History AwesomeMusic / TheRaccoons

** In 2014, British musician Matt Fishel released [[https://youtu.be/JszTrQdL314 this incredible cover]], the music video to which is clips from the first two seasons themselves.

* [[https://youtu.be/ouPYQlhempw Run With Us]], performed by Lisa Lougheed, is [[BootstrappedTheme practically the theme song for the entire Raccoons franchise]], [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic and for good reason]]. There's a rumour circulating in the Raccoons fandom that the electric guitar used for the song was played by, of all people, [[Music/VanHalen Eddie Van Halen]], who [[UncreditedRole decided to go uncredited]], though [[https://youtu.be/CSvdT7T8e5I&t=25m15s this has been debunked by series composer Jon Stroll]].

* Even the songs that weren't fully released on any of the three soundtrack albums are awesome. Along with Steve Lunt's original version of "Run With Us", [[https://youtu.be/Q5Os18SLK20 Missing It]] sounds like something that Music/DarylHallAndJohnOates would sing, [[https://youtu.be/FPXBvBSCK-A Come On Home]] makes the show's [[TearJerker/TheRaccoons saddest moments]] all the more powerful, and [[https://youtu.be/xHGfzBfN2rQ Sooner Or Later]] has a heartfelt message. [[note]]However, in 2020, Kevin Gillis himself announced [[https://www.facebook.com/adam.gradwell.98/posts/3002622663152499 via a Facebook interview]] that these previously unreleased songs and more would '''finally''' be fully released on a new soundtrack album to [[MilestoneCelebration celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Raccoons franchise!]][[/note]]

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouPYQlhempw Run With Us]], performed by Lisa Lougheed, is [[BootstrappedTheme practically the theme song for the entire Raccoons franchise]], [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic and for good reason]]. There's a rumour circulating in the Raccoons fandom that the electric guitar used for the song was played by, of all people, [[Music/VanHalen Eddie Van Halen]], who [[UncreditedRole decided to go uncredited]], though [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSvdT7T8e5I&t=25m15s this has been debunked by series composer Jon Stroll]].
** There's also Steve Lunt's original version of the song as used in Season 1, of which there is no full, uncut copy available online (yet), but [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFV9rYMT9qs this fanmade reconstruction isn't too shabby.]]
** Being a Canadian cartoon, there exists [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qPhTHZrR8c Viens Vers Nous]], a French/Quebecois version of the song. You can also hear French-language takes on [[https://youtu.be/OhCS3mXojcE?t=556 Here I Go Again]], [[https://youtu.be/lxlpBSkaC-A?t=801 Restless in the Night]], and [[https://youtu.be/I8foF2lMMyE?t=587 Stop the Clock]].

