A third remix titled Pokémon Theme (Gotta Catch 'Em All) was the opening theme of I Choose You!. It was performed by Ben Dixon, produced by Ed Goldfarb and Stan Cotey, and mixed by Jeff Stuart Saltzman. A solo piano version of the theme performed by Goldfarb is used as part of the ending after I Choose You. It is also used as an insert song in Partners in Time!.
A fourth remix titled Pokémon Theme (Mewtwo Mix) was the opening theme of Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution. It was performed by Ben Dixon and The Sad Truth with additional vocals by Haven Paschall, Charity Goodin, and Hilary Thomas, with the power inside by Dani Marcus, guitar by James Harman, synths and FX by Steve Mayer, arranged and produced by Ed Goldfarb, and mixed by Jeff Stuart Saltzman. An instrumental version of the original theme is used during the post-credits scene after Keep Evolving.
The clip begins with Mewtwo and a shining Mew floating in space, as the camera focuses on Earth, while the sun starts to rise. The next scene shows Ash alone in a stadium. After that, a Squirtle, Cubone and Pidgeotto are shown quickly, before changing to a Bulbasaur being caught, to which Ash snaps excitedly. Shortly afterwards, the camera shows a Haunter using Lick on Charmander, paralyzing him.
Ash then flips his hat backwards and throws a Poké Ball to the camera. In the following scene, Ash can be seen running along with his Pikachu, an Arcanine and a Rapidash, who then jumps to the skies, disappearing between the legendary birds, who are flying around. Then, a short clip of a Sandshrew unrolling itself, a Kadabra and Charmander is shown, followed by Ash and Pikachu sitting on a Lapras, as they watch a Gyarados jumping out of the water, and a Dragonair jumping in. After that, a Poké Ball is seen trapping a Pokémon who has turned into red energy.
A battle between Pikachu and Raichu is seen, with the former dodging a Body Slam of the latter; and then, a Caterpie bracing for an Ekans' and a Koffing's incoming attack. In the next scene, Ash is seen hugging his Pikachu, followed by a giant Tentacruel attacking a building. Ash then is seen holding a Poké Ball; followed by an Onix. Later, Ash appears to be looking at the screen, when Misty and Brock appear on either side of him, followed by Jessie and James rising up in front of them. Koffing, Meowth and Ekans jump up next, followed by Gary holding a Poké Ball.
The camera does a close-up on Pikachu, and subsequently zooms out, showing Pikachu standing on a Pidgeotto, a Zubat holding a Squirtle, and a Butterfree holding Bulbasaur. The last scene then shows up, on which Ash raises his feet and throws the Poké Ball to the screen, much like a Baseball pitcher, followed by a spinning Poké Ball and the Pokémon logo.
Lyrics
TV version
I wanna be the very best Like no one ever was To catch them is my real test To train them is my cause
I will travel across the land Searching far and wide Teach Pokémon to understand[1] The power that's inside
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me I know it's my destiny (Pokémon!) Oh, you're my best friend In a world we must defend Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me, and I'll teach you Po-ké-mon (Gotta catch 'em all!) Gotta catch 'em all! Pokémon!
I wanna be the very best Like no one ever was To catch them is my real test To train them is my cause
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me, and I'll teach you Po-ké-mon (Gotta catch 'em all!) Gotta catch 'em all! Pokémon!
Extended version
I wanna be the very best Like no one ever was To catch them is my real test To train them is my cause
I will travel across the land Searching far and wide Teach Pokémon to understand[1] The power that's inside
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me I know it's my destiny (Pokémon!) Oh, you're my best friend In a world we must defend Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me, and I'll teach you Po-ké-mon! (Gotta catch 'em all!) Gotta catch 'em all!
Yeah...
