Ground Theme (Super Mario Bros.)
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The "Ground Theme" or overworld theme[1] is a recurring musical theme composed by Koji Kondo, first appearing in World 1-1 of Super Mario Bros. The theme uses a periodic structure and calypso rhythms, and plays at an andante moderato tempo. The theme has become one of most recognizable and iconic songs in the Mario franchise as well as the video game industry as a whole, having made numerous appearances in games and media associated with Mario or the franchise itself and arranged many times by musicians and in symphonic concerts.[2][3]
Sheet music for the Ground Theme has been used in the background of Super Mario Orchestra Concert promotional material.
Composition
The Ground Theme is a Latin-styled composition piece with a calypso-like rhythm which Kondo wrote alongside the rest of the music for Super Mario Bros. while watching and playing the game as it was being developed.[4] Kondo has cited works by Japanese fusion band T-Square and musician Sadao Watanabe as influences in the music.[5] Upon seeing the overworld levels, Kondo initially wrote a "laid-back, relaxing" piece that would invoke the feeling of a "carefree walk," but thought it did not fit the game. Kondo decided instead to create a new piece whose tempo would match the game's speed and the rhythm of Mario's movements, though a triplet-like noise from the original piece was retained in the final composition.[6][7] The Ground Theme was the second song Kondo created for the game, after the Underwater Theme.[8]
Both the "Lose a Life" and "Game Over" themes for Super Mario Bros. are arranged excerpts of the Ground Theme; the former taken from the last several notes of the theme before it loops, and the latter taken from the first few notes that follow the theme's opening bar. Kondo's idea behind such tunes was to motivate players to try again, rather than using sounds that would otherwise discourage them.[9][10]
Arrangements
Super Mario series
Super Mario Bros.
In Super Mario Bros., the Ground Theme is used as the background music of all levels that take place outdoors, excluding underground, underwater, and castle levels. This encompasses level themes that would be given separate music in later games, such as athletic and night levels. The "Lose a Life" and "Game Over" themes are based on the Ground Theme.
As the game is for the Nintendo Entertainment System and Family Computer, the theme is orchestrated as chiptune, using two pulse wave channels for melody and harmony, a triangle wave generator for bass, and a noise channel for percussion. After the introduction, a rhythmic contrast emerges between the tonal parts, which play with straight eighth notes, and the percussion, which plays a swing rhythm.
Reuses
In addition to ports and remakes of Super Mario Bros., the original Ground Theme has been reused in many other games:
| Game | Description |
|---|---|
| Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels | Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels reuses the soundtrack from Super Mario Bros. |
| Super Smash Bros. | The original Ground Theme is reused in Mushroom Kingdom, a stage based on Super Mario Bros. |
| Super Smash Bros. Melee | The original Ground Theme returns in Mushroom Kingdom, another stage based on Super Mario Bros. |
| WarioWare: Twisted! / WarioWare Gold | The Ground Theme plays in the first level of the Super Mario Bros. boss microgame, which changes tempo depending on how fast the player is playing. |
| WarioWare: Touched! | An excerpt of the Ground Theme plays in the above-ground settings of two microgames based on Super Mario Bros. |
| WarioWare: Smooth Moves | An excerpt of the Ground Theme, titled "Super Mario Bros. 10 Coins" in the Sound Studio, plays in the microgames Super Mario Bros., Super Nostalgic Entertainment System, and Sifty Character. |
| Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii) | The Ground Theme, titled "Ground BGM," is playable in the gallery. |
| Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker 2 | The Ground Theme plays in Ground-themed levels of the Super Mario Bros. style. The "Lose a Life" and "Game Over" tunes also return. |
| Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Super Smash Bros. for Wii U | With the release of the downloadable Super Mario Maker stage on September 30, 2015, the Ground Theme was added as one of its selectable songs. |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | The Ground Theme returns as one of the Mario series' selectable songs. |
Super Mario Bros. Special
In Super Mario Bros. Special, the Ground Theme is at a slower tempo than the original, and once again plays in above-ground levels.
VS. Super Mario Bros.
In VS. Super Mario Bros., the Ground Theme is remixed into a version interlaced with sound effects for the name registration screen.
This remix is reused for the Bonus Music sound effect in the Super Mario Bros. game style in Super Mario Maker and Super Mario Maker 2.
Super Mario Bros. 2
In Super Mario Bros. 2, an arrangement of the Ground Theme plays in Subspace, replacing an original tune in Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic. The arrangement is noticeably shortened, only including two excerpts from the original piece.
