Forever and Ever - Asparagus

Eleven years ago on this day, Disney released their third direct-to-video feature, Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin. This is the first official sequel for the Winnie the Pooh franchise which was followed by The Tigger Movie in 2000.

This movie is notable for being the last time Paul Winchell would voice Tigger. Winchell provided the voice for Tigger in the shorts from the 60s and reprised his role for the first season of the New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh tv series in 1989. Winchell retired from the business in 1990, handing over the reigns to Jim Cummings, the voice of Winnie the Pooh since the death of Sterling Holloway.

1997 saw the return of Winchell for Pooh's Grand Adventure but he officially handed over the reigns to Cummings for good after that. Cummings has been the voice of Pooh and Tigger ever since.

Forever and Ever is one of the better songs in this movie and was written by the famous Sherman Brothers. This version, off DIVE INTO DISNEY, was recorded by Japanese rock band ASPARAGUS.

Forever and Ever Asparagus 2002

Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life For Me) - Snuff

I have a special treat for everyone this week! I have decided to commemorate the anniversary of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland with a special week of Pirate tunes! I know I haven't posted any versions of Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life For Me) yet so this week I'm catching up by posting three versions from Monday to Wednesday with a special treat on Thursday.

Yo Ho was written in 1967 by George Bruns and Xavier Atencio. Bruns wrote many songs and scores for Disney during the 50s and 60s, including The Ballad of Davy Crockett, A Cowboy Needs a Horse, Jack and Old Mac, 101 Dalmatians, Robin Hood and Jungle Book. Xavier 'X' Atencio was a Disney artist turned Imagineer and co-wrote much of the music you hear during the original Disneyland rides, like Haunted Mansion and Adventure Thru Inner Space.

The song, which is actually 16 minutes long if you sit through the ride, has been covered numerous times, including this version by 80s British punk band SNUFF. It is a great energetic tune and has been covered in many different styles. It translates really well to punk rock as you can hear with this version.

Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life For Me) Snuff 2002

Go the Distance - Doping Panda

Japan's indie rock scene has grown a great deal since the turn of the century. DOPING PANDA is one of the many bands that have found success in a culture flooded with JPOP. Since 2001 they have released four albums with another coming out in March.

They contributed this Hercules song for the Japanese Disney tribute album DIVE INTO DISNEY in 2002. Their rock version of Go the Distance is really great. I love what they did to the verses and the Japanese accents is very cute. I love this version far more than hearing Michael Bolton sing it. Michael Bolton = Good writer/Bad singer

There are very few Hercules covers out there but Chris requested one so I deliver! You'll hear another in a few weeks.

Have a great weekend and join me next week for Villains Week!

Go the Distance Doping Panda 2002

I Wanna Be Like You - Voodoo Glow Skulls

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you're probably asking why I am posting another Jungle Book cover so soon after Jungle Book week. Right? Well, there are two reasons why I am posting this song.

1) Even though we celebrated the 50th anniversary and the DVD release two weeks ago, today is the actual 50th anniversary of the Jungle Book. So I want to celebrate with a song.

2) According to my web stats, someone (or someones) is desperately trying to find a punk version of I Wan'na Be Like You. They have tried multiple different keyword searches on Google and keep coming back to this site. Whoever you are, this song if for you!

It's the punkiest version of I Wan'na Be Like You that I have by a group called VOODOO GLOW SKULLS. This track can be found on the Japanese exclusive album DIVE INTO DISNEY. The Voodoo Glow Skulls' style isn't actually punk. It's called third-wave ska which uses traditional ska and combines it with punk and metal to give the sound a more upbeat, frantic feel.

Thanks for putting up with another Jungle Book cover. I promise I'll give them a break until November, at least.

I Wanna Be Like You Voodoo Glow Skulls 2002