India Arie, Soundtrack: Miami Vice. India Arie was born on October 3, 1975 in Denver, Colorado, USA as India Arie Simpson. She is known for her work on Miami Vice (2006), Don't Say a Word (2001) and Sex and the City (2008).
'Powerhouse' | |
---|---|
Brunswick 78 rpm issue of Raymond Scott's 'Powerhouse' | |
Single by The Raymond Scott Quintette | |
B-side | 'The Toy Trumpet' |
Released | 1937 |
Recorded | February 20, 1937 |
Genre | |
Length | 2:56 |
Label | Master Records Brunswick Columbia |
Songwriter(s) | Raymond Scott |
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'Powerhouse' (1937) is an instrumental musical composition by Raymond Scott, perhaps best known today as the iconic 'assembly line' music in animated cartoons released by Warner Bros.
History[edit]
In scripted comments read on the First Anniversary Special of CBS Radio's Saturday Night Swing Club, on which the Raymond Scott Quintette performed, host Paul Douglas announced that 'Powerhouse' had been premiered on that program in January or early February 1937.[1]
Scott's Quintette (actually a sextet) first recorded 'Powerhouse' in New York on February 20, 1937, along with three other titles. This recording was first commercially issued on the Irving Mills-owned Master Records label as Master 111 (mx. M-120-1), coupled with another Scott composition, 'The Toy Trumpet'. After the demise of the Master label late in 1937, 'Powerhouse' was reissued on Brunswick 7993, and subsequently on Columbia 36311 (after the CBS purchase of ARC, which included the Brunswick catalog). The same take was issued on all releases.[2] (An unreleased 1939 recording by the original Scott Quintette was issued in 2002 on the 2-CD Scott compilation Microphone Music.)
Both 'Powerhouse' and 'The Toy Trumpet' remained in Scott's repertoire for decades, both were adapted for Warner Bros. cartoon soundtracks by WB music director Carl Stalling along with a dozen other Scott titles, and both have been recorded by numerous other artists. Stalling, who spiced his scores with 'Powerhouse' dozens of times,[3] never created a complete version of the work, with all his adaptations existing as excerpts.
The United States publisher of the title is Music Sales Corporation. Outside the U.S., the title is controlled by Warner/Chappell Music.
Structure[edit]
Structurally, 'Powerhouse' consists of two distinct – and seemingly unrelated – musical themes, played at different tempos. Both have been used in numerous cartoons. The first theme, sometimes referred to as 'Powerhouse A,' is a frantic passage typically employed in chase and high-speed vehicle scenes to imply whirlwind velocity. The slower theme, 'Powerhouse B,' is the 'assembly line' music, which sometimes accompanies scenes of repetitive, machine-like activity. 'Powerhouse' in its entirety places 'B' in the center while 'A' opens and closes the work in the sequence A-B-A (Ternary form).
Personnel[edit]
- Raymond Scott - piano
- Dave Harris - saxophone
- Pete Pumiglio - clarinet
- Dave Wade - trumpet
- Louis Shoobe - double bass
- Johnny Williams - drums
Use in cartoon works[edit]
The first use of 'Powerhouse' in a cartoon occurred in the 1943 Warner Bros.Looney Tunes short Porky Pig's Feat, directed by Frank Tashlin. Also in 1943, it was used in the Private Snafu shorts Gripes, Spies,[4] and Rumors. It was subsequently featured in over 40 other Warner Bros. cartoons.[5] The most well-known 'assembly-line' usage of 'Powerhouse B' occurs in Bob Clampett's Baby Bottleneck (1946), in which newborn babies (of various species) are processed on a conveyor belt in time to the melody.
The 'Powerhouse A' section featured prominently during Bugs Bunny's altercation with a gremlin in Clampett's 1943 Merrie Melodies cartoon Falling Hare. The 1953 Merrie Melodies cartoon Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century, directed by Chuck Jones, contains Stalling's lengthiest adaptation of the 'Powerhouse A' section, clocking in at one minute and twenty-five seconds.
