Welcome back to Friday Fortissimo, your weekly dose of gaming music goodness. This week, we highlight a classic Nintendo track whose unbridled optimism is sorely needed right now.
We’re pretty big fans of EarthBound here at The Punished Backlog. Our team played the game for the first time to celebrate Earthbound’s 25th anniversary, and though the reception was mixed, we generally came away with a positive impression.
There’s something to be said about a game that so elegantly captures the Saturday morning bliss of being a kid. Everything, from the quirky dialogue to the larger-than-life characters and globe-spanning locales, is designed to be imaginative, carefree, and silly. Sure, the combat is archaic and the plot nonsensical, but the vibes, dear reader—the vibes are off the chart. And a large part of those vibes are due to EarthBound’s rockin’ soundtrack.
From the peppy “Onett Theme” to the wistful “Twoson,” EarthBound is filled with songs that capture the fleeting nature of life. Varied instrumentation brings these tracks to life, from groovy baselines and moody synths to percussion kits, xylophones, strings, horns, and more. If there were sound limitations on the SNES cartridge, composers Keiichi Suzuki and Hirokazu Tanaka never seemed intimidated.
I Believe in Make-Believe
But we’re not here to talk about the EarthBound soundtrack. Today, we’re highlighting “Pollyanna,” a recurring track in the series that originates from the original Mother game, EarthBound Beginnings, for the NES.
“Pollyanna” is a happy-go-lucky tune that plays as protagonist Ninten navigates the game’s overworld. With its candied melody, bouncy arpeggios, and hearty harmonies, the song serves as a fitting accompaniment on the young man’s journey to save the world from aliens.
The in-game “Pollyanna” track is memorable in its own right, but what has truly immortalized the song in gaming history is its vocal version. Added to the Mother soundtrack as a bonus track sung by Catherine Warwick, this version of “Pollyanna” has become the de facto version for an army of Nintendo fans.
The magic of “Pollyanna” lies in its lyrics. Take the first two verses and that beloved chorus:
I believe the morning sun always gonna shine again, and
I believe a pot of gold waits at every rainbow’s end, oh
I believe in roses kissed with dew
Why shouldn’t I believe the same in you?
I believe in make-believe, fairy tales and lucky charms, and
I believe in promises spoken as you cross your heart, oh
I believe in skies forever blue
Why shouldn’t I believe the same in you?
You may say I’m a fool
Feelin’ the way that I do
You can call me Pollyanna
Say I’m crazy as a loon
I believe in silver linings
And that’s why I believe in you!
Warwick paints an optimistic picture of our world—one in which trust is innate, promises are kept, and love is widespread. In this world, dreams are grand and possibilities are endless. Sure, you may think she’s naive and call her a Pollyanna, but that won’t stop her childlike belief in miracles and kindness. And, with any hope, that belief will spread to you too.
Of course, the “you” is up for debate. Could be a lover, a best friend, a long-lost pal, a neighbor, or even an enemy. That mystique only adds to the song’s versatility; the word can apply to anyone, and so it does.
I Believe a Dream Can Still Come True
You may ask: “David, why the hell are you raving about a 35-year-old song that’s so detached from today’s world?”
The answer’s right there in the question. It isn’t lost on me that Tuesday is election day in the United States. Although many have already cast their ballots, I think we all know shit’s going to hit the fan one way or another after the dust settles—if the dust settles. This one’s going to be a nail-biter, even though it absolutely shouldn’t be, and it feels like an impossible task to reach across the aisle and try to move forward when the other side seemingly won’t listen to reason.
Women’s rights are on the ballot. Trans rights are on the ballot. Compassion and sanity are on the ballot. No, voting for Kamala Harris won’t solve all your problems, nor will it curb inflation any faster than it already is trending (2.4% in September, the lowest rate since Feb 2021). But a vote for Harris will guarantee you something: confidence that the sun will shine again, and the opportunity to give this country—and one another—a second chance.
Thanks for reading. For help making a plan to vote, visit vote.org. For coverage of the election and additional resources, check out this NPR voting guide.