Ev'ry challenge along the way With courage I will face I will battle ev'ry day To claim my rightful place
Come with me, the time is right There's no better team, Arm in arm, we'll win the fight It's always been our dream
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me I know it's my destiny (Pokémon!) Oh, you're my best friend In a world we must defend Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me, and I'll teach you Po-ké-mon! (Gotta catch 'em all!) Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me I know it's my destiny (Pokémon!) Oh, you're my best friend In a world we must defend Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me, and I'll teach you Po-ké-mon! (Gotta catch 'em all!) Gotta catch 'em all! Pokémon!
Movie version
I wanna be the very best Like no one ever was To catch them is my real test To train them is my cause
Ooh-ooh-ooh!
I will travel across the land Searching far and wide Each Pokémon to understand The power that's inside (That's inside)
Pokémon! It's you and me I know it's my destiny (Pokémon!) Oh, you're my best friend In a world we must defend Pokémon! A heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me and I'll teach you Po-ké-mon (Gotta catch 'em) Gotta catch 'em Gotta catch 'em all
Every challenge along the way With courage I will face I will battle every day To claim my rightful place
Come with me, the time is right There's no better team, yeah! Arm in arm we'll win the fight It's always been our dream (It's always been our dream)
Pokémon! It's you and me I know it's my destiny (Pokémon!) Oh, you're my best friend In a world we must defend Pokémon! A heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me and I'll teach you Po-ké-mon (I'll teach you!) (Gotta catch 'em) Gotta catch 'em Gotta catch 'em all! Pokémon!
Extended movie version
I wanna be the very best Like no one ever was To catch them is my real test To train them is my cause
Ooh-ooh-ooh!
I will travel across the land Searching far and wide Each Pokémon to understand The power that's inside (That's inside)
Pokémon! It's you and me I know it's my destiny (Pokémon!) Oh, you're my best friend In a world we must defend Pokémon! A heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me and I'll teach you Po-ké-mon (Gotta catch 'em) Gotta catch 'em Gotta catch 'em all
Every challenge along the way With courage I will face I will battle every day To claim my rightful place
Come with me, the time is right There's no better team, yeah! Arm in arm we'll win the fight It's always been our dream (It's always been our dream)
Pokémon! It's you and me I know it's my destiny (Pokémon!) Oh, you're my best friend In a world we must defend Pokémon! A heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me and I'll teach you Po-ké-mon (Gotta catch 'em) Gotta catch 'em Pokémon!
Pokémon! It's you and me I know it's my destiny (Pokémon!) Oh, you're my best friend In a world we must defend Pokémon! A heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me and I'll teach you Po-ké-mon (I'll teach you!) (Gotta catch 'em) Gotta catch 'em Gotta catch 'em all! Pokémon!
Moltres is the only one of the legendary birds that does not make an appearance in the opening. The footage from Aim to Be A Pokémon Master where it appeared was cut out.
The first "Pokémon" sung after the guitar solo in the full version has different backing vocals added to it. This can be heard more clearly in the full instrumental version.
The song was played on BBC Radio One's 2011 Christmas special.
The singer of the Danish version, Michael Elo, was also the original Danish voice of Professor Oak.
Xander Mobus, the voice of the Super Smash Bros. announcer since the fourth entry, sang the song upon request but got worn out after the first verse.[2]
The song was number 1666 during the 2015 Top2000 on Radio 2 in the Netherlands.[3]
After its entry into the Top2000, it has stayed in the ranking for the last few years. Placing at number 232 in 2016 (1434 places higher than the previous year), number 284 in 2017, number 115 in 2018, number 127 in 2019 and number 187 in 2020.[4]
A 1998 episode of the Mexican TV show Nintendomania featured a segment on various elements of the Pokémon franchise. A fragment of what seems to be an early version of the song is played, featuring someone other than Jason Paige.[5]
Although the theme was recorded in 1998, the extended theme was recorded in 1999 for the album Pokémon 2.B.A. Master.
Two Catchphrases in Pokémon Trading Card Game Live reference lyrics from this song. They include, "It's you and me, but victory is MY destiny!", and "On my way to being the very best!"
In the Polish dub, the lyrics used for the opening are taken from the second verse instead of the first.