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb50GNx8sQU Stop The Clock]] has a definite funk sound to it.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC5iqMCdLL8 Ain't No Planes]] is solemn and balladic, going well with [[TearJerker/TheRaccoons the sadder moments of the series]].
* Both [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz3rhTni9Sw Hold Back Tomorrow]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X25FS3JbIk Don't Fear The Fire]] sound like they could've come from an 80s action movie.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV9F4K1fOjI Here I Go Again]], a catchy funk duet between Lisa Lougheed (or Luba before Lougheed replaced her vocals) and Curtis King Jr.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9zgkJHBXmw New World]] is worthy of being an AwardBaitSong.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q9INUdczHc Growing Up]], with its 80s funk beat, horn section, [=DX7=] synth harmonica, and Lougheed's powerful vocals.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lrYwkVXjtI All Life Long]], a laid-back love song that underscores emotional moments in the series itself.
* Even the songs that weren't fully released on any of the three soundtrack albums are awesome. Along with Steve Lunt's original version of "Run With Us", [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Os18SLK20 Missing It]] sounds like something that Music/DarylHallAndJohnOates would sing, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPXBvBSCK-A Come On Home]] makes the show's [[TearJerker/TheRaccoons saddest moments]] all the more powerful, and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHGfzBfN2rQ Sooner Or Later]] has a heartfelt message. [[note]]However, in 2020, Kevin Gillis himself announced [[https://www.facebook.com/adam.gradwell.98/posts/3002622663152499 via a Facebook interview]] that these previously unreleased songs and more would '''finally''' be fully released on a new soundtrack album to [[MilestoneCelebration celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Raccoons franchise!]][[/note]]
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv37OfWxBAA&t=13m16s Somewhere On This Earth]], the sweeping opening score to the first two specials, sets the tone really well.
* The opening theme to ''The Raccoons and the Lost Star'', known as... [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "The Lost Star"]]. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERKcTOPIe-w It really gives off a vibe of grand exploration and adventure befitting the third special.]] It's also heard in a few episodes like "The Evergreen Express!", "Making the Grade!" and "Go for Gold!", as the series itself [[RecycledSoundtrack reused some music cues from the aforementioned special]].
* The first special, ''The Christmas Raccoons'', featured [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv37OfWxBAA&t=9m35s Shake The Sun]] by Rupert Holmes ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WkR2Tv4dq4 the same Rupert Holmes who gave us "Escape/The Piña Colada Song”]]), and it is awesome in the most upbeat way possible. ''Christmas Raccoons'' also gave us [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv37OfWxBAA Lake Freeze]], a heartfelt and solemn ballad by Rita Coolidge ('''that''' [[Film/{{Octopussy}} Rita Coolidge]]).
* The jazzy and inspirational [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE7uI55hNo8 "You Can Do It"]], as performed by Leo Sayer, from ''The Raccoons on Ice''. Before that, it was used as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJqypEXQU_g the opening theme]] to Kevin Gillis' previous TV series, ''Yes You Can''.
* The Italian dub of the series, ''[[CompletelyDifferentTitle/{{Italian}} I mille colori dell’allegria (The Thousand Colors of Joy)]]'', featured an AlternativeForeignThemeSong [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqkmUALR_J8 that has a solid beat and good vocals]].

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouPYQlhempw Run With Us]], performed by Lisa Lougheed, is [[BootstrappedTheme practically the theme song for the entire Raccoons franchise]], [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic and for good reason]]. There's a rumour circulating in the Raccoons fandom that the electric guitar used for the song was played by, of all people, [[Music/VanHalen Eddie Van Halen]], who [[UncreditedRole decided to go uncredited]], though this has been debunked by series composer Jon Stroll.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8htXduJJCdw Somewhere On This Earth]], the sweeping opening score to the first two specials, sets the tone really well.

* The first special, ''The Christmas Raccoons'', featured [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O23Xrw96Ps Shake The Sun]] by Rupert Holmes ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WkR2Tv4dq4 the same Rupert Holmes who gave us "Escape/The Piña Colada Song”]]), and it is awesome in the most upbeat way possible. ''Christmas Raccoons'' also gave us [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A55wB4nJ_U Lake Freeze]], a heartfelt and solemn ballad by Rita Coolidge ('''that''' [[Film/{{Octopussy}} Rita Coolidge]]).

** In 2014, British musician Matt Fishel released [[https://youtu.be/JszTrQdL314 this incredible cover]], the music video to which is clips from the show itself.

* The Italian dub of the series, ''[[CompletelyDifferentTitle/{{Italian}} I mille colori dell’allegria (The Thousand Colors of Joy)]]'', featured an AlternativeForeignThemeSong that has a solid beat and good vocals. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqkmUALR_J8 Intro version here]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gACCcoKNwf4 extended version here]].

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouPYQlhempw Run With Us]], performed by Lisa Lougheed, is [[BootstrappedTheme practically the theme song for the entire Raccoons franchise]], [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic and for good reason]]. There's an rumour circulating in the Raccoons fandom that the electric guitar used for the song was played by, of all people, [[Music/VanHalen Eddie Van Halen]], who [[UncreditedRole decided to go uncredited]].

''WesternAnimation/TheRaccoons'' has all the makings of a CultClassic; [[Characters/TheRaccoons believable characters]], stories that only got better as the series progressed and one of the best soundtracks that a [[WesternAnimationOfThe1980s 1980s cartoon]] could ''ever'' have. '''We're not joking.'''

