Kanto Pokérap: Difference between revisions

The Kanto Pokérap (capitalized PokéRAP on Pokémon 2.B.A. Master) was the first Pokérap to debut in the Pokémon anime. The Pokérap contains the first 150 Pokémon that existed at the time.

At the end of an episode, Ash would appear in an eye catch and say "Don't go away, the PokéRAP is next". Two verses would be played at the end of an episode, and by the end of a five-day week, all the verses would have been sung. It was used from Pokémon - I Choose You! to The Breeding Center Secret.

Release

The Day 2 portion of the Pokérap was shown on the promotional preview VHS A Sneak Peek at Pokémon.

A full version of the Pokérap is available on disc 1 of the Season 1 US DVD box sets without the first three intro sentences, as well as volumes 1 to 7 of the Season 1 US VHS and DVD volumes. All of the Season 1 UK VHS volumes end with a full Pokérap, but one of the vocalists voices was redubbed.

It is available on four different soundtracks: Pokémon 2.B.A. Master, Pokémon X, Exclusive Target Mix! and Exclusive Toys R Us Mix!.

Full lyrics

(lyrics in bold are spoken)

OK, guys, we gotta rap some Pokémon.
You just do the singing. I'll take care of the hard part.
Let's get it on!

I want to be the best
there ever was.
To beat all the rest, yeah,
that's my cause.

Electrode, Diglett, Nidoran, Mankey
Venusaur, Rattata, Fearow, Pidgey
Seaking, Jolteon, Dragonite, Gastly
Ponyta, Vaporeon, Poliwrath, Butterfree

Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all,
Pokémon!

I'll search across the land,
look far and wide.
Release from my hand
the power that's inside.

Venomoth, Poliwag, Nidorino, Golduck
Ivysaur, Grimer, Victreebel, Moltres
Nidoking, Farfetch'd, Abra, Jigglypuff
Kingler, Rhyhorn, Clefable, Wigglytuff

Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all,
Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon!

Zubat, Primeape, Meowth, Onix
Geodude, Rapidash, Magneton, Snorlax
Gengar, Tangela, Goldeen, Spearow
Weezing, Seel, Gyarados, Slowbro

Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all, yeah!
Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all, yeah!
Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon! Ow!

Kabuto, Persian, Paras, Horsea
Raticate, Magnemite, Kadabra, Weepinbell
Ditto, Cloyster, Caterpie, Sandshrew
Bulbasaur, Charmander, Golem, Pikachu

At least 150 or more to see.
To be a Pokémon Master is my destiny.

Alakazam, Doduo, Venonat, Machoke
Kangaskhan, Hypno, Electabuzz, Flareon
Blastoise, Poliwhirl, Oddish, Drowzee
Raichu, Nidoqueen, Bellsprout, Starmie

Woo! We're at the halfway point, doing great so far.
We? What's all this "we" stuff? I'm doing all the hard work!
Breaktime's over, here we go!

Metapod, Marowak, Kakuna, Clefairy
Dodrio, Seadra, Vileplume, Krabby
Lickitung, Tauros, Weedle, Nidoran
Machop, Shellder, Porygon, Hitmonchan

Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all, yeah!
Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all, yeah!

Articuno, Jynx, Nidorina, Beedrill
Haunter, Squirtle, Chansey (Pokémon!)
Parasect, Exeggcute, Muk, Dewgong
Pidgeotto, Lapras, Vulpix, Rhydon

At least 150 or more to see.
To be a Pokémon Master is my destiny.

Charizard, Machamp, Pinsir, Koffing
Dugtrio, Golbat, Staryu, Magikarp
Ninetales, Ekans, Omastar
Scyther, Tentacool, Dragonair, Magmar

Whoa, catch your breath man. Shake out those lips.
It's downhill from here, just 24 more to go.
Now it gets tricky, so listen real good!

