What song is the Alvin and the Chipmunks theme song based on?

Tell her that it’s based on cramps.It’s that painful to listen to ;))

It’s loosely based on many 80’s type sounds. What comes to mind is some Huey Lewis and the News types of rhythms.

The theme from Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.

@gailcalled
smokin’ the chronic?

That is the 1983 “Alvin and the Chipmunks” show, which was a reprise of the 1961 cartoon “The Alvin Show.” The song was written new for the 80’s show and so sounds like a lot of 80’s music all mashed up together.

Here it is before the voices were altered to be “chipmunky.” It’s sung by Ross Bagdasarian Jr.., the creator of the newer shows and the son of Ross Bagdasarian Sr., the creator of the original song and shows. It sounds like Weird Al because Ross had to over-pronounce each word for clarity when the pitch of his voice was raised. Weird Al over pronounces when he sings too.

These are the lyrics, which make reference to the fact that there was an earlier Chipmunks show:

“Watch out cause here we come
It’s been a while but we’re back with style
So get set to have some fun
We’ll bring you action and satisfaction

We’re the chipmunks
C-H-I-P-M-U-N-K
We’re the chipmunks
Guaranteed to brighten your day

When you feel like a laugh
Give us a call we’ll give you a roll
And if you feel like a song
Tune in to us and sing right along

We’re the chipmunks
Coming on stronger than ever before
We’re the chipmunks
Alvin, Simon, Theodore”

The song I think of as The Chipmunks’ theme song is the original one, The Chipmunks Song. This one was written by written by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. (a.k.a. David Seville) in 1958:

”(All right you Chipmunks)
(Ready to sing your song)
(I’ll say we are)
(Yeah)
(Let’s sing it now)
(Okay, Simon)
(Okay)
(Okay, Theodore)
(Okay)
(Okay, Alvin, Alvin, ALVIN)
(OKAY)

Christmas, Christmas time is near
Time for toys and time for cheer
We’ve been good, but we can’t last
Hurry Christmas, hurry fast
Want a plane that loops the loop
Me, I want a hula hoop
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don’t be late

(Okay fellas get ready)
(That was very good, Simon)
(Naturally)
(Very good Theodore)
(Ahhh)
(Ah, Alvin, you were a little flat, watch it)
(Ah, Alvin, Alvin, ALVIN)
(OKAY)

Want a plane that loops the loop
I still want a hula hoop
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don’t be late
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don’t be late

(Very good, boys)
(Let’s sing it again)
(Yeah, lets sing it again)
(No, That’s enough, lets not overdo it)
(What do you mean overdo it)
(We want to sing it again)
(Now wait a minute, boys)
(Why can’t we sing it again)
[chipmunk chatter]
(Alvin, cut that out..Theodore, just a minute)
(Simon will you cut that out? Boys…)”

Wow I did not expect to get such a thorough answer. Thanks!

@Darwin
Alvin and the Boys…VH1-Behind the Music

1955. It was a year of bubble gum pop and saddle shoes. Elvis was making the ladies croon, and girl groups were spinning on the jukeboxes of America. Ice cream cones cost a nickel, and the comforting glow of nuclear weapons first began to warm our hearts. It was a time of innocence, where daddy knew best and a woman’s place was in the kitchen or she got the belt. And nobody, nobody, put Baby in the corner. It was the perfect time for America to meet the Chipmunks.

Dave Seville: I just found ‘em in a basket in front of my house one day. I kept ‘em, cause you know. At the time I had a pet snake. But then they started singing to me and I don’t know. That weirded me out. You can’t eat singing food or feed it to others. I think that’s in the Bible or something. Or is that do not commit adultery? I always get those confused.

Simon: You know, I never really quite understood our place in the universe. I used to go to the park and see other little chipmunks scurrying about and I had to wonder. How come we were the only ones who walked upright and wore tennis shoes? Were we supposed to be some sort of evolved species? I was always taught that evolution was a complicated and cosmic ballet, taking billions of years to hone and perfect. Apparently, all you really need is a good kick in the ass. And a record deal.

Theodore: I think we were about 5 or so when Dave figured we might be able to make it. He was a songwriter, though he never really took off. He was nervous about bringing us to the record company on account of that cartoon with the singing frog.

Record executive, Lionel Spitz: I was immediately taken with them. The second they walked into the room, I knew. I had the next big thing right front of me. I was particularly impressed with Alvin. He had such a raw sexuality to him, even though he was, you know, a child-like rat. I remember the first thing he did when he walked in was get busy with my secretary’s leg. And she was screamin’ and cryin’ and jumpin’ up and down. And I’m thinkin’ damn. Not even Elvis got that sort of reaction right out of the gate.

Theodore: Yeah…Alvin had that problem initially.

Alvin: It wasn’t a problem. It’s natural for a chipmunk to explore his own sexuality. I have certain animal tendencies. A natural heat. You can’t extinguish that sort of thing. The best you can do is hold on and enjoy Mr. Alvin’s Wild Ride.

Simon: Did he say that? He’s such an idiot. You know I ran into that secretary years later at the Super Stop and Shop. I heard she’s a roadie for Quiet Riot now. Which is really great although I seriously would have bet money that they died in a plane crash or something. Who am I thinking of? Is Whitesnake still alive?

It was during that fateful meeting that the boys recorded their first hit: The Witchdoctor. With it’s edgy, clever, and irreverent lyrics that poked fun at pagan medical practices, the Witchdoctor was catapulted to the top of the charts. A TV show soon followed, as well a Christmas Album.

The lyrics of the 1983 theme are very reminiscent of The Monkees theme song.