I'm not sure if this has been discussed, but does anyone know why the cover songs were removed from the episodes for the Region 1 release?
shareMy guess is musical rights issues. The indecipherable convoluted strangeness involved with music publishing is almost always the reason for soundtrack changes.
-- Rob
http://robvincent.net http://spacemutiny.com
Two theories:
1) The versions that are on the Region 1 DVDs are the syndicated versions aired back in 1992 and they were best quality/only ones left without the music and the original versions are owned by Saban and possibly other companies.
2) Music rights issues which is the most common issue.
Bet on the 2nd one even though number 1 could be possible.
It does have to do with music license issues. Apparently the song covers were removed after the original airing. It's possible that when the episodes were first repeated the songs were still there. DiC removed the songs prior to the show going into syndication.
It's pretty safe to say that we'll probably never see the episodes with the original music in them again. Thank the RIAA for that!
Edit: After doing some more reading, I found out that the DVD volumes released in the UK have the original music. Also in 89/90, some VHS tapes of the show were released. While not included all of the live action segments, most of them contain the original music. Good luck finding these though.
I remember the episode of SMB3 with Milli Vanilli in it and remembered when it had their song in it. After a few years, it just played some generic "Beat It" theme that sounds like it was a karaoke version of Michael Jackson's "Beat It".
shareYeah I remember that one too, I'd taped it off the TV. The song was "Blame It On The Rain" and at one point Koopa goes "Blame it on the rain? Blame it on King Koopa!", so if they changed the music for the DVD/syndication that line probably makes no sense unless you were a Milli Vanilli fan. Well the DVD's supposedly in the mail so I guess I'll see soon enough
shareYeah, I think it's weird. If the record company lends them the song, then why can't they let them keep the song in there for DVD releases?
Lemmy is God, Joey Ramone is Jesus and Chris Farley is Moses.
That's actually a really good question viction. Makes you wonder why they didn't let them keep it for DVD releases.
shareThe reason that many older shows don't keep the original songs is because at the time of the show's creation there was no such thing as DVDs. Since they didn't exist no deals were worked out pertaining the rights. That means the rights would have to be renegotiated, and you know what renegotiation means. It means the people who own the rights will probably ask for a lot more money, which is why you get "generic filler music" instead. Its cheaper. Sadly the one who ends up losing is the consumer because you aren't getting the show as it was originally seen. The upcoming Captain N release is supposed to have some music changes too.
shareI'm glad I still have all my old tapes of Cap N and SMB. Guess I'll be hanging on to them after all...
This sucks, same thing happened to the "Where the Buffalo Roam" DVD.
"Anything with a ball: no good." - Martin Scorsese on sports.
What were the song covers?
shareI actually have three original VHS tapes with the songs intact; Mario's Magic Carpet (Magic Carpet Ride), King Mario of Cramalot, (Bad) and Mario Meets Koopzilla (The Jolly Green Giant). Interestingly enough, the cover of Jungle Love is still heard on the DVD version of Jungle Fever. Here's a complete list of the song covers and the instrumentals that replaced them, courtesy of TV.com (http://www.tv.com/the-super-mario-bros.-super-show!/show/2753/episode_listings.html) and The Mushroom Kingdom.Net (http://www.themushroomkingdom.net/mania/smbss_eps.shtml). Note that some of the later episodes didn't include song covers, which is why they're not listed:
The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
The Bird! The Bird! / Neatness Counts
Episode Number: 1 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Monday September 4, 1989 Prod Code: 101
Featured song: Surfin' Bird (The Trashmen). This song was later replaced by instumental versions of the songs "Motor City" from the SMW episode The Wheel Thing, and "It's a Dog's Life" from the SMB3 episode Life's Ruff.
King Mario of Cramalot / Day of the Orphan
Episode Number: 2 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Tuesday September 5, 1989 Prod Code: 102
Featured song: Bad (Michael Jackson). This song was later replaced by instumental versions of the songs "Burn Baby Burn" from Tag Team Trouble, and "What Goes Up May Never Come Down" from Up, Up, and a Koopa. Both episodes are from SMB3.