Other Warner cartoons which contain excerpts from 'Powerhouse' include Birdy and the Beast (1944), Cat-Tails for Two (1953), Early to Bet (1951), Falling Hare (1943), His Bitter Half (1950), House-Hunting Mice (1948), It's Hummer Time (1950), Jumpin' Jupiter (1955), Rocket Squad (1956), Sheep in the Deep (1962), Compressed Hare (1961), and dozens more.[6]
In the 1960s, producer Hal Seeger and composer/arranger Winston Sharples adapted 'Powerhouse' and other Scott compositions in dozens of episodes of their Batfink cartoon series.[7]
The original Raymond Scott Quintette recordings, including 'Powerhouse,' were licensed in the early 1990s for soundtrack usage in twelve episodes of The Ren and Stimpy Show.[8] Various passages of the tune have been arranged for use in The Simpsons, Duckman, The Bernie Mac Show, and The Drew Carey Show (in a brief scene involving an animated character). An entire 1993 episode of Animaniacs, 'Toy Shop Terror,' was set to Warner Bros. music director Richard Stone's arrangement of the composition. 'Powerhouse' also served as bumper theme music for Cartoon Network from 1997 to 2003,[9] and can be heard as a systematic rock theme in the 2003 feature film Looney Tunes: Back in Action.
'Powerhouse' has been used In The Simpsons four times. The first occurs in 'And Maggie Makes Three' (Season 6, Episode 13) during a montage of a bowling pin assembly line. In the episode 'Bart Has Two Mommies' (Season 17, Episode 14), 'Powerhouse' B is adapted in a scene that pays homage to the 1937 Disney short The Old Mill, when Homer Simpson gets caught in the Old Mill while trying to save his Rubber Duckie. In the episode 'Little Big Girl' (Season 18, Episode 12), 'Powerhouse' was used during the sequence where the fire at Cletus' farm is lit. In the episode 'The Fool Monty' (Season 22, Episode 6), 'Powerhouse' was adapted as background music for a construction scene in which Charles Montgomery Burns, having lost his memory, is led to a dangerous construction site by Homer Simpson, who seeks revenge for Burns' years of cruel behavior. Burns walks along moving girders, narrowly avoids flying rivets, and other well-worn cartoon construction site gags. Simpsons creator Matt Groening once ranked 'Powerhouse' as #14 on a list of his '100 Favorite Things.'[10]
In the SpongeBob SquarePants episode 'Broken Alarm' from season 12, an arrangement of the song plays over a scene of SpongeBob SquarePants using a Rube Goldberg machine to get to work.[11]
Recent performances, recordings, and usages[edit]
In recent years, Powerhouse has been recorded by jazz clarinetist Don Byron on his album Bug Music,[12] jazz pianist Ted Kooshian on his 2009 CD Ted Kooshian's Standard Orbit Quartet: Underdog, and other Stories...,[13] pedal steel guitarist Jon Rauhouse, The Metropole Orchestra, The Beau Hunks Sextette, The Coctails, and jazz guitarist Skip Heller. The title, as arranged by Michelle DiBucci, has been in the repertoire of Kronos Quartet since 1994.
The rock bandRush adapted part of 'Powerhouse' in their 1978 instrumental 'La Villa Strangiato' (5:49 into the track) on their Hemispheres album, as did ska/soul band The Pietasters in Factory Concerto on their 1993 self-titled album, and alternative band Soul Coughing featured it in their song 'Bus to Beelzebub' from their 1994 album Ruby Vroom. The tune has also been appropriated by They Might Be Giants (on the song 'Rhythm Section Want Ad'), Devo (on 'Fraulein'), and others. Other contemporary artists who have recorded versions of 'Powerhouse' include Thelonious Moog, The Tiptons (with Amy Denio), Quartet San Francisco,[14] and Steroid Maximus (featuring J. G. Thirlwell). Lee Presson and the Nails included the song on their album Jump-swing from Hell: Live At the Hi-ball Lounge.
