Anyone who has watched the U.S. version of Pokemon can probably sing the Pokemon Theme [MP3] (or at least the short version of it). I originally thought this was just a translation of the Japanese Theme [MP3], but come to find out, they're completely different songs. The American version is cute and sappy, but the Japanese version sounds like an honest-to-goodness pop song (except for those little Pikachu bits). But then, if you listen to the Brazillian Theme Song [MP3], it's just like the American one, except in Portugeuse.

A lot of the music from the U.S. show falls into the dance genre -- the music itself isn't very demanding, and the lyrics not very deep. This makes sense, given that the show is aimed at nine-year-olds. Songs like Viridian City [MP3] and What Kind of Pokemon Are You? [MP3] are great for a grade-school audience. And really, only someone under the age of eleven could listen to 2BA Master [MP3] and not wince. The Time Has Come [MP3] is only a good song if you've seen Episode 39, Pikachu's Goodbye. Otherwise, it's just more schlock--the Brazillian Pikachu's Goodbye [MP3] describes the same moment and is a lot better. The best song to flash through Pikachu's Jukebox so far is the Pokemon Dance Mix [MP3], which is a pretty cool pop song all on its own.

I'm a big Team Rocket fan myself, so I like the Team Rocket Theme Song [MP3] an extended version of their daily challenge. This one has their voices in their most evolved American form (they sound really different in the early U.S. episodes than they do in the later ones). If you also like Team Rocket, you can hear their single Double Trouble [MP3] on the first Pokemon CD. Doesn't James sound like Dr. Frankenfurter at the beginning and Snagglepuss by the end? I can't remember the exact episode in which Team Rocket performs Team Rocket's Rock Song [MP3] (it might be episode 45, The Song of Jigglypuff), but it's pretty funny, so look for it. For extra entertainment, listen to the Brazillian Team Rocket's Rock Song [MP3]. It sounds a lot closer to the Japanese Team Rocket Rock Song [MP3], which reminds me of the song from Seinfeld at the beginning and a bad western theme in the middle.

Finally, what would be a music collection without some sounds from the Pokemon themselves? One of my favorites is the Jigglypuff song [MP3]. My ultimate favorite is, of course, Pikachu, and I can listen to the Pikachu Chant [MP3] by the Pikachu Village Choir over and over. And then there's Pikachu saying his name [WAV] and saying his name again [WAV]. And then there's Pikachu giving an entire speech comprising his name [WAV].

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