There is a bittersweet moment when we reach a certain age where we have to let go of cartoons because we see them as childish forms of entertainment. They’re just “silly drawings,” and we move on to other, more ‘mature’ things. This may have been true until the arrival of Hey Arnold!, which left children, teenagers, and adults hooked. As we watched the episodes of a young boy with a football head, we were taken to a world where friendship ruled, good values were respected, and jazz nourished the soul of the main character.
They say jazz is for cultured and critical people, for those who see the world through a different lens. So, it was a stroke of genius to weave this music genre in Hey Arnold! and see it play in the lives of primary school children. We see the deep rooted influence this music has on the characters; we will never forget how Arnold would lie in bed looking at the skies and listening to some bebop as he reminisced about his friends and love.
What did Arnold listen to? The compositions of Jim Lang, a man who was in charge of creating the soundtrack of this brilliant cartoon. In the nineteen nineties, the US was being conquered by alternative rock and grunge, but he decided to compose something entirely different, something that encompassed the complexity of Hey Arnold!, and this is what he came up with:
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“Hey Arnold Theme Song”
The opening song of the series is remembered by all, and we can all easily hum to the tune. Jim Lang prioritized the saxophone and guitar, making it clear his love for acid jazz. Now that we see the opening sequence, we wonder how was a group kids able to leave their homes at night and play in the mysterious city.
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“The Moral Is”
Those who grew up in the nineties and had the fortune to watch this cartoon will agree that the plot went beyond the adventures of a nine-year-old. Each episode holds a valuable lesson that stays close to the heart and as each episode came to a close there was a moment of introspection accompanied by Jim Lang’s musical creations. The heartfelt meaning of the cartoon was accompanied by soulful and sometimes groovy music. Sophistication is a word you wouldn’t think to apply to a children’s cartoon, but it certainly fits in well with Hey Arnold!
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“Pigeon Man Theme”
When Arnold meets the Pigeon Man and helps him with the pigeons who live with him, it is without a doubt one of the most emotional episodes of the series. The theme of this episode is gratitude, companionship, and respect. To balance out the visuals, Jim Lang presents a piece made up of string, wind instruments, and a soulful organ.
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“The Kiss”
The first kiss is one of the most important and transcendental moments of a person’s life. We all know Helga Pataki is hopelessly in love with Arnold, and at one point in the series she is finally able to kiss him. For that special moment, Lang composed a dramatic piece that culminates in an epic explosion of emotions.
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“The Kids Finally Get It”
Within the soundtrack of the cartoon we discover this theme that can be described as sweet and tender. It would play in key emotional scenes throughout the series. There is plenty to pick from, since the series prides itself for instilling values of love and friendship in each frame. This is why Hey Arnold! is one of the best animated series of the nineteen nineties.
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“Rhonda’s Party House”
Rhonda is one of Helga’s friends, and she is passionate about fashion and other sophisticated things. One day she decides to makes a party and invite all the cool kids in school. To accompany this moment, Lang fuses jazz with electronic elements, creating a trip hop piece. This song perfectly reflects the personality of Rhonda
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“Ending Theme”
With a dash of groove and sensuality, Hey Arnold! concludes with an acid jazz theme led on with a firm and playful saxophone. Just by listening for a few seconds, we realize the incredible creative capacity of Jim Lang. The melody reflects the soul of the cartoon, an exquisite and complex series that surpassed the expectations of all audiences in the world.
Hey Arnold! is more than a simple cartoon; it is part of the life of many children and adults, because the music transcends all aspects of life. It speaks of friendship, family, love, and all the range of feelings humans must experience and deal with in life.
