# Songs You Didn't Know Had Lyrics **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 7, 2013, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574 "2013-10-07T08:04:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Galwegian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galwegian/32/3426_2.png) [@Galwegian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galwegian)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/61 "2013-10-09T16:49:42Z")
My submission is the original 1967 _Casino Royale_ theme by Herb Alpert. I’ve known this tune forever, but only recently realised that it’s a James Bond theme. With [incredibly cheesy lyrics](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io-jchlnvJM). Go to 0:55 for the good bit! I was a bit surprised that people weren’t familiar with the MASH theme lyrics: it was actually a big hit here, and reached Number One in both the Irish and UK charts! ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/62 "2013-10-09T17:07:37Z")
Apparently every single TV show theme song originally had lyrics. This is an entertaining and enlightening thread. Oh, and regarding the M_A_S\*H theme song, I found this on Wikipedia: > [@](#): > > “Suicide Is Painless” is a song written by Johnny Mandel (music) and Mike Altman (lyrics), which is best known for having been featured as the theme song for both the movie and TV series M_A_S_H. The actual title is "Song from M_A_S_H (Suicide is Painless)". Mike Altman is the son of the original film’s director, Robert Altman, and was 14 years old when he wrote the song’s lyrics. During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in the 1980s, Robert Altman said that his son had earned more than a million US dollars for having co-written the song while he only made US$70,000 for having directed the movie. Fascinating. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/63 "2013-10-09T18:52:49Z")
> [@Galwegian](#): > > I was a bit surprised that people weren’t familiar with the MASH theme lyrics: it was actually a big hit here, and reached Number One in both the Irish and UK charts! I remember it having some air time here when the movie was new (1970 or so). After that, in all my years of listening to Classic Rock radio (1990s on), I don’t recall a single time it played. (Even tho it would certainly qualify, based on other “folk” songs/artists they tend to include.) So, distance of the time may have some bearing on people here remembering it. My parents had the M_A_S\*H movie soundtrack on vinyl. Heard it quite a bit in my home. Never beat out _HATARI!_ in number of times played, tho 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/64 "2013-10-09T19:18:51Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yeah, that’s nice, \*Lorne Micheals \*doesn’t like the word. Convincing. :rolleyes: Yeah, Lorne **Michaels** , the creator and producer of _ **SNL** _. Or didn’t you know that? ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/65 "2013-10-09T19:33:13Z")
Please continue the petty bickering. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/66 "2013-10-09T19:42:18Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Please continue the petty bickering. No, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/67 "2013-10-09T19:49:38Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Yeah, Lorne **Michaels** , the creator and producer of _ **SNL** _. Or didn’t you know that? Yes, a _entertainer_. We should go to him for word usage and definition like we go to Jenny McCarthy for medical advice or Tom Cruise for mental therapy suggestions. :rolleyes: Now, you’re going to carp when we mention Macbeth, and insist that people in ‘the business “ call it “The Scottish play” so we have to also? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/68 "2013-10-09T19:56:50Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Please continue the petty bickering. Petty bickering is what we’re about, you don’t come here much do you? 😛 newb. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/69 "2013-10-09T20:11:50Z")
2001er! ::shakes fist:: ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/70 "2013-10-09T20:12:54Z")
Besides, I said: CONTINUE! ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/71 "2013-10-09T20:17:55Z")
It’s more effective with an [audio-visual aid](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5CETMV4nz0). ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/72 "2013-10-09T20:18:50Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > The Danube is blue, not red, not green [Spike Jones begs to differ.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQql1k5v_A0) ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/73 "2013-10-09T20:21:04Z")
> [@Cartoonacy](#): > > It’s more effective with an [audio-visual aid](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5CETMV4nz0). EXACTLY! 11 years as Trek Doper here. ALWAYS[look for a Trek reference.](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0708725/quotes) ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/74 "2013-10-10T00:31:28Z")
Why did I just get told that this tread was closed? THE MODS ARE OUT TO GET ME!!! ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/75 "2013-10-10T00:46:37Z")
> [@Cayuga](#): > > As **RealityChuck** hinted at, just about every instrumental TV theme song out there has lyrics that were never intended to be heard. The lyricist gets a royalty payment every time the song is played (i.e., every week) even if an instrumental version is used. The theme song to _The Young and the Restless_, aka “Nadia’s Theme” has lyrics. This version was definitely never meant to be heard… 😃 https://www.youtube.com/embed/vPAjTXAMhDw?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/76 "2013-10-10T00:51:16Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Way back in foreverago (Late 1997 or early 1998 when I was living on campus), Craig Kilbourn was messing around and sang lyrics to the _The Daily Show_ theme song. Lyrics that he of course made up. It was like “Here comes another of The Day-ly Sho-ow/You’re gonna like it, it’s The Day-ly Sho-ow.” > > I always always hear this when I hear the TDS theme. Haven’t ever been able to find Craig’s clip online, though. Close. It was actually Bill Murray during the old 5 questions bit. Something like “I want to watch it, it’s the Daily Sh-ow. Oh won’t you watch it, it’s the Daily Sh-ow”. Can’t find video online either but I hear it every time I hear the song. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/77 "2013-10-10T01:09:26Z")
Furious Angels by Rob Dougan. I’ve always loved the instrumental version, and only learned there was a version with words about five years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus\_alba](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quercus_alba/32/4061_2.png) [@Quercus\_alba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus_alba)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/78 "2013-10-10T16:48:12Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > STAR WARS! > > nothing but STAR WARS! > > fighting those STAR WARS! > > all over space My first thought as well. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/79 "2013-10-10T17:54:26Z")
> [@Quercus\_alba](#): > > My first thought as well. 😃 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Quercus\_alba](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quercus_alba/32/4061_2.png) [@Quercus\_alba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus_alba)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574/80 "2013-10-10T19:34:45Z")
More directly related to the OP: Being a band/choir nerd in high school, I was part of a fun “teachable moment”. We were just hanging out with a couple of cool jock types around graduation time, when one of them thought he’d mock “Pomp and Circumstance” by asking what the words were. Three of us simultaneously began singing “Land of Hope and Glo-ry…” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-didnt-know-had-lyrics/670574.md?page=5)