Ryan Leach : Music for Animation

This is the 13th post in a series on Cartoon Theme Songs. The second Thursday of each month I examine a popular cartoon TV theme song and discuss what about it does and does not work.

The theme song from the 1970s cartoon series Josie & The Pussycats is actually not bad for an era specific theme. The theme, written by Denby Williams, Joseph Roland and Hoyt Curtin, is not good enough to be considered a classic but it does have some good things going for it.

• Group singers. This time there is a lead singer and background singers instead of everyone all singing in unison. Obviously this makes sense for the band that the show is about.
• There’s a catchy hook on the name of the show. The word “Pussycats” is on a cool syncopated rhythm that makes it interesting.
• The lyrics summarize all you need to know. “Guitars and sharps and flats”, “We could be in India or perchance be with us in Bangkok”. You get the idea that their a band, but they also fight crime. “We’re involved with this or that, everywhere the action’s at.”
• Key change on the second chorus. This keeps things moving forward and keeps the energy level up.

Although there are some elements right out of the 70s (space-age synths and the happy go lucky dream beat), overall the theme is not stuck in it’s era like some other themes have fallen victim to. As was proven in the 2001 movie, it can be pretty easily updated.