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Rating: Here I am with another legendary theme song from the '80s: "Ken Falco. The Supercar"! Sung by the Superobots, namely Vito Tommaso (who composed the music) and Douglas Meakin (who sings it) in 1980, this little song left a lasting impression in the minds of many children of that era for a cartoon that was actually quite repetitive and not very distinctive.
Created in 1976 in Japan, Our Ken at the wheel of his Hayabusa (which in Japanese means ‘peregrine falcon') speeds through every episode racing against the shady drivers of the 'Black Shadow' team who aim to eliminate him and try every darned episode, starting with their commander Ayab Mobil Dick, a character who sports a warrior's armor and an iron mask, up to Baron, tasked with recruiting increasingly ruthless drivers around the world.
Real name Ken Hayabusa (his father was the inventor of the engine driven by the son...) and brother to a great driver (who died along with the father—guess how? Yes, in a car accident...), he is the protégé of the 'Savongi' team assisted by the mechanical geniuses Yamato and Mutsu (who work for Ken behind the scenes) and by teammates Gatetsu and Kamikaze.
The circuits are scattered around the world, but they all look alike if it weren't for the schemes devised by the 'Black Shadow', who go as far as hiring a certain Ryu, Ken's number one enemy but so straightforward as an opponent that he is even respected by Falcon, who even suffers a defeat (a unique occurrence). Ryu dies precisely to save Ken from one of Ayab's plots. The same fate befalls Romy, a girl-driver who even falls in love with Ken and who perishes in a trap set by Baron to save his life.
The end of the saga to decide which team will be the winner and which will have to retire takes place on a circuit in the Alps, and for the 'Black Shadow' enters the track none other than Ayab, who, once the mask is removed, is revealed to be Benny Kramer, a driver disqualified years before because he caused the death of 13 racers (for crying out loud!) among whom was...Ken's brother.
Guess who wins the final showdown.
The theme song, as mentioned earlier, is catchy and a typical example of Italian singing that winks at English pronunciation; it also seems that Vito Tommaso wrote it knowing only that the cartoon was about cars and engines and nothing more about the plot and characters.
The result was a theme song with a generic text but a chorus with a strong impact, which we all sing together:
"Listen boy,
in your room
among the posters of heroes,
leave him a place,
because when you grow up
you will remember him!
his name is Ken, Ken Falco,
they will never beat him!
what Ken does, Ken Falco,
you will do when you grow up!
listen boy,
do not hesitate,
if one day you are afraid,
seek his gaze
and rest assured
that you will find courage!
his name is Ken, Ken Falco,
they will never beat him!
what Ken does, Ken Falco,
you will do when you grow up!
his name is Ken, Ken Falco,
they will never beat him!
what Ken does, Ken Falco,
you will do when you grow up...
his name is Ken, Ken Falco,
they will never beat him!
what Ken does, Ken Falco,
you will do when you grow up!
his name is Ken, Ken Falco,
they will never beat him!
what Ken does, Ken Falco,
you will do when you grow up..."
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