Lucas Delgado
The ending theme song of Robot Chicken, an Emmy Award-winning eclectic show created by Seth Green and Matt Senreich, is a portion of the infamous Musak named The Gonk from George Romero's Dawn of the Dead. The song is clucked by a chorus of chickens and was composed and performed by Les Claypool of Primus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the song | "The Gonk" |
| Original song from | George Romero's Dawn of the Dead |
| Music by | Les Claypool of Primus |
| Portrayed by | A chorus of chickens |
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What You'll Learn
'The Gonk' from Dawn of the Dead
"The Gonk", composed by Herbert Chappell in 1965, was originally written for children's programming in 1967. It is, however, best remembered for its ironic use during the end credits of George Romero's 1978 film Dawn of the Dead. The track has been used in many references to the film, including in Shaun of the Dead and as a variation in Robot Chicken, where it is performed in chicken clucks. The Robot Chicken version is not the only instance of the song being adapted, as the early part of the tune was used in "The Ladies' Bras", a 36-second track that became the shortest UK top 40 single in 2007.
The original score for Dawn of the Dead was recorded by Goblin, longtime collaborators of Dario Argento, and features heavily in the European cut of the film (Argento's Zombi cut). However, other edits of the film use stock music alongside the Goblin score. Much of this stock music was licensed from the De Wolfe Music Library, a popular source of stock music for film and TV projects. It was not until 2004 that any of the highly sought-after cues of library music used in the film were released on a compilation album from Trunk Records. In 2009, Robert McLaine, Darren Stuart, John Toman, Allen Lighthiser, Patrick J. Doody, Llyswen Vaughn, and Chris Stavrakis researched, identified, and catalogued virtually all the cues used (74 out of a total of 86 library music pieces), which were published on the Dawn Of The Dead Ultimate Soundtrack website.
"The Gonk" was one of the tracks included on the album, along with "Cause I'm a Man", written by Cliff Twemlow and Peter Taylor under the pen name Peter Reno and recorded by the Pretty Things under the name "Electric Banana". In 2018, Waxwork Records released a double LP soundtrack "George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead," which featured music composed by Goblin. This vinyl release was the first to include Goblin's entire composition.
"The Gonk" has also been used in other films, including ZOMBI 2 (1979) and CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD (1980), where a synth rendition of the original's "Prayer for Peace" was featured.
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Composed and performed by Les Claypool of Primus
The Robot Chicken ending song is a portion of the infamous Musak named The Gonk from George Romero's Dawn of the Dead. It is clucked by a chorus of chickens. The song was composed and performed by Les Claypool of Primus, an American rock band based in San Francisco, California. Claypool is the lead singer and bassist of the funk/metal band. He has also composed other theme songs, most notably the theme song for South Park, along with Primus. The only lyrics in the Robot Chicken theme song are "It's alive!", which is a reference to Frankenstein. Claypool's latest solo effort, "Of Whales and Woe", features the Robot Chicken theme music as a track.
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Clucking version of the original song
The Robot Chicken ending theme song is a clucking version of the original song "The Gonk" from George Romero's Dawn of the Dead. The clucking is performed by a chorus of chickens. The original song was composed and performed by Les Claypool of Primus, and the clucking version can be downloaded from adultswim.com.
The Robot Chicken Wiki describes the show as "old-school stop-motion animation and fast-paced satire". It features action figures in sketch-comedy vignettes that satirize TV, movies, music, and celebrity culture. The show was created by Seth Green and Matt Senreich, who were brought together by their shared interest in action figures and stop-motion animation.
The Robot Chicken ending theme song is not the only version of "The Gonk" that has been used in media. The song was also used in the flying scene over the redneck/military operation in an unspecified production. In that instance, the song was changed to the Star Wars theme for the specials.
The clucking version of "The Gonk" used in Robot Chicken has become something of a cult classic, with fans of the show embracing the quirky and unusual take on the original song. The clucking chorus adds a layer of humour and eccentricity to the already eccentric show.
