Pink Panther Theme Song
Animation Comedy Theme Song Archive

The Pink Panther Theme Song And Lyrics

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Song TitleThe Pink Panther Theme
ComposerHenry Mancini
Premiere DateSeptember 6, 1969
Final Episode DateAugust 30, 1980
Total Episodes190 (11 Seasons)
Original NetworksNBC / ABC
CreatorsFriz Freleng & David H. DePatie
GenreJazz / Slapstick Comedy

The Pink Panther Theme Song Lyrics

While primarily known as an instrumental, the “The Pink Panther Show” featured these classic opening lyrics during its Saturday morning run.

Think of all the animals you’ve ever heard about Like rhinoc’ruses and tigers, cats and mink There are lots of funny animals in all this world But have you ever seen a panther that is pink? Think! A panther that is positively pink! Well here he is, the Pink Panther The rinky-dink panther Isn’t he a panther ever so pink? He really is a groovy cat And what a gentleman, a scholar, what an acrobat! He’s in the pink, the Pink Panther The rinky-dink panther And it’s as plain as your nose That he’s the one and only, truly original Panther-pink panther from head to toes!

Behind the Music: Meaning & Story

The Pink Panther theme song is an instantly recognizable masterpiece of 20th-century music. Composed by the legendary Henry Mancini, the track was originally written for the 1963 live-action film but became truly iconic through the animated series created by Friz Freleng and David H. DePatie. The “catchy and jazzy melody” perfectly encapsulates the suave, mischievous nature of the world’s most famous pink feline.

Airing for 11 seasons and totaling 190 episodes, The Pink Panther Show delighted audiences on both NBC and ABC. While the main theme is an instrumental staple, the television show added lyrics that described the character as a “gentleman, a scholar, and an acrobat.” The show’s musical depth was further enhanced by composers like Doug Goodwin and William Lava, who maintained the whimsy throughout the character’s many silent adventures.

Even after the series’ final original broadcast on August 30, 1980, Mancini’s tenor sax-led melody remains a global symbol of “sophistication and comedy.” It has won multiple awards, including three Grammys, and continues to be a timeless piece of music associated with the hilarious world of the Pink Panther.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which instrument plays the famous main melody?
The iconic lead melody is played by a tenor saxophone. In the original recording, the legendary Plas Johnson provided the solo that became the signature sound of the character.
Did the Pink Panther ever talk?
In the vast majority of his 190 episodes, the Pink Panther is a silent character, relying on pantomime and music to tell the story. However, he did speak in a few rare episodes, notably voiced by Matt Frewer in the 1990s series.
Who were the creators of the animated character?
The character was created by Friz Freleng (a veteran of Looney Tunes) and David H. DePatie. They originally designed him for the opening credits of the Blake Edwards film.
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Editorial Note: Content for The Pink Panther has been verified by the ThemeSong.info Editorial Team. Music credits for Henry Mancini and the production history of DePatie-Freleng Enterprises have been accurately cited based on animation and music history archives.