Sandslash, Hitmonlee, Psyduck, Arcanine
Eevee, Exeggutor, Kabutops, Zapdos
Dratini, Growlithe, Mr. Mime, Cubone
Graveler, Voltorb, Gloom - We're almost home!

Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all, yeow!
Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all, huhh!
Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon! (yeeaahh!!)

Charmeleon, Wartortle
Mewtwo, Tentacruel, Aerodactyl
Omanyte, Slowpoke
Pidgeot, Arbok - That's all, folks!

Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all (oowww)
Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon
Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all (oowww)
Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon
Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all... Pokémon!

TV edit lyrics

Monday version (Day 1)

(lyrics in bold are spoken)

OK, guys, we gotta rap some Pokémon.
You just do the singing. I'll take care of the hard part.
Let's get it on!

I want to be the best
there ever was.
To beat all the rest, yeah,
that's my cause.

Electrode, Diglett, Nidoran, Mankey
Venusaur, Rattata, Fearow, Pidgey
Seaking, Jolteon, Dragonite, Gastly
Ponyta, Vaporeon, Poliwrath, Butterfree

Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all,
Pokémon!

I'll search across the land,
look far and wide.
Release from my hand
the power that's inside.

Venomoth, Poliwag, Nidorino, Golduck
Ivysaur, Grimer, Victreebel, Moltres
Nidoking, Farfetch'd, Abra, Jigglypuff
Kingler, Rhyhorn, Clefable, Wigglytuff

Thirty-two down, that’s it for now.
Tune in tomorrow, we’ll rap at you some more.
There’s 150, so watch Monday Through Friday.
You’ll catch ‘em all!

Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all,
Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon!

Episodes

• Pokémon - I Choose You!
• Clefairy and the Moon Stone
• Charmander - The Stray Pokémon
• Pokémon Shipwreck
• Bye Bye Butterfree
• Pokémon Scent-sation!
• Dig Those Diglett!
• The Bridge Bike Gang
• Wake Up Snorlax!
• The Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon
• Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden

Tuesday version (Day 2)

You guys up for the Pokérap?
There’s 150 Pokémon. You gotta name 'em all!
I’m doing 32 today, so try to keep up.

Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all,
Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon!

Zubat, Primeape, Meowth, Onix
Geodude, Rapidash, Magneton, Snorlax
Gengar, Tangela, Goldeen, Spearow
Weezing, Seel, Gyarados, Slowbro

Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all, yeah!
Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all!

Kabuto, Persian, Paras, Horsea
Raticate, Magnemite, Kadabra, Weepinbell
Ditto, Cloyster, Caterpie, Sandshrew
Bulbasaur, Charmander, Golem, Pikachu

At least 150 or more to see.
To be a Pokémon Master is my destiny.

All right, how’d you do?
Loosen those lips, shake out that tongue!
Give it a rest, today’s song is sung.
We’ll be back tomorrow!

Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all,
Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon!

Episodes

• Pokémon Emergency!
• The Water Flowers of Cerulean City
• Here Comes the Squirtle Squad
• The Island of Giant Pokémon
• Abra and the Psychic Showdown
• Hypno's Naptime
• The Ninja Poké-Showdown
• Ditto's Mysterious Mansion
• Showdown at Dark City
• A Chansey Operation
• The Case of the K-9 Caper

Wednesday version (Day 3)

Pokémon!
It’s that time again!
A hundred and fifty Pokémon, 5 days a week.
That’s about 30 or so each day.
It’s not too hard, just listen real good!

Alakazam, Doduo, Venonat, Machoke
Kangaskhan, Hypno, Electabuzz, Flareon
Blastoise, Poliwhirl, Oddish, Drowzee
Raichu, Nidoqueen, Bellsprout, Starmie

Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all, yeah!
Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all, ow!

Metapod, Marowak, Kakuna, Clefairy
Dodrio, Seadra, Vileplume, Krabby
Lickitung, Tauros, Weedle, Nidoran
Machop, Shellder, Porygon, Hitmonchan

At least 150 or more to see.
To be a Pokémon Master is my destiny.

