16 Cartoon Theme Songs Every ’80s Kid Still Knows by Heart

The ’80s was the heyday of animated TV exhibits — a decade which delivered a traditional array of applications that proceed resonating right this moment.

It was an period during which Saturday morning cartoons have been a family ritual. Each weekend, youngsters would get up early, plant themselves in entrance of the TV and spend hours consuming the tales that got here their approach. Motion, fantasy, sci-fi, comedy, there have been no limits to what these cartoons may provide.

A part of the ’80s cartoon growth was because of merchandising, as studios realized they may make huge bucks off of sequence that have been connected to a toy line. Advances in animation additionally elevated the standard of cartoon TV exhibits, whereas imports from all over the world — most notably Japan and the U.Ok. — introduced new tales to American audiences.

Whereas the period’s hottest cartoons differed enormously when it comes to model and subject material, they virtually all featured an incredible theme track. A lot of them turned so ingrained within the minds of ’80s youngsters that we are able to nonetheless sing or hum alongside a long time later.

Under, we have assembled 16 Cartoon Theme Songs That Each ’80s Child Nonetheless Is aware of by Coronary heart.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Able to have your thoughts blown? The well-known theme track to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was written by Chuck Lorre. Sure, that Chuck Lorre – the person who would go on to change into one of the profitable tv producers in current historical past. Earlier than helming such standard sequence as Dharma & Greg, Two and a Half Males and The Huge Bang Principle, Lorre was a struggling composer. Given solely 48 hours to provide you with one thing, he and his songwriting companion Dennis Challen Brown concocted the Ninja Turtles theme track in 1987. With its propulsive vitality and memorable lyrics, the tune turned one of many period’s greatest recognized themes.

Ducktales

Does the bass line to the Ducktails theme really feel eerily acquainted? That’s as a result of it’s virtually precisely the identical because the traditional Corridor & Oates hit “You Make My Desires Come True.” Nonetheless, there’s extra to the Ducktails theme than a catchy riff. The tune was written by Mark Mueller, the songwriter behind Coronary heart’s High 10 hit “Nothin’ At All.” Mueller enlisted singer Jeff Pescetto to file the Ducktails theme, together with an all-star meeting of session musicians. The outcome was one of the memorable themes in TV historical past. Even right this moment, individuals can’t assist however sing “Woo-hoo” each time Ducktails is talked about.

Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers

However wait, Mark Mueller had extra up his sleeve! After the large success of his Ducktails theme, Disney enlisted the songwriter for an additional of their animated sequence, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers. Once more, he recruited Jeff Pescetto to sing, and lightning proceeded to strike twice. The upbeat Rescue Rangers theme lyrically established Chip ‘n Dale’s new profession as personal detectives.

Inspector Gadget

The genius of the Inspector Gadget theme sits in its simplicity. Catchy, upbeat, direct with an underlying tone of goofiness, the music matches the tone of the titular bumbling detective. The one lyrics are “Inspector Gadget / Woo-Hoo / Go Gadget Go,” and but it completely works.

Muppet Infants

Following the success of Jim Henson’s Muppets TV exhibits and movies, CBS launched the Muppet Infants in 1984. The cartoon sequence adopted standard Muppet characters like Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Animal, Scooter, Fozzie Bear and Gonzo as toddlers getting as much as all types of imaginary adventures. Its immediately recognizable theme track was constructed alongside a ‘50s doo-wop motif, and in addition served as a roll name of types, introducing the characters.

Thundercats

In 1985, Telepictures Company debuted their animated sequence ThunderCats, a sci-fi journey that adopted a gaggle of catlike humanoid aliens battling the evil demon Mumm-Ra. Whereas the storylines have been pretty skinny, the flashy, stylistic animation model – coupled with high-energy motion – made it successful with viewers all over the place. The intro track appeared like a cross between the Rocky theme and a disco tune, and featured the memorable opening line, “ThunderCats are on the transfer / ThunderCats are unfastened.”

Adventures of the Gummi Bears

It was former Disney CEO Michael Eisner who famously advised the concept of a TV present about Gummi Bears, after his son requested the favored sweet. Adventures of the Gummi Bears turned a groundbreaking animated sequence for Disney, with excessive budgets and a manufacturing worth that rivaled animated movies of the time. Its plot centered round a gaggle of anthropomorphic bears dwelling secretly amongst people in a medieval fairy story world. The bears achieve particular bouncing powers from their “gummiberry juice,” a secret elixir that some evildoers would like to get their arms on. The theme track was written by Michael and Patty Silversher, the award-winning duo behind many beloved Disney and Jim Henson tunes. The Adventures of the Gummi Bears theme stays a rousing track, with the triumphant refrain “Gummi Bears / Bouncing right here and there and all over the place / Excessive journey that’s past examine / They’re the Gummi Bears.”