Super Mario Bros. 3
In Super Mario Bros. 3, the Music Box item plays a soothing arrangement of an excerpt of the Ground Theme when used. It is transposed to a higher range and features a faux echo effect. The music has the in-universe effect of lulling all Hammer Brother, Fire Brother, Boomerang Brother, and Sledge Brother Enemy Courses, as well as the Piranha Plant stages in Pipe Land, to sleep.
Super Mario World
In Super Mario World, the Ground Theme is incorporated into the Special Zone music after the main rhythm loops several times. The player must wait on the map for two minutes to hear it. This arrangement of the theme is orchestrated using synth brass and steel drums, which exchange to play specific melodies.
Super Mario All-Stars
As Super Mario All-Stars is a remake of the first four Super Mario Bros. games, 16-bit arrangements of the corresponding Ground Theme melodies were created. The full, arranged Ground Theme was later reused for the above-ground "Classic" World-e levels in Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3. A new arrangement of the Ground Theme's sixth to eighth bars plays on the main game selection screen.
Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64's title screen uses a rearrangement of the Ground Theme for steel drum, organ, and percussion. Additionally, a vocalization of the first six notes can be heard after entering a painting.
Super Mario Advance
A slight rearrangement of the Subspace music was used for Super Mario Advance.
Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2
In Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2, the Special Zone music was given a slight rearrangement. Additionally, an arrangement plays in the cutscene after finding every goal in the game, which also incorporates the "Course Clear" tune from Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Sunshine
The music for secret courses in Super Mario Sunshine is a group a cappella arrangement of the Ground Theme. An arranged version of the "Lose a Life" tune using horns plays when Mario loses all of his health.
The a capella arrangement is reused in certain minigames in Super Mario 64 DS and New Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
In Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, an updated version of the Music Box theme is used, while the newly added world selection screen uses a new, steelpan arrangement of the name registration screen music from VS. Super Mario Bros.
New Super Mario Bros.
In New Super Mario Bros., a sped-up but otherwise faithful arrangement of the original theme is used in Toad Houses. The game also uses a variation of the original "Lose a Life" tune, which would later be reused in later New Super Mario Bros. games as well as in Super Mario Maker and Super Mario Maker 2 in New Super Mario Bros. U-styled levels.
Super Mario Galaxy
In Super Mario Galaxy, the Ground Theme is rearranged as the background music for Toy Time Galaxy, which is titled "Super Mario 2007" in the official soundtrack and arranged by Mahito Yokota. It features a break after the first bar, but is otherwise faithful to the original theme. The specific arrangement appears to be based on "Mario Syndrome", a dance remix of the same source track released as a novelty single in 1986.[11] Arrangements of the "Lose a Life" and "Game Over" tunes are again used, which return in Super Mario Galaxy 2, while the former is reused in Super Mario 3D Land.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
An original arrangement of the Ground Theme is used in Toad Houses in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. In this version, there is a brief break between the third and fourth bars, and the instrumentation for the rest of the theme is similar to that of Toy Time Galaxy from Super Mario Galaxy. Additional bass and percussion is added when the minigame starts. In Power-up Panels, the music speeds up for every Bowser or Bowser Jr. image revealed. The first six notes of the Ground Theme is also heard at the beginning of the credits theme.
The Toad House arrangement returns in the same locations in New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
In Super Mario Galaxy 2, the music for Supermassive Galaxy, Mario Squared Galaxy, and Twisty Trials Galaxy is a remix of Toy Time Galaxy's music from Super Mario Galaxy, with the differences being the backing techno sounds during the break and the first part of the song playing different notes, and the addition of a slightly audible instrument in the main melody. The first measure of the Ground Theme is also used as a jingle for switching the player character between Mario and Luigi.
Super Mario 3D Land
Another arrangement of the Ground Theme is used for voxel art levels in Super Mario 3D Land: World 2-3 and Special 1-3. This version begins with a lead-up to the second bar, with the first bar omitted, and returns in Super Mario 3D World in Rainbow Run. Mario also hums the theme in the cutscene between Worlds 5 and 6. Another variation of the "Game Over" tune is used, which returns in Super Mario 3D World as well as in Super Mario Maker 2 in 3D World-styled levels.
New Super Mario Bros. 2
During a loading screen in New Super Mario Bros. 2, the second bar of the Ground Theme can be heard. Occasionally, the third bar plays. The credits theme from New Super Mario Bros. Wii is reused, but with added vocals.
