Schoolhouse Rock! (1973–2009) User Reviews

Interjections!

[mirosuionitsaki2 · 9/10 · 18 July 2007]

I was looking through my workbook and I saw "Interjections" and something just went into my mind. "Interjections, show excitement, show emotion." I may not know the lyrics well but I remember the song. I started to remember the entire lyrics to the song. "Provide an exclamation point or a comma when the feeling's not as strong. So when you're happy.." and so on.

Schoolhouse Rock is something I have seen for a long time, and children will enjoy it for years and years. I remember seeing it a long time ago when I used to live in New Orleans, my teacher then showed it to us again after a test because Schoolhouse Rock is such a fun movie to watch. Even teens enjoy it.

This movie actually has one fault. Sometimes the songs can be distracting. It's so good that you can forget what it's saying. But that is usually rare. The songs will stay in your head and if you remember the lyrics, you remember what the song is teaching you. There are some songs that are too boring though. Example, I remember "Naughty Number Nine" or something like that. Something about a cat and a mouse and a pool table.

I recommend this to anyone, also I recommend it for teachers to show to their students. Specifically Language Arts teachers!

A Classic

[Guitar-8 · 9/10 · 16 October 2008]

While CBS had In The News & NBC never attempted anything until 1978 with The Metric Marvels, ABC had a classic with all those Schoolhouse Rock cartoons. But only on Sundays, the full credits were shown after "Make A Wish" or "Amimals, Animals, Animals". And the songs heard on the full credits; The Good Eleven, Lolly Lolly Lolly, The Preamble or Not so Dry Bones.

My favorite of the bunch will always be "Sufferin 'Till Sufferage", women's rights to vote.

Jack Sheldon's the best performer of the series ad Bill, Conjunction Junction, Rufux Xavier Sasparilla, Energy Globe.

Very good classic edu=videos

[joltjohn · 8/10 · 1 December 2002]

I enjoyed watching these videos. This was one of the reasons I got up early on Saturdays. The thing is that they made alot more of these than i thought. NOw that I am older I also enjoyed the extras and background information these videos. Of course some videos are better than others but over all it gets 10/10 because "ZERO IS MY HERO".

Brilliant!

[tajiblue · 9 February 2002]

Whoever came up with Schoolhouse Rock was a genius. Part of the power of these little cartoons was that they were run like commercials between other shows on Saturday morning. You couldn't help but learn. It's been almost sixteen years, but to this day, I can still recite the preamble.

School House Rock

[virgo_730921 · 10/10 · 28 September 2006]

Schoolhouse Rock is GREAT...when I was a senior in high school taking Government, you would see seniors sitting them mouthing The Preamble to the Constitution and having our teacher tell us to quit and he knew that we all had schoolhouse rock - It was great....That's the way that kids should learn (I do my thing in action - VERB - that's what action is!) As a parent, I use this same tool for my own kids, I must say that I am partial to the older ones and not really ready to embrace new episodes that have been created. For all those old enough to remember, wasn't that a great time. My favorite had to be Verb - that 's what action is, I'm just a Bill, the Preamble and Conjuction, Junction.

There's a reason why this has endured and is so well and fondly remembered by so many people.

[llltdesq · 10/10 · 4 April 2014]

This was a staple of Saturday morning television back in the 1970s and later on. There will be mild spoilers ahead:

If you are of a certain age and didn't live in a cave, chances are very good that this show is a part of your childhood/early teens. It was intended to help kids learns some of the basics. How well it did with that is a matter for conjecture.

That it was generally entertaining and quite memorable is not in doubt. Some 40 years later, I can still remember most of the Multiplication Rock and Grammar Rock entries from the early to mid-1970s and the America Rock from the mid-1970s (roughly coinciding with the American Bicentennial).

Everyone probably has their favorites. Mine were "Three Is a Magic Number", "Figure Eight", "Interjections!", "Conjunction Junction", "I'm Just a Bill" and "No More Kings".

I don't really remember Science Rock or any of the stuff from the 1990s, though I've since seen the ones on the DVD releases. The series as a whole is very good and the DVDs are worth getting. Most highly recommended.

Brilliant series that really educated!