While the clucking version of "The Gonk" is the most well-known and frequently used ending theme for Robot Chicken, there may be other variations or replacements used for special episodes or seasons. For example, for Star Wars-themed specials, the ending theme is replaced with the Star Wars theme.
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Downloadable on adultswim.com
The Robot Chicken ending theme song, "The Gonk", from George Romero's Dawn of the Dead, is performed by a chorus of clucking chickens. The song is available for download on adultswim.com. The website also features answers to frequently asked questions about the show, including the origins of the show's name, which was inspired by a menu item from a local Chinese restaurant.
The show's theme song was composed and performed by Les Claypool of Primus, and the ending theme is a portion of the infamous Musak, "The Gonk", from Dawn of the Dead. The song has been modified to include clucking sounds, giving it a unique and playful twist.
The Robot Chicken ending theme song has gained some popularity, with discussions and searches about it appearing on Reddit. Some viewers have expressed curiosity about the song, while others have shared their enjoyment of its unique and playful take on the original "The Gonk" composition.
The ability to download the Robot Chicken opening and closing music directly from adultswim.com provides convenient access for fans of the show who wish to relive the energetic and eccentric vibes of the series. The website serves as a one-stop destination for fans to immerse themselves in the world of Robot Chicken, offering not only the theme songs but also a wealth of additional information and answers to commonly asked questions.
By making the theme songs downloadable, adultswim.com enhances the viewer experience and allows fans to engage with the show beyond just watching the episodes. The site recognises the popularity of the theme songs and caters to the interests of its audience, fostering a sense of community and engagement among fans of the show.
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Episode titles are rejected names
The first season of Robot Chicken, which aired in 2005, featured several episode names that were initially rejected titles for the show itself. These included "Junk in the Trunk", "Nightmare Generator", and "The Deep End". The creators of the show, Seth Green and Matthew Senreich, had considered various names for the series before settling on "Robot Chicken". Other rejected titles included "Toyz in the Attic", which, like some of the aforementioned rejected names, was eventually used as an episode title during the first season.
The process of naming a television series is a creative one, and it is not unusual for multiple titles to be considered before settling on the final one. In the case of Robot Chicken, the name was inspired by a dish on the menu at a West Hollywood Chinese restaurant, Kung Pao Bistro, where Green and Senreich had dined. The rejected titles, which became episode names, reflect the creators' creative process and their desire to find a unique and memorable name for their show.
"Junk in the Trunk" is a playful phrase that evokes a sense of fun and humour. It suggests a chaotic or overloaded situation, which is fitting for a sketch comedy show like Robot Chicken, where each episode consists of short, unrelated sketches. "Nightmare Generator", on the other hand, hints at something more sinister and surreal, perhaps alluding to the unpredictable and sometimes bizarre nature of the show's content.
"The Deep End" and "Toyz in the Attic" also convey distinct themes and tones. "The Deep End" could suggest a sense of being in over one's head or facing challenging situations, while "Toyz in the Attic" directly references toys, which are a central element of the show's animation and satirical take on pop culture. By using these rejected show titles as episode names, Green and Senreich were able to incorporate these varied themes and ideas into the fabric of the show's first season.
The use of rejected show titles as episode names is a clever way to pay homage to the creative process and the evolution of the series' identity. It also provides a unique connection between the overarching series and its individual episodes, with each episode title serving as a reminder of the possibilities and directions that were considered during the show's development. This approach adds a layer of meta-humour and self-referentiality that is fitting for a show like Robot Chicken, which is known for its playful and unconventional take on sketch comedy.
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Frequently asked questions
The ending theme of the show is a portion of the infamous Musak named "The Gonk" from George Romero's Dawn of the Dead, clucked by a chorus of chickens.
The show's theme song was composed and performed by Les Claypool of Primus.
The Robot Chicken theme song is an upbeat, quirky, and playful tune with a catchy bass line that sticks with viewers long after the show ends.