The song was included as the 18th track in the Canadian-exclusive compilation album YTV Big Fun Party Mix 1.[6]
Errors
Meowth's missing fang
When Meowth, Ekans, and Koffing all jump onscreen, Meowth's right fang disappears for a split-second.
Several official sources (including lyric booklets from music CDs and closed captions in the animated series) mis-transcribe the lyrics as "Each Pokémon to understand the power that's inside." John Loeffler has stated that the intended lyric is "teach", not "each".[1]
The Polish title is mistranslated as Główny temat Pokémon, whereas "theme" would rather mean "kompozycja" or "motyw" in this context instead of "temat".
A thick mist clears and Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie are shown standing on a hill. Ash and Pikachu are shown while the scene splits diagonally, with the other half showing Ash and Pikachu eating sandwiches. The next scene shows Serena while the scene splits diagonally, with the other half showing Serena and her Fennekin while she chooses between two hats. She throws the red hat away and wears the pink hat. Clemont and Bonnie are then shown and the scene splits diagonally, with the other half showing Clemont fixing one of his inventions while Bonnie chases after Chespin and Dedenne. Bonnie jumps onto Chespin and Dedenne and Clemont's invention explodes.
The Team Rocket trio is on their balloon, holding binoculars. Meowth accidentally falls and Jessie and James try to grab him. Wobbuffet comes out of its Poké Ball and the trio falls out of their balloon. Ash commands Pikachu to use Quick Attack. Chespin uses Pin Missile, while Clemont instructs Bunnelby to use Dig. Bonnie jumps for joy while Dedenne uses Thunder Shock. Serena is shown while Fennekin uses Ember. Ash is then shown while Froakie shoots Water Pulse, and Fletchling uses Steel Wing. Pikachu finally uses Electro Ball. Lucario is (briefly) seen Mega Evolving. Ash and his friends are running outside a restaurant.
The "Pokémon Gotta catch 'em all!" logo is shown while the following scenes are in the background (the logo is not present in certain international versions). Two Vivillon and three Swanna are flying in the sky near a grape tree. A school of Luvdisc, a school of Remoraid, a Gorebyss, Octillery, and Mantyke are swimming in the ocean. Two Furret are in a garden of flowers while four Swanna fly in the sky. A town near the pier is drizzling. A Parasol Lady, a lady with a male Meowstic, and a Quagsire holding a leaf to shield itself from the rain are in the town as well. Three Wooper and a Ducklett are on the pier. A Lotad and a Lombre are in the water, while a Magikarp leaps out of the water. Several Pidgey soar into the sky. The "Gotta catch 'em all!" slogan disappears, and "the Series XY" appears below the "Pokémon" logo.
Lyrics
TV version
I wanna be the very best Like no one ever was To catch them is my real test To train them is my cause
(Pokémon!) (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me (Pokémon!) I know it's my destiny (Pokémon!) Yeah, you're my best friend In a world we must defend (Pokémon!) (Gotta catch 'em all) Gotta catch 'em all Gotta catch 'em all! Pokémon!
Movie version
I wanna be the very best Like no one ever was To catch them is my real test To train them is my cause
I will travel across the land Searching far and wide Each Pokémon to understand The power that's inside
(Pokémon!) (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me (Pokémon!) I know it's my destiny (Pokémon!) Yeah, you're my best friend In a world we must defend (Pokémon!) (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true (Pokémon!) Our courage will pull us through You teach me, and I'll teach you Po-ké-mon! (Pokémon!) (Gotta catch 'em all) Gotta catch 'em all Gotta catch 'em all!
Every challenge along the way With courage I will face I will battle every day To claim my rightful place
Come with me, the time is right There's no better team Arm in arm, we'll win the fight It's always been our dream
(Pokémon!) (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me (Pokémon!) I know it's my destiny (Pokémon!) Yeah, you're my best friend In a world we must defend (Pokémon!) (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true (Pokémon!) Our courage will pull us through You teach me, and I'll teach you Po-ké-mon! (Pokémon!) (Gotta catch 'em all) Gotta catch 'em all Gotta catch 'em all!