Super Mario 3D World
In Super Mario 3D World, the melody of the Ground Theme is used in the background music of the Mario sprite bonus room in Bob-ombs Below after activating every panel, which is titled "Mario's Colour Panels" in the official soundtrack.
Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker 2
In Super Mario Maker and Super Mario Maker 2, in addition to the Ground Theme reappearing as the default background music of the Ground course theme in the Super Mario Bros. game style, the music for editing such a course in the Course Maker is an original, more ambient arrangement, using eight tracks that fade in and out randomly to create a dynamic mix.
Super Mario Odyssey
The New Donk City Auditorium in Super Mario Odyssey features a big band arrangement of the Ground Theme. Each part is recorded separately, so that the performance reflects which band members are present as Mario recruits new musicians for Pauline's festival band. This arrangement returns in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Mario no Daibōken
In Mario no Daibōken, the Ground Theme is arranged in a period-appropriate synthesizer style as the tune of "Go Go Mario!!" The lyrics are transcribed below.[12]
きょうも元気に マリオが走る 走る
ピーチ姫を 助けに行くせ 行くせ
きょうも元気に マリオが走る
きょうも元気に ジャンプ
きょうも元気に コインを探せ
きょうも進めよ マリオキノコを取って
スーパーマリオだぜ
フラワーを取って
ファイアマリオクリボーだ ノコノコだ
メットだぜ 倒せ！
マリオは いつも
元気で強いきょうも元気に マリオが走る 走る
クッパ族をやっつけに行くそ 行くそ
きょうも元気に マリオが走る
きょうも元気に ジャンプ
きょうも元気に コインを探せ
きょうも進めよ マリオ
ジュゲムだ とげぞーだ
プクプクだぜ 倒せ！
マリオは いつも
元気で強いきょうも元気に マリオが走る 走る
来たぜお城た 花火を上げろ 上げろ
ハンマーブロスを ひらりとかわし
最後のカを出せ マリオ
長い旅だったけれど
もうすぐ終わる
やったぜ！やったぜ！
クッパ倒したピーチ姫に THANK YOUと言われ
マリオの心は 大きくはずんだマリオの冒険は
ここで経ったけれど
マリオの夢は 果てなく続く
The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
The opening theme of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, the Plumber Rap, samples the Ground Theme. The theme was also adapted into a lyrical song titled "Do the Mario," which serves as the closing theme for each episode and was performed by Lou Albano.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
The Ground Theme is used several times in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, arranged by Yoko Shimomura. The music for the file selection screen, titled "Let's Try" in the official soundtrack, is heavily based on the Ground Theme, with the first phrase being inspired by the name registration music from VS. Super Mario Bros. The Ground Theme is incorporated into the background music for Mario's Pad, played on an aerophone and titled "Super Pipe House." When Mario takes a shower at Marrymore, he can also be heard singing the Ground Theme. It is finally arranged for music box on the game's ending screen, titled "The End!"
Mario Party series
Mario Party
In Mario Party, a brief arrangement of the Ground Theme beginning from the second bar plays on the title screen, while another arrangement of the second half of the Ground Theme was incorporated into the second half of the background music for Peach's Birthday Cake. Both were arranged by Yasunori Mitsuda.
Mario Party 5
The Mario Party 5 minigame Pop-Star Piranhas features a different arrangement of the first few notes after the opening bar of the Ground Theme for each round.
Mario Party DS
In the Mario Party DS minigame Call of the Goomba, the music box plays the Ground Theme, which changes tempo the faster the player turns the crank. In Boogie Beam, the first six notes of the Ground Theme play as the minigame starts.
Mario Party: Island Tour
The theme heard in the Mario Party: Island Tour minigames Xylophone Home and Goomba Tower Takedown is an arrangement of the Ground Theme.
Super Smash Bros. series
Super Smash Bros.
In Super Smash Bros., a faithful arrangement arranged by HAL Laboratory composer Hirokazu Ando plays on the Peach's Castle stage.
The stage returns alongside the song as downloadable content for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for every Mario-series stage (now renamed "Ground Theme - Super Mario Bros. (64)").
Super Smash Bros. Melee
In Super Smash Bros. Melee, an arrangement using brass instruments and steelpan, arranged by HAL Laboratory composer Shogo Sakai, plays on Princess Peach's Castle, which also incorporates the Underground Theme from Super Mario Bros.
