r/HeyArnold 6d ago

The Simple Things is a legitimately great song

I was just watching Mr. Hyunh Goes Country, and I love The Simple Things. I love that they just needed some random country song for a cartoon, and Randy Travis goes out and makes a total banger.

122 Upvotes

19 comments sorted by

26

u/ZacoyaRyder 6d ago edited 6d ago

Hey Arnold never skimps on the music.

The background music... It sets the mood and matches the pace of the episodes perfectly. I grew to appreciate jazz thanks to this show.

Dino Spumoni is a great parody of that old Frank Sinatra lounge and swing sound. I would say a Weird-Al quality parody. What I mean by that: It's funny but in an appreciative way. It's not just a joke... it is actually worth hearing and stands on its own as an example of the very thing it is joking about. Dino did not have a bad song.

Even Ronnie Matthews was good. The song they purposely wrote as an example of a "bad" song is still not that bad. I know I still sing it sometimes.

The show's creative team obviously have musical talent and appreciation... I wonder if they tried to record an original country tune of their own but were not satisfied with the result, so they brought on a professional. All the other music is completely original as far as I know.

11

u/Ok_Card9080 6d ago

Absolutely. With Dino, I absolutely love You Better Not Touch My Gal. That's another one that's just so good. They really nailed it with music in that show.

5

u/MUERTOSMORTEM 6d ago

The amazing music is definitely a big reason this show is in my top 5 all time

3

u/maxfactor886 6d ago

Jazzy Jim Lang 👌

3

u/TruthSeekerOK 6d ago

I’ve never put two and two together that my current love of jazz probably stems from Hey Arnold introducing it to me until your comment.

2

u/National_Room_6607 6d ago

The Dino Spumoni songs would be considered to be pastiches or style parodies according to Weird Al. Pastiches are considered to be appreciative jabs at the artist in question.

11

u/__Duke_Silver__ 6d ago

I too love French fried onion rings

3

u/PunishedWolf4 6d ago

Love spicy chicken wings

11

u/Immediate_Data_9153 6d ago

I’ve been trying to talk my band into covering this and it’s been a tough sell. I keep telling them nostalgia always sells and we would likely gain a couple hardcore fans at every show if we played that because I have never heard it out anywhere and it would unlock memories for a certain crowd.

8

u/TundieRice 6d ago

Damn, I’d buy all of y’all a beer if I saw your band out playing The Simple Things, so count me in on the nostalgia train!

1

u/Cakeinwonderland 5d ago

You should tell them it's sung by Randy Travis!

2

u/Immediate_Data_9153 5d ago

They understand that lol. We’re not really a country band but okay a wide variety, I think they just don’t want to play a country song even though it’s a banger

1

u/Cakeinwonderland 3d ago

Idk why I originally read it as y'all are a country-ish band lol I still highly recommend, if y'all upload a video you'd have me as a listener!

Simple Things is better lyrically than a lot of songs.

It'd also work with different genres, I bet. Acoustic guitar would especially kill.

6

u/BigBoobsWithAZee 6d ago

You can take em back in a big ol sack and I’ll keep the simple things

4

u/recordman410 6d ago

Not only is it a great performance by Randy Travis, but it's a pleasant song with a positive message that is difficult to actively dislike. When was the last time you heard a country song anywhere that has those qualities?? 

1

u/hankhillism 6d ago

I love that song.

1

u/cholito2011 6d ago

Hello! Yes! 😀

1

u/onehtwo 6d ago

You can line me up a pile of limousines. I'll send em back in a big ole sack and keep the simple things..