A Subjective Top Ten — The Best Pokémon Songs
“I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was . . .”
There are few people under the age of thirty who don’t know the next lines to this song. In fact, many of us know all the lines to the Pokémon Theme and can’t help but sing it at the top of their lungs at the slightest mention of the track — or Pokémon in general.
In addition to being a great metaphor for life as a journey, the franchise has introduced us to fantastic characters with intriguing storylines, has forced us to waste days of our lives battling Zubat, and has made us long for eternal youth with pretty much unlimited money and no responsibilities whatsoever.
What we tend to forget is that the Pokémon franchise has not only produced world-renowned games, anime series, films, and manga, but also truly amazing music. Let’s take a look at ten particularly impressive songs that are tied to the world of Pokémon, trying to determine which one is “the very best”.
Honourable Mention: “Don’t Say You Love Me”
performed by M2M, from Pokémon: The First Movie (1999)
Before we get into the top ten, here’s a reminder that M2M — the Norwegian duo of Marion Raven and Marit Larsen — had their first international hit with the lead single from the first Pokémon movie.
Yes, Marit Larsen, the singer-songwriter responsible for the mega hit “If A Song Could Get Me You”, rose to fame with a Pokémon song.
That being said, “Don’t Say You Love Me” may be a great pop song, but with lyrics that don’t really fit a Pokémon theme at all the track doesn’t quite make the top ten.
10. “To Know The Unknown”
performed by Innosense, from Pokémon 3: The Movie — Spell Of The Unown: Entei (2001)
Innosense, the girlband that called Britney Spears a member for less than a year and later released a song with the very 2000-ish title “www.fan-ta-see”, recorded this ballad for the third — and possibly best — Pokémon movie.
“To Know The Unknown” seems to be a cheesy all-I-need-is-you love song upon first listen, but given that the movie revolves around a little girl missing her mother, the track is actually far deeper.
As such, it sets the tone for several Pokémon songs on this list: it can be interpreted as a love song, but it carries additional meaning. Also, it’s melancholy and hopeful at the same time. This is an interesting feat that surprisingly many Pokémon tracks achieve, making them more complex and layered than most music aimed at children and young teens.
9. “Black And White Theme”
performed by Erin Bowman and Joe Philips, from Pokémon the Movie: White — Victini and Zekrom and Pokémon the Movie: Black — Victini and Reshiram (2011)
The Generation 5 anime series, released under the Black & White title, was met with plenty of criticism for illogical battles, annoying characters, and plain bad writing. While the series itself may not represent the strongest phase of the franchise, Pokémon music was at its best during the Black & White era.
The full version of the “Black And White Theme” that accompanied the duo of Victini movies set a new tone for Pokémon theme songs. Slower and more serious than former opening tracks, the mid-tempo song marks a more grown-up take on the anime’s traditional subject matter.
The lyrics reflect that development with lines such as “it’s not always black and white” and “it’s not always right or wrong” that break the simplified good-versus-bad storytelling of most franchises for a more nuanced approach.
8. “I’ll Always Remember You”
performed by Kirsten Price, from Pokémon: The Rise Of Darkrai (2008)
A mid-tempo ballad with an unusual structure, “I’ll Always Remember You” is the first song on this list with plenty of tear-potential. With heartfelt lyrics such as “I’ll carry your dreams until they come true”, the track works well within the Pokémon canon, but serves as an emotional ode to someone gone too soon in the real world as well.
While some Pokémon songs clearly cater to kids, it’s the powerful pop moments like this one that stand out from a musical and lyrical perspective. If you thought you’re too old to enjoy Pokémon in general and Pokémon music in particular, let this gem change your mind.
7. “We’re Coming Home”
performed by Jess Domain, from Pokémon the Movie: Genesect And The Legend Awakened (2013)
Back to Generation 5 and another example of a pretty bad movie accompanied by a pretty fantastic soundtrack. “We’re Coming Home” is the perfect ending theme for the final installment of the Black & White series, looking back on the travels of the Unova team and paving the way for new adventures in a new region.
“We had some fun out there, now didn’t we?” the song starts. “I never knew the world had so much for us to see.” Then the focus shifts towards the future as Jess Domain sings “we’re coming home, the only place that’s never too far.”
With a slightly more interesting chorus, “We’re Coming Home” might have ended up even higher on this list, but its sublime verse melodies and lyrics that surely put a smile on your face earn it a solid 7th place.
6. “Pokémon Johto”
performed by PJ Lequerica, from Pokémon: The Johto Journeys (2000)
The previous entries on this list mainly stand out because of their emotional lyrics and impressive songwriting. Well, it’s fair to say that “Pokémon Johto”, the theme song to the third season of the anime, isn’t particularly strong in that regard. Lines like “everybody wants to be a master, everybody wants to show their skills” are a little too straightforward to hold any deeper meaning.
Then why is this track number 6, you ask? For the simple reason that no other Pokémon song is as catchy as this one. From the silly “do do doop do do do” bit to the powerful chorus, “Pokémon Johto” is bursting with energy and positivity. So let’s dance around for a moment and belt out the simple lyrics at the top of our lungs, shall we?