Butch Mario & the Luigi Kid / All Steamed Up
Episode Number: 3 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Wednesday September 6, 1989 Prod Code: 103
Featured song: Rawhide (Blues Brothers). This song was later replaced by an instumental version of the song "My Karubi" from the SMB3 episode Super Koopa.
Mario's Magic Carpet / Marianne and Luigeena
Episode Number: 4 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Thursday September 7, 1989 Prod Code: 104
Featured song: Magic Carpet Ride (Steppenwolf). This song was later replaced by an instumental version of the song "When The Koopas Paint the Town" from the SMB3 episode True Colors.
Rolling Down the River / The Mario Monster Mash
Episode Number: 5 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Monday September 11, 1989 Prod Code: 105
Featured song: Proud Mary (Creedence Clearwater Revival). This song was later replaced by an instumental version of the song "The Doomsub's Getting Closer" from the SMB3 episode The Venice Menace.
The Great Gladiator Gig / Bonkers From Yonkers
Episode Number: 6 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Tuesday September 12, 1989 Prod Code: 106
Featured song: Shaddap You Face (Joe Dolce). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "In My Frog Suit" from the SMB3 episode Mush-rumors.
Mario and the Beanstalk / Bats in the Basement
Episode Number: 7 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Wednesday September 13, 1989 Prod Code: 107
Featured song: I Heard it Through the Beanvine (Marvin Gaye)
*NOTE* This song is a slightly altered version of the song "I Heard it Through the Grapevine". They just changed the word grape to bean. Also, this song was later replaced by instrumental versions of the songs "It's a Dog's Life" from Life's Ruff and "When the Koopas Paint the Town" from True Colors. Both episodes were from SMB3.
Love 'Em and Leave 'Em / Will the Real Elvis Please Shut Up!
Episode Number: 8 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Thursday September 14, 1989 Prod Code: 108
Featured song: The Power of Love (Huey Lewis and the News). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "My Karubi" from the SMB3 episode Super Koopa.
The Great BMX Race / Mama Mia Mario
Episode Number: 9 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Monday September 18, 1989 Prod Code: 109
Featured song: I Get Around (The Beach Boys). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "In My Frog Suit" from the SMB3 episode Mush-rumors.
Stars in Their Eyes / Alligator Dundee
Episode Number: 10 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Tuesday September 19, 1989 Prod Code: 111
Featured song: Chains (The Beatles). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "Motor City" from the SMW episode The Wheel Thing.
Jungle Fever / Dance
Episode Number: 11 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Wednesday September 20, 1989 Prod Code: 115
Featured song: Jungle Love (The Time). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "When the Koopas Paint the Town" from the SMB3 episode True Colors. Although the featured songs throughout the series were edited out in the early 90's, Jungle Love, which was played twice throughout this episode, is still intact the first time it's played.
Brooklyn Bound / Cher's Poochie
Episode Number: 12 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Thursday September 21, 1989 Prod Code: 121
Featured song: Danger Zone (Kenny Loggins). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "My Karubi" from the SMB3 episode Super Koopa. The song "Danger Zone" was also featured in two episodes of Captain N, those being Mega Trouble for Megaland and Happy Birthday, Megaman.
Toad Warriors / E.C. The Extra Creepy
Episode Number: 13 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Monday September 25, 1989 Prod Code: 124
Featured song: Born to Be Wild (Steppenwolf). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "Burn Baby Burn" from the SMB3 episode Tag Team Trouble.
The Fire of Hercufleas / The Marios Fight Back
Episode Number: 14 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Tuesday September 26, 1989 Prod Code: 117
Featured song: Great Balls of Fire (Jerry Lee Lewis). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "It's a Dog's Life" from the SMB3 episode Life's Ruff.
Count Koopula / Magician
Episode Number: 15 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Wednesday September 27, 1989 Prod Code: 114
Featured song: Thriller (Michael Jackson). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "My Karubi" from the SMB3 episode Super Koopa.
Pirates of Koopa / Do You Believe in Magic?
