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Making a children's song is always a gamble for a major artist but Paul McCartney did just that in 1984. Released in the wake of the disastrous 'Give My Regards to Broad Street' film, 'We All Stand Together' (aka The Frog Song) was a major hit in the UK but was not released in the U.S. at the time.
In this video we look at the events leading up to is release, including Paul's trouble with the police and British tabloid press and a loose-tongued former band mate. In addition to covering its composition, we also look at the Rupert The Bear character and the cartoon film it was taken from. There's so much in this one, we think you'll need to watch it at least twice 😉
Links to other TH-cam videos mentioned in this video:
We All Stand Together (song video): • Paul McCartney - We Al...
Rupert & The Frog Song (animated featurette): • Rupert And The Frog So...
We All Stand Together (demo): • We All Stand Together ...
Jackie Lee - Rupert The Bear (TV Theme): • JACKIE LEE sings RUPER...
Other links:
Split your favourite tracks into stems with La-La-Lai: www.lalal.ai/?...
Say Hello To Paul McCartney (Yoto card): uk.yotoplay.co...
Rupert Bear Annual book: www.amazon.co....
Rupert Bear scarf: www.amazon.co....
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Paul McCartney is the only guy who could write a children's song that goes, "bong bong bong bong bong bong bong bong bong bong bong," and get away with it.
Yeah, but it takes a genius to take bong bong bong bong, and turn it into bong, bong-bong-bong bong
Don't forget George's "Ding dong, Ding dong". And of course The Beach boys "Ding Dang".
While simultaneously being clobbered by plod for bonging And as for Linda going for repeat offender bless her.
Nope, my 3 year old wrote one just like that and got away with it.
@@Beefy-CheeseDing! Whoo! Ding and a ding dong!!
I had the picture disc of this growing up, and loved it! (Would it be worth something now?) I remember thinking there must be two people called Paul McCartney - the one in the Beatles, and the one with the yellow scarf who sings this song.
oh my god its jay foreman!
Wow, hi there Mr Foreman.
Great to see you here! 🥰
Someone should compile a collection of Paul's songs that have people across the pond scratching their heads thinking, what the hell is this and call it "Definitely Not Born In The USA"
One of his songs was featured in rock ‘n’ roll high school that has never been released ever on any type of soundtrack album or any CD or album. It was called. “Haven’t we met somewhere before?”
While the song wasn't released in the U.S., the film was definitely released on video over here. So it's not like we haven't heard The Frog Song.
They should do a version of “The Girl Is Mine” but with ET and Rupert the Bear.
@@michaelrochester48Actually the title is Did We Meet Somewhere Before?
Give Ireland Back to the Irish would probably be in that compilation!
The weird thing is, in the Netherlands for some reason this song is regarded and known as a christmas song while it has nothing to do with that. It's always played on different radio stations in december (inbetween the christmas song classics) multiple times a day every year. The song also appears every year since 1999 non stop on the national Top2000 list, with the best 2000 songs of the year.
The song and film are very beautiful and easily one of my favorite songs. I'm proud of the fact that i possess a original animation cell from this film. Wish Rupert Bear himself will get some new notice again some day. It's a classic and so many generations grew up with him except for the last one. Children nowadays won't know him and that's really a shame. Shame that the current owners neglect Rupert and i can't understand why they do it because it has so much potential still. Unlike McCartney they don't have the same love for this character and the world around him.
That’s so interesting. I would honestly prefer to listen to it during the holidays than “Wonderful Christmastime”. It has so much more of that wintery warmth and nostalgia.
I'm an American and I remember Rupert through the Qubo network. Rupert reminds me of a British version of Little Bear.🥰❤🐻
It's a shame that the Rupert film wasn't a full-length feature. I suspect it would now be regarded as a classic, and would be remembered far more fondly than Give My Regards To Broad Street.
Making a Rupert animated feature film was McCartney's original film project, and considering the botch Give My Regards to Broad Street turned out to be, McCartney should stuck with that idea to begin with.
@@kchishol1970 Agreed!!
if you look on youtube you can find a cinema reel for give my regards to broad street. they showed the rupert cartoon before the film in the cinema it was about 15 minutes long. @@moreheff
@@kchishol1970definitely
I think this shows that Paul always followed his own feeling, regardless of what people would think. He does what he feels like. It shows his versatility and talent on many levels. Ok, maybe not in film making, but as a musician he is stuborn and it suits him!
More than the orchestration or the choirs, what stands out in We All Stand Together is the unforgettable melody. Nobody writes melodies like Paul McCartney!
If John were alive, he'd say "maybe I should have done this instead of writing "Imagine," it would have gotten the point across better."
