Top 10 Phineas and Ferb Songs

I forget exactly when it was; it might have been about 2009 or so. I do know that it was one morning while on a vacation at (of all places) Disneyland with my then about two year old son that we flipped on the television one morning before heading off to the park and found ourselves watching a show about two stepbrothers and their pet platypus who was also a secret agent.

And thus began a love of Phineas and Ferb.

The show was so imaginative and inventive. One of the primary messages I've always taken away from the show is about the power of imagination and positive thinking; how anything can be possible and should be possible when you're young. And of course, it had songs. Lots and lots of songs.

The show is slated to end its run this Friday after nearly eight years on the Disney family of networks. So to celebrate the end of a fun and entertaing era, I wanted to share my ten favorite Phineas and Ferb songs.

Just be glad I didn't include a random self-destruct button.

10. Alien Heart
An 80s reunion concert comes to Danville, and Lawrence (Phineas's stepdad/Ferb's dad) assumes the mantle of a has-been artist named Max Modem who performs this song (with an assist from some Daft Punk inspired band members):

9. Frenemies
The bromance between Phineas and Ferb co-conspirators (I mean, friends) Baljeet and his friend/tormentor Buford is explained in a classic Broadway musical style:

8. Way Of The Platypus
In one of the alternate universe style shows, set in China, the boys are in desperate need of training in order to rescue Princess Isabella (it makes sense in the context of the episode). So they visit Master Perry to learn how to be better warriors. Or something along those lines:

7. Everything's Better With Perry
One of the things that made the show great was the lyrics of the song. Where else are you going to find a 60s/70s soul song that works the formal latin name of the platypus into the lyrics? This song opens the television movie "Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension" and shows just how important the little monotreme is to the boys:

6. Evil Love
Perry's nemesis, Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, is a bumbling mad scientist. But even those who claim to be evil deserve to find love, right? Well, Heinz did. At least for this number:

5. You Snuck Your Way Right Into My Heart
Lawrence and Linda went to a Love Handel concert and that was where they shared their first kiss (at least, that's how I read it from the structure of the episode). When Lawrence forgets their anniversary, the boys (with an assist from Candace) reunite the band and they perform their biggest hit in the Flynn-Fletcher driveway:

4. Watchin' And Waitin'

This song is one of my favorites because it was so different. Instead of moving action forward, they are essentially just sitting in the backyard at the behest of Candace trying to figure out what happens to their inventions every day.

3. Ain't Got Rhythm
The hardest part of getting the band Love Handel to perform for Lawrence and Linda's anniversary was convincing the broken up band to abandon their new lives and play the reunion for love. With lead guitarist Danny and bass player Bobby on board, it was time to get Sherman (aka Swampy) the drummer on board. He was quite reluctant at first:

2. Perry The Platypus Theme
Every secret agent/spy needs to have their own theme song. And Perry might actually be one of the suavest, smartest secret agents out there—even if his nemesis is something of a buffoon. I want my own theme song. And I want to look that good in a fedora.

1. Carpe Diem
This song illustrates the core tenet of the show: Every day is a new day. Take advantage of opportunites that come along. It does sound a bit cliché. But it is a great sentiment to carry through summer if you're a kid, or through life even as an adult.  Even though the series ends Friday, this philosophy is timeless.

More of us need to carpe diem...and to enjoy life. And it doesn't have to involve building a roller coaster.