It’s time for Animaniacs
And we’re zany to the max
So just sit back and relax
You’ll laugh ’til you collapse
We’re Animaniacs!
Come join the Warner brothers
And the Warner sister, Dot
Just for fun we run around the Warner movie lot
They lock us in the tower whenever we get caught
But we break loose and then vamoose and now you know the plot!
We’re Animaniacs
Dot is cute and Yakko yaks
Wakko packs away the snacks
While Bill Clinton plays the sax
We’re Animaniacs!
Meet Pinky and the Brain who want to rule the universe
Goodfeathers flock together, Slappy whacks ’em with her purse
Buttons chases Mindy while Rita sings a verse
The writers flipped, we have no script, why bother to rehearse?
We’re Animaniacs
We have pay-or-play contracts
We’re zany to the max
There’s baloney in our snacks
We’re animany, totally insaney
(Last line variation, e.g., “Pinky and the Brainy”)
Animaniacs!
Those are the facts!
Behind the Music: Meaning & Story
The Animaniacs theme song is a brassy, Broadway-style masterpiece that perfectly captures the “Golden Age of Animation” spirit the show aimed to revive. Led by composer Richard Stone and a world-class team including Steven and Julie Bernstein, the orchestration was performed by a 35-piece orchestra for every single episode—a rare feat for television animation. The series premiered in the UK on 18 December 1993, bringing a new level of wit and musicality to Saturday morning TV.
The lyrics, penned by Tom Ruegger, act as a comprehensive “roll call” for the show’s diverse cast. From the central trio of Yakko, Wakko, and Dot to supporting segments like Pinky and the Brain and Slappy Squirrel, the song explains the show’s chaotic premise: three 1930s cartoon stars who were too “zany” for the public and locked in the Warner Bros. water tower. The theme is famous for its “last line” variations, which changed almost every episode to provide a unique gag for dedicated viewers.
With 98 episodes in its original run, the show was a critical darling, winning multiple Daytime Emmy Awards for its music. The theme’s fast-paced wordplay and self-referential humor (like mentioning “pay-or-play contracts”) appealed to both children and adults. Decades later, the song remains a symbol of the creative renaissance at Warner Bros. Animation under the executive leadership of Steven Spielberg.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Warner siblings based on?
While they are unique creations, their designs pay homage to 1930s characters like Bosko or Buddy. Yakko was famously inspired by Groucho Marx, and Wakko’s voice by Ringo Starr.
What is the ‘water tower’ mentioned in the song?
The Warner Bros. Water Tower is a real landmark on the WB lot in Burbank, California. In the show’s lore, it serves as the home/prison of the Warner siblings.
Is there a reboot of Animaniacs?
Yes, a revival series premiered on Hulu in 2020, featuring the original voice cast and an updated version of the classic theme song.