Episode Number: 16 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Thursday September 28, 1989 Prod Code: 112
Featured song: Limbo Rock (Chubby Checker). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "It's a Dog's Life" from the SMB3 episode Life's Ruff.
Two Plumbers and a Baby / Lost Dog
Episode Number: 17 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Monday October 2, 1989 Prod Code: 110
Featured song: Baby Sittin' Boogie (Buzz Clifford). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "Burn Baby Burn" from the SMB3 episode Tag Team Trouble.
The Adventures of Sherlock Mario / Plumbers of the Year
Episode Number: 18 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Tuesday October 3, 1989 Prod Code: 122
Featured song: I-Spy Theme. This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "When the Koopas Paint the Town" from the SMB3 episode True Colors.
Do You Princess Toadstool Take This Koopa...? / Mario Hillbillies
Episode Number: 19 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Wednesday October 4, 1989 Prod Code: 130
Featured song: White Wedding (Billy Idol). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "In My Frog Suit" from the SMB3 episode Mush-rumors.
The Pied Koopa / Super Plant
Episode Number: 20 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Thursday October 5, 1989 Prod Code: 125
Featured song: Hit the Road Jack (Ray Charles). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "In My Frog Suit" from the SMB3 episode Mush-rumors.
Koopenstein / Baby Mario Love
Episode Number: 21 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Monday October 9, 1989 Prod Code: 134
Featured song: Weird Science (Oingo Boingo). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "Burn Baby Burn" from the SMB3 episode Tag Team Trouble. Baby Mario Love is the only live action segment to have a featured song, that one being Baby Love (Diana Ross). Unlike most other featured songs, Baby Love was never edited out, most likely because the live action segment was based around it.
On Her Majesty's Sewer Service / 9001: A Mario Odyssey
Episode Number: 22 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Tuesday October 10, 1989 Prod Code: 127
Featured song: Secret Agent Man (Johnny Rivers). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "My Karubi" from the SMB3 episode Super Koopa.
Mario and Joliet / Fake Bro
Episode Number: 23 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Wednesday October 11, 1989 Prod Code: 119
Featured song: That's Amore (Dean Martin). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "What Goes Up May Never Come Down" from the SMB3 episode Up, Up, and a Koopa.
Too Hot to Handle / Time Out Luigi
Episode Number: 24 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Thursday October 12, 1989 Prod Code: 120
Featured song: Hot Hot Hot (Buster Poindexter). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "Motor City" from the SMW episode The Wheel Thing. The "Until next time everybody, DO THE MARIO!" sequence is reversed in this episode in honor of the storyline of Time Out Luigi.
Hooded Robin and His Mario Men / Flower Power
Episode Number: 25 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Monday October 16, 1989 Prod Code: 123
Featured song: Rockin' Robin (Bobby Day). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "The Doomsub's Getting Closer" from the SMB3 episode The Venice Menace.
20,000 Koopas Under the Sea / Vampire Until Ready
Episode Number: 26 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Tuesday October 17, 1989 Prod Code: 132
Featured song: Splish Splash (Bobby Darin). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "When the Koopas Paint the Town" from the SMB3 episode True Colors.
Mighty McMario and the Pot of Gold / Heart Throb
Episode Number: 27 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Wednesday October 18, 1989 Prod Code: 129
Featured song: Do You Believe in Magic (John Sebastian). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "The Doomsub's Getting Closer" from the SMB3 episode The Venice Menace.
Mario Meets Koop-zilla / Fortune Teller
Episode Number: 28 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Thursday October 19, 1989 Prod Code: 118
Featured song: The Jolly Green Giant (The Kingsmen). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "The Doomsub's Getting Closer" from the SMB3 episode The Venice Menace.
Koopa Klaus / Little Marios
Episode Number: 29 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Monday October 23, 1989 Prod Code: 140
Featured song: Jingle Bell Rock (Bobby Helms). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "What Goes Up May Never Come Down" from the SMB3 episode Up, Up, and a Koopa.
