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The VeggieTales Theme Song is the opening song used as the introduction for the VeggieTales series.

The VeggieTales Theme Song has had many different versions and been performed many times over the years, but has generally remained the same over time.

Openings

1993

The first opening begins with the opening credits appearing over a “white void” background with the following text:

  • Big Idea Productions Presents
  • VeggieTales (the show logo)
  • Created by Phil Vischer and Michael Nawrocki

Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber talk offscreen while the credits fade in and out onscreen. The conversation consists of Bob and Larry figuring out how to play the theme song. Bob suggests playing it on a guitar, but Larry reminds him he doesn't have any hands. Bob then ambiguously suggests another instrument, but Larry refuses because he thinks it will make him look silly. Once Bob reminds him that they’re doing this for the kids watching, Larry agrees to perform the song. Larry then pops his head in from the left side of the frame with a sousaphone in tow, smiling at the viewers. He then hops to the center of the white void, and begins to play the opening of the theme song (with a couple mistakes here and there).

Bob then begins hopping into frame, singing and bobbing along with his cucumber friend. After Bob reaches the end of his verse, he leans in to the camera with a big, toothy grin letting the viewers know the show’s about to begin with his iconic line, “Have we got a show for you”. Larry leans into view from behind Bob, nodding his head in agreement.

It then transitions to the up-tempo chorus of male and females voices (Lisa Vischer, Phil Vischer and Kurt Heinecke) singing the show’s title, featuring a montage of clips from the show being played over it. This is followed by three short refrains of the chorus. At the end of each refrain, it cuts from the clip montage to a shot of Mom, Dad and Junior Asparagus joining Bob and Larry in the white void. The tempo and music becomes faster and more frantic with each refrain, respectively.

After the third and final refrain, they transition to the next verse, “There’s never, ever, ever, ever, ever been a show like VeggieTales!”, which is repeated twice. This leads into the final verse, where we again, cut back to the veggies singing altogether in the white void exclaiming, “It’s time for VeggieTales!”. This is followed by confetti flowers falling over the characters as they sing.

The song finally ends with Larry running out of breath while playing his sousaphone, collapsing onto his back from exhaustion. He plays the final bum note, which blows some of the confetti flowers out of the bell of the sousaphone. All the veggies smile and look at the camera as we hear children laugh offscreen.

This version was only used for the original 1993 VHS release of Where’s God When I’m S-Scared? and has never been released on DVD.

1994-1997

The second version is very much the same opening as the first version, but has the following significant differences:

  • The shot where Bob says “Have we got a show for you”, is cut short; removing the part where Larry nods from behind him.
  • The various shots in the clip montage have been re-edited, with portions of certain clips cut out or replaced by others.
  • Some new clips were added from the second episode starting with the original release of said episode.
  • The song has been given new lyrics and three solos sung by Bob, Junior and Larry, respectively. The new verses are now sung over the refrains from before, turning those refrains into backup vocals.

This version was used for VeggieTales episodes released on VHS from 1994 to 1997. This version was also included as an Easter egg on the 2004 DVD release of God Wants Me to Forgive Them!?!.

The audio from this version was featured on the original 1995 release of VeggieTunes.

1998-2000

The opening was re-mastered with improved animation, enhanced picture quality, as well as re-recorded music and vocals. More specific updates include:

  • The opening credits now showcase updated Big Idea and VeggieTales logos, as well as “Michael Nawrocki” being shortened to “Mike Nawrocki” during the “created by” credits.
  • When Bob says “Have we got a show for you!”, the shot of Larry nodding his head behind him has been restored but Bob has a closed smile and Larry's mouth is not visible.
  • Another updated clip montage featuring more recent clips from the latest episodes. It’s also the first time to exclude any clips from the first two shows. This would become a staple of future clip montages.

Even with all the updated audio and visuals, the song retains the same structure and white void segments as before.

This version of the montage include clips from the following episodes:

This version was featured on VeggieTales episodes released on VHS from 1998 to 2000. This versions was also used for the VeggieTales Christmas Spectacular! when it aired on Pax TV in 1998.

