# What were the words to the "Looney Tunes" Song? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 9, 2004, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258 "2004-05-09T03:48:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/21 "2018-09-19T17:07:30Z")
Daffys version: [https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1ylhor](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1ylhor) Starts at 00:30 ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/22 "2018-09-19T17:37:50Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > [Five O’Clock Whistle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17WAg3r4ERA). Well now! That song takes on a whole different meaning when Ella sings it. Especially towards the end there when Pop is shown to maybe not be all on the up and up. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/23 "2018-09-19T17:46:55Z")
Is it me or what Daffy sings, Merry-Go-Round Broke Down and Woo Woo all sound juuust a little bit different from each other? ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/24 "2018-09-19T18:13:29Z")
Bugs has a theme song of sorts - I think it was used only once: What’s up, Doc? What’s cookin’? What’s up, Doc? Oh, you’re lookin’ For Bugs Bunny bunting Elmer’s gone a-hunting Just to get a rabbit skin… Whoops! The rabbit’s gone again! What’s up, Doc? What’s cookin’? Hey! Look out!..Stop! You’re gonna hurt someone With that old shot-gun! Ehhhh… What’s up, Doc? ---
**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:** [September 19, 2018, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/25 "2018-09-19T19:09:42Z")
My favorite Elmer’s gone a-hunting bit is when Daffy does the can-can to \*"So this is gay Par-ee, come on along with me, we’re stepping out to see the Latin Quarter! Put on your French beret, we’ll sing the Marsellaise, and guzzle wine just like it’s water!"\* ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/26 "2018-09-19T19:31:30Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Is it me or what Daffy sings, Merry-Go-Round Broke Down and Woo Woo all sound juuust a little bit different from each other? Not sure about Bugs’ song but Daffy’s is definitely the Merry-Go-Round melody. There’s also [Eddie’s bit from _Who Framed Roger Rabbit_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYJzsunO9yY). ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/27 "2018-09-19T20:01:52Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > Bugs has a theme song of sorts - I think it was used only once: > > What’s up, Doc? What’s cookin’? > What’s up, Doc? Oh, you’re lookin’ > For Bugs Bunny bunting > Elmer’s gone a-hunting > Just to get a rabbit skin… > Whoops! The rabbit’s gone again! > What’s up, Doc? What’s cookin’? > Hey! Look out!..Stop! > You’re gonna hurt someone > With that old shot-gun! > Ehhhh… What’s up, Doc? [“We really mean it!”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=silJoHrXsIc) That’s from the [same cartoon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What%27s_Up,_Doc%3F_(1950_film)) as “We’re the boys from the chorus…” mentioned earlier. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/28 "2018-09-19T20:14:21Z")
So, the Looney Tunes theme comes from a song about hooking up at an amusement park. I would not have called that. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/29 "2018-09-19T22:42:56Z")
I use the Looney Tunes theme as my phone’s ring tone. The Pink Panther theme announces my pill-time alarms. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/30 "2018-09-20T01:25:11Z")
(Mostly) To the tune of the William Tell Overture: \*Over hill and over dale We’re always on the dusty trail Hunting fox and hunting quail Heigh ho! I’m a hunting fool Giddy up giddy up giddy up my horse and now you’re up the final creek Giddy up giddy up giddy up just like the wind I ride my forward steed Sure of foot sure of eye peeling onions makes me cry, this makes no sense so do I… So don’t you go and beat me daddy to the nearest bar, yeah!\* -_Yankee Doodle Daffy_, 1943 ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/31 "2018-09-20T01:59:37Z")
\*If you’re on a highway and Road Runner goes beep beep. Just step aside or you might end up in a heap. Road Runner, Road Runner runs down the road all day. Even the coyote can’t make him change his ways. Road Runner, the coyote’s after you. Road Runner, if he catches you you’re through. Road Runner, the coyote’s after you. Road Runner, if he catches you you’re through. That coyote is really a crazy clown, When will he learn that he never can mow him down? Poor little Road Runner never bothers anyone, Just runnin’ down the road’s his idea of having fun.\* ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/32 "2018-09-20T03:30:48Z")
