History Main / ForgottenThemeTuneLyrics

* Team 17's ''VideoGame/{{Worms}}'' series originally had stories narrated over the songs, with one chorus shared inbetween them.

* Lisa Lougheed's version of "Run with Us", the theme to ''WesternAnimation/TheRaccoons'' had a full set of lyrics, but only the first verse and chorus were used on the show, during the credits. The full version wouldn't be heard until the song got a proper release in 1987.

* The classic ''Series/SesameStreet'' theme has a bridge verse whose lyrics are rarely, if ever, heard on the show. "It's a magic carpet ride, every door will open wide..." The bridge was heard instrumentally when the full credits were rolled once a week, usually on Fridays. The lyrics were sung at the start of an early test show, and they also may be heard on some of the show's record albums.

* ''Series/BetterCallSaul'': The opening theme is a short instrumental edit of [[https://youtu.be/5AI44gnaLxY Little Barrie's full-length theme]]. It cuts off at an awkward moment, in the style of Saul Goodman's cheesy low-budget commercials. It also cuts off just before the vocal, with its pretty apt lyrics:

* The ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales2017'' has a an instance of this that overlaps with FilkSong, as while it gives the iconic [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF32DRg9opA Moon Theme]] from the [[VideoGame/DuckTales NES game]] lyrics, these were explicitly written for the show (which is wholly staffed by self-admitted {{Ascended Fan}}s) to serve as a lullaby that Della Duck sung to Huey, Dewey, and Louie while they were still in their eggs.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'' has a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuMysCU98dQ lyrical version]] of the theme song called "Welcome to Amphibia" that was never heard on the show proper. This variant uses different instrumentation as well, with the strings and whistling heard in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuL48NyEL6o the usual theme]] being omitted in lieu of the vocal track. The reason this version was never used is because creator Matt Braly [[https://www.reddit.com/r/amphibia/comments/ieoe6m/comment/g2ibczy/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 found it to be very unfitting]].

* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' has [[ExtendedThemeTune an extended version]] that goes beyond the first verse heard on the show. The only known recording of it, however, is a live recording made for a CD called "Family Guy: Live in Las Vegas". The lyrics of the song continue with Brian and Stewie getting lines about how old film stars were better than new ones, Lois getting a line comparing Peter to Dick Van Dyke and Mike Brady, and Peter getting a line about how his "titties are real".

* Partial Example: for the ''{{Transformers}}'' series Armada and Energon, instrumental versions of the TitleThemeTune for the original ''[[WesternAnimation/TheTransformers Transformers]]'' cartoon (which was also reworked into the theme for ''Robots in Disguise'' before these two, and for ''Cybertron'' after them, albeit with lyrics fairly close to the original version for those) were used. In this case, though, the lyrics were hardly discarded... The assumption seemed instead to be that the original theme was iconic enough that a reworked instrumental version would still bring the lyrics to mind. ''[[WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated Animated]]'' sets the G1 lyrics to new music that could basically be called a remix of the original. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE4YPN_MRyI This video]] demonstrates that they ''are'' fairly close.[[note]]Of course, ''Animated'' then diverges into [[SecondVerseCurse a different trope]]...[[/note]]
* The ''Merrie Melodies'' and ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' themes, respectively "Merrily We Roll Along (My Honey And Me)" and "The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down."
** Daffy Duck sang the latter in an old cartoon. "My name is Daffy Duck/I work in a merry-go-round..." As did both [[Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit Roger Rabbit and Eddie Valiant]], although neither used the original lyrics.
** "Merrily We Roll Along", which was written by Eddie Cantor, is sung by a [[InksuitActor look-alike]], "Eddie Camphor," and other characters in 1936's "Billboard Frolics."
* Bugs Bunny's theme music, "What's Up, Doc?", first heard in "Stage Door Cartoon" of 1944, was published 15 years later as a song. Its first verse begins: "There's a hunter on the hill and he's out to kill/Any rabbit that crosses his path."
* The ''WesternAnimation/KaBlam'' theme song was an actual song ("Two-Tone Army" by The Toasters), but the lyrics weren't used because they had nothing to do with super action figures, an imaginative little girl, an alien and a caveman, two FunnyAnimal brothers, or two wacky kids.
** Same goes with both ending themes (also by The Toasters), although the long version of the first ending has a voice-over saying "All right, get hip now, get up, whoo, yeah!".
** The Toasters also used instumental clips of their songs for Henry and June's backround music (some of the BGM, the rest was stock music).
* ''WesternAnimation/TotallySpies'' initially used an ExpositoryThemeTune set to the tune of Moonbaby's "Here We Go", but later airings only used the instrumental of the song.
* Lisa Lougheed's version of "Run with Us", the theme to ''WesternAnimation/TheRaccoons'' had a full set of lyrics, but only the first verse and chorus were used on the show, during the credits. The full version wouldn't be heard until the song got a proper release in 1987.
* Of all shows, ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' has a theme song that goes beyond the first verse heard on the show. The only known recording of it, however, is a live recording made for a CD called "Family Guy: Live in Las Vegas". The lyrics of the song continue with Brian and Stewie getting lines about how old film stars were better than new ones, Lois getting a line comparing Peter to Dick Van Dyke and Mike Brady, and Peter getting a line about how his "titties are real".
* Most people are familiar with the lyrics to ''Popeye's'' theme song, "...strong to the finish, cause I eats me spinach..." But the original cartoon shorts from the 1930s played an instrumental opening theme with a second verse that had a different tune. Popeye sings these verses in ''Popeye Meets Sindbad''.
* ''WesternAnimation/WoodyWoodpecker'' cartoons have a recognizable, instrumental theme song. A version of the "Woody Woodpecker Song" with lyrics was released a single in 1948 by Gloria Wood and Kay Kyser's orchestra, with Harry Babbitt doing the "ha-ha ha-ha ha" laugh.
* Marshall Barer and Philip Scheib were the collaborative team (lyrics and music, respectively) behind the ''WesternAnimation/MightyMouse'' theme. On MM's cartoon show on CBS, the theme was extremely abbreviated but was lengthened to its entire first quarter by 1963. Andy Kaufman once famously lipsynched this song (or at least the "Here I come to save the day!" part) on ''Series/SaturdayNightLive''. Mitch Miller and "The Terry-Tooners" recorded a version that included a middle bridge:
-->Although we are in danger, we do not despair,
-->For wherever there is danger he is there!
-->He is there, on the sea, on the land, in the air!
-->We're not worrying at all,
-->We're just listening for his call:
-->[[CatchPhrase "Here I come to save the day!"]]
-->That means that Mighty Mouse is on the way!

