Cartoons (song)

The Cartoon Song is a controversial song by artist Chris Rice, written in 1989 as a sarcastic skit for a church youth group (of middle school students). The song mentions many cartoon characters popular in the United States at that time. Despite demand for the song, Rice stopped performing the song live in 2004, prompting Rice to write an article for his own official website entitled "Eulogy For A Song About Cartoons." In the article Rice explains that his misunderstood intention in writing the song/skit was to mock the commercial-Christian tendency to "make a Christian version of everything."

Rice states, "I was hoping everyone would get the satire, but they missed the satire, and embraced the song as legit.” This legitimizing of the song, evidence of his fans' misunderstanding of the purpose of the song/skit, frustrated Rice to the point of eliminating the song from his live performances, as well as refusal to discuss the song in interviews on the air.

Chris Rice wrote the song while in college, as a joke for students, but after much success, his former record label insisted that he record it for a CD. He reluctantly agreed, although only if it was a hidden track. [ [http://www.chrisrice.com/articles.php?id=11] Chris Rice's article on the song ]

This track has received a lot of criticism from the Christian community due to its theology, more evidence that Rice's satirical intentions went well over the heads of his fans. Chris Rice explains, "Also, in correcting my 'theology' in the cartoon song, people were totally missing the fact that the whole song is about soul-less cartoons, none of whom can 'get saved.'" [ The Fun Times Guide [http://thefuntimesguide.com/2005/10/cartoonsongrice.php The Cartoon Song By Chris Rice] ] [ They Will Know Us By Our T-Shirts [http://christianretail.blogspot.com/2004/08/since-when-do-cartoons-have-eternal.html Since When Do Cartoons Have Eternal Souls?] ]

Hidden track

Chris Rice's official site FAQ states that the cartoon song is a hidden track on Chris's "Past The Edges" CD. It is not on the cassette tape. It is after about two minutes of silence, beginning at 6:20 on Track 10, which is "Missin' You." [ [http://www.hiddensongs.com/songs/pasttheedges.html] Hidden Songs]

Boycott

This song has also led to a boycott by some fans of Chris Rice's music. According to Rice's website article, Rice's intention was to "bring attention to the silliness of the typical Christian over-reaction to Beavis and Butthead during their popularity. By calling Butthead 'the other guy' I was satirizing many who were 'offended' by that name. I was also trying to point out the snobbery of those who would limit Christianity to only a certain type of person. Many fans misinterpreted my satire of THEM as if I were making a statement of my own beliefs. You can see why I have no desire to perpetuate the life of this song."

Lyrics

The premise of the song mocks the outcome of Christians succeeding in 'christianizing' even cartoons. Cartoon characters would then be forced to sing their own versions of the word, 'Hallalujah.' For example, Fred and Wilma Flintstone would sing "Yabba-dabba-doo-jah"

Origin

In 2004, Rice decided to stop playing the song at concerts. He has kept to his decision, despite popular demand for the song, and despite the fact that Christian radio stations continue to air the song frequently.

Footnotes