When the Lucario is Mega Evolving, Lucario cannot be clearly seen, although it can be partly seen in a single frame of the shot. The Mega Evolution logo can be clearly seen, though.
Although the switch to widescreen occurred over 200 episodes ago, this is the first dub opening that features the intro credits outside of a 4:3 ratio. This was done because before this point, many networks still cropped the 16:9 episodes to a 4:3 ratio.
The instrumental version that is used in the end credits uses a different instrumentation from the main lyrical version.
The vocals were removed in the initial television airings of the movie.
Despite the amount of companies around the globe changing their dubbing staff or dubbing company altogether, which leads into inconsistencies and errors within the different translations of the Pokémon animated series, all of the dub lyrics of this song are consistent with their respective season 1 counterpart from each language.
The only exception to this is the Russian version, as its current dub (which picked up from season 14) is completely unaffiliated with the original one (which ceased midway through season 2).
While the TV version only includes the first verse of the original song and skips the second, the lyrics in the Danish version were altered to commingle the first two verses of the original song into one instead. The lyrics from the original song were not restored for the movie version; instead, the first verse was kept as-is from the TV version, and the second verse was re-translated.
The Italian dub featured a different, original song as the first season opening, though a translation of the Pokémon Theme was made for the first movie. Despite this, a new translation was made years later for re-runs, the lyrics of which were also used for the XY version.
In the Greek dub, early intro themes were kept in English. For the XY intro, the lyrics were taken from the Pokémon 2.B.A. Master soundtrack released in Greece, despite said CD being completely unaffiliated with the actual Greek dub of the animated series.
This is the first time the song has been translated into Dutch.
On the U.S. DVD release many changes are made from the original U.S airing these changes include
Some frames are removed
Some frames are merged
Some shots are slowed down
The Pokémon logo appears a frame late
The "Gotta catch 'em all!" logo transition is different
Errors
During the scene of a rainy town, a male Meowstic is miscolored as a female Meowstic.
I wanna be the very best Like no one ever was To catch them is my real test To train them is my cause
I will travel across the land Searching far and wide Each Pokémon to understand The power that's inside
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me I know it's my destiny (Pokémon!) Oh, you're my best friend In a world we must defend Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me, and I'll teach you Po-ké-mon! (Gotta catch 'em all!) Gotta catch 'em all!
Every challenge along the way With courage I will face I will battle every day To claim my rightful place
Come with me, the time is right There's no better team, Arm in arm, we'll win the fight It's always been our dream
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me I know it's my destiny (Pokémon!) Oh, you're my best friend In a world we must defend Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me, and I'll teach you Po-ké-mon! (Gotta catch 'em all!) Gotta catch 'em all!
Gotta catch 'em all!
Trivia
This version was used in a promotional video for Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! uploaded on November 16, 2018, which refers to it as a "familiar song". The order of some clips shown in the video recalls the original animation of the 1998 opening.
A portion of this version of the theme song can be heard in the background in the beginning the music video of J Balvin's song "Ten Cuidado".
I wanna be the very best Like no one ever was To catch them is my real test To train them is my cause
I will travel across the land Searching far and wide Each Pokémon to understand The power that's inside (The power inside)
Pokémon it's you and me I know it's my destiny Pokémon Ooh, you're my best friend In a world we must defend Pokémon A heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me and I'll teach you Po-ké-mon! (Gotta catch 'em) Gotta catch 'em Gotta catch 'em all
Every challenge along the way With courage I will face I will battle every day To claim my rightful place
Come with me The time is right There's no better team Arm in arm, we'll win the fight (It's always been our dream) It's always been our dream
Pokémon it's you and me I know it's my destiny Pokémon Ooh, you're my best friend In a world we must defend Pokémon A heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me and I'll teach you Po-ké-mon! (I'll teach you) Gotta catch 'em Gotta catch 'em Gotta catch 'em all Pokémon!
Trivia
The Netflix closed captions originally had the fourth line as "'Cause training them is my cost"; it has since been fixed.