In 2006-2007, the 'assembly line' theme was used in a highly choreographed commercial for the Visacheck card. The commercial, entitled 'Lunch',[15] was staged in a manner intended to be reminiscent of the song's cartoon uses.
In August 2009, Sinking Ship Productions staged a musical portrait of Raymond Scott entitled Powerhouse at the New York International Fringe Festival.[16] The composition 'Powerhouse' was used as a recurring theme. Sinking Ship presented a revised and fully-staged version of the production at the New Ohio Theatre in Manhattan in 2014.[17]
On August 8, 2013, the Raymond Scott Orchestrette performed an arrangement of 'Powerhouse' to accompany Dance Heginbotham's choreographic work Manhattan Research at New York's Lincoln Center Out Of Doors summer concert series.[18][19]
'Powerhouse' was also used in some PBS commercials in 2000 urging viewers to shop.
In 2014, the Dubuque, Iowa, Colts Drum and Bugle Corps included 'Powerhouse' as part of their show, 'Dark Side of the Rainbow.'[20] In 2016, Bethesda Softworks used the Scott Quintette's original 1937 recording in a showcase presentation for their Fallout 4 and Fallout Shelter games.[21]
In 2017, Chapo Trap House utilized the piece for their Call of Cthulhu Tabletop Game series.[citation needed]
In 2020 the 'assembly line' section was used in the Neil Cicierega mashup album, Mouth Dreams, on track 20, Whitehouse, in which it was matched up with the vocals to The White Stripes' 'Fell in Love with a Girl'.
References[edit]
- ^Amazon.com Saturday Night Swing
- ^78discography.com MASTER Records numerical listing discography
- ^Biography for Carl W. Stalling at IMDB
- ^'Private Snafu: Spies'. Internet Archive. 1943.
- ^Index of Raymond Scott titles in Warner Bros. cartoons at RaymondScott.net
- ^Warner Bros. cartoon montage featuring 'Powerhouse' adaptations
- ^RaymondScott.net Raymond Scott's Music in Other Cartoons
- ^RaymondScott.net Raymond Scott music in Ren & Stimpy
- ^Goldmark, Daniel; Taylor, Yuval (January 1, 2002). The Cartoon Music Book. Chicago Review Press. p. 159. ISBN9781569764121. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
- ^'Matt Groening's 100 Favorite Things'. ilxor.com. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
- ^'SpongeBob SquarePants (TV Series): Broken Alarm/Karen's Baby (2019) Soundtracks'. IMDb.com. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ^Amazon.com Bug Music
- ^'Amazon.com: Ted Kooshian's Standard Orbit, Standard Orbit Quartet: Underdog, and Other Stories...: Music'. amazon.com. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
- ^ViolinJazz.com Quartet San Francisco
- ^'Lunch' on YouTube
- ^'At the Fringe: 'Powerhouse' - The New York Times'. webcache.googleusercontent.com. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
- ^Webster, Andy (2014-11-23). 'A Man Whose Music Animated Looney Tunes'. The New York Times. ISSN0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
- ^Seibert, Brian, 'Would Daffy Approve? Perhapth,'New York Times review of Manhattan Research, August 9, 2013
- ^Irwin Chusid (2013-08-11). 'Raymond Scott Archives Blog: Would Daffy Approve?'. raymondscott.blogspot.com. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
- ^2014 Song Listing for Colts Drum and Bugle Corps
- ^Fallout 4/Fallout Shelter/Skyrim Special Edition: 2016 #BE3 Showcase Presentation, June 12, 2016 (music begins at 0:36)
External links[edit]
- Montage of 'Powerhouse' in Warner cartoons on RaymondScott.com's YouTube channel on YouTube
- Raymond Scott performs 'Powerhouse' on TV's Your Hit Parade, April 16, 1955 on YouTube
- Seventy-five 'Powerhouse' adaptions and performances compiled on YouTube by the Raymond Scott Channel
- Raymond Scott's 'Powerhouse' at Jazz.com
- Choreographed sketch on YouTube from Sinking Ship Productions' theatrical presentation Powerhouse, recorded during the New York International Fringe Festival Opening Press Conference, August 12, 2009
- A trailer for Sinking Ship Productions' Powerhouse at their website, which uses 'Powerhouse,' along with other Raymond Scott compositions
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Powerhouse_(instrumental)&oldid=981374522'
While we rarely underestimate the power of music – especially around these parts – sometimes we overlook how important music is to our favorite television shows.