The audio from this version is featured on the album VeggieTunes 2, A Queen, a King, and a Very Blue Berry and most re-releases of the original VeggieTunes albums.

2001-2009

The opening does not change drastically in any way during this time, but different clip montages were used throughout these years. Each update of the clip montage included more recent clips than the last. The song and the white void segments remain the same, although some portions of it are removed from 2004 onwards (depending on the edit of the clip montage).

It‘s also worth noting that the song was re-recorded around 2003.

The 2001 version of the montage includes clips from the following episodes:

The 2004-2006 montage includes clips from the following episodes:

The 2007-2009 montage includes clips from the following episodes:

This version was featured on VeggieTales videos released on VHS and DVD from 2001 to the spring of 2006 and continued onto just DVD through the summer of 2006 to 2009. An edited version was used for episodes that aired on the Gospel Music Channel in 2009.

The audio from this version is featured on the album VeggieTunes 4 and various other audio releases between 2004 to 2009.

2010-2014

The opening has now been entirely reanimated and re-orchestrated, marking the biggest and most drastic change to the opening since 1998 (and arguably since 1993). The length of the song has also been shortened significantly, due to the opening dialogue between Bob and Larry over the opening credits being removed along with the solo verses of Junior and Larry. The tempo of the song has also increased.

The opening begins with updated versions of the opening credits and VeggieTales logo being blown out of the bell of a sousaphone as the familiar bassline is played on it. The camera then zooms out to reveal Larry playing said sousaphone in the familiar "white void" as Bob hops into the frame. Bob begins singing as he does in previous versions, but as each lyric is sung, he is now joined by the rest of the main cast of VeggieTales characters, including Junior, Jimmy and Jerry, Mr. Lunt, Laura Carrot, Pa Grape, Petunia Rhubarb, Madame Blueberry, Archibald Asparagus, The French Peas, and Mr. Nezzer. They all bump into each other as they try to fit into the frame together onscreen.

As the first verse ends, it is revealed Bob has been pushed to the back of the group by accident. He excuses his way to the front and says his iconic opening line, followed by Larry popping in from behind the group of Veggies with a bright smile and playing the lead-in to the chorus.

The song features a brand new clip montage, only featuring clips of episodes produced after Josh and the Big Wall!. In the studio commentary for Princess and the Popstar, Brian Roberts stated that this was done because he, along with the rest of the Big Idea team, felt the clips from older episodes would “stick out like a sore thumb”, compared to clips from the newer episodes with modern and more refined animation.

The refrain is only sung once by Bob, giving him the only solo in this version. Like the old opening, we cut back to the white void at the end of the refrain with all the Veggies jumping with excitement as they sing. Larry continues to play the sousaphone, straining to keep up with the frantic pace and energy of the song.

The rest of the song continues as it usually does, followed by colorful confetti falling this time instead of flowers while they sing the final verse. However, as Larry finishes playing the song and collapses from exhaustion, he accidentally startles The French Peas. Because they are stacked precariously atop Mr. Lunt’s hat, Phillipe loses his balance and falls into the bell of Larry's sousaphone. However, once Larry plays the final bum note, Phillipe is blown back out of the bell and lands safely atop of Jean-Claude again. All the veggies laugh together with kids heard from offscreen.

In 2014, this version of the opening got another new clip montage, including a much wider range of clips than previously used before. This ends up removing the shot of the VeggieTales cast jumping at the end of the refrain in the process. It's also worth noting that despite the reluctance to use clips from older VeggieTales episodes in the previous version of the intro, this version used clips from three episodes produced in the early 1990s.

The 2010-2013 montage includes clips from the following episodes:

The 2014 montage includes clips from the following episodes:

This version was featured on most VeggieTales DVDs released from 2010 to 2014 as well as most episodes re-released on various digital and streaming platforms. This version is also used when VeggieTales episodes air on TBN and it's sister channel, Smile.

A slightly shortened audio version was used for the promotional CDs released with Chick-fil-A kids meals in 2011.

