"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale" of a time when television shows began with awesome TV Theme Songs. "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name" and sometimes you want to go back to when TV Theme songs were special. "Here's a story... of a lovely" time when TV Theme Songs served to identify, distinguish and set the stage for the television program that followed. "You take the good, take the bad, take them both and there you have" what unfortunately has become a lost artform. "Believe it or not", sadly it seems no effort or pride is taken in the TV Theme Song ever since Seinfeld proved a short synth-bass riff could be used instead. “Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!” This regular feature may not "make all our dreams come true", but it will remember some of the best TV Theme Songs from years past (with a focus on the '80s decade). "Come aboard, we're expecting you."
This time we will cover the theme song for Zoobilee Zoo. "Zoobilee Zoo. Everyone up. Everyone in. Time for the fun to begin. Come along with us to Zoobilee Zoo. Zoobilee Zoo. Magic and wonder are waiting for you. It's as close as a dream. And as bright as the brightest blue. Welcome to Zoobilee Zoo." The children's series debuted in September 1986 and ran for 65 episodes ending in March 1987, but continuing to run in syndication until 2000. Zobilee Zoo featured actors dressed as animal characters each with a different artistic talent who often break out into song while teaching viewers valuable lessons about such things as cooperation, making friends and creativity. The show was hosted by Ben Vereen as a snow leopard called Mayor Ben.
During the theme song, performed by the Zoobles characters, they introduce themselves:
"I'm Mayor Ben, I'm here to lend a helping hand.
I'm Bill Der Beaver - I invent things on command.
There's daring and adventure when Lookout comes to call.
And a kangaroo named Whazzat who puts music to it all.
My name is Van Go the Lion, just color me fun.
And you will shout Bravo once the show has begun.
Everyone spread the news.
There's so much to see and do.
Just see Talkatoo.
When you're in Zoobilee... Zobilee Zoo."
The Zoobilee Zoo theme song was composed by Shuki Levy and Haim Saban. Levy is an award-winning Israeli-American musician/composer who wrote and performed music for many animated television programs. Levy also composed the memorable theme songs for He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and Inspector Gadget which both debuted in 1983. In addition, he provided music for '80s shows like Heathcliff, The Get Along Gang, Mister T, The Littles, Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors, MASK, Rainbow Brite, Popples, She-Ra: Princess of Power, C.O.P.S., The Super Mario Bros. Super Show, Kissyfur and The Real Ghostbusters among many others in that decade and the decades to follow. For many years, Levy had a partnership with his friend Haim Saban, with Levy composing the music and Saban running the business. Their record company, Saban Records, (now Saban Music Group) has provided music for many DiC cartoons and children's shows in the '80s as mentioned and '90s, and is still running today. Levy later became the driving creative force behind Saban Entertainment, a children's programming giant that he co-founded with his long-time friend Saban (that they eventually sold to Disney in 2001). While there, Levy co-created several popular children's franchises including most notably 1993's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
Here is the opening for Zoobilee Zoo featuring the theme song...
Even though it only ran for about a year, it lived on for another 23 years in syndication. So it left its mark on many children who grew up in the '80s and beyond. "Zoobilee Zoo. Magic and wonder are waiting for you. So come on with us now. We can discover the wonder of you. Welcome to Zoobilee Zoo!"
Hope you enjoyed tuning in for another "episode" of TV Theme Songs!