Okay, so today was pretty easy,
But you gotta put all 5 days together.
That’s the only way to name all 150.
Catch you here tomorrow!

Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all (oowww)
Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon
Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all (oowww)
Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon
Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all (yeeaahh)
Pokémon!

Episodes

• Ash Catches a Pokémon
• The Path to the Pokémon League
• Mystery at the Lighthouse
• The Tower of Terror
• Pokémon Fashion Flash
• The Flame Pokémon-athon!
• The March of the Exeggutor Squad
• Holy Matrimony!
• Pokémon Paparazzi

Thursday version (Day 4)

Pokémon!
Attention, all Pokémon trainers!
Do you got what it takes to be the best?
Today, we’ll do 30 Pokémon!
It’s the ultimate test!

Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all, yeah!
Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all, yeeaahh!

Articuno, Jynx, Nidorina, Beedrill
Haunter, Squirtle, Chansey (Pokémon!)
Parasect, Exeggcute, Muk, Dewgong
Pidgeotto, Lapras, Vulpix, Rhydon

At least 150 or more to see.
To be a Pokémon Master is my destiny.

Charizard, Machamp, Pinsir, Koffing
Dugtrio, Golbat, Staryu, Magikarp
Ninetales, Ekans, Omastar
Scyther, Tentacool, Dragonair, Magmar

Not bad, not bad!
Hey, don’t get cocky. Tomorrow’s the hardest part.
We’re on our way to 150 Pokémon!
There’s no stopping us!

Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all (oowww)
Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon
Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all (oowww)
Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon
Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all (yeeaahh)
Pokémon!

Episodes

• Challenge of the Samurai
• The School of Hard Knocks
• Electric Shock Showdown
• Tentacool & Tentacruel
• Haunter versus Kadabra
• The Punchy Pokémon
• The Kangaskhan Kid
• Pikachu's Goodbye
• The Problem with Paras
• So Near, Yet So Farfetch'd
• The Ultimate Test

Friday version (Day 5)

Pokémon!
Get those lips loose, it’s time to Pokérap!
Come on, sing ‘em with me! That’s the game!
There’s 150 Pokémon. How many can you name?

Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all, yeah!
Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all, ow!

Sandslash, Hitmonlee, Psyduck, Arcanine
Eevee, Exeggutor, Kabutops, Zapdos
Dratini, Growlithe, Mr. Mime, Cubone
Graveler, Voltorb, Gloom - We're almost home!

Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all, yeah!
Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all!
Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon! (ow!!)

Charmeleon, Wartortle
Mewtwo, Tentacruel, Aerodactyl
Omanyte, Slowpoke
Pidgeot, Arbok - That's all, folks!

Can you name all the Pokémon?
Just put today’s song with the other days of the week.
That’s why you can’t miss a show.
You gotta catch ‘em all!

Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all (oowww)
Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon
Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all (oowww)
Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon
Catch 'em, catch 'em, gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all... Pokémon!

Episodes

• Showdown in Pewter City
• Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village
• Battle Aboard the St. Anne
• The Ghost of Maiden's Peak
• Primeape Goes Bananas
• Sparks Fly for Magnemite
• The Battling Eevee Brothers
• The Song of Jigglypuff
• Who Gets to Keep Togepi?
• The Breeding Center Secret

Credits

• Lead vocals: James "D Train" Williams, Babi Floyd
• BG vocals: John Loeffler, Louis Cortelezzi, Ken Cummings, James "D Train" Williams
• Co-produced and arranged by John Siegler

