The G. I. Joe cartoons are known for their instrumental music. But several songs throughout the series had words, and an impressive number of Joes took a turn at singing. The following are lyrics collected from the Sunbow episodes, along with the main theme songs.
He'll fight for freedom wherever there's trouble. G. I. Joe is there!
He never gives up; he'll stay 'til the fight's won. G. I. Joe will dare.
He's America's best; he's in control, he's a man who's tough and bold.
He lives his name, the legend of G. I. Joe! (a real American hero) G. I. Joe is there!
He'll fight for freedom wherever there's trouble. G. I. Joe is there!
G. I. Joe! (a real American hero) G. I. Joe is there!
It's G. I. Joe against Cobra the enemy**, fighting to save the day.
He never gives up; he's always there, fighting for freedom over land and air!
G. I. Joe! (a real American hero) G. I. Joe is there!
[Narrator: G. I. Joe is the code name for America's daring, highly trained special mission force.
Its purpose: to defend human freedom against Cobra, a ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world.]
He never gives up; he'll stay 'til the fight's won. G. I. Joe will dare.
G. I. Joe! (a real American hero) G. I. Joe!
* The Average Joe Band consisted of Duke, Rock 'n Roll, and Footloose, with Breaker on keyboard and Shipwreck on drums, and Scarlett, Cover Girl, and Lady Jaye singing backup. Their version skipped the narration and changed one line to "he'll never give up."
** "against Cobra and Destro" in the miniseries "A Real American Hero."
He'll fight for freedom wherever there's trouble. G. I. Joe is here!
When you slave for a Cobra, sure is neat
To do your work to a boogie-woogie beat.
Just let your feet tap and move while the prisoners groove
With a "bodio-dodio-reet."
The Cobra that got away changed my life one rainy day.
On our first rendezvous, we held hands and I heard him say,
"If you want a romance from me, you're barking up the wrong tree,
'Cause Destro has the first call on my life, time, and all.
When he shouts, 'Cobra fight,' I war by day, go by night.
Goodbye, miss, I've got to say." The Cobra that got away.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
The Cobra that got away went bye-bye, no more to say.
He stuck me with the bill, but I think of him still....
(Note: Satin is interrupted at this point and breaks off the song.)
Cobra Dance, so slick and wiggly,
Make you smile and get all giggly
Cobra dance, you don't get bopped,
But when we finish, you'll get slapped.
Frozen Fudgies, what a treat!
Lots of chocolate, really sweet!
Full of taffy, raisin, and nuts.
They'll melt in your mouth...and turn to lead in your guts.
From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli,
We will fight our country's battles on the land and on the sea....
For whiter teeth, it can't be beat!
For fresher breath, it's the best!
For healthier gums, go getcha some
Happy Fresh Toothpaste today!
Mow, mow, mow them down! Chop them as they run!
Whirlily, whirlily, whirlily, whirlily, I'm having so much fun!
- Thanks to a fellow named Hartziggity for pointing this one out. -
A-planting we will go, a-planting we will go!
Hi-ho, a-merry-O, a-planting we will go!
I'm the barber of Seville!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, [squawk] jingle all the way! [whistle/squawk]
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh! [whistle]
Da-da-dee-da-da, da-da-dum; da, da-da, dee, da, dah!
We're Cold Slither; you'll be joining us soon.
A band of vipers playin' our tune.
With iron fists and a reptile hiss we shall roar!
We're tired of words! We've heard it before.
We're not gonna play the game no more!
Don't tell us what's right, don't tell us what's wrong!
Too late to resist, 'cause Cobra is strong.
We're Cold Slither, heavy metal machine
Through the eyes of a lizard, in you will dream.
When the venom stings, a new order brings our control!
We're tired of words! We've heard it before.
We're not gonna play the game no more!
Don't tell us what's right, don't tell us what's wrong!
Too late to resist, 'cause Cobra is strong.
Nobody knows the trouble I've seen.
Nobody....
[Mentioned in dialogue, but unfortunately neither heard nor seen.]
I done my time, paid all my dues.
Ah, honey, got the re-enlistment blues.
Crashing through the sky comes the fearful cry:
Cobra! (Cobra!) Cobra! (Cobra!)
Armies of the night, evil taking flight!
Cobra! (Cobra!) Cobra! (Cobra!)
Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide,
Panic spreading far and wide! Who can turn the tide?
G. I. Joe! (a real American hero) G. I. Joe is there!
G. I. Joe! (a real American hero) G. I. Joe is there!
Fighting for freedom wherever there's trouble over land and sea and air,
G. I. Joe is there!
Can the world oppose the deadliest of foes?
Cobra! (Cobra!) Cobra! (Cobra!)
Joe will risk it all to end the evil call of
Cobra! (Cobra!) Cobra! (Cobra!)
Never give up, never say die,
Walking tall with banners high, they sound the battle cry:
G. I. Joe! (a real American hero) G. I. Joe is there!
G. I. Joe! (a real American hero) G. I. Joe is there!
Fighting for freedom wherever there's trouble over land and sea and air,
G. I. Joe is there!
[Narrator: G. I. Joe is the code name for America's daring, highly trained special mission force.
Its purpose: to defend human freedom against Cobra, a ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world.]
G. I. Joe! (a real American hero) G. I. Joe is there!
G. I. Joe! (a real American hero) G. I. Joe is there!
Fighting for freedom wherever there's trouble over land and sea and air,
G. I. Joe is there!
G. I. Joe! (a real American hero) G. I. Joe is there!
G. I. Joe!
They'll fight for freedom wherever there's trouble. G. I. Joe is there!
G. I. Joe! (international hero) G. I. Joe is there!
It's G. I. Joe against a ruthless enemy, fighting to save the day.
They never give up; they're always there, fighting for freedom over land and air!
G. I. Joe! (international hero) G. I. Joe is there!
[Narrator: G. I. Joe is the code name for an international, highly trained special mission force.
Its purpose: to defend human freedom against a ruthless terrorist organization determined to rule the world.]
They never give up; they'll stay 'til the fight's won. G. I. Joe will dare.
G. I. Joe! (international hero) G. I. Joe!
(Got to get tough! Yo Joe! Got to get tough! Yo Joe!)
You know you've got to stand tall when it comes down to the wire!
You got to play rough when you're crossed by the line of fire!
You got to have guts to stand for your rights.
You got to keep a grip and just hold on tight.
You got to do the fightin' with all o' your might.
You got to keep the target straight ahead in your sight!
(Got to get tough! Yo Joe! Got to get tough! Yo Joe!)
[Narrator: G. I. Joe is America's top secret mobile strike force team. (Yo Joe!)
The mission: to defend freedom. (Yo Joe!)
The threat: Cobra, an evil organization bent on world conquest. (Yo Joe!)
The battle cry: (Yo Joe!)]
(Got to get tough! Yo Joe! Got to get tough! Yo Joe!)
Yo Joe!