I used to sing The Frog Song to my nephew when he was a baby. It started when I was helping my sister get him and his twin sister ready for bed, and we'd just got them out of the bath. My sister was holding my niece and I held my nephew, and I was bouncing him up and down in his towel trying to get him warm and dry. Then I started singing "bom, bom bom!" in the frog voice as I was bouncing up and down with him, and he started cracking up laughing. It was the cutest thing ever. After that, every time I saw him, he wanted me to pick him up and sing The Frog Song. I sang it to my niece too, but she didn't find it as amusing as her brother. I moved overseas a few months later, and my sister showed the We All Stand Together video to the twins to remind them of me. She said my nephew didn't laugh at it, and he preferred his aunty making silly voices and bouncing him up and down. I'll always have a soft spot for this song.
a long overdetailed story all about you
@@papalaz4444244 Feel better after posting that?
Interesting that in 1984, Two Beatles were in Children’s programmes.
Ringo with Thomas The Tank Engine (which was my introduction to Ringo)
And Paul with Rupert the bear
As an American I had only heard of Rupert after reading an article of Paul announcing he had bought the film rights. Since his movie wasn’t released in my area my first exposure to Rupert was when Disney showed it on their cable channel. I was impressed with the artwork and considered the song a perfect example of Paul’s classical style of melody and sentimental expression. Paul was always a bit too sentimental for the other three Beatles but Paul appears to have came from a close knit family which is supported by the extra help his extended family gave after his mother died. I enjoyed the song and had to order the UK version of All The Best to have a copy. Paul is often slagged for this type of work but in my opinion he is good at this type of work. He doesn’t pump this type of work out constantly and he honestly enjoys experimenting with other types of music. Some of them I didn’t enjoy but I’m pleased he has that level of success that allows him to experiment outside of his genre and comfort level. Just like I have told people when they’ve criticized him for this song, don’t listen to it. It’s hypocrisy to say artists should be allowed to make music any way they want and then criticize them for doing so.
Another well made video giving objective analysis and criticism of the subject. Thank you.
I get so annoyed when people who want to identify as arty or rock gods’ slag of this song and film for the obvious reason it was not made for them. It was meant to be and remains a children's song but for millions one with so much charm and character is appeals across all ages for those possessing some child-like qualities in their heart. This was beautifully executed and the film in 1984, the year of its release won a UK BAFTA (British Academy Award) for Best Animated Short Film. For punk rockers and heavy metal dudes to demonise a fantastic children's song is a sad reflection on those who have no understanding of genre. For those whoever, including punk and heavy rockers, who loved the song alongside the masses good for you for putting art/music for children before image veneer and what I call Rolling Stone BS or the Jann Wenner factor.. As for Broad Street - oh dear. Might have to skip that one.
As a major McCartney fan, I sought this out when it was released. Being from America, it was very tough. I found it on an international release of All the Best. I have always liked the animated feature. I like the style a lot.
I had no idea that the Rupert Bear franchise was so old until I saw the short where Paul introduced it and said he loved to read the comics when he was a kid, I had assumed it came out in the 90’s since that’s when the animated series came out.
Rupert turned 100 years old in 2020. The oldest still running comic character in the world at this moment. Older then Mickey or other famous bears
I love "We all stand together", it was my first single back in 1984! It's so melodic, and as you said the orchestration is remarkable, just beautiful. I really enjoyed this video, thank you.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
As an American, I definitely had little point of reference for Rupert, other than the brief mentions in Beatles books. I was excited to finally see him when it was announced the Frog Song video would be the feature before Broad St. To back up your research about the lack of turn out, I was one of 4 people in a large theater on opening night. By the end of the weekend, a new movie had taken it's place at the theater. As for my feelings about We All Stand Together and it's accompanying video, It's unapologetic love! I was lucky enough to have tracked down the UK single shortly after release, as well as all the subsequent re-releases over the years. When Paul takes on music like this, I tend to love it because you can tell it's genuinely coming from within, and that's what draws me to him, warts and all! The down slide for Paul started in the US around this point, but as you said, it wasn't because of Rupert. Great job, as always, Andrew!
Thanks Pete. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for sharing your memories!
Cool subject to tackle, Andrew. Excellent job! As for me, being from the states, I picked up my copies of the original single (and pic disc) of WAST at a record show. I am a fan. The song never bothered me as I have always viewed Paul as a songwriter who could create in any musical genre. A brilliant artist. Your research here and what was going on at the time of the record's release was very informative. Good job! 👍
@@anthonyvigliotti6560 Thanks! 👍
I just pray Paul sees this video and finally finishes his Rupert album!
Yes "we all stand together" is a charming song, well crafted. Great video, thanks for that
Glad you enjoyed it, Michael!
