In the car the other day, I heard a catchy little song on a Christian radio station.
I wasn't exactly sure what it was saying, so I turned it up and heard something about: "What if cartoons got saved?... They'd start singing praise in a whole new way."
The guy (Chris Rice, a Dove award-winning singer/songwriter) was singing "Hallelujah" in a variety of different cartoon characters' voices.
To give you an idea, here's one verse:
Fred and Wilma Flintstone sing: ya-ba-daba-lujah
Scooby-do and Shaggy: scooby-do-be-lujah
And the Jetson's dog named Astro: ra-ra-ru-jah
And, the final verse:
Now there's a point to this looney tune
I'm not an animaniac, but there's a lot of praising to do
And cartoons weren't made for that
It's our job. Oh, yeah.
(...see complete lyrics below.)
Turns out, this cute little ditty -- guaranteed to make you chuckle when you hear it -- has become somewhat controversial. It's called "The Cartoon Song" (a.k.a. "Cartoons").
Have a listen...
Listen To The Cartoon Song
Here's another (very similar) version of Chris Rice's Cartoon song... I believe this one is being sung by a Christian Children's singer named Bruce Fite.
A Controversial Christian Song
While I was listening to it, I was grinning from ear-to-ear. I thought it was funny. Witty. Catchy. An interesting way to appeal to very young kids.
Turns out, this song is HIGHLY controversial, and it was only intended to be a hidden track on his "Past The Edges" album.
Chris Rice (who also happens to be from Franklin, Tennessee) has gotten a lot of flack from the Christian community about it, and he's even refused to play it at his live concerts anymore.
Here's the scoop...
Chris Rice's Take On The Cartoon Song
According to a comment posted in a blog entitled They Will Know Us By Our T-Shirts:Chris Rice said: "The strong reactions to that part of the song are even more humorous to me, because I couldn't understand such a silly song getting such scrutiny. Also, in correcting my "theology" in the cartoon song, people were totally missing the fact that the whole song is about soul-less cartoons, none of whom can "get saved". A frog, a few dogs, a moose, turtles...getting 'saved'...horrible theology if you ask me. But theology was never the intention of the song, just a funny look at how cartoons might say "Hallelujah". "What if?" I'm sorry some people are missing the fun! "I was thinking the other day, why'd I ever write that song?..."
Interesting...
On his own website, Chris writes:
"No, I've never written a children's song, just a satirical song about the modern Christian tendency to 'Christianize' everything. I was hoping everyone would get the satire, but they missed the satire, and embraced the song as legit."
Chris also indicates that the Cartoon song was "born" in 1989 and "died" in 2004. What is interesting, however, is the fact that some radio stations still continue to play it -- against his wishes.
He adds:
"After 15 wonderful years of trouble-making and laughter, the beloved song about cartoons has finally been laid to rest. Well, actually just retired from live performances."
The Story Behind The Cartoons Song
For lots more about the song "Cartoons", how and why it was written, and why Chris refuses to play it "live" anymore, check out this post on his website.
Here's an interesting one-on-one interview Chris Rice did with CCM Magazine.
Check out another interview Chris Rice did with Christianity Today.
Here is Chris's MySpace page -- a great place to hear full-length versions of his songs!
Videos For Chris Rice's Cartoon Song
I was thinking the other day
What if cartoons got saved?
They'd start singing praise
In a whole new way
Yea, I was thinking the other day
What if cartoons got saved?
They'd start singing praise
In a whole new way
Fred and Wilma Flintstone sing
ya-ba-daba-lujah
Scooby-do and Shaggy
scooby-do-be-lujah
And the Jetson's dog named Astro
ra-ra-ru-jah
CHORUS
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
cowabunga-lujah, dude
Then there's Kermit the Frog here,
singing hi-ho-la-lujah
And that little bald guy, Elmer Fudd
hallelujah, uh
CHORUS
Oh that big ol' Moose and his friend Rocky,
ba-ya-ca-bujah
And our favorite bear named Yogi,
hi-a-baa-lujah
And There's all those little blue guys
And they'd sing..
la-la-lalalala-lalala-lujah
Oh, how 'bout Beavis, and that other guy
*beep*
CHORUS
Now there's a point to this looney tune
I'm not an animaniac, but there's a lot of praising to do
And cartoons weren't made for that,
It's our job. Oh, yeah
So let's sing hallelujah (hallelujah)
hallelujah (hallelujah)
hallelujah (hallelujah)
Let's sing hallelujah... (Let's sing hallelujah)
hallelujah (hallelujah)
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My guess is these people are stuck way back in the dark ages. For heaven's sake, even God has a sense of humor...look around, I'd say he's a pretty funny God! For those of you who can't seem to get over the fact this song was directed for children in a fun in witty way to get them thinking, back off already, chill out for petes sake!
As a Reverend, I find this song to be witty, and fun. I guess those Clergy who do not understand must have very DULL places of Worship! God does have a humorous side. Christianity is supposed to have JOY in it, not just sorrow. LIGHTEN UP CLERGY!!!
The first time I heard this song was on a local radio station. I thought it was hillarious, even the Beavis and the other guy part. I agree with John who said, that God has a sense of humor, so lighten up folks. Like Chris Rice says, it's about "cartoon characters" who are souless. It's a fun song that was written to bring a smile to your face and make you laugh. I'm sorry that he retired the song from his concerts, but I will always enjoy it no matter how many times I listen to it.
I love this song!! We sing it in church in honor of the Kids!!!
nice song bro good job
First time i heard it i was like this is a alsome song,so i went bought it on cd and now i want it asa ring back tone and i will have it on my phone and i am 31 years old ita a alsome song.
i love this song it makes me feel like.......... i cant explain it i love it sooooooo much.