The Song That Never Ends
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2008) |
"The Song That Never Ends" is a self-referential and infinitely iterative children's song. The song is a single verse long, written in an infinite-loop motif in a march style, such that it naturally flows in a cyclical fashion, repeating the same verse over and over. It is very popular with children and teens, typically sung when doing something repetitive or boring. The song was written by writer/composer Norman Martin in 1988.
Contents |
[edit] Lyrics
The most notable version of the song appeared in Lamb Chop's Play-Along, where it was sung at the end of each show.
- This is a song that never ends,
- It just goes on and on my friends,
- Some people started singing it not knowing what it was
- And they'll continue singing it forever just because,
- This is a song that never ends,
- It just goes on and on my friends,
- Some people started singing it not knowing what it was
- And they'll continue singing it forever just because, Etc...
[edit] The song that gets on everyone's nerves
This song is very similar to the song that never ends. This variation is known to be much more annoying[citation needed] as it constantly reminds whoever is listening that it will get on their nerves. This song is usually sung by children trying to annoy an adult present at the time, more often than not during long trips or in a public area (the beach, the park, etc.).[citation needed]
- I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves,
- everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves.
- I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves,
- and this is how it goes.
[edit] Other versions
- I know a song that gets on your nerves,
- gets on your nerves, gets on your nerves.
- I know a song that gets on your nerves
- and this is how it goes.
- I know a song that will get on your nerves,
- get on your nerves, get on your nerves.
- I know a song that will get on your nerves,
- and this is how it goes.
- I know a song that's very annoying,
- very annoying, very annoying.
- I know a song that's very annoying,
- and this is how it goes.
Variants of ``And this is how it goes`` include ``I'll show you how it goes`` and ``I will never shut up``.
Another variation is ' I know a song that'll get on your nerves.'
- I know a song that'll get on your nerves,
- Get on your nerves, Get on your nerves:
- I know a song that'll get on your nerves,
- Get, get get on your nerves
Another is
- This is the song that goes on forever
- Cause it never, ever ends
- Come on everybody
- We're going to sing it again
- (Repeat)
[edit] Notable appearances and recordings
The most notable appearance of the song was as the closing theme of Lamb Chop's Play-Along, a 1992 televised puppet show on PBS, though with slightly different lyrics and a slightly different title (known as "The Song That Doesn't End"). At the end of each episode, the puppets and children would sing several verses of the song while hostess Shari Lewis would try in vain to stop them. They would eventually leave (on her urging), even while beginning a sixth verse (which eventually fades out). Then, Charlie Horse would return and try to get to sing the song- going again, but Shari successfully stops him by grabbing his mouth and persuading him to "go away." So Charlie leaves and slams the door (before Shari could even tell him not to slam the door).
A short rendition of the song appeared in a skit on the animated TV show Cartoon Planet (the skit is also featured on the companion album, Space Ghost's Musical Bar-B-Que). Brak sings the song until he is asked to stop by Zorak, who finds it annoying. Brak explains that he is unable to because it's the "song that doesn't end." He attempts to continue until Zorak loses his temper, causing Brak to cease, remarking, "I guess it just ended."
The song has been adopted as an unofficial anthem by disparate groups. The Discordian organization (or disorganization) known as POEE has listed the song in their material with claims that it was written by a member, while fans of the rock band Styx adopted a variation, "The Tour That Never Ends", to describe Styx's 400-plus date tour in the late 1990s in support of their album Brave New World.
A series of Canadian Motrin pain killer ads featured kids singing the song in the back of a car, during a traffic jam, while eating chocolate-covered coffee beans. This is the song goes on forever, because it has no end. We'll finish singing it never; because it never has an end(And then you'd repeat that.)