5. “The Time Has Come (Pikachu’s Goodbye)”
performed by Marti Lebow, from Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias (2003)
Many fans consider the Latios and Latias movie the best the franchise ever produced. It not only includes one of the saddest scenes in Pokémon history (the death of Latios), but also one of the saddest songs in the Pokémon discography. However, “The Time Has Come” had already played in the original anime season years prior before it was used in the ending credits of Pokémon Heroes.
While the song features a similar tone to “I’ll Always Remember You”, the subject matter is slightly different, and the wording is even more emotional. From the lines “I can see the day we’ve met, just one moment and I knew you’re my best friend” to “as our team is torn apart, I wish we could go back to the beginning”, the lyrics are insanely heartbreaking — even if you don’t apply them to an adorable electric mouse.
If you aren’t moved to tears by this one, then a) you’re weird, and b) just continue reading. You’ll get there, I promise.
4. “This Side Of Paradise”
performed by Bree Sharp, from Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys (2005)
Enough sadness. At least for now. “This Side Of Paradise” opens with a “la la la” bit that puts Johto’s hooks to shame. Then it moves through fast-paced verses and a chorus that oozes with happiness and zest for life.
With feelgood lines such as “the clouds are high, the world is open” and melodies any popstar would kill for, “This Side Of Paradise” is the Pokémon theme song that “Don’t Say You Love Me” should have been.
That being said, just close your eyes for a moment and imagine the Spice Girls singing this. Cool thought, right?
3. “Pokémon Theme”
performed by Jason Paige, from Pokémon: Indigo League (1998)
You knew this one had to come sooner or later. The incomparable original Pokémon theme breaks into the top three, but it doesn’t quite manage to top this list.
On the one hand, the iconic song has masterfully set the tone for most anime themes to follow. It captures Ash Ketchum’s energy and positive outlook on life perfectly, and its chorus is without doubt one of the strongest Pokémon has to offer.
That being said, “Pokémon Theme” was written with a young audience in mind, meaning it doesn’t exactly have a lot of depth to it. Also, it only works in the context of the franchise, while most other songs on this list are fantastic pop tunes in their own right.
Are we cutting this one a lot of slack because it’s the original song that first got us hooked on the franchise? Perhaps. Is it objectively not really good enough for the number 3 spot? Maybe. But emotional attachment has to be earned, doesn’t it?
Anyway, here we are, so let’s sing along. 3, 2, 1 . . . go!
2. “It’s Always You And Me”
performed by Neal Coomer and Kathryn Raio, from Pokémon the Movie: Genesect And The Legend Awakened (2013)
The ending theme from the Genesect movie has already made the list. Now here comes the movie’s opening song, which was also used for the Adventures In Unova And Beyond season of the anime, albeit in a shortened form.
“It’s Always You And Me” beats its original predecessor with a knockout chorus and compelling lyrics that focus on friendship without sounding too childish or clichéd. At the same time, Coomer and Raio’s vocals alternate flawlessly, their dynamic adding another dimension to the track and picking the central message of the lyrics up on a sonic level.
Really, though, what earns this theme the runner-up spot is the beginning of its chorus. The lines “we’ve come so far, we’ve fought so hard to get where we are” capture the essence of Pokémon’s ‘journey’ theme better than any other, making “It’s Always You And Me” an impeccable song to reflect on both the franchise’s rich history and your own, personal growth.
Still, there’s one Pokémon song that’s even better . . .
1. “I Choose You”
performed by Haven Paschall, from Pokémon The Movie: I Choose You! (2017)
Remember that I said you’d be moved to tears later on? This is that moment.
“I Choose You” plays during the ending credits of the twentieth Pokémon movie, while all of Ash’s former travelling companions are shown on screen, inspiring melancholia and tears of joy in any true Pokémon fan.
Yet, even if you feel no emotional attachment to the past anime series and movies, the piano ballad will still get to you. This is the case since “I Choose You”, like no other Pokémon song, bridges the gap between friendship-based anime storyline and romantic real-life interpretation. The track can be a love song, but it can just as well address a good friend. It’s about any kind of partner in crime, any person you’re glad to have around, so that everyone can place it in their own emotionally charged context.
Also, it’s sublimely written. The verse lines “hello stranger, don’t I know you? Nice to see you my friend” express brilliantly in simple terms how you connect with some people instantly, feeling as if you’d always known each other. Then the chorus goes “I choose you, what else can I do? We’re just too good together to part”, breaking down the complex feelings and thought processes behind emotional attachment better than Adele or Ed Sheeran ever could.
Songs with simple wording often come across as uninspired and boring, but this one doesn’t. It’s “the very best” as far as Pokémon songs are concerned — at least as of today. So now, as vocalist Haven Paschall (Serena’s voice actress, by the way) sings, “on to journeys anew”.
Do you agree with the list? Do you disagree with some of the songs on it? Go let me know!
