The theme song for Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears is more than just an introduction to a cartoon; it’s an anthem that evokes a sense of adventure, courage, and fun for generations. Who could have imagined that a show about gummy bears could boast such a grand and unforgettable theme? This isn’t just background music; it’s a transcendent piece of music that sticks with you long after the episode ends.
To truly understand the magic behind this iconic tune, we delve into a conversation with the talented songwriting duo, Patty and Michael Silversher, the very minds behind the “Gummi Bear Song.” They graciously shared the story of how this beloved theme came to life.
From Mousercise to Gummi Bears: A Disney Journey
Before crafting the “Gummi Bear Song,” the Silvershers had already begun their journey with Disney. “We had founded a songwriters association in northern California, and one of the volunteers introduced us to someone at Disney,” Patty Silversher recalls. Michael adds, “We started out with an album called ‘Mousercise,’ and then we co-produced another album with Jymn Maigon.” This early work proved to be their stepping stone into the Disney world.
Patty and Michael Silversher discussing their early work with Disney, including the Mousercise album.
Their “Mousercise” involvement led to further opportunities. Patty explains, “That was our break into Disney — we wrote the song ‘Pig Out‘ for the album.” Michael continues, “We had also written the song for the Happy Birthday Donald Duck Parade, so we had a good rapport and track record with the people at Disney and at the record company.” This established relationship proved crucial when Gary Krisel, head of the record company, transitioned to lead the television division and began developing animated shows. He and Jymn Maigon extended an invitation to the Silvershers, offering them the chance to write the theme for Gummi Bears.
Crafting a Heroic Theme: The Birth of the “Gummi Bear Song”
The creation of the “Gummi Bear Song” wasn’t immediate. Michael shares, “We wrote 3 or 4 different songs but Gary kept saying, ‘The Silvershers can do better than this.'” After months of trying different approaches, direction finally came during a crucial meeting. “We sat down and he said, ‘I kind of want to hear something heroic like Robin Hood.'” This simple instruction sparked inspiration. Michael recounts, “I said, ‘You mean like ‘Ba-Dah Ba-Dahhh’ sort of thing?’ He goes, ‘Yeah.’ We go, ‘OK,’ and we turned in the song the next day and that was it.”
This anecdote highlights the importance of understanding the client’s vision. “It’s all about making sure you write for the right person. And in this case, Gary was the one to write for, not anyone else, and he really ended up loving the song,” Michael emphasizes. The heroic direction shaped the song’s character, leading to the now-iconic lines, “dashing and daring, courageous and caring.”
Interestingly, the inspiration for the show itself was quite whimsical. Michael notes, “We read on Wikipedia that the original show came about when Michael Eisner saw his son eating gummy bears and was inspired by that, which is really amusing to me.” To prepare for writing the theme, they were provided with the show’s bible. “We had the show’s bible that tells you who the characters are and the world that they inhabit. In fact, the bible had a character that never made it off the page: Dummi Gummi. He was a jester,” Michael reveals.
The Voice Behind the Heroism: Joe Williams
The powerful vocals that define the “Gummi Bear Song” are instantly recognizable. Patty clarifies the singer’s identity, “No, it was Joe Williams, John Williams’ son.” Confirming the connection, Michael adds, “Yes. Joe ended up being the lead singer in the group Toto.” While Joe Williams sang the original television theme, a different vocalist was used for the longer Disney Afternoon album version due to his unavailability. The original, shorter theme, orchestrated by Jeremy Lubbock, featured a 70-piece orchestra, adding to its grand and heroic feel.
Michael fondly recalls Joe Williams’ performance, particularly the song’s energetic conclusion. “On the Joe Williams version, I love how he goes all in and puts everything he has into it, especially at the very end: ‘They are the Gummi Bears….They are the Gummi Bearrrrsssss!!!!'” Patty agrees, “He nailed it.”
A Song That Traveled the World: The Legacy of the Gummi Bear Theme
The “Gummi Bear Song” has achieved a level of global recognition that continues to amaze its creators. Michael shares an anecdote illustrating its widespread impact: “Everywhere all over the world that we go, everybody knows the song. I was in Israel a few years ago, and a friend of mine walked up to a bartender in a Tel Aviv hotel and said, ‘Do you know the Gummi Bears?’ The bartender started singing it in Hebrew and gave me a bottle of wine.” This story exemplifies the song’s reach and enduring popularity.
Furthermore, the song has experienced a resurgence in modern times, thanks to unexpected avenues. Michael points out, “And it’s gone on to a very strange and interesting life of its own, thanks to Jimmy Fallon.” Patty elaborates, “Did you know about that? It’s one of Jimmy’s favorite theme songs.” Jimmy Fallon’s appreciation for the song, including a memorable clip of Alicia Keys performing a slowed-down rendition on his show, has introduced the “Gummi Bear Song” to a new generation.
Continuing the Musical Journey: What’s Next for the Silvershers
Even after creating such an iconic theme, Patty and Michael Silversher remain active in the world of music and television. Patty explains their current work, “We don’t have a salaried position. We freelance, and one company we’ve worked with since ’92 is Jim Henson.” They are currently involved in scoring for multiple television series. “Right now we’re working on scores for two tv series: the first is Dinosaur Train on PBS — we do the background score for each episode. The other show is Word Party on Netflix which comes out in May. We also work on a show called Pajanimals on the Sprout website where puppets help kids with sleep issues.”
The “Gummi Bear Song” is a testament to the Silvershers’ talent and the enduring power of a truly great theme song. It’s a reminder that even a cartoon about gummy bears can inspire heroic music that resonates with audiences worldwide, proving its place as a classic in the realm of animation theme songs.
