Never Give Up Hope (Wacko's Wish)

 Sometimes a song from your childhood just pops in your head for whatever reason, reminding you of when you used to listen to it and sing along. Sometimes we are reminded of them by circumstance; in the case of this song, it is the latter. The cold weather that has been hitting most of the U.S including my neck of the woods, reminded me of a cartoon special that I loved growing up, that would air around the holidays but felt more like a representation of the Winter season as a whole, especially January. Animaniacs Wacko's Wish was a made-for-TV movie, setting all the characters we loved in a fairy tale, where money was short, the world was cold, gray and full of snow, yet the comedy and wit of the series was still there.  This was the show's take on musicals, and I wanted to talk about my favorite song, which I still enjoy listening to today. 

The song is a group number, every character talking about the miserable conditions in which everyone, aside from the villains, lives, having not much to eat, no money, and dealing with the extreme cold. It begins with the Warner siblings and then expands to the whole town, with jokes still sprinkled in, and there are plenty of great lyrics, some even that hold hidden jokes for an older audience, which Animaniacs did like no other with flying colors. As everyone bemoans their lot in life, Wacko inspires the moral of the movie and intersects with a simple yet true message: no matter how bleak things may be, we can't give up hope. He is the only one with a still cheery disposition, trying to lift everyone's sad spirits.

The song works as an introduction and is very catchy. The instrumentation is bouncy and sounds similar to an opening you would hear in a Disney animated musical. The lyrics are memorable and even have jokes peppered in, while also still having a ton of heart. Setting the tone of the movie, the movie follows well throughout the run time. Heartwarming moments, and of course tons of humor, with catchy songs, truly fitting of the Animaniacs. Some of the jokes are not only funny but also have really good lyrics; every single lyric fits in this song and flows along with this number. 

The song itself doesn't overstay its welcome and runs just under two and a half minutes, the song starting with soft opening and then adding more instruments and singers, picking up the pace, and keeping it until the end, the gag with Dot singing in a baritone voice being a great bridge into what the song becomes. There are moments of individual characters singing and ensemble, balancing the jokes and the world-building very well. 

The message of the song is, as mentioned, simple yet effective, showing hope in the face of hopelessness. The troubles the characters are facing seem daunting and can even be relatable to the listener. Even though the song does not run long, it stays with me and even pops into my head from time to time, much like other songs from my childhood. 

It pays homage while still standing on its own, being in its own style, and thus having its own identity. I love this song, I love the movie, and I have a ton of nostalgia for many moments in this movie, including the run time. Made for T.V movies, when in the right hands, could be something truly special, being something that we didn't have to wait to go to the movie theater for, yet felt like something special. I will probably have to talk about Wacko's Wish in greater detail someday, and why it works as a made for T.V movies where others fell short, but the cold weather outside reminded me of why I love this song.

Lyrics that double as great lyrics, fun jokes, and even something the listener can relate to, with a nice little thing to carry with them after the song comes to a close. Never give up hope, even when everything seems to go wrong; sometimes things seem impossible, but we can't. That is probably why this song also bookends the movie, with a reprise that even brings in the wheel of morality, the theme that carries from the moment we meet the cast, until the credits roll. 

I would recommend giving the song a listen, or even watching the special. I will say that you will have to watch a decent amount of classic Animaniacs to get the tone and style, but even then the show and the movie are great. This song is a reminder of the lessons we hear when we are young, that we carry with us. Never give up hope, short and sweet, yet much like this song, just works. Some humor and even a little bit of heart, making this a great introduction, while also making a gag that still makes me a chuckle every time I hear it.