''WesternAnimation/TheRaccoons'' has all the makings of a CultClassic; [[Characters/TheRaccoons believable characters]], stories that only got better as the series progressed and one of the best soundtracks that a [[WesternAnimationOfThe1980s 1980s cartoon]] could ever have. '''We're not joking.'''

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q9INUdczHc Growing Up]], with its 80s funk beat, horn section, DX7 synth harmonica, and Lougheed's powerful vocals.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q9INUdczHc Growing Up]], with its 80s funk beat, horn section, synth harmonica, and Lougheed's powerful vocals.

* The jazzy and inspirational [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE7uI55hNo8 "You Can Do It"]], as performed by Leo Sayer, from ''The Raccoons on Ice''. Before that it was used as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJqypEXQU_g the opening theme]] to Kevin Gillis' previous TV series, ''Yes You Can''.

''WesternAnimation/TheRaccoons'' has all the makings of a CultClassic; [[Characters/TheRaccoons believable characters]], stories that only got better as the series progressed and the best soundtrack that a [[WesternAnimationOfThe1980s 1980s cartoon]] could ever have. '''We're not joking.'''

* Even the songs that weren't fully released on any of the three soundtrack albums are awesome. Along with Steve Lunt's original version of "Run With Us", [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Os18SLK20 Missing It]] sounds like something that Music/DarylHallAndJohnOates would sing, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPXBvBSCK-A Come On Home]] makes the show's [[TearJerker/TheRaccoons saddest moments]] all the more powerful, and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHGfzBfN2rQ Sooner Or Later]] has a heartfelt message. [[note]]However, in 2020, Kevin Gillis himself announced [[https://www.facebook.com/adam.gradwell.98/posts/3002622663152499 via a Facebook interview]] that these previously unreleased songs and more would '''finally''' be fully released on a new soundtrack album to [[MilestoneCelebration celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Raccoons franchise]][[/note]]!

* Even the songs that weren't fully released on any of the three soundtrack albums are awesome. Along with Steve Lunt's original version of "Run With Us", [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Os18SLK20 Missing It]] sounds like something that Music/DarylHallAndJohnOates would sing, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPXBvBSCK-A Come On Home]] makes the show's [[TearJerker/TheRaccoons saddest moments]] all the more powerful, and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHGfzBfN2rQ Sooner Or Later]] has a heartfelt message. However, in 2020, Kevin Gillis himself announced [[https://www.facebook.com/adam.gradwell.98/posts/3002622663152499 via a Facebook interview]] that these previously unreleased songs and more would '''finally''' be fully released on a new soundtrack album to [[MilestoneCelebration celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Raccoons franchise]]!

* The opening theme to ''The Raccoons and the Lost Star'', known as... [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "The Lost Star"]]. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERKcTOPIe-w It really gives off a vibe of grand exploration and adventure befitting the third special.]] It's also heard in a few episodes like "The Evergreen Express!", "Making the Grade!" and "Go for Gold!", as the series itself reused the same music cues from the aforementioned special.

** Being a Canadian cartoon, there exists [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qPhTHZrR8c Viens Vers Nous]], a French version of the song. You can also hear French/Quebecois takes on [[https://youtu.be/OhCS3mXojcE?t=556 Here I Go Again]], [[https://youtu.be/lxlpBSkaC-A?t=801 Restless in the Night]], and [[https://youtu.be/I8foF2lMMyE?t=587 Stop the Clock]].

* Even the songs that weren't fully released on any of the three soundtrack albums are awesome. Along with Steve Lunt's aforementioned original version of Run With Us, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Os18SLK20 Missing It]] sounds like something that Music/DarylHallAndJohnOates would sing, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPXBvBSCK-A Come On Home]] makes the show's [[TearJerker/TheRaccoons saddest moments]] all the more powerful, and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHGfzBfN2rQ Sooner Or Later]] has a heartfelt message. However, in 2020, Kevin Gillis himself announced [[https://www.facebook.com/adam.gradwell.98/posts/3002622663152499 via a Facebook interview]] that these previously unreleased songs and more would '''finally''' be fully released on a new soundtrack album to [[MilestoneCelebration celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Raccoons franchise]]!