Beautiful animation, and gorgeous music. Never felt the need, as many do, to excuse it because "Well, it's for children". That always feels cowardly. It's brillant and completely charming and few if any other cool "rock" artists would have had either the genius or the balls to release it. I love it and I'm proud! Bravo Paul, we all stand together!!
I unashamedly love this song. I remember it waiting for me in my bedroom as a kid, a present from my parents. Its always made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, that melody just moves me. Thank you for such an interesting history of it.
In Mexico, the We All Stand Together video was the start of TV channel 5 broadcast of the day back in 1985, I was 11 years old and I had no idea about a guy named Paul MCartney but I loved the music and I was ready to turn on the TV just to hear the music and be ready for some cartoons before making homework… beautiful child days. Later when I met first The Beatles and then McCartney was a big surprise to find that he was the composer of that song. In 1992 I bought Paul’s All best CD and later I found that there was a second version that included “the frog song” and bought it again just for that song… This music brings back my childhood and I love it… Thankyou!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Yeah, the song was very popular in Mexico thanks to Channel 5 :D
Hay video de eso?
@@dekugh64 Buena pregunta, busqué en youtube (con la frase "canción de las ranitas Canal 5") y no hay como tal un fragmento original de cómo lo presentaban exactamente, pero sí presentan el video original bajo esa denominación.
I knew Rupert was much older than the cartoon I watched in the 90's but never thought much past that. This was cool to learn
I loved that cartoon as a kid!!
The theme song is still stuck in my head
As a ten year old, I bought the All The Best-compilation in 1987. It was the third Paul McCartney(+Wings) album I bought, after having previously bought Tug of War and London Town.
I loved We All Stand Together from the first moment I heard it, and now while I am at the age of 47, it is still an absolute favourite of mine.
In particular, it is the magnificent orchestration by George Martin that makes me love the song so much.
Thank you for making this great video!
Thanks for watching!
The first time I saw Paul (or any Beatle) in the flesh was at the New York premiere of Broad Street. That was very exciting. Two days later I saw the movie in the same theater with not a lot of people around me. Not expecting a pre movie cartoon, nor being familiar with Rupert, I was absolutely charmed by the cartoon and was very moved by We All Stand Together. I still love the song. It made Broad Street all the more disappointing after. It was fun to see Paul and Ringo and the songs were good. But it was a dull movie. But the memory of seeing Paul and then the movie in the same theater is a fond one. Thanks for background on Rupert.
I greatly enjoy your videos and I enjoyed this one a lot, but I feel like I need to mention that the tabloid interviews included with Denny Laine were very unfairly taken out of context.
Denny never went to the sun to sell dirt on the McCartneys. In 1983, his ex wife Jo Jo decided to sell her own stories about Paul and Linda to the Sunday Times. At the same time, Denny had cautiously agreed to work on a biography with a friend of a friend, and he sat down with this guy for some tape-recorded interviews. During that time, the guy asked Denny “a couple of weird questions about the bust in Japan” as he put it, but this was supposed to be off the record. This person then went behind Denny’s back and provided not just the unedited and unapproved interview that Denny gave, but also included the parts that Denny only shared off record. The Sun published all of this under the guise of it being an interview with Denny, but they also included content from Jo Jo’s tabloid rant.
Denny did a TV ad around this time as he was under the impression that it was going to be a nice little article promoting this biography in The Sun, so he said he would talk about his life with the McCartneys. The Sun actually edited this to have somebody else speaking in a very different tone over him (they didn’t even have the same accent as Denny) to make it appear malicious. The interview was also hacked to pieces and rearranged to sound as malicious as possible when published.
Again, love the video, I just think it’s important this is clarified as Denny has now passed away and he tried to get this across for years.
Denny didn’t find out about the altered tv airing for over a year after it happened. He sent a letter to Paul right away, when he found out, to explain the entire situation. I understand the idea here is to portray Paul’s negative representation in the media at the time, i again just want to make sure Denny’s explanation is known. He did not sell the stories for money as many assume.
That's a really elaborate set of events and Denny DID tell a stranger with a tape recorder really private things about Paul. They baked the cake, but he supplied the ingredients
It’s easy to sneer as an adult at songs made for children, but this 8-year-old was charmed and captivated by We All Stand Together. Before that, Paul McCartney was that old bloke who made slightly boring records with other people. I knew Beatles songs but hadn’t yet made that connection.
The same goes for Yellow Submarine and The Laughing Gnome. I wasn’t around when they were released, but there were handed-down copies in my tiny record collection which I cherished.
