Spelling Song (also referred to as the "Recycling Song") is the third song from the musical episode "Zanzibar!" In this song, Captain Compost Heap, with the use of visual aids, teaches the citizens of O-Town about environmental action. The song has two reprises, the first one is sung by the citizens of O-Town when they enter the Conglom-O boardroom, and the second being Ed Bighead's rebuttal. The song is also briefly referenced in Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling, where CCH is seen singing it, before being crushed by Rocko's house. The song was written by Dan Povenmire and Jeff 'Swampy' Marsh.
The first version of the song is also featured on the album Best of Nicktoons.
Lyrics[]
First version[]
Captain Compost Heap: R-E-C-Y-C-L-E, recycle.
C-O-N-S-E-R-V-E, conserve.
Don't you P-O-L-L-U-T-E,
Pollute the rivers, sky or sea,
Or else you're gonna get what you deserve.
The ozone is in horrible condition
From fluorocarbons in our atmosphere.
They are too small to be seen by normal vision...
Fluorocarbons: But there's getting to be more of us each year.
Fluorocarbon soloist: We come from a variety of places,
Like styrofoam containers
And aerosol cans.
Fluorocarbons: We love to eat the ozone,
It's our favorite dessert.
And if you don't have an ozone,
Then the sun can really hurt.
Virginia: You must admit, we make a lot of garbage.
Tammy: This dump is filled up way above the brim.
CCH: If we don't make an effort to recycle...
The Grim Recycler: The future could be looking mighty grim.
Heffer: Look, it's the Grim Recycler!
The Grim Recycler: No autographs, please!
CCH: Someone's cutting down the O-Town forest.
It's not enough to sit around and grieve.
If we don't protect our flora and our fauna...
German scientist: Zen ve von't have ze oxygen to breathe!
Citizens: (gasp) R-E-C-Y-C-L-E, recycle...
CCH: Recycle!
Citizens: C-O-N-S-E-R-V-E, conserve...
CCH: Conserve!
Citizens: Don't you P-O-L-L-U-T-E,
Pollute the rivers, sky or sea...
CCH: Or else we're gonna get...
Citizens: What we deserve!
Reprise[]
Citizens: We'd like to see you stop all this polluting
And treat poor Mother Nature with more care.
We hope that you don't mind us all intruding,
But we'd really like to make you all aware...
Heffer: That you should...
Citizens: R-E-C-Y-C-L-E, recycle...
Rocko: I told ya it was catchy!
Citizens: C-O-N-S-E-R-V-E, conserve!
Don't you P-O-L-L-U-T-E,
Pollute the rivers, sky or sea,
Or else you're gonna get
What you deserve!
Ed's reprise[]
Mr. Bighead: Oh...
I don't have the patience to recycle!
I don't worry about the ozone layer!
I don't buy a single thing that's biodegradable
So I just dump my garbage anywhere!
(gets zapped)
I hate my life.