Trivia

• Jynx is shown in her original black design.
• The five split segments were placed into episodes based on their Japanese airing order. This caused problems during the show's time in first-run syndication; Tentacool & Tentacruel aired the "Thursday" segment despite falling into the Wednesday slot in the syndication cycles due to Beauty and the Beach initially being skipped, with The Bridge Bike Gang and Pikachu's Goodbye airing the "Monday" and "Thursday" segments respectively despite falling into Thursday and Monday in the cycles due to the loss of EP035 and EP038. No attempt was ever made to correct this.
  • Had the entire first season aired in syndication, the last four episodes of the first season would have been bumped back a whole week in the syndication cycles due to Princess vs. Princess and The Purr-fect Hero being moved to the start of what was considered by Kids' WB the second season in the dub, thus somewhat correcting the problem due to the four episodes coming afterwards having the segments that corresponded to what would have been their days of the week in the cycle.
• If the Pokémon in the Pokérap are rearranged so that they are in National Pokédex order, Alakazam, Dodrio, Scyther and Magmar would remain in their positions in the song.
• The Kabuto shown in the Pokérap was not a real Kabuto, but rather Bill in a Kabuto costume. Also, the Venusaur, Blastoise, Charizard, Rhydon, Kabutops, and Zapdos shown were all actually mechanical Pokémon from Island of the Giant Pokémon.
  • There are at least 22 separate instances when a clip from Island of the Giant Pokémon is displayed in the song. Most notably, the images of the mechanical Zapdos and Rhydon appear frequently.
• Mew is the only Pokémon from Generation I that is not included, because the Pokérap was made before Mew was announced outside of Japan.
• A verse of the Pokérap (beginning with Articuno) was sung by NSYNC in a Kids WB promo. However, the band members mispronounced Muk as "mook".
• The Pokérap footage for Rhyhorn, Dratini, and Dragonair originate from EP035, which was never released in the dub. Additionally, bridge stanza footage of Misty reeling in a Gyarados is also from that episode.
• Sheet music for this song is included in the Pokémon 2.B.A. Master piano book and Pokémon Five-Finger Piano.
• Some Christian fundamentalists complained about the song^[1], because they claimed that if one were to play backwards the Pokérap, "Gotta Catch 'em All!" can be heard as "I love you Satan".
• Tuesday's verse (Zubat-Pikachu) is the only one that uses episode footage for all Pokémon with no stock art used.
• At the end of the Pokérap Day 4 segment at the end of The Problem With Paras, the Kids' WB! announcer at the time (Jim Cummings) dubbed over the voice that normally tells the viewer to watch for more of the Pokérap with, "Tune in next week and watch Ash, Misty, and Brock on their quest to become Pokémon masters! Don't miss them, the new ones are now only on Kids' WB!". When this episode was rerun on Cartoon Network and Boomerang, and even when uploaded onto Cartoon Network Video, the Kids' WB! announcer's voice remained. Home video releases, streaming services and Disney XD do not include the announcer's voice.

Errors

Poliwag is shown instead of Poliwrath.

• In the VHS and DVD versions of the Pokérap, when Poliwrath is mentioned, Poliwag's picture is shown. This is also true of its first few appearances in the TV Pokérap version (Day 1). Likewise, when Graveler was mentioned (Day 4), Geodude's picture was shown. Both of these errors were eventually corrected in an version 2, although they still appeared in foreign language versions of early episodes as they are still using the initial masters send by 4Kids. However, Netflix's prints of later first season episodes also correct the errors.
• Lickitung's name is misspelled as Likitung
• In the German version of the Pokérap, Krabby's image is shown, but Hypno's name is shown above. When Kakuna's picture is shown, it says Hornliu (Weedle).
  • Also in the German Pokérap, Lapras is pronounced Paras.
• In the Norwegian cd version, Duduo is sung as Goldeen.

In other languages

Language Title Czech PokéRAP Hungarian PokéRAP Norwegian Kanto Pokérap* Pokémonrap* Polish Pokerap Brazilian Portuguese PokéRAP (Você Consegue Cantar os 150 em Ritmo de Rap?) PokéRAP (Can you sing the 150 in rap beat? Latin American Spanish PokéRAP Swedish Pokémonrappen The Pokémon rap

References

This article is part of Project Music, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon song, CD and musician.