One of his best songs ever. The creativity and arrangement is genius. Ive listened to it so many times and still blown away by the depth of the musicality and production. And the simple message is powerful, its music like this that shows McCartney is in a league of his own as musician/producer/composer of the last 100 years.
Thank you for covering this on your channel Andrew! The whole reason for my McCartney/Beatles obsession is due to Rupert and the Frog Song. I wasn't even 1 at the time of it's release and I was singing it before I could talk. I have a huge soft spot for 1984 Macca and even love Broad Street so thank you for giving that period some love. :) Just as a side note, when we did eventually get a copy of the Frog Song on VHS I was pretty freaked out by the last song on that video 'The Oriental Nightfish'. There's even a Facebook page dedicated to it. Amazing memories!!
Great story, Ash! Thanks for watching!
I was a kid when this came out. You could get beaten up in the playground for saying you liked this. 40 years later, don't think that's changed 😊
Thanks for putting this into context. When I first heard it in 1987,issued on his greatest hits LP issued in Canada, I thought it was a terrible song and had no idea why it was on the LP. Many years later I was understood the association with Rupert. But this song added to his unpopularity from 85 to 89 in Canada. Luckily I was a loyal fan and saw him in person in Dec of 1989.
I’m an American but growing up my dad never had cable tv. So the tv we got featured a lot of international shows. Rupert is a memory that wasn’t unlocked until watching this video lol.
I was invited to the Harty TV show in November 1984 as Paul was on it and when the Frog Song received its world premiere showing, Paul signed my Broad Street album after the show, two years later in Newcastle at the Tube TV show, Paul had my Rupert scarf and waved it aloft on stage after he had finished performing and with him it stayed as I never got it back.... Yours Nutwoodingly Dino V 🙂 👐🎸🐸
Great story, Dino! 😎
The song and short were absolute staples in our Southern California home. I first saw it on one of VHS tapes back in the '90s (probably recorded off TV onto one of our many all-purpose tapes). I still have the DVD shorts compilation in my collection today.
I also have a lot of fondness for Paul's earlier scrapped soundtrack, which I'd heard via the now pulled TH-cam upload a bit back. What a treat it was to hear "The Castle of the King of the Birds" in Get Back and then hear it in that context.
I still have my VHS copy that me dad bought me as a kid back in 1988, it was accompanied with two animated movies for Seaside Woman & The Oriental Nightfish by Linda. I truly love the song and still brings tears to my eyes when I play it, beautiful song for a beautiful animated film.
You gotta tell me where you got your scarf at, I love it.
Thanks Paulina. I got the scarf from Amazon. I put a link to it in the description.
As an American, I knew nothing about Rupert. But I, my wife, our baby son, and my sister just happened to take a trip to London in late 1984 when Broadstreet (with Rupert) was playing in the cinemas. My sister and I went to see it one evening, and I took a photo of the poster advertising the Rupert short. Sometime later back home, I bought an uncommon 8-inch LaserDisc with Rupert on side 1, and Seaside Woman & Oriental Nightfish on side 2. I and all my kids (3 eventually) got to love Rupert and Seaside Woman - they're great! I copied that 8" LaserDisc onto DVD-R, and now my grandkids and grand-nephews love those 2 videos & songs too - I even have them on my smartphone to play when visiting them (along with the music videos from Yellow Submarine).
And although the plot of Broadstreet is nothing to brag about, I still love its music videos!
This was a very intersecting and fun video. I played it for my children when it came out and I play it today for my grandchildren. We all loved it, fits perfectly with the classic “Disney” films. Walt would be proud.
I love that song. I have it on my phone and the other day it played, my wife (who is from Poland) asked me what the heck that was, so I found the full length video on TH-cam and she thought it was cool
As a Brit born in the mid 60s I’d really like to emphasise to non-Brits how important Rupert was to us kids. If we were lucky we’d receive the Rupert annual at Christmas and because it can be read three different ways, it would be read repeatedly. It definitely wasn’t just for Christmas. The world of Rupert was bizarre and magical, like so much British children’s literature. I am delighted to learn the annual is still produced today. If you’re a non-Brit and wonder what all the fuss is about, I recommend you get hold of an annual and see for yourself.
Yes, we in the States missed out. Mickey is no Rupert. Rupert is what seems to be 'missing' today in growing up, learning, and retaining goodness, respect, wholesome attitudes applied to living. The lasting traditions of the Rupert series is a blessing, as you say above, to be treasured.
You had me at 2:06 when describing "The sun" as the most morally bankrupt newspaper! As a rather timorous child, I would agree with your description of the "Rupert the bear" series as slightly scary especially in the case of that creepy twig creature thing "Raggety". Thank you for a great upload which was well researched and I totally agree with.