[grendelkhan · 10/10 · 12 June 2013]

The stars aligned perfectly when this series of shorts came to ABC TV, in 1973. First, Fred Silverman was revolutionizing Saturday morning television, with a unified lineup, much like primetime. However, to appease watchdog groups, he needed educational content. Meanwhile, an advertising man was concerned about his sons trouble with math in school. He noted that his son could recite the lyrics to any Beatles song and hit upon the idea of setting the multiplication tables to music. His crew put together a pitch of a short cartoon, set to music: "Three is a Magic Number." Silverman loved the idea and snapped it up, requiring all shows to have a couple of minutes shaved to accommodate these cartoons. The series launched with Multiplication Rock and became a huge hit. This was soon followed by Grammar Rock; then, in time for the Bicentennial, America Rock. Later, Science Rock was added, with Money Rock still later.

The cartoons are an excellent blend of creative visuals, catchy songs, and simple, repetitive delivery that really lets the info sink in. For those of us who experienced it firsthand, it became our hit music. All we had to do on the playground was say, "Conjunction Junction," and someone else would answer, "What's your function?" We knew the preamble to the Constitution by heart! We knew that a verb was "what's happening!" The cartoons led to some strange events. Teachers reported hearing humming when they administered the required Constitution tests. Congressional offices requested copies of "The Three Ring Circus," and "I'm Just a Bill," to train their staffs about the functions of the branches of government and the legislative process. A stage show was put together in the 90s, by a group of nostalgic fans.

These cartoons are a must for any parent. They will do more to teach your children than anything from Baby Einstein, Sesame Street, Disney, or anything else. The songs are wonderful and the cartoons make learning fun and even inspiring. The only word of caution is in America Rock, which tends to over simplify some subjects, especially "manifest destiny," (Elbow Room) or the American Revolution (The Shot Heard Round the World); but they are still better than some of the jingoistic revisionism of the political pundits. If nothing else, they feature wonderful songs and entertaining cartoons that you and your child can enjoy together. Watch "Three is a Magic Number" and not feel a little emotional when you view the scenes of the man and woman holding their baby, then running together along the countryside.

School House Rock

[kevjulsapaul · 10/10 · 17 February 2007]

When our oldest child was 3 and 4 years old, we let him watch the School House Rock video. It was entertaining, but educational and not just a lot of mindless nonsense purely for the sake of entertainment. When the time came for him to learn the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, he already knew it! When he was introduced to his times tables and needed to multiply by 3's, he already knew them! He already knew how to count by 5's too! The same thing happened for multiplying by 8's and 9's!! My suggestion to all parents is this, if you let your child watch videos, make sure this is one that they view often! Great job guys!! Happy Home School Mom

Education made for fun.

[emasterslake · 8/10 · 25 January 2007]

I remember first seeing "School House Rock" on the ABC channel back in the 90s. And to this day, it's still a memorable collection of animated songs.

The whole series revolves on 5 different teaching topics including: Grammar, Multiplication, Science, Economics, & American History. Every short would contain a different character or a cast of characters that resemble or present the topic they're talking about. And their guaranteed to be entertaining and educational at the same time. The songs are well thought up and the idea of the cartoons are creative in my opinion.

From home entertainment to elementary teaching, School House Rock has always been the right choice for giving out good lessons in basic learning. It's been a rare gem for thousands of people who grew up watching it & it's continuously being loved by newer generations today.

It's Family Friendly, Cool, Catchy, and Fantastic to watch time again and again. Perfect for the entire family to watch or to show in your grade school class room, just cause it's school related.

10/10

[arielsiere · 10/10 · 26 May 2022]

The most educational, awesome and musical show from Disney since 1973-2009 a lot of great songs such as i'm just a Bill and many more awesome and great songs from this children show and the entire plot is a perfection.

I've never watched and like this show.

[carloischayrez · 4/10 · 17 April 2022]

I don't like schoolhouse rock, because it's all about schoolhouse, characters in education learning, and their songs. I would never ever see this again with its schoolhouse.

What can I say...

[xxlittlekittenxx · 20 February 2003]

...other than these cartoons are my favorite pieces of animation! Schoolhouse Rock educates and entertains seamlessly at the same time, and I've learned so much more from these cartoons than anything in school. This is how we should learn everything!

Both the songs and cartoons are equally brilliant. Bob Dorough, who penned a great number of the tunes (including all of the Multiplication Rock songs, which are my favorites), is a fantastic and underrated songwriter with a sharp sense of humor to match. Lynn Ahrens also contributed some wonderfully memorable songs, my favorite of hers being "A Noun is a Person, Place, or Thing."