Mario and the Red Baron Koopa / Gorilla My Dreams
Episode Number: 30 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Tuesday October 24, 1989 Prod Code: 128
Featured song: Danger Zone (Kenny Loggins). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "It's a Dog's Life" from the SMB3 episode Life's Ruff. This is the second episode to have Danger Zone as the featured song, the first one being Brooklyn Bound. This episode marks the only appearance of Lakitu and Spiny. Their only other cartoon appearance was a small cameo in the SMB3 episode "Life's Ruff".
The Unzappables / George Washington Slept Here
Episode Number: 31 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Wednesday October 25, 1989 Prod Code: 136
Featured song: Beat It (Michael Jackson). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "Burn Baby Burn" from the SMB3 episode Tag Team Trouble.
Bad Rap / Caught in a Draft
Episode Number: 32 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Thursday October 26, 1989 Prod Code: 126
Featured song: I Feel Good (James Brown). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "Motor City" from the SMW episode The Wheel Thing.
The Mark of Zero / Toupee
Episode Number: 33 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Monday October 30, 1989 Prod Code: 131
Featured song: La Bamba (Los Lobos). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "My Karubi" from the SMB3 episode Super Koopa.
The Ten Koopmandments / The Artist
Episode Number: 34 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Tuesday October 31, 1989 Prod Code: 141
Featured song: Walk Like an Egyptian (The Bangles). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "Burn Baby Burn" from the SMB3 episode Tag Team Trouble.
The Koopas Are Coming! The Koopas Are Coming! / Zenned Out Mario
Episode Number: 35 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Wednesday November 1, 1989 Prod Code: 133
Featured song: He's a Rebel (Donna Summer). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "The Doomsub's Getting Closer" from the SMB3 episode The Venice Menace.
The Trojan Koopa / Texas Tea
Episode Number: 36 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Thursday November 2, 1989 Prod Code: 137
Featured song: I Hear You Knocking (Dave Edmunds). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "In My Frog Suit" from the SMB3 episode Mush-rumors.
Quest For Pizza / The Painting
Episode Number: 37 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Monday November 6, 1989 Prod Code: 135
Featured song: Alley Oop (The Hollywood Argyles). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "The Doomsub's Getting Closer" from the SMB3 episode The Venice Menace.
The Great Gold Coin Rush / Game Show Host
Episode Number: 38 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Tuesday November 7, 1989 Prod Code: 143
Featured song: Money (That's What I Want) (The Beatles). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "Burn Baby Burn" from the SMB3 episode Tag Team Trouble.
Elvin Lives / Home Radio
Episode Number: 39 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Wednesday November 8, 1989 Prod Code: 139
Featured song: Rock Around the Clock (Billy Haley & His Comets). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "Motor City" from the SMW episode The Wheel Thing. This is the only episode in which a Goomba actually talks.
Plumbers Academy / Glasnuts
Episode Number: 40 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Thursday November 9, 1989 Prod Code: 146
Featured song: Workin' For a Livin' (Huey Lewis and the News). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "When the Kooopas Paint the Town" from the SMB3 episode True Colors. The presidents bear a huge resemblance to George Bush Sr. and Mikhail Gorbachev. This may be the only episode in the entire series where the cartoon and live action segment have similarities. In this case, it's the references to George Bush Sr. and Mikhail Gorbachev.
Karate Koopa / Adee Don't
Episode Number: 41 Season Num: 1 First Aired: Monday November 13, 1989 Prod Code: 138
Featured song: Kung Fu Fighting (Carl Douglas). This song was later replaced by an instrumental version of the song "Motor City" from the SMW episode The Wheel Thing. This was the last episode to have a featured song.
Wow that's a good list. Thanks for that.
shareNo problem, you're quite welcome! :-)
Man, I really wish they'd kept all the song covers on the DVDs. They were great selections. Oh well, at least I have most of those tracks on CDs, so I can simply mute the volume and play the songs over the instrumentals!
I didn't get to catch the Super Show as a kid until they first re-aired it (without the Zelda episodes), and those def. still had the awesome cover songs. I'm almost certain the 5 or 6 VHS releases I had, also had them.
share[deleted]