The song returns in Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the Rainbow Cruise stage, in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U on the Mushroom Kingdom U and Super Mario Maker stages, and in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for every Mario-series stage (now renamed "Ground Theme - Super Mario Bros. (Melee)").
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, a piano arrangement by Kondo himself can be played in the World 1-1 version of the Mushroomy Kingdom stage. A second arrangement titled "Ground Theme 2 (Super Mario Bros.)" and arranged by Masaaki Iwasaki can also be played on the same stage.
The first arrangement returns in the same stage in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, in the Mushroom Kingdom U and Super Mario Maker stages in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and for any Mario-series stage in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The second arrangement, however, does not return in later installments; it is the only non-Super Smash Bros. arrangement in the game to not make any reappearances.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
A new arrangement by Tetsuya Shibata is featured in both Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS (in the Golden Plains stage) and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (in the Mushroom Kingdom U and Super Mario Maker stages), titled "Ground Theme / Underground Theme" and incorporating both themes as well as the castle music from Super Mario Bros. Exclusive to the Wii U version, Kondo arranged a medley of the Ground Theme, Underwater Theme, and Underground Theme (as well as a brief excerpt of the castle music), titled "Super Mario Bros. Medley," which plays on the Mushroom Kingdom U and Super Mario Maker stages.
The Ground Theme's first six notes can also be heard in the arrangements "Super Mario 3D Land Theme / Beach Theme" (arranged by Bandai Namco composer Jesahm), "Super Mario World Medley" (arranged by Bandai Namco composer Hiroshi Kubo, which also includes the next two measures), and "Egg Planet" (arranged by Nobuko Toda), the last two of which are only found in the Wii U version.
In addition, "Paper Mario Medley" (arranged by former Paper Mario series composer Saki Kasuga) incorporates the Ground Theme arrangement "Blue Skies, White Clouds" from Paper Mario: Sticker Star in the first portion of the song.
All arrangements return in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate available for any Mario-series stage.
Mario Golf series
All arrangements in the Mario Golf series were arranged by Motoi Sakuraba.
Mario Golf
In Mario Golf for the Nintendo 64, an arrangement plays on Mario's Star, while another arrangement plays during part of the credits theme.
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour
On the character selection screen in Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, Peach hums the first six notes of the Ground Theme.
Mario Tennis series
Like the Mario Golf series, all arrangements in the Mario Tennis series were arranged by Motoi Sakuraba.
Mario Tennis
In Mario Tennis for the Nintendo 64, a slightly uptempo arrangement of the Ground Theme plays on the Mario Bros. Court.
Mario Power Tennis
An arrangement plays during the credits for Mario Power Tennis.
Mario Tennis: Power Tour
Similar to Mario Power Tennis, an arrangement plays during Mario Tennis: Power Tour's credits.
Paper Mario series
Paper Mario
In Paper Mario, a faithful arrangement plays after Mario jumps into a vase in Boo's Mansion and transforms into his Super Mario Bros. appearance with modern colors, and after waiting approximately 15 seconds on a chapter introduction screen. When the chapter title itself is introduced, however, a boisterous rendition of the Ground Theme's first six notes plays. The music was arranged by Yuka Tsujiyoko.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
In Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, a techno arrangement plays in the first Super Mario Bros.-styled intermission level where the player controls Bowser.
Super Paper Mario
In the theme for Lineland Road in Super Paper Mario, the opening measures of the Ground Themes from Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario World are used as a base for various melodies. Additionally, arranged versions of the "Lose a Life" and "Game Over" themes are used when the player loses all of their HP.
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
In Paper Mario: Sticker Star, the music that plays throughout the on-land areas of World 1 as well as the first area of Drybake Desert, which is titled "Blue Skies, White Clouds" in the Sticker Museum, includes the Ground Theme's opening bar at the start of the song as well as the second bar in later parts, with slightly varied notes.
Paper Mario: Color Splash
In Paper Mario: Color Splash, the first seven notes of the Ground Theme play when Mario's introductory splash screen appears.
Luigi's Mansion
Before meeting Melody Pianissima in the Conservatory in Luigi's Mansion, the instruments inside when activated play the Ground Theme. Additionally, a sped-up version is played when Mario's painting is run through the Ghost Portrificationizer.
Mario & Luigi series
All arrangements in the Mario & Luigi series were arranged by Yoko Shimomura.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Mario is heard humming the Ground Theme while taking a shower in his house in the opening, while a partial arrangement plays during the cutscene, mixed in with one of Grass Land's theme from Super Mario Bros. 3. The theme is later arranged for mallet percussion and acoustic guitar as the background music for Little Fungitown. The tutorials as well as the minigame Border Jump use an arrangement of the Ground Theme.