2015

This version of the opening is significant for being the last version of the main series as well as being the last drastic visual change to the opening. It was created for the episode Noah's Ark, which is known for carrying over the infamous redesigns of the VeggieTales characters from the rebooted Netflix series.

This time, Bob and Larry are the only characters present to perform the song, giving a fairly reminiscent feel of the original opening. But instead of showing a clip montage during the chorus, the camera zooms into the bell of Larry’s sousaphone and pans over several photos of depicting VeggieTales episodes, utilizing images of stock art from the VeggieTales library of DVD covers. After the final verse, we zoom out of the sousaphone and return to the white void. As usual, Larry collapses from exhaustion and blows confetti out of his sousaphone as Bob laughs with the kids heard offscreen.

It uses the same audio from the 2010-2014 opening, albeit all the other characters' vocals (besides Bob) are removed for the opening verse.

This version is featured on A Very Veggie Party Playlist.

Covers and Other renditions

VeggieTown Values

For the "VeggieTown Values" series, a retooled version of the theme song was created for an exclusive tape in the VBS curriculum entitled "Greetings from Bob and Larry". It was used for the second greeting on the tape referred to as the "VeggieTown Municipal Anthem". It is sung by Bob and Larry and also features some very silly impromptu lyrics by Larry.

VeggieTales Live!

When VeggieTales made its transition from the TV screen to the stage in 2002, an extended Broadway-esque version of the theme song was made to create a big musical number for the show’s finale. It's been subsequently used in almost every VeggieTales Live! show to date.

The song is performed by Bob, Larry, Junior, Pa Grape, Jimmy and Jerry, Archibald, and an unseen choir of male and female voices. For later live shows, Mr. Lunt is added to the group onstage despite not being included in the recording. Sometimes dancers touring with the shows would be featured during the song dressed in elaborate vegetable-themed costumes.

The musical score consists of a full orchestra instead of the usual polka instruments.

This version is featured on the album Have We Got A Show For You: 10 Years Of VeggieTales.

VeggieRocks!

In 2004, Rebecca St. James recorded a rock cover of the theme song. The song was re-orchestrated to fit a “rock and roll” musical style, featuring electric guitars and drums.

God Made You Special

An instrumental techno-pop version of the song can be heard during the celebration on the opening countertop as well as the closing credits of this compilation DVD.

Musikclips

To promote the German dub of VeggieTales in 2008, a music video for the VeggieTales Theme Song was produced. Sung in the localized German lyrics by three unknown singing artists and various children, it featured a variety of clips from the VeggieTales series as well as new material shot specifically for the music video. Most of the footage includes clips of children playing outside with prop garden vegetables (as well as a random fish).

Foreign Exchange Veggies

A remixed version of the Musikclips song was included among a medley of popular VeggieTales songs sung in various other languages.

If I Sang A Silly Song

Larry performs a short big-band version of the song as the host of the “Silly Song Telethon”.

VeggieTales in the House/in the City

Although the Netflix series has an original theme song, some of the lyrics are direct callbacks to the original theme song. More specifically, the lyric of “Broccoli! Celery! Gotta be...”.

The Best Christmas Gift

For the opening number of the Christmas special, the VeggieTales cast (excluding Mr. Nezzer and Laura Carrot) perform the song on stage before a live vegetable audience in Mr. Nezzer’s Theater. They perform it broadway-esque with black top hats and canes on a large set of risers fitted with bright, flashy stage lights.

This is the first time, however, that Larry doesn’t play the sousaphone. Instead, Larry sings onstage with the others while Bruce Onion conducts Khalil playing all the instruments in the orchestra pit.

It’s worth noting that the same audio from the 2010-2014 opening is used, albeit with some very minor instrumentation and percussion added.

Lyrics

1993 Version

Bob: If you like to talk to tomatoes,

If a squash can make you smile,

If you like to waltz with potatoes,

Up and down the produce aisle…

Have we got a show for you!

Singers: VeggieTales! (repeat 8x)

Veggie, Veggie, it’s VeggieTales!