Andrew, this video opened up this 'children' side of McCartney that has been viewed lightly. But the composer burst forth, and that rather impressed and confused we Beatles biased followers. Personally, finding out about this immensely creative side of this young man sort of lifted McCartney to a level that was not very common in our rockers' mind. Beatles, Solo, Wings, Composer for other artists (deserving of a video, Andrew, hint hint), Composer of children songs, Classical masterpieces, Fireman explorations, Painter, Photographer, Filmmaker, Poet. The 1980s revealed a young person who was blessed with an immensity of creativity that baffled ill-prepared critics and, yes, the listening audience. It is true Denny Laine was hurt, rightly so, but he also confessed, unblushingly, that McCartney would be remembered long after the rest of us would vanish in the haze. Thank you, Andrew, for lifting your scarf to a great artist of the times.
My pleasure, Antonio!
This was by far the greatest mini-documentary about one of my all time favorites of Sir Paul that I've ever found anywhere ! Well done ! Love the fact how you emphasize the wonderful production and voices and instrumentation and arrangements in this classic McCartney song.
I am always surprised and sad about, generally speaking, how little love this amazing song usually gets from the public and especially from McCartney & Beatles-fans. I've never ever understood that. Because I call it nothing less than a wonderful masterpiece, and I am so glad you gave it here, in this splendid video, some context and explaining. Wonderful work 👍🏻
Kind regards, greetings from The Netherlands, Simon 🎹
Thanks Simon. Glad you enjoyed it!
I have always been charmed by this delightful song.
I have the original and reissued picture discs of the single and a uk pressing of All the best all bought at time of release. After the Live Aid cock up, the day after the concert Bob Geldof invited Paul to a studio to re-record the first half of Let it Be for future usage. I think this new version is on the DVD of the live aid concert released around 2004. Great video Andrew. How can anyone not love Rupert the bear? My oldest memory of him is owning Rupert and the firebird on vinyl. Its on TH-cam with some frog chorus like catchy songs. Cheers, Col.
Also, thanks for addressing the reason why some of us in the UK had a hard time forgiving Denny Laine. I saw that his last wife blamed Jojo Laine for those articles. Well, I’m sure that’s what Denny told her…
I was 12 in 1984 and remember it well. Me and my brothers loved the song.
Christmas 1984 was very special for me. In Italy Christmas videos for Band Aid, Wham! and McCartney’s We All & No more lonely nights were in heavy rotation. Since that Christmas is best reminded by me as my mum cane Back from hospital After a month…well, is very emotional for me. Thanks for these memories, Andrew.
Glad it bought back some nice memories, Marcello.
I love how you cover niche topics regarding the fab four. I find things like this fascinating and always come back to learn more about the records the Beatles put out or the records put out during their solo careers. In the future, will you cover Paul McCartney's projects relating to Buddy Holly, such as purchasing the publishing rights to his music, hosting Buddy Holly Week from 1976 to 1999 and the documentary he made for BBC Arena back in the mid-80's?
Glad you enjoyed it, Matthew!
As a youngster living in Florida, I remember my mom recording "Rupert And The Frog Song" on our first VCR when it premiered on HBO back in the day. It didn't come out of nowhere, HBO ran promos for it leading up to its airing, so it came on with anticipation. Had no idea Rupert was a thing long before that.
I like how I've only heard the name Rupert the Bear before, never seen him. And yet when I saw the thumbnail, somehow I knew "oh, that guy is Rupert the Bear, isn't it"
there's also another amazing animated short made to Paul's 'Tropic Island Hum'
i started to write a comment talking about how much I loved the song Spies LIke Us as an 80s kid. Then I decided to rewatch the video. I realized that I somehow only remembered the last 40 seconds of the tune. The upbeat fun part. Another blow my childhood memories.
I always like the song but now my 6 months baby looooves it so much so now it makes me smile every time I hear it. Amazing how Mccartney can activate babies music neurons! Cheers from Mexico 🇲🇽
You got one thing wrong here, large amounts of kids were not going with their parents to watch Rupert before Broad street at cinemas in the UK. I begged my mum to take me as a nipper because I was (unusually for a kid back then) so into The Beatles. The large London cinema was completely empty, apart from one old lady who was asleep in the back! Broadstreet had vanished within a week from that theatre. As you say, it sold huge amounts on video and I remember kids singing the 'bom bom bom' parts in the playground. It certainly didn't save his career though. His reputation in the music press was rock bottom, pretty much until he started touring again in the late 80's and I was seen as an oddball for loving The Beatles and (even worse) McCartney. I admire the song as it does exactly what it was supposed to do: remind us of Disney classic songs, fit the film perfectly and be sung/loved by children. I still have the 7" and also the 12" picture disc. A very enjoyable video though, nice work. I do have a soft spot for Spies Like Us (which was his last original US Top Ten solo single) and Press To Play (a HUGE flop everywhere) , largely due to Macca being the only Beatle releasing new stuff that I could use my pocket money to buy at that time!