Transformers

By 1984, rules surrounding promotional placement inside youngsters’s tv programming had been relaxed. This opened the door for a wave of toy-aligned TV exhibits, akin to G.I. Joe, My Little Pony and – most memorably – The Transformers. The animated sequence adopted the battles of two alien robotic teams: the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons. The present’s theme track utilized the identical catchphrase utilized in commercials for the Transformers toys line: “Greater than meets the attention.” It additionally added a second phrase that has change into equally as well-known: “Robots in disguise.”

M.A.S.Ok.

Composers Shuki Levy and Haim Saban have been answerable for a protracted listing of traditional ‘80s theme songs, together with those for He-man & The Masters of the Universe, Rainbow Brite and Inspector Gadget. One among their extra underrated gems is that this theme to the action-adventure cartoon M.A.S.Ok. One other animated present that was designed to promote toys, fairly than push an attractive premise, the sequence adopted the particular process power M.A.S.Ok. (an acronym for “Cellular Armored Strike Kommand”) that battled a legal group known as V.E.N.O.M. The present just about mixed components of Transformers and G.I. Joe, however the theme track – with its ‘80s pop rock sound – was undoubtedly distinctive.

Heathcliff

Levy and Saban have been additionally the masterminds behind the theme to Heathcliff. Primarily based on the favored comedian e book sequence, the present – also called Heathcliff and the Catillac Cats – adopted the well-known orange cat’s neighborhood adventures. The memorable theme is a bubbly, Billy Joel-like tune that also will get caught in our head.

Alvin and the Chipmunks

TV viewers have been first launched to the Chipmunks within the ‘60s, however their ‘80s incarnation, Alvin and the Chipmunks, stays their most memorable sequence. The present adopted the well-known trio Alvin, Simon and Theodore, but additionally launched their feminine counterparts, Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor aka the Chipettes. Its theme bounces alongside like a present tune, welcoming viewers with high-energy enchantment.

The Smurfs

“La la la la la la, sing a contented track / La la la la la la, Smurf the entire day lengthy” — that was the joyful message that welcomed viewers each week as they tuned into The Smurfs. The sequence premiered in 1981 and shortly turned a cultural phenomenon. Not solely was it one of the standard cartoons of the ’80s, it has since spawned 4 function movies since 2001.

Jem and the Holograms

Document firm proprietor Jerrica Benton has a secret — her alter-ego is Jem, lead singer of the rock group Jem and the Holograms. The present was designed to seize the thrill and glamor of the MTV tradition, inside an animated sequence. Certain, the premise was tacky, however Jem and the Holograms loved a preferred three 12 months run on tv, cementing its place in ’80s historical past. The theme track echoed the favored model of the time — suppose Cyndi Lauper or the Go-Go’s. Every week, it reminded the world that Jem was “really, really, really outrageous.”

Hazard Mouse

A courageous and charismatic tremendous spy, Hazard Mouse was one half James Bond, one half rodent. The sequence’ theme track was as cool and thrilling as any OO7 track. Hazard Mouse was one of many U.Ok.’s hottest ’80s cartoons, and it loved success in America because of syndication on Nickelodeon.

Care Bears

One of the crucial overwhelmingly pleased ’80s traits was Care Bears, fuzzy, colourful characters with symbols on their stomaches that would hearth rainbows of positivity. The idea was sugary candy, but additionally vastly standard. Care Bears toys and memorabilia have been sizzling gadgets all through the ’80s, and the Care Bears cartoon sequence loved a 3 12 months run on tv. Its theme — which appeared like a mixture of disco and Randy Newman — featured the well-known “Care Bear countdown.”

Rely Duckula

One other import from the U.Ok., Rely Duckula was a unusual cartoon a few vampire duck who prefers to be a vegetarian, fairly than looking for blood. The theme was composed by Mike Harding, the identical composer who penned Hazard Mouse‘s memorable theme. We’re guessing he acquired inspiration from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” as a result of that theme is a dancefloor-ready jam.