Tom Yohe, who was a key designer for this series, was such a wonderful artist who could make the most seemingly simple characters so appealing in their own way (much like the Peanuts characters). He was the artist behind the Conjuction Junction Conductor and the Bill, among many other classic characters. Sadly, he died a few years ago.

But the best songs in the series are the ones not everyone remembers. My favorite Schoolhouse Rock song of all time is "Little Twelvetoes," and even most people who were kids in the '70s don't remember it. It's a bizarre little tune that teaches you how to multiply by 12, and the cartoon itself is even better than the song!

But almost all the songs are really super (with the exception of Money Rock. While it isn't terrible, it just doesn't compare to the classics), and check out the DVD with all the tunes! It includes a new America Rock song, and it's surprisingly delightful. All in all Schoolhouse Rock is a classic that will delight kids for generations.

A picnic of education

[Darth_Voorhees · 27 May 2000]

Teachers will love to show this to their kids.Kids will like the jokes,the music,and much more.It teaches younger viewers a secret early education.It is a great tv show.So all I can say is that it is a picnic of education .Watch out for this tv show.Show it to younger kids.They will love it.better than barney,Blue`s clues,etc

Fantastic Series

[scotty-37 · 11 October 2002]

Someone put a lot of love and work into these cartoons. These are some of the cleverest and highest quality work done for children I've ever seen.

They teach people about language, science, math, and US history and politics. Most adults could learn from these cartoons as well as children. The entire time you watch, you're entertained and delighted and then when you're done you've learned something new and you'll remember it for a long time.

This is a prime example of talented people doing something they love and doing it well. For the most part, pure genius!

Saturday morning memories

[IrockGswift · 2 April 2003]

I remember growing up watching these animated shorts about education and politics. The one thing I think most people remember was the themes songs to these shorts because we hear them for so many years. At least five to ten years of our life. They were inspirational and especially after the Bugs Bunny cartoons that aired before these shorts were played on ABC network. My friends and I used to sing these songs and now a lot of young parents (ages 24-33) are bringing their kids up on these animated educational toons buy purchasing the home videos. This is something that can never leave that part of lives. Great Memories!!!

i still hum the songs

[peeweefan · 19 August 2002]

Conjunction junction, what's your function...

their function was to teach us with song and rhyme, and to this day, i still remember most of the lyrics. how much fun is it to still enjoy the series, and now i can enjoy them again with my kids

Saturday Morning Entertainment!!!!

[raysond · 7 January 2005]

This was one of the Saturday Morning spectacular of special short presentations that won Multi-Emmy Awards during its astounding run on the air from 1972 to 1986. The show was called "Schoolhouse Rock". "Schoolhouse Rock" was indeed a timeless collection of animated songs that taught an entire generation that KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! This collection of musical interludes were part of a brilliant display of incredible stuff that ABC-TV put on during its intermission session of a huge lineups of Saturday Morning brand of informative educational programming that was between the regular standards of its own animated cartoons and live-action shows that were part of ABC's Sunshine Saturday Morning programming that dominated the entire decade of the 1970's well into the early and mid-1980's. "Schoolhouse Rock" consisted of various short animated cartoons that focused on the basis,and these were put into songs as well. Subjects ranging from Language Arts,Mathematics, along with Social Studies mixed in with United States History and Current Events were the order of the day. This was brilliant as well as educational,and guess what the formula for this went well with children as well as adults. The songs that were the focus of the short animated segments were brilliant,and nowadays they're timeless classics and can be shared by all. The songs here were magical with brilliant selections that included:"Conjunction Junction","I'm Just A Bill","Fireworks", "Lolly,Lolly,Lolly","Interjections","Nouns","Interplanet Janet","Verb", "The Shot Heard Around The World","The Great American Melting Pot", "The Preamble","Elbow Room","Three Is A Magic Number","Twelve Toes", "Zero,You're My Hero,How Wonderful You Are","No More Kings",and so much,much more. When "Schoolhouse Rock",left the airwaves in 1986,and returned later for a brief period in 1992,the show really changed course. Nowadays,if you really looked at the landscape of how ABC-TV's format of Saturday Morning Programming,some of the stuff that was really good and very informative has been since long abandoned,since most of it these days is in an all-Disney style that has dominated Saturday Mornings on ABC. Boy,do we need "Schoolhouse Rock" more than ever now!

