy. But it proved that cartoon madcappery is instantly made cooler when soundtracked by MJ & Co.

Schoolhouse Rock! (1973-1985, 1993-1999) Three Is a Magic Number, Conjunction Junction, Lolly Lolly Lolly Get Your Adverbs Here — all written by the saintly Bob Dorough for ABC’s great edu-snippets. You’d be surprised (or not) at how often I still rely on those songs.

Family Guy (1999-2002, 2005-?) Seth MacFarlane creeps me out. But songs a la Everything Is Better With a Bag of Weed are a twisted brand of genius.

The Peanuts Holiday Specials (1965, 1966, 1973) Not only is it the greatest ’toon tune, but Vince Guaraldi’s Linus and Lucy is jazz piano perfection — and an instant mood-enhancer.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) The correct lyrics for Welcome Christmas? “Fah who foraze! Dah who doraze! Welcome Christmas! Come this way!”

Comments

[laura]

Can't agree with you more! Bugs makes those dumb hillbillies do some crazy stuff. "Whirl,whirl,twist and twirl! Jump around like a fly'n squirrel." LOL!

School House Rock another classic. Happen to own a T-shirt with all the characters on it. Still love the Pilgrim one. Probably cuz I'm from New England. And YES that's how it really happen. ;)

[Michelle]

Bassnote, Jane Weidlin makes an appearance in some of the new Scooby cartoons, too (The Hex Girls).

[Marissa]

"He is Sven. I am Ollie"

"ai yi yi Wilma..."
I could watch the Flintstones and Merrie Melodies all day and never be bored. In fact, I'd be downright jovial.

[GAGirl]

When doing her homework every once in a while I still hear my daughter quietly singing "3,6,9 . . . Three's a magic number".So nice that the classics still hold up.

[RebeccaF]

Animaniacs had such cleverly disguised instructions songs such as, "It's a Great Big Universe", Wakko sings the 50 states, Yakko sings all the Countries of the World and many, many more that just get so stuck in your head, you hum them for days... "It's a great big universe and we're all really puny... We're just tiny little specks, about the size of Mickey Rooney"... Thank goodness for DVDs.

[Bassnote]

The newer Scooby -Doo cartoons (What's New Scooby-Doo) have many musical cameos. The recent Halloween special had Kiss (with Paul & Gene providing their voices). The band Smashmouth has appeared a few times. The theme song is done by New Found Glory.