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'' has a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuMysCU98dQ lyrical version]] of the theme song called "Welcome to Amphibia" that was never heard on the show proper. This variant uses different instrumentation as well, with the strings and whistling heard in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuL48NyEL6o the usual theme]] being omitted in lieu of the vocal track. The reason this version was never used is because creator Matt Braly [[https://www.reddit.com/r/amphibia/comments/ieoe6m/comment/g2ibczy/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 found it to be very unfitting]].
-->'''Braly:''' Essentially, the lyrical version was [[ExecutiveMeddling forced on me by studio leadership]]. I don't dislike the song in isolation but I don't think it fits the show or the lead character. Like, who was this sweet voice singing? Certainly not Anne, [[TomboyWithAGirlyStreak our rough and tumble lead]].

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'' has a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuMysCU98dQ lyrical version]] of the theme song that is never used with the show proper. This variant uses different instrumentation as well, with the strings and whistling heard in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuL48NyEL6o the usual theme]] being omitted. It should be noted that WordOfGod is on record for hating this version.
-->Now I find myself\\
In the wild unknown\\
With the frogs and toads\\
And I'm far from home...

* In ''Film/{{Superman}}'', though the main theme has no lyrics, the love theme does. The lyrics to "Can You Read My Mind?" are even in the movie, but most people wouldn't guess since they're spoken by Creator/MargotKidder as a mental monologue. Word on the street was that Music/BarbraStreisand was originally lined up to sing it in the film. The producers decided to go with Kidder to make the scene more intimate ... but Margot Kidder isn't a singer, so all she should do was speak them.

* The theme tune of the SoapOpera ''Series/{{Eastenders}}'' has three different theme tune lyrics, the first entitled "Anyone Can Fall In Love" (sung by Anita Dobson, one of the show's actresses), the second entitled "Glory Be" (reworked as a hymn and even featured on ''Series/SongsOfPraise'') and the third entitled "I'll Always Believe In You" (sung to the 1993 version of the theme tune).

* ''Woody Woodpecker'' cartoons have a recognizable, instrumental theme song. A version of the "Woody Woodpecker Song" with lyrics was released a single in 1948 by Gloria Wood and Kay Kyser's orchestra, with Harry Babbitt doing the "ha-ha ha-ha ha" laugh.

* The opening theme of ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}'', "Gun's & Roses" has a vocal version. [[note]]Technically the instrumental opening theme does retain one single verse "it's gonna rain tonight"[[/note]]

* ''Series/AlloAllo'': The theme song's lyrics are sung in the first season horribly badly by Madame Edith (the wife of Rene Artois who owns the cafe). The actress Carmen Silvera actually could not sing, she was so tone deaf that she literally slaughtered any song she tried to sing. As a joke, this was written into the show.

-->Autumn breeze blowing\\

* As Wiki/TheOtherWiki explains, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stars_and_Stripes_Forever "The Stars and Stripes Forever"]] had lyrics written by John Philip Sousa which are rarely sung.

* Most of the important songs from ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' were written with lyrics and even had them included in the manuals. Of course, this was only for the [[NoExportForYou Japanese version]].
** The original ''VideoGame/{{Mother|1}}'' had an [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL682FAAA919005D2D OST album with lyrical versions of many of the songs in that game]], including for "Pollyanna" and "Bein' Friends", the former of which was also present in ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' and ''VideoGame/Mother3'', and both of which were later made famous in their instrumental adaptations as the music for Onett in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee''. Even though it was only ever released in Japan, the lyrics were actually in English, surprisingly.