Series of short animations that make learning fun!

[randy5k-3 · 7 October 2000]

Schoolhouse Rock is a series of short animations that were originally shown between Saturday morning cartoons. Ask any adult over 25 and 40 if they can sing the Preamble to the US Constitution or what makes "Zero a Hero" and you might be surprised to learn most know.

Babyboomers may use the excuse that they are buying them for the kids, but I'll wager just as many adults are buying them to view themselves. You will be amazed how much your kids will learn and retain from these, and will be very surprised at how much you will learn yourself.

Timeless and still informative!

[yet · 9 December 2009]

Even though much of this series dates back to the Nixon-Ford era(!), the tunes are still fresh and the content is still relevant even if the garish Peter Max-ish backgrounds seem a bit much.

For example, "Energy Blues" still rings true today even though it was inspired by a political event.

Yes, I watched these when they first aired and I memorized the (slightly truncated) Preamble and more. Later, the set was restored and reissued on DVD just in time for my son to enjoy. Quite frankly, when it came time to help with science homework, I popped in the previously "banned(*)" Weather Show and in 3 minutes the "highs" and "lows" were as clear as a sunny day! I ripped the audio tracks and play them in the car...electricity, E-LEC-TRICITY! Watch the newest short too...considered "fair and square" my Aunt's fanny! ;) (*) This short was never aired because it contained the words "Greatest Show on Earth," trademark of that famous circus; the reissue cuts those works from the opening and replaces them at the end with circus music. They should have used the music for the opening also.

Schoolhouse Rock rocks!

[strangrnstranglnd · 22 April 2005]

I was actually a kid during the original days of School house rock and it taught me a great deal. Women's Sufferage, Manifest Destiny, the colonization of America, and the American Revolution were so much more interesting when put to song. I know what a magical number 3 can be, and I know that AND, BUT, and OR are conjunctions. I learned about Inventions, electricity, and all sorts of great stuff. I highly recommend School House Rock for anybody who wants a trippy trip down memory lane. Oooh! Buy School House Rock Rocks too. It's a CD with all sorts of alternative artists doing School House Rock covers. Blind Melon's version of Three the Magic Number is awesome!

When I was a kid, it taught me more than any 3 years of elementary school

[JeffreyS · 24 July 1999]

I love this series of cartoon shorts. I have the 4-tape series of all the segments from my childhood (Science, Math, Grammar, and History) and now that I have my own child, I put her in front of the TV and let her learn from it, too.

Educational and fun--great for all ages!

[turtleracer · 21 September 2004]

I remember taking my Social Studies regents in high school and singing the Constitution song to fill in all the blanks that were left out in the Preamble on my test and I could do it because I knew all the words!

Schoolhouse Rock! is an excellent show for anyone who loves cartoons and who wants to learn. From politics to mathematics to English, there is a lesson in every short. And the tunes are so catchy that you can't help getting them stuck in your head. To this day, I still sing "Interplanet Janet" when I hear the name Janet. Hehe...and Conjunction Junction as well as I'm Just a Bill are, of course, classics. This is a great show for children, but adults will enjoy it alike. Check out Schoolhouse Rock!!

Three is a magic number...

[Calvero · 26 January 2003]

... and the whole series is magic as well! I remember watching these cartoons when I was a kid. Probably one of the reasons why I like history so much today was because of "Sufferin' Till Suffrage", "No More Kings" and "Great American Melting Pot". Since getting the DVD, I have watched the newer ones... love the Mr. Morton story! My 3 year old daughter loves singing the Preamble and the Electricity songs :).

The Noun Vignette

[dwacon-2 · 1 April 2006]

Anyone notice during the ditty about nouns that Chubby Checker was portrayed as Caucasian? Granted, you had the Beatles and Monkees portrayed as generic foursomes and that is fine. But to change Chubby Checker's race was quite the faux pas. That is, of course, assuming that it was not a deliberate oversight.

Overall, however, Multiplication Rock and the subsequent Schoolhouse Rock were very valuable to me as a kid trying to struggle through school. Waiting for a big-screen remake starring Jack Black and the kids of "School of Rock" -- or some other modification that would fill two hours of cineplex time...