Hey Andrew! Incredible video as always. We All Stand Together is also included in the Brazilian version of All The Best - I love it and it's super nostalgic for me, it was one of my favorites as a kid, loved the little film too. Paul's a genius!
Glad you enjoyed it!
We All Stand Together is definitely meant for a specific audience although I can see why it was so successful during Christmas 1984 with its sing along chorus much like Pipes of Peace and Mull of Kintyre which both hit around Christmas time in 1983 and 1977 respectively. Never heard We All Stand Together until much later but I do recognize its appeal even if it’s not my favorite. Thanks for another enjoyable video Andrew!
Glad you enjoyed it, Bill!
There's also an unreleased album of many unreleased songs called Rupert. I really wish Paul McCartney releases that album. There are many great songs in it, including his own Rupert's theme.
Apparently Mary Tortell used to write Rupert whilst sunbathing in her garden. This caused kids from all over to her house to watch her write Rupert Bear😂
I remember Rupert was on Nick Jr during the day over here in the States in the mid 90s.
You're right about Rupert never catching on here in the US. I'm not sure why. I've been selling on ebay about 25 years. In my travels of going around looking around for stuff to sell on ebay, I once found several Rupert annuals, dating from the 1930s to early 40s. So I can attest they were published during WWII. They were auction items. I had no interest, or bids, from any country other than UK and Australia. I can't recall what they went for, but there was a lot of bids, and they did go for decent money.
I'm glad to hear you say nice things about George Martin's compositions. You know how I feel about Martin's "Pepperland Suite", on the Yellow Submarine album. Perhaps that would have been better received had it been issued as a separate record. Martin was a classically trained composer, conductor, pianist, and oboist. He attended Guildhall School of Music. Had it not been for Martin's influence on The Beatles, there might not have been an "Eleanor Rigby", to say nothing of all the classical music elements in Sgt. Pepper's. The Beatles, along with The Moody Blues, helped lay the groundwork for all of the classically influenced psychedelia, and prog rock, we saw in the late 1960s, and 1970s.
It's really a shame George Martin didn't write more classical music, or even film scores, outside of his work as a producer . You might do a review some time of the "Live And Let Die" soundtrack, especially in comparison to other classic James Bond soundtracks.
If you read the reviews of his records in the American press, after "Pipes Of Peace", they were pretty much panned by critics, until "Flowers In The Dirt" came along. That was the record that more or less helped restore Paul's respectability in the States.
Lucky for me when I finally learned of this song in the 1990s, I knew who Rupert was because I actually read a couple of Rupert books I'd found at the library. Surprises me the odd things I'd find at the Orlando Public Library sometimes. Plus in 1995, they aired the 1990s cartoon on Nick Jr. When I finally got to see the video for the song, I adored it. I also loved Give My Regards To Broadstreet . I get why people weren't big on it, but like Press To Play (my favorite solo album), doesn't mean they're right.
Nice production. Very informative. I'm glad that you do not shy away from subjects that some may consider uncool and that you treat the subject with respect rather than send it up. Cheers!
Thanks Dave. I appreciate that!
i learnt to play this by myself on a little casio keyboard my dad got just for fun.it reminds me a lot about the 80's.i drove my dad nuts to get me the pipes of peace lp
Love it. It got me as a kid into McCartney & very quickly into my sister’s red & blue albums.
Frog chorus became the second single I bought after Spies like Us, (I know, it had been out a while by then)
So i became a Beatles fan in the mid 80’s at about 10 years old.
And today Paul McCartney is still at the top of my most listened to artists on spotify.
I didn’t know about Rupert as a kid in the States, which makes me sad because I would have loved it!
Great video! The scarf is a great detail! Although I like “Spies like us” Many singles from Paul are for strange films like “Same time next year”
Thanks for making this. As a teenager, I remember seeing The Frog Chorus on Top of the Pops a couple of times. The quality of the animation always seemed way too good just for a pop video, but it always puzzled me that I never heard anything about a stand-alone movie (which I assumed would be feature length.) It being an accompanying feature makes perfect sense. Finally got to see the whole thing on TH-cam after 40 years!
Thanks for watching!
I've remembered having the book when I was a kid in the USA.
At least they cared to run the film over here, albeit, on a premium channel at the time (Disney Channel). It also had a home video release so it it wasn't too obscure, but certainly didn't get Rupert through the American door as they might've wanted.
