Tag: Shuki Levy

If you ask me, this theme is definitely in the top five for cartoons. Pole Position!

So, remember in my Rainbow Brite post I said I don’t remember the last time I searched for an animated series without the names Shuki Levy and Haim Saban? So now guess who composed this theme? That’s right.

However, like most great cartoons of old, information regarding performers—vocalists, instrumentalists—is very hard to find. I hope someday this blog will be a medium for discussion regarding those “unsung” heroes.

So, let’s just enjoy the lyrics for now.

Pole Position theme song lyrics

[*spoken]

[From now on, like your parents were,
you are the secret force of Pole Position!]

They’re movin’ real fast
They’re the only ones who can get there on time
[Let’s go Dan. Okay sis’]

They’re never too far behind, they’re always fighting crime
[It’s stunt time Dan]
[Ready when you are Rhodie]

On the curve or a face in adventure in the danger zone
Pretty soon they’ll be off on a mission, come and watch them go!

[Hydrofoil mode, Rhodie]
[Hydrofoil engaged, Dan]

Pole Position! What’s behind this stunt show
[Wheels—hovercraft, quick]
[Anything you say, Tess]
Pole Position! What’s behind this stunt show
Pole Position! Only they’re on the road
Pole Position!

Sit back and watch them go
Hey-o, Hey-o, Hey-o, Hey-o, Hey-o

And of course, the theme song and opening.

Very, very popular franchise that has a cult following to this day.

So, guess what? There are some very familiar names in this theme tune once again—possibly the biggest names in animation music. Shuki Levy and Haim Saban ring a bell? Yes, once again, they are the composers of this theme—and all music for the thirteen-episode series. Frankly, I don’t even remember the last time I posted something for a cartoon show wherein I didn’t encounter their names (seriously). And, listing what they’ve done so far is getting tiring, so, as with the previous posts, simply click on their names beside “Tags” at the end of this post to see a list of their work.

The short intro was able to squeeze in some lyrics, but actually, the longer version of the theme can be heard on the original closing credits (below we have videos of both). But first, let’s look at the complete and correct lyrics.

Rainbow Brite theme song lyrics

Rainbow Brite
See the shining light
Yes, I’m gonna take you to Rainbow Brite

[opening sequence edit here]

Starlite flies
Right before your eyes
And rainbow colors will cheer you up

Magic light
Come, I’ll take you for a ride

Rainbow Brite
See the shining light
Yes, I’m gonna take you to Rainbow Brite

It sounds to me like the singer is the same as the one voicing the character, isn’t it? (Please correct me on this one.) But if it were true, then the singer would be voice actress Bettina Bush.

Update: According to Bettina Bush’s Wikipedia entry, she is also a singer by profession. Chances are, she’s really the one behind the voice.

Anyway, here are the videos.

And the longer end credits featuring the full theme.

On a related not, it is said that in home releases of the series (VHS), the end credits were changed to the “Rainbow Brite and Me” song. Same song was used in the Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer movie. Below is the song.

That’s it for this one. Hit the comments for additional information and/or corrections.

One of the better theme songs for cartoons of the past. Love that guitar work.

Unfortunately for this one, additional information for the tune is limited. In fact, the only written, or credited, name for music is that of the company Saban Entertainment. I, for one, have become familiar with Saban because of its founders Haim Saban and Shuki Levy, who I have encountered many times as composers of popular animated series themes—see “Tags” below and click on their names to find out what they have done.

Anyway, let’s just relive the sequence. As most of you might remember, it starts with a short (but powerful) narration (by Merlin):

And then, from the field of the future a new king will come to save to world of the past.

And then, the complete and correct lyrics.

King Arthur and the Knights of Justice theme song lyrics

Ride through the storm, see the knights fighting evil and crime
A modern day team of heroes in medieval times
Arthur and the Knights of Justice, putting evil down
Ride through the storm with the knights of the table ’round
Come on, come on
King Arthur ride

Would have loved to know who’s behind that voice (and the band).

Anyway, below is the classic sequence.

1988

I’m feeling kind of blast-from-the-past-y so let’s start going through some animated shows that would remind us of our childhood. Dino-Riders was definitely a personal favorite of mine because it had cool toys. I had this big-a$$ Brontosaurus back then—of course learning about dinosaurs and their genera did not hurt.

The theme song from Dino-Riders probably did not merit that much recall because it was simply background music for the usual narration. IMDb credits Shuki Levy and Haim Saban in majority for original music, which makes sense because these two did a lot of animation scoring back then.

Since there are no lyrics here, let’s just post the complete and correct intro narration.

After years of peaceful existence on the distant planet Valorie, Questar and his people were forced into battle. The power of their STEP crystal ripped a hole in the fabric of time, sending them back to prehistoric Earth. Unaware that at the same moment the evil Emperor Krulos, was plotting to capture the STEP crystal with his own grotesque Rulon forces. And so, the battle continues in a new place and time with Dino-Riders.

Well, not much left to discuss here so below is the official opening sequence.