RetroVision – Believe It Or Not, The Super Mario Bros Theme Has Lyrics

Koji Kondo’s theme tune for Super Mario Bros. has become one of the most famous tunes in existence. Not only is it synonymous with gaming, but many people in wider society would also easily be able to identify its rhythmic tune over 30 years later. But what would you say if I told you that there was a set of long forgotten lyrics that went along with this iconic theme?

Well as hard as it is to believe, that’s actually the case. Entitled “Go Go Mario”, this vocalised version of the Super Mario Bros theme was first debuted in Japan back in 1985. And well if you’ve never heard it before, prepare for one hell of a suprise. This specific rendition below performed as part of the 2003 “Mario and Zelda Big Band live” concert that took place at the Nihon Seinenkan Hall in Tokyo.

Shocked but wondering just what the lyrics mean? Well you’re in the luck there, as we’ve got a translation of the lyrics for you to check out. Simply read on to find out how you too can sing along to the Super Mario Bros theme lyrics.

Translation

Today, full of energy, Mario is still running, running
Go save Princess Peach! Go!
Today, full of energy, Mario runs
Today, full of energy, jumping!
Today, full of energy, searching for coins
Today, keep going, Mario!

Get a mushroom – it’s Super Mario!
Get a flower – it’s Fire Mario!

Goomba! Troopa! Buzzy Beetle! Beat them all!
Mario is always full of energy and strong!

Spoken: The only one who can reverse the spell that has captured the Mushroom People is Princess Peach. But Princess Peach is hidden underground, in a far-off castle. Ah, the days of peace… if we could once more return to those days… to save Princess Peach and bring peace back to the Mushroom Kingdom, that is why Mario is on his journey today.

Today, full of energy, Mario is still running, running
Go and beat the Koopa tribe, go!
Today, full of energy, Mario runs
Today, full of energy, jumping!
Today, full of energy, searching for coins
Today, keep going, Mario!

Get a star – become invincible!
Quickly, go save Princess Peach!

Lakitu! Blooper! Cheep Cheep! Beat them all!
Mario is always full of energy and strong!

Today, full of energy, Mario is still running, running
He’s made it to the castle and gets fireworks!
Lightly sidestepping the Hammer Bros.
Show the last of your power, Mario!
It’s been a long journey but it’s nearly at an end
You’ve done it, you’ve done it! You’ve defeated Bowser!

Princess Peach says “Thank you”
Mario’s got a great big heart!

Mario’s adventure is over for now, but
Mario’s dream lives forever…

If after listening to that and reading the official lyrics you’re left thinking that Nintendo couldn’t possibly have written this, well you’d be right. These “official” lyrics actually came about in 1985, when a local Japanese radio station asked fans to submit their own lyrics to Koji Kondo’s masterpiece. The winning entry was entitled “Go Go Mario”, and is the one that can be heard above.

That wasn’t all though, as it turned out that Nintendo loved the winner’s lyrics so much, they actually endorsed them. In turn making “Go Go Mario” the official Super Mario Bros theme lyrics. This isn’t even something they want to forget, proven by the fact that only recently Nintendo made the tune available on Joysound, their Japanese exclusive Karaoke platform for Wii, Wii U and 3DS.

Super Mario Bros Theme Lyrics
There was even an official vinyl released back in the 80s. Although expect to find them in the hands of collector’s nowadays.

So their you go, it may not be an improvement on the classic original, but you can’t say it doesn’t have a somewhat quirky Japanese charm. If nothing else, it’s an interesting footnote Super Mario’s rich history. On three, Today, full of energy, Mario is still running, running…..

Translation thanks to Destructoid.

Sophia Aubrey Drake

A lifelong gamer with a fanatical love of all things Nintendo and Japan. So much so that she's written a thesis on one and lived in the other. Currently on a quest to catch every last Pokémon. Follow me on twitter via @DivaXChill or @RingsandCoins.

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