The video made it all the way to our living room in Portugal, 40 years ago. I was a little kid back then and became so ecstatic about this little film that my parents had to buy me the vinyl. 40 years later, this is the song I play on TH-cam for my baby daughter to fall asleep to. Too many things to add but long story short, the song and the short film are two little masterpieces!
My Grandma had a copy of this Rupert short on VHS, and I watched it many many times. I can picture myself in the living room of her old bungalow now, eating toasted teacakes in front of the electric fire and humming along to the melody. Its nice to remember Grandma - glad I came across this video tonight.
Beautiful memories. Thanks for wathcing!
Great video! I do love the Rupert short film -and Paul's other animated shorts- and it's fun to hear more about how this particular project developed. I've been wanting to go back and explore the books and TV series. Seems so charming! I remember once wondering if Geoff Dunbar was related to John Dunbar of Indica, but Mark Lewisohn told me it was unlikely. Now I want to see Lautrec! Thanks :)
After seeing this video about a film and song that I had never heard or seen, I had to look it up and found the official video. In my opinion, this is an excellent children's song. I could see it written into one of the music books I loved so much in the first, second and third grades. I could imagine the class learning it for their yearly school musical, and the whole class doing the bong, bong intro as a round just as we had so much fun with Row, row, row, your boat or Frere Jacque. Let the critics go play with their own typewriters. This is a nice little song.
The Brazilian All The Best double vinyl also had We All Stand Together. That's how I got to know the song when I was a child. Love it since 1987. :)
I was living in West Germany USAF, & later seen Broad Street & Rupert...at least I seen it in Vancouver, BC in Oct/Nov 1984
I listened to it in 1984 and then introduced my 2 daughters to it...all of it, which led to us all being and becoming huge Paul and Linda fans, including Wings et al. Being a musician who grew up hard and had my wife in an improv band I had, {thank you Paul ( and Steve Howe)} I did not know all the tid bits that you gave us here and can't wait to show my girls (now in their 30's) and make their day! Thanks much.
It was also released in Mexico circa 1985, I witnessed it as an 11 yo boy back then when it first came out. Thank you for making a video of this.
Yep, I’m one of your US viewers who didn’t really know about this one til recently. I heard both sides of the single on streaming as part of the 7’’ Singles box. I defiant seek out the film too - that animation style looks fantastic. Also: nice scarf! 😁 at first, I thought it was just gonna be in that one cutaway and then disappear. 😂
I was given a Rupert Annual when I was a kid in 1975 in Canada. I just loved reading all the stories with the colourful pictures. I dont know this Paul McCartney frog choir story. I did see the Nelvana cartoon (I think?), and it was very close to how I had imagined the characters would sound.
Love this channel. Great videos, always really informative. These will be an invaluable resource for Beatles scholars in years to come for sure...
Today I met Rupert. For the very first time… Thanks, Andrew! See you soon /// Martin 😊
As a kid growing up in America who not only liked cartoon bears like Winnie the Pooh and Little Bear and absolutely ADORED frogs and toads, I guarantee that if I saw Rupert Bear and the Frog Song growing up, I would have been totally enamored with it. I only ever discovered it by chance in my college days, but even as an adult I find it and the song itself charming as I'll get out. If I ever have kids of my own, I think I'll raise them on "We All Stand Together".
My family bought the All the Best compilation here in Brazil at the end of the 80s. I was a child and I loved the song, even though I didn't know Rupert (in Brazil it was only shown on TV in the late 90s and 2000s).
But I saw the music video because, to promote the album, a TV channel made a special show that was just several Paul McCartney music videos, and the clip for that song was included.
The album (All the Best) had an insert with song lyrics, and I memorized it - scratching my head, because it was hard to understand the relationship between writing and pronunciation in English. But I memorized it anyway. Without knowing what it meant, of course.
I hadn't heard this song in a long time and I decided to listen to it again thanks to this video. I found it very fun because I remembered the words and the sound, but now I understand the language.
I was dragged to see the movie by a high school friend who loved the Beatles. I don't remember a thing about it but I remember the lovely Rupert Bear short it ran first.
Well, this video just reminded me of a series to get for my kids!
Thank you!
Omg I know rupert it played on qubo in america along with other shows like the real ghostbusters, the other ghost busters not related to the first ghostbusters but instead based on an old show that's seprate from the movie, and also babar.
Man, r.i.p qubo.
I still have my "New Rupert" book with Rupert making a snowman on the cover, maybe from 1956 when I was 6 years old. Rupert is still my favorite.
I was born in late 1984 and have a VHS recording of the short film taped off The Disney Channel back in the late 80s - I loved it (and the song) back then and I love them still now.