Veggie, Veggie, it’s VeggieTales!

Veggie, Veggie —

VeggieTales!

(repeats 3x)

There's never, ever, ever, ever, ever been a show like VeggieTales!

There's never, ever, ever, ever, ever been a show like VeggieTales!

It's time for VeggieTales!

1994-2009 Version(s)

Bob: If you like to talk to tomatoes,

If a squash can make you smile,

If you like to waltz with potatoes

Up and down the produce aisle…

Have we got a show for you!

Singers: VeggieTales! (repeat 8x)

Bob: Broccoli, celery, gotta’ be...

Singers: VeggieTales!

Junior: Lima beans, collard greens, peachy keen…

Singers: VeggieTales!

Larry: Cauliflower, sweet and sour, half an hour…

Singers: VeggieTales!

There's never, ever, ever, ever, ever been a show like VeggieTales!

There's never, ever, ever, ever, ever been a show like VeggieTales!

It's time for VeggieTales!

2010-2014 Version(s)*

Bob: If you like to talk to tomatoes,

Bob, Jimmy and Jerry: If a squash can make you smile,

All: If you like to waltz with potatoes

Up and down the produce aisle…

Bob: (clearing throat) Excuse me. Have we got a show for you!

All: VeggieTales! (repeat 8x)

Bob: Broccoli, celery, gotta’ be...

All: VeggieTales!

There's never, ever, ever, ever, ever been a show like VeggieTales!

There's never, ever, ever, ever, ever been a show like VeggieTales!

It's time for VeggieTales!

*The 2015 version has the same lyrics but only Bob sings the first verse.

Live Show Version

Featured Vocalist: If you like to talk to tomatoes,

Larry: If a squash can make you smile,

Bob: If you like to waltz with potatoes

Larry: Up and down the produce aisle…

Bob and Larry: Have we got a show for you!

All: VeggieTales! (repeat 8x)

Broccoli, celery, gotta’ be...

VeggieTales!

Lima beans, collard greens, peachy keen…

VeggieTales!

Cauliflower, sweet and sour, one full hour…

VeggieTales!

There's never, ever, ever, ever, ever been a show like VeggieTales!

There's never, ever, ever, ever, ever been a show like VeggieTales!

It’s time for VeggieTales!

Broccoli! (Broccoli!)

Celery! (Celery!)

Got to be... (Gotta’ be...)

VeggieTales! (VeggieTales!)

Junior: (scatting) Brocco-rocco-rocco-roccoli!

Cele-le-le-le-lery!

Got to, got to, got to be...

VeggieTales!

All: There’s never, ever, ever, ever, ever been a show like VeggieTales!

There’s never, ever, ever, ever, ever been a show like VeggieTales!

It’s time for Veggie — time for Veggie — time for VeggieTales!

There’s never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever been a show like VeggieTales!

VeggieRocks! Version

VeggieTales... (repeat 4x)

(Ahh...)

If you like to talk to tomatoes,

If a squash can make you smile,

If you like to waltz with potatoes

Up and down the produce aisle…

Have we got a show for you!

Broccoli, celery, got to be...

VeggieTales! (Ahh...)

Lima beans, collard greens, peachy keen…

VeggieTales! (Ahh...)

If you like to talk to tomatoes,

If a squash can make you smile,

If you like to waltz with potatoes

Up and down the produce aisle —

Broccoli, celery, got to be...

VeggieTales! (Ahh...)

Lima beans, collard greens, peachy keen…

VeggieTales! (Ahh...)

Cauliflower, sweet and sour, half an hour…

VeggieTales! (Ahh...)

Broccoli, celery, got to be...

VeggieTales! (Ahh...)

There’s never ever been a show — never been a show like VeggieTales! (repeat 6x)

There’s never ever been a show — never been a show — ever been a show — been a show — never been a show — There’s never ever been a show — never been a show — ever been a show — been a show — never been a show like —

VeggieTales!

It’s time for VeggieTales!

Fun Facts

Gallery

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