The other Warner Brothers theme is _Merrily We Roll Along_, which they mostly used for _Merrie Melodies_ cartoons. I don’t remember the song being used in the body of any cartoons the way they did with _The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down_. The chorus begins: > [@](#): > > Merrily we roll along, my honey and me, > Verily there’s no one half as happy as we… You can hear it [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSMOrBpbvZM) (over and over). The only recording I could find with lyrics was by Eddie Cantor (who co-wrote the song), but it’s so noisy that it’s annoying to listen to. You can see the lyrics and play the sheet music [here](https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0042164). ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/33 "2018-09-20T03:56:48Z")
Next up, Merrily We Roll Along… [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/wUbl5yFBzoM/maxresdefault.jpg "Merrily We Roll Along - Eddie Cantor - The Radio Songs Vol. 1, The 30s") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUbl5yFBzoM) ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/34 "2018-09-20T12:58:44Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > My favorite Elmer’s gone a-hunting bit is when Daffy does the can-can to > > \*"So this is gay Par-ee, > come on along with me, > we’re stepping out to see > the Latin Quarter! > > Put on your French beret, > we’ll sing the Marsellaise, > and guzzle wine just like it’s water!"\* Oh, cool. I never thought that I would get a chance to show off the following bit of obscure trivia! 🙂 That song is called “The Latin Quarter.” It was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for the 1938 Warner Brothers movie _Gold Diggers in Paris_. Would probably be completely forgotten today, except for its being re-used in several WB cartoons. [Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UvbrZSwPbM) it is as originally shown in that movie. The familiar lyrics begin at about 3:15 (after a big Busby Berkeley dance number!). ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/35 "2018-09-20T13:04:45Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > My favorite Elmer’s gone a-hunting bit is when Daffy does the can-can to > > \*"So this is gay Par-ee, > come on along with me, > we’re stepping out to see > the Latin Quarter! > > Put on your French beret, > we’ll sing the Marsellaise, > and guzzle wine just like it’s water!"\* By the great [Harry Warren](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UvbrZSwPbM). They also did a parody version “What is your order.” ---
**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:** [September 21, 2018, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/36 "2018-09-21T03:06:26Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > My favorite Elmer’s gone a-hunting bit is when Daffy does the can-can to > > \*"So this is gay Par-ee, > come on along with me, > we’re stepping out to see > the Latin Quarter! > > Put on your French beret, > we’ll sing the Marsellaise, > and guzzle wine just like it’s water!"\* This cartoon can be viewed **here**. It’s a Porky, not an Elmer. The lyrics are a little different, but I prefer my version. 😃 > **[Daffy Duck Hunt](https://www.b98.tv/video/daffy-duck-hunt/)** > > When Porky and his dog go duck hunting, Daffy invades Porky's home, disrupting the harmony between the pig and his pooch. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/37 "2018-09-21T04:23:21Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Overture, curtain, lights! > [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > For decades I thought it was: > > Overture, curb the lights > [@running\_coach](#): > > I’m hearing “cut the lights”. As a child, and to this day, I heard ‘ **cut the lights** ’. That is, dim the house lights. ETA: [Yep. Still sounds like ‘cut’.](http://looneytunes.wikia.com/wiki/File:Bugs_Bunny_Theme_-_This_Is_It) . ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/38 "2018-09-21T14:58:51Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > As a child, and to this day, I heard ‘ **cut the lights** ’. That is, dim the house lights. > ETA: [Yep. Still sounds like ‘cut’.](http://looneytunes.wikia.com/wiki/File:Bugs_Bunny_Theme_-_This_Is_It) > > . I wonder how many kids out there in TV land heard that wrong? Half? More? I wonder what the original writers and singers think about that? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/39 "2018-09-21T15:04:45Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > I wonder how many kids out there in TV land heard that wrong? Half? More? I wonder what the original writers and singers think about that? I wonder if the lyric is _officially_ ‘curtains, lights’, but they changed it to ‘cut the lights’ for the actual performance. Because it definitely sounds like the latter to me, and I played that part several times. ---
**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:** [September 21, 2018, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258/40 "2018-09-21T15:26:30Z")
I would assume the reference is to the _stage_ lights, which would not be “cut” at the beginning of a show. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-words-to-the-looney-tunes-song/244258.md?page=3)