Have you ever heard the song “How Hermes Got His Groove Back”? This funky tune is a fan favorite from the animated show Futurama and has become a popular meme in recent years.
But have you ever wondered about the story behind the song? In this article, we’ll explore the origins of “How Hermes Got His Groove Back” and its significance in Futurama lore.
What is Futurama?
Before we dive into the song, let’s give some context to those who may not be familiar with Futurama. Created by Matt Groening (the same mind behind The Simpsons), Futurama is an animated sitcom that takes place in the 31st century. It follows a delivery boy named Fry, who accidentally gets cryogenically frozen and wakes up 1,000 years later in a world filled with robots, aliens, and other futuristic inventions.
The Episode
“How Hermes Got His Groove Back” is the 14th episode of season four of Futurama. It first aired on March 4, 2003, and was written by Eric Kaplan.
In this episode, we see Hermes Conrad (voiced by Phil LaMarr), who is the bureaucrat responsible for keeping Planet Express (the delivery company where Fry works) running smoothly. However, after being audited by his arch-nemesis Morgan Proctor (voiced by Nora Dunn), Hermes realizes that he has lost his ability to enjoy his favorite pastime – limbo dancing.
Hermes seeks help from Dr. Zoidberg (voiced by Billy West) to regain his limbo skills but fails miserably. Feeling defeated and down on himself, Hermes turns to Bender (voiced by John DiMaggio) for advice. Bender suggests that Hermes needs to get his groove back – thus leading us to our titular song.
The Song
“How Hermes Got His Groove Back” is a catchy tune that was written for the episode by Christopher Tyng (who composed most of the music for Futurama). The song features a funky bassline, upbeat horns, and catchy lyrics that tell the story of how Hermes regains his love for limbo dancing.
The chorus goes:
How Hermes got his groove back,
How Hermes got his groove back,
It’s a crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy world!
The song also features a spoken-word breakdown by Bender that goes:
“You can’t just give up. Is that what a dinosaur would do?”
The song is not only a fan favorite but has also become a popular meme on social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter.
The Significance
While “How Hermes Got His Groove Back” may seem like just another silly song in an animated sitcom, it actually holds some significance in Futurama lore. The show often uses music to enhance its storytelling and add depth to its characters. In this case, the song represents Hermes’ journey to regain his confidence and find joy in something he loves.
Furthermore, the episode itself explores themes of bureaucracy, individuality, and self-discovery – all of which are important themes in Futurama as a whole.
The Bottom Line
“How Hermes Got His Groove Back” is not only a fun song but also an integral part of Futurama’s storytelling. Its catchy tune and upbeat lyrics have made it a fan favorite and cultural touchstone. So next time you watch Futurama or hear the song on social media, you’ll know the story behind it.