I can bet with any certainty I have that this was my first Paul McCartney song! The Beatles weren’t played much in my house when I was growing up, so I would only catch them when my dad would listen to his oldies radio in the car. Imagine my surprise when later I discovered the voice of Rupert was my favorite Beatle! 😳
This is one of my favorite pieces of childhood nostalgia. Thanks for featuring it!
Glad it bought back some nice memories.
The song and the short are the best part of the Give My Regards to Broad Street film project.
Watched Rupert as a kid in the US! Plan on looking for this film!
I had the VHS and it freaked me out as a kid, especially the bonus music videos after the credits.
Being American I know Rupert more from the Nelvana animated series from 1991 and I loved it watching it every morning on nick jr and glad it has come out on streaming
The frog song used to be played on Christmas FM here in Ireland.
Funny how memory plays tricks, I always remembered it as a UK Christmas number 1 from my childhood.. Although, being in my early teens, I also remember how uncool everyone thought it was (which was a bit awkward, as I really liked it.. but I was never one of the cool kids)
I was surprised to hear that the short and the song were not know in the US at that time because Rupert wasn’t known. However, south of the border, in Mexico, both had a brief success and it wouldn’t be until much later Rupert was known because of a Canadian cartoon.
Back in those days, some bans on media were lifted and MTV was all the rage. Televisa had some shows that showcased the hottest videos and made feature presentation events of big ones, like Thriller, We Are The World or The Goonies ‘r’ Good Enough. In that “tradition”, they showcased this short as an MTV music video! It was a hit, in part due to Paul McCartney as the Beatles are held in high regard in Mexico even to this day. So much so, that many thought the bear was McCartney in cartoon form.
Channel 5 rebroadcasted it for quite a while sometime after, mostly as a broadcast-time filler (advertising in Mexican TV is not a good business because of taxation and a lot of time goes either unsold or not even offered. It is cheaper not to sell ad time and put anything else instead in many instances).
The song was sold as a cassette single right after the debut of the short (small EPs were phased out around that time and CDs wouldn’t be a real option until the 90s).
A lot of people remember the video rather than the song, which doesn’t surprise me as the visuals do cast a big shadow on the song which was mostly humming for most people (the lyrics are barely intelligible, in my opinion).
My friend owned a record store in the eighties and I bought the Rupert picture disc when it came out in late ‘84. Not being a huge post-Beatles collector, I bought it because of its charm. I still have it and have given it a few spins over the years. About the same time my little brother won tickets and a soundtrack album from the local radio station promoting Broadstreet. I don’t remember much about the film except I was thrilled watching Paul play some of his old Beatles material.
I’m a bookish American Gen X’r, who grew up on the Beatles, and serious Anglophile who loved Dr. Who and Monty Python. How is this the first time I’ve ever heard of Rupert Bear, much less this controversy? What a mystery.
I am an American and I have loved the frog song since I first heard it. I bought the dvd for my grandchildren last Christmas and they love it, too. One of the things I admire most about Paul is that he creates music in almost every genre and for every type of fan.
It's a charming single, Andrew, and one of those songs you can't get out of your head once you hear it! Thanks for telling us the background to its release .
I know what you mean, Nick. Glad you enjoyed the video.
It's a shame Rupert didn't become known in the US to my knowledge until its airing on Nick Jr in the 90s which I remember watching when I was little. Thanks for making this video about this underrated song.
Thanks for watching!
When We All Stand Together was at its peak in the UK, it was in competition with Like A Virgin by Madonna, Last Christmas by Wham, and Do They Know It’s Christmas by Band Aid.
And yes. I still own “Rupert” on 7’ vinyl. Had it for over 50 years. “Going To The Circus” on the B side.
More context for the clip at the end of the DVD where Paul just simply says the word "Magic" and closes a book...
The DVD that it's from isn't just Rupert and the Frog Song, but a collection of animated shorts that Paul McCartney worked on. You might notice in the background of the "magic" clip that the music doesn't seem to resemble anything out of the Rupert short film.
That's because it's from a different short film called Tropic Island Hum. He'd later make a book called High in the Clouds with a similar premise (Which also has a full-length animated feature in the works which found a director and writer back in 2023. According to IMDB it's expected to have a release this year). The DVD also included an animated short film called Tuesday based on a book by David Wiesner, as well.
The DVD opens with Paul McCartney opening a book, and commenting how animation is like magic, before flipping through the pages of the book quickly to bring an animated character to life. So, Paul closing the book and saying "magic" is a bookend to this opening.
If you're curious about the DVD, it's titled Paul McCartney: The Music and Animation Collection.
Thanks for the info!