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time
As in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, the tutorials in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time use an arrangement of the Ground Theme. The song also plays in the non-snowy areas of Hollijolli Village.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story
Like in previous installments, an arrangement plays during tutorials in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. However, his version is slower-paced.
WarioWare series
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!
In WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, an arranged excerpt of the Ground Theme, with a slower tempo matching that of Super Mario Bros. Special, plays in a microgame based on the original game, Super Mario Bros..
WarioWare: Smooth Moves
In WarioWare: Smooth Moves, one of the orchestrated songs in the microgame Opening Night that the player must conduct the orchestra to perform is an excerpt of the Ground Theme (simply titled "Super Mario").
Donkey Konga
A song in Donkey Konga, titled "Super Mario Theme," is a saxophone-heavy medley of the Ground Theme and other songs in Super Mario Bros., including the Game Over theme.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong series
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
In Mario vs. Donkey Kong, the Ground Theme melody is interspersed within the title and credits themes (together with the title theme from Donkey Kong), where it is played on a steelpan. The former returns in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis as an alternate title theme.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
Like in the first game, the Ground Theme melody is interspersed within Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis's title theme, where it is played on a saxophone. The credits theme is also an updated version of the first game's, with the Ground Theme portions played on a different instrument.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
Another arrangement of the Ground Theme and Donkey Kong title theme plays on the title screen for Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!
In Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!, a marching band-style arrangement plays on the title screen, which shares similarities to the version heard in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
Mario Superstar Baseball
An orchestral arrangement plays in Peach Garden in Mario Superstar Baseball.
Tetris DS
In Tetris DS, a slightly uptempo arrangement plays in levels 1-2 and 8-9 in single-player Standard mode, which are based on the above-ground levels of Super Mario Bros., and throughout multiplayer Standard mode. An arranged excerpt of the Ground Theme also plays towards the end of the game's credits. Both arrangements also use excerpts taken from the original song.
The Standard mode arrangement returns in the Nintendo DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games in the gallery.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
In the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, a violin arrangement plays in Dream Figure Skating with New Super Mario Bros.'s World 1 as the background. Another, fast-paced arrangement also appears in the game, with the first six notes taken directly from the original theme; this version returns in the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Fortune Street
In Fortune Street, a faithful arrangement by Dragon Quest series composer Koichi Sugiyama plays on the Super Mario Bros. board, which itself is based on the overworld levels from the namesake game.
Mario Kart series
Mario Kart 7
In Mario Kart 7, the Ground Theme's first six notes can be heard in the first portion of Piranha Plant Pipeway's music.
Mario Kart 8
Piranha Plant Pipeway and its music return in Mario Kart 8, though with slight alterations and rearranged by Ryo Nagamatsu.[13]
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 地上BGM[?] Chijō BGM |
Above-ground BGM |
References
- ^ Masahiro Sakurai (January 23, 2008). "Super Mario Bros.: Ground Theme". Smash Bros. DOJO!!. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ^ Greening, Chris (December 30, 2012). Koji Kondo Profile. Video Game Music Online. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- ^ Nutt, Christian (December 10, 2014). The Mario Maestro speaks: Koji Kondo on composing classics. Gamasutra. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- ^ NintenDaanNC (December 17, 2009). [NC UK] Koji Kondo Interview. YouTube. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- ^ Koji Kondo – 2001 Composer Interview. Shmuplations. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- ^ Nintendo (December 13, 2014). Chatting with Koji Kondo - Nintendo Minute. YouTube. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- ^ Iwata Asks : Super Mario All-Stars : Music Follows Function. Nintendo. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- ^ Iwata Asks : Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary : To Save Memory. Nintendo. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- ^ Iwata Asks : Super Mario All-Stars : Music Follows Function. Nintendo. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- ^ Schartmann, Andrew (June 25, 2015). The Genius of the Super Mario Bros. “Game Over” Theme. Slate. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- ^ Markiegee55 (March 10, 2017). Super Mario Bros: Mario Syndrome Track 1: Mario Syndrome. YouTube. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ^ Cabbusses's Retro Obscurities (December 31, 2017). GoGoマリオ!! | GoGo Mario!! (From Mario No Daibouken VHSRIP) [マリオの大冒険 ]. YouTube. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ^ Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack credits
