Saturday Morning: Cartoons’ Greatest Hits is a compilation that was originally released toward the end of 1995, which paid tribute to notable animated theme songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s through cover versions from artists and bands in the alt-rock scene of the 90s.
Liz Phair teamed up with Material Issue to record “The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana),” the theme song for The Banana Splits Adventure Hour, which aired originally on NBC from 1968-1970.
The album reached #67 on the Billboard 200.
A special reissue of the LP was released on November 29, 2019 during Record Store Day Black Friday and was limited to 4,000 copies. It featured 2 LPs in translucent vinyl—one in blue and one in green.
There is a misprint on the reissued LP where Tripping Daisy’s track is labeled as being C5, though it’s actually D1.
Saturday Morning: Cartoons’ Greatest Hits
Released: December 5, 1995
Label: MCA Records
Format: CD, Cassette, LP
Country: US, Australia, Japan, Argentina, Europe, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada, Brazil
Availability: Somewhat Rare
“The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana)” written by Mark Barkan and Ritchie Adams.
Produced by Ralph Sall for Bulletproof Recording Company, Inc.
Art Direction: Ralph Sall
Design: Lisa Sutton
Illustrations: Glenn Barr, Andrew Davis, Gary Panter
Logo: Bongo Tone, Inc.
| No. | Artist | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01. | Liz Phair with Material Issue | The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana) | 3:12 |
| 02. | Sponge | Go Speed Racer Go | 3:07 |
| 03. | Mary Lou Lord with Semisonic | Sugar Sugar | 3:53 |
| 04. | Matthew Sweet | Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? | 3:12 |
| 05. | Juliana Hatfield and Tanya Donelly | Josie And The Pussycats | 2:53 |
| 06. | Collective Soul | The Bugaloos | 3:18 |
| 07. | Butthole Surfers | Underdog | 3:55 |
| 08. | Helmet | Gigantor | 4:14 |
| 09. | Ramones | Spider-Man | 2:07 |
| 10. | Reverend Horton Heat | Johnny Quest / Stop That Pigeon | 3:09 |
| 11. | Frente! | Open Up Your Heart And Let The Sun Shine In | 3:31 |
| 12. | Violent Femmes | Eep Opp Ork Ah-Ah (Means I Love You) | 3:21 |
| 13. | Dig | Fat Albert Theme | 3:46 |
| 14. | face to face | I’m Popeye The Sailor Man | 3:05 |
| 15. | Tripping Daisy | Friends / Sigmund And The Seamonsters | 4:22 |
| 16. | Toadies | Goolie Get-Together | 3:47 |
| 17. | Sublime | Hong Kong Phooey | 3:47 |
| 18. | The Murmurs | H.R. Pufnstuf | 3:19 |
| 19. | Wax | Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy | 3:30 |
Related Releases
A promotional single was released in early 1996 featuring “The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana).” It consisted of a single track featuring the album version of the song.
Released: Early 1996
Label: MCA Records (MCA5P-3645)
Format: CD (Promotional)
Country: US
Availability: Somewhat Rare
“The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana)” written by Mark Barkan and Ritchie Adams.
Produced by Ralph Sall for Bulletproof Recording Company, Inc.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 01. | The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana) | 3:15 |
Reception
At least since the mid-’60s, there has been a dubious but undeniable connection between kids’ television and novelty pop songs. With the rise of the Archies in the latter part of the decade, Saturday morning TV became saturated throughout the early ’70s with wacky adventures of young-ish hipsters who just happened to be able to break into super-groovy songs at any moment. Producer Ralph Small has capitalized on his self-confessed jones for Saturday morning TV with Saturday Morning Cartoon’s Greatest Hits.
What makes this more than just another compilation co-optation is Small’s recognition of the mind-melting nature of kids’ TV, and the great liner notes. Artist perspective, show/song bios, and an essay from Small make this a truly fun collection. With minimal experimentation or revisionist arrangements, the tunes stick to their mind-numbing, ear-catching simplicity.
Of course it’s guaranteed that you’ll be singing along, but the faithful pairing of artists and songs makes it extra sweet. Groovy grrls Liz Phair (“The Tra La La Song”), Mary Lou Lord (“Sugar Sugar”), and Juliana Hatfield and Tanya Donnelly (“Josie and the Pussycats”) spin a rainbow of sonic cotton candy. Matthew Sweet caves into his teen idol fantasies with a dreamy, safely psychedelic “Scooby-Doo Where Are You?.” Sponge probes their Motor City roots via Japanamation with “Go Speed Racer Go,” and several other acts seem to be channeling their childhood heroes: Butthole Surfers/”Underdog,” Helmet/”Gigantor,” Ramones/”Spiderman,” and Sublime/”Hong Kong Phooey.”
While the depth goes about as far as a Scooby Doo plot, this collection is great for parties — or a Saturday morning hangover.
— Theresa E. LaVeck
Video
A separate video collection was also released featuring Drew Barrymore hosting the individual artists and music videos, however, “The Tra La La Song” was not featured in the home video and only aired on MTV.
Lyrics
The Tra La La Song
Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la
Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la
Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la
Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la
One banana, two banana
Three banana, four
Four bananas make a bunch
And so do many more
Over hill and highway
The banana buggies go
Comin’ on to bring you
The Banana Splits Show
Makin’ up a mess of fun
Makin’ up a mess of fun
Lots of fun for everyone
Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la
Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la
Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la
Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la
Four banana, three banana
Two banana, one
All bananas playing in the bright warm sun
Flippin’ like a pancake, poppin’ like a cork
Fleagle, Bingo, Drooper an’ Snork
Makin’ up a mess of fun
Makin’ up a mess of fun
Lots of fun for everyone
Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la
Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la
Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la
Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la
Two banana, four banana
One banana, three
Swingin’ like a bunch of monkeys
Hangin’ from a tree
Hey there everybody
Won’t you come along and see
How much like banana splits
Everyone can be
Makin’ up a mess of fun
Makin’ up a mess of fun
Lots of fun for everyone
Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la
Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la
Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la
Tra-la-la, la-la-la-la
Related Releases
