Muttley, you snickering, floppy-eared hound
When courage is needed, you’re never around
Those medals you wear on your moth-eaten chest
Should be there for bumbling, at which you are best!
So, stop that pigeon!
Stop that pigeon!
Stop that pigeon!
Stop that pigeon!
Stop that pigeon!
Stop that pigeon!
Stop that pigeon!
Howwww!
Nab him, jab him, tab him, grab him
Stop that pigeon now!
You, Zilly, stop sneaking, it’s not worth the chance
For you’ll be returned by the seat of your pants
And Klunk, you invent me a thingamabob
That catches that pigeon or I’ll lose my job!
So, stop that pigeon!
Stop that pigeon!
Stop that pigeon!
Stop that pigeon!
Stop that pigeon!
Stop that pigeon!
Stop that pigeon!
Howwww!
Nab him, jab him, tab him, grab him
Stop that pigeon now!
Behind the Music: Meaning & Story
The Dastardly and Muttley theme song, commonly known as “Stop That Pigeon,” is a masterclass in high-energy cartoon music. Composed by Ted Nichols, the song features the voice of Paul Winchell (who also voiced Dick Dastardly) barking orders over a frantic, rhythmic beat. The song serves as the mission statement for the “Vulture Squadron,” the bumbling aerial unit tasked with a single, impossible job: stopping a carrier pigeon named Yankee Doodle Pigeon from delivering secret messages.
Premiering in 1969 on CBS, the show was a spin-off from Wacky Races, capitalizing on the popularity of the villainous duo. The lyrics highlight the comedic friction within the squadron: Dastardly’s frustration with the cowardly Zilly, the eccentric inventor Klunk, and his snickering sidekick Muttley. Muttley’s obsession with winning medals—and his iconic wheezy laugh—became a hallmark of Hanna-Barbera animation during this era.
Despite having a relatively short run of only 17 episodes, the series achieved immense longevity through syndication. The repetitive, hypnotic nature of the “Stop that pigeon” refrain made the song an instant earworm that perfectly captured the relentless, slapstick pursuit typical of World War I aviation parodies. It remains one of the most recognizable theme songs in the Hanna-Barbera catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the song called ‘Stop That Pigeon’?
While the show’s official title is Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines, the theme song is almost exclusively referred to by its main hook, “Stop That Pigeon,” because the phrase is repeated so frequently throughout the intro.
Was Dick Dastardly in other shows?
Yes, Dick Dastardly and Muttley first appeared as the main antagonists in Wacky Races (1968). They later appeared in Yogi’s Treasure Hunt and the 2020 film Scoob!
Who invented the gadgets in the show?
The gadgets and “flying machines” were invented by Klunk, a member of the Vulture Squadron who spoke in strange sounds and whistles that only Zilly could understand.