Bernie Theme Song Lyrics
Over the years, some of the most iconic programs in black culture have also generated iconic theme songs. Just the mere mention of phrases like “HEY HEY HEY” or “movin’ on up” instantly transport your mind to the show they’re inedibly tied to. Sometimes those songs were crafted by proven hitmakers like Aretha Franklin, En Vogue or Heavy D; other times, the instrumentals alone did the heavy lifting.
Regardless, those songs added to the legacy of those shows – and the legacy of black television.
Let’s look back at the 30 greatest theme songs to grace our favorite TV shows.
You know ’em. And you love ’em.
Honorable mentions: Soul Food: The Series, The PJs, The Steve Harvey Show, The Bernie Mac Show, Everybody Hates Chris
30. The Parkers (1999-2004)
Let’s not fool ourselves, this song is pretty annoying. But somehow, it remains oddly endearing – just like the show itself. Art imitates sitcom life.
29. Sister, Sister (1994-1999)
The original “Sister, Sister” theme perilously teetered between “super catchy” and “annoyingly screechy” but somehow it works. It certainly showcases the show’s youthful enthusiasm.
28. Kenan & Kel (1996-2000)
This theme song might be Coolio’s last great contribution to our society. For that alone we’ve gotta give props to K&K.
27. Cousin Skeeter (1998-2000)
So, um, we’re just gonna ignore the fact that this song is a blatant clone of 702’s “Steelo?” I guess 702 was cool with it since their vocals carry this unofficial remix. Plus “Steelo” is awesome, so I’ll allow it.
26. The Jamie Foxx Show (1996-2001)
We know Jamie knows his way around a recording booth, so it’s no surprise that he’d do the honors for his 90s TV show. And, as the case for many of the songs on our list, nothing beats the original theme.
25. Waynehead (1996-1997)
Bet y’all don’t remember this one. Waynehead was a sorta-obscure WB cartoon in the mid-90s about kids clowning around in the hood. I don’t remember much about it besides theme song, which is still as catchy as it was in 1996.
24. Girlfriends (2000-2008)
There isn’t much to the lyrics of this one besides “Myyyyyyy giiiiiiiiiiiiiirlfriendzzzzzz,” but the pitch-perfect delivery is so heartfelt that less is certainly more.
23. The Wayans Bros. (1995-1999)
The Wayans’ theme is an anomaly because fans’ memories mostly center on the goofy intro skit (“gimmie a high-five!”). The actual theme evolved over the years, but A Tribe Called Quest’s brand of Electric Relaxation is by far the smoothest.
22. Roc (1991-1994)
I know many people prefer the show’s later theme performed by En Vogue, but when I think of Roc, I think of the guttural soul of “God Bless the Child.”
21. Moesha (1996-2001)
Brandy seemed to remix the theme to “Moesha” every season but the version circa season 4 stands tallest. That’s probably because it feels like it was lifted right from one of Brandy’s albums. And that’s cool with me.
20. The Proud Family (2001-2005)
Before she got a seat at the table, Solange teamed up with Destiny’s Child for this underrated animated gem. “They’ll push your buttons/They’ll make you wanna hug ’em/A family, a family.” Sounds like family to me.
19. Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper (1992-1997)
When it comes to Coop, we had to bypass his later “Soul Man” theme and show love to his original, courtesy of En Vogue. Those ladies racked up a lot of theme song coins in the 90s.
18. Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972-1985)
“HEY HEY HEYYYYYY!” This funky ode to Albert and his junkyard pals is one of the most renowned in animation history.
17. Diff’rent Strokes (1978-1986)
This song is about as 80s as it gets – goofy, way over the top and insanely catchy. But it’s downright unforgettable, which is why it easily makes our list.
16. Half & Half (2002-2006)
A vastly underrated show with an even more underrated theme, the vocals on this one are immaculate.
15. What’s Happening!! (1976-1979)
With an instrumental track this fun, who needs lyrics? I can’t hear this track without picturing Rog and the crew dribbling that basketball down the street.
14. 227 (1985-1990)
When Marla Gibbs sang, “There’s no place like home,” you believed it. Every episode was a family reunion with Mary, Sandra and their wacky neighbors.
13. Gimme a Break! (1981-1987)
We really didn’t give Nell Carter her flowers while she was able to smell them. She nailed the theme to her hit 80s show, easily one of the most overlooked themes EVER.
12. Family Matters (1989-1998)
Man, those piano keys rang out in my household many a Friday night, followed by a family-friendly song that belied the chaos Steve Urkel brought to the screen every week.
11. In Living Color (1990-1994)
The original version of this groundbreaking show’s theme is easily the most memorable but the season 3 remix is where it’s at. RIP Heavy D, who made this one a winner.
10. Sanford & Son (1972-1977)
Talk about iconic instrumentals – that bluesy harmonica is synonymous with Fred’s cranky demeanor and is instantly recognizable.
9. Martin (1992-1997)
Like many of the themes we’ve already discussed, the intro song for Martin Lawrence’s hit series went through several incarnations over the course of the show’s run. But first impressions are hard to top – the hip-hop fueled instrumentals accented by Martin’s ad-libs do the trick.
8. Living Single (1993-1998)
When one of the greatest rappers of all time (regardless of gender) is at the helm of your theme song, you know you’ve got a hit. This theme embodied the energy and sisterhood that made the show a classic. Thank you, Queen Latifah.
7. A Different World (1987-1993)
Listen, I love the Boyz II Men-helmed final theme as much as the next fan (and even the oft-forgotten jazzy original song is great) but nothing tops Auntie Aretha’s best-known theme. The power she brings to each note is reinforces its message – coming of age isn’t easy, but it’s necessary.
6. The Boondocks (2005-2014)
Tv Show Bernie Mac
It’s funny how the theme song to a 10-year-old cartoon exudes more edge and attitude than 95% of the songs mucking up your radio stations. Rapper Asheru’s lyrics are unforgettable.
5. Amen (1986-1991)
True to its name, the theme to “Amen” is a mini-revival concert that perfectly depicts the holy hijinks at Deacon Ernest Frye’s church. This song doesn’t get nearly enough credit.
4. Good Times (1974-1979)
“Hanging in the chow line?” “Hanging out n’ jivin’?” Yeah, these lyrics have been in doubt for 40 years now but that hasn’t stopped us from singing along.
3. The Jeffersons (1975-1985)
When phrases like “movin’ on up” and “dee-luxe apartment in the sky” become synonymous with financial success, you know your song has made a mark on pop culture history. The Jeffersons’ theme is the anthem for black excellence.
2. The Cosby Show (1984-1992)
Controversy aside, The Cosby Show is one of the most important shows in black culture and its revolving door of fantastic opening themes is part of that legacy. But of all those themes, the greatest is the jazzy season 6 opener. It really is the best elevator music we’ve ever heard.
1. The Fresh Price of Bel-Air (1990-1996)
Bernie Mac Show
If you’re reading this post, I’m pretty sure you know every single word of this song. And for good reason, it’s has to be one of the most recognized rap songs in American history. That’s not hyperbole – I bet your grandma even knows the lyrics to this one. But it’s not just a fun track – Will essentially lays out the show’s entire plot in the span of two minutes. Effective and inescapable. When it comes to black TV themes, this one is tops.
The Bernie Mac Show Episodes
Which of these themes were your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.