Jump Up, Super Star! is the theme song of Super Mario Odyssey. It is sung by Pauline and was used in gameplay footage of Super Mario Odyssey during E3 2017.
The song uses an upbeat, big-band jazz style, and the most noticeable feature is its lyrics, something very rarely heard in songs from the Super Mario series. The song has Pauline detailing an adventure across the worlds of Super Mario Odyssey, referring to herself as Mario's "1-Up Girl". A Japanese version of the song has its own lyrics, unique to the international version.[1]
This song was performed by The Super Mario Players and was sung by Kate Higgins (also known as Kate Davis[2]). It was composed by Naoto Kubo[3], and the original lyrics were written by Nobuyoshi Suzuki[4]. The full version was released worldwide on October 20, 2017 on the iTunes Store, while the short version is downloadable for free until January 2018.[5]
Development
Nobuyoshi Suzuki, the sound designer of Super Mario Odyssey, wrote the first draft of the lyrics in Japanese. According to Yoshiaki Koizumi, they had a discussion on whether using words such as "1UP" would be good. They sent all of the documents they had to the localization members to create the final lyrics, due to English being a more global language, as Koizumi stated.[4]
Kate Higgins, who sang the English version, mentioned Cup of Tea Productions, Inc. was in charge of the voice acting. When asked if she was interested in doing the voice, she agreed and auditioned for the role by sending samples of her voice to Nintendo of Japan, and was ultimately selected for the role. Weeks before the recording session, Nintendo of Japan sent her a demo sung by a Japanese singer and a lead sheet, with the music already recorded. Several people from Japan and America were present in the final recording.[6]
Lyrics
English
Here we go, off the rails
Don't you know it's time to raise our sails?
It's freedom like you never knewDon't need bags, or a pass
Say the word, I'll be there in a flash
You could say my hat is off to youOh, we can zoom all the way to the moon
From this great wide wacky world
Jump with me, grab coins with me
Oh yeah!It's time to jump up in the air (Jump up in the air)
Jump up, don't be scared (Jump up, don't be scared)
Jump up and your cares will soar away (oohoohooh)
And if the dark clouds start to swirl (Dark clouds start to swirl)
Don't fear, don't shed a tear, 'cause
I'll be your 1UP GirlSo let's all jump up super high (Jump up super high)
High up in the sky (High up in the sky)
There's no power-up like dancing
You know that you're my superstar (You're my superstar)
No one else can take me this far
I'm flipping the switch
Get ready for this
Oh, let's do the odyssey!Odyssey, ya see! (x7)
Odyssey, odyssey!Spin the wheel, take a chance
Every journey starts a new romance
A new world's calling out to you
Take a turn, off the path
Find a new addition to the cast
You know that any captain needs a crewTake it in stride as you move, side to side
They're just different points of view
Jump with me, grab coins with me
Oh yeah!Come on and jump up in the air (Jump up in the air)
Jump without a care (Jump without a care)
Jump up 'cause you know that I'll be there
And if you find you're short on joy (Find you're short on joy)
Don't fret, just don't forget that
You're still our 1UP BoySo go on, straighten up your cap (Straighten up your cap)
Let your toes begin to tap (Toes begin to tap)
This rhythm is a power 'shroom
Don't forget you're the superstar (You're the superstar)
No one else can make it this far
Put a comb through that 'stache
Now you've got panache
Oh, let's do the odyssey!It's time to jump up in the air (Jump up in the air)
Jump up, don't be scared (Jump up don't be scared)
Jump up and your cares will soar away (oohoohooh)
And if the dark clouds start to swirl (Dark clouds start to swirl)
Don't fear, don't shed a tear, 'cause
I'll be your 1UP GirlNow listen all you boys and girls (All you boys and girls)
All around the world (All around the world)
Don't be afraid to get up and move
You know that we're all superstars (We're all superstars)
We're the ones who've made it this far
Put a smile on that face
There's no time to waste
Oh, let's do the odyssey!
Japanese (short version)
| Japanese script | Romanization | Translation |
|---|---|---|
|
旅のサイン 投げたコイン 世界の灯りの数ほど 一緒に夢を見て（夢を見て） 皆でハイジャンプして（ハイジャンプして） オデッセイ，デッセイ！ (x7) |
Tabi no sain Nageta koin Sekai no akari no kazu hodo Issho ni yume o mite (yume o mite) Mina de hai janpu shite (hai janpu shite) Odessei, dessei! |
The journey started, Throw coins, The number of lights in this world, Dreaming together (dreaming together) Everyone jump up high, (jump up high) Odyssey, ya see! |
Media
Trivia
- This song is the first main theme of a Super Mario series game to feature lyrics.
- The theme of 25m from Donkey Kong can be heard during the part where Pauline repeats the lyrics "Odyssey, ya see". In addition, the sound effect played when Mario jumps over a barrel in the game can be heard at the end of the aforementioned riff.[7]
- Also, when Pauline says "Odyssey, ya see", she mimics her sprite animations from Donkey Kong.
External links
References
- ^ Japanese version of the song
- ^ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_Higgins
- ^ The metadata of the short version downloads/ stream and of the iTunes release
- ^ a b https://www.famitsu.com/news/201710/25144749.html?page=2
- ^ Official Japanese page of Jump Up, Super Star!. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
- ^ http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/10/27/kate-higgins-on-playing-pauline-and-recording-quot-jump-up-superstar-quot-for-super-mario-odyssey.aspx
- ^ https://youtube.com/watch?v=nEYx56R66fc