* ''Serees/TheOddCouple1970'': "No matter where they go they are known as the couple/They're never seen alone so they're known as the couple." The lyrics, which along with the tune were originally written for the 1968 movie adaptation of the Neil Simon play, can be viewed [[http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/televisiontvthemelyrics-50s60s70s/theoddcouple.htm here]].

* ''Series/{{Bewitched}}'': "Bewitched, bewitched, you've got me in your spell/Bewitched, bewitched, you know your craft so well..." Actually recorded by Steve Lawrence (eerily channelling Frank Sinatra) in 1964; this recording can be heard in the 2005 [[TheMovie movie]].

* The opening theme of ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}'', "Gun's & Roses" has a vocal version. [[note]]Technically the instruemntal opening theme does retain one single verse "it's gonna rain tonight"[[/note]]

* ''Series/ILoveLucy'': "I love Lucy, and she loves me/We're as happy as two can be..." [[ThemeTuneCameo Ricky actually sings these to Lucy]] at one point in the series. If you have "Special Edition" ''I Love Lucy'' tapes, the beginning has the sung version. Even some of the episodes on the Complete First Season DVD have them. Not all of them, though. The fact that Desi sings the song, but it's only in a few episodes, is part of the push-pull between the starring couple and [[ExecutiveMeddling executives]] who wanted to minimize the promotion of Desi. The name of the show, "I Love Lucy" was a compromise to sneak Desi into the title, referring only to Lucy, but told from Desi's point of view as the "I."

* ''{{Series/Bonanza}}'': "Here in the West we're livin' in the best, Bonanza!/If anyone fights any one of us, he's got to fight with me!" The lyrics were used for the first airing of the pilot, but were dropped for being a bit lame. (Worse yet, the cast -- none of whom could be considered even ''average'' singers -- performed it [[ThemeTuneCameo as part of the episode's action]].) To his credit, Lorne Greene didn't sing the lyrics at all; he performed them as plainsong. Note: little known as these lyrics are, they did get air play. Johnny Cash, back in his prime, sang the Bonanza theme just for the fun of it, and the video is available on the net. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd35tBlUlr8 Here.]]

* The lyrics to the ''Theatre/CityOfAngels'' theme were used on the cast album, but not in the show. (Unusually for a musical, this is a ThematicThemeTune, not a TitleSong.)

* ''Theatre/TheOddCouple'': "No matter where they go they are known as the couple/They're never seen alone so they're known as the couple." The lyrics, which along with the tune were originally written for the 1968 movie adaptation of the Neil Simon play, can be viewed [[http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/televisiontvthemelyrics-50s60s70s/theoddcouple.htm here]].

* There exists a record with a version of the ''Series/MyFavoriteMartian'' theme with lyrics: "He's a man from Mars, on Earth to take a look./He can read your mind, just like an open book - YES./He's a man from Mars, and he's extremely clever./Brilliant but kind, in every endeavor./For instance any dog can hear me/loud and clear/and don't get too near me/or I'll disappear.

* The theme for ''VideoGame/{{Tetris}}'' is actually a Russian folk song, called [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korobeiniki "Korobeiniki"]], and is only ever associated with the game in the west due to PopculturalOsmosis. It's about a peddler who is stricken with a specific girl, [[RuleOfSymbolism with them haggling over goods as a courtship metaphor]].

* The remake of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZltligVf-I gives lyrics]] to the melody "Ballad of the Wind Fish".

[[folder:LiveActionTV]]

* This is quite common amongst {{JRPG}}s, including ''VideoGame/WildArms: alone the world'' and ''Creid'' (from VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}), as well as at least seven or eight arrangements that include lyricized ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' music.

** The original VideoGame/{{Mother|1}} had an [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL682FAAA919005D2D OST album with lyrical versions of many of the songs in that game]], including for "Pollyanna" and "Bein' Friends", the former of which was also present in VideoGame/{{Earthbound}} and [[VideoGame/{{Mother3}} Mother 3]], and both of which were later made famous in their instrumental adaptations as the music for Onett in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee''. Even though it was only ever released in Japan, the lyrics were actually in English, surprisingly.
* Many of the songs from the ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'' series have had official releases with lyrics. This ''may'' be a very minorly retroactive example, depending on whether they were written with lyrics in mind, or whether they were added later. Considering a lot of Japanese games have vocal music [=CDs=] (such as the ''Final Fantasy'' vocal [=CDs=] as well as the ''Street Fighter'' vocal [=CDs=] set to the character's instrumentals) all of which were made after the respective games to cash-in on their success one could assume the same is true for ''Guilty Gear''.
* The theme for ''VideoGame/{{Tetris}}'' is actually a Russian folk song, called "[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korobeiniki Korobeiniki]]", and is only ever associated with the game in the west due to PopculturalOsmosis. It's about a peddler who is stricken with a specific girl, [[RuleOfSymbolism with them haggling over goods as a courtship metaphor]].