6 alternative versions of The Simpsons theme

Two guitars, handbells, a calculator and Mario

Ben Rogerson, Fri 27 Feb 2009, 3:12 pm GMT

Why play the theme on one guitar if you can do it on two?

It's been announced that The Simpsons has been commissioned to air for at least another two seasons, which will make it the longest-running prime-time show in US TV history.

To celebrate this fact, we've picked out six alternative versions of Danny Elfman's iconic Simpsons theme song. Decide for yourself whether any of them are better than the original.

1. The movie version

Soundtrack legend Hans Zimmer may have composed its score, but Green Day were responsible for reworking The Simpsons theme when the show was expanded into a movie in 2007. It was also released as a single.

2. The Fall Out Boy version

Before we delve into some of the more obscure takes on The Simpsons theme, we should mention that the Illinois emo rockers have also covered it. As you may know, the band took their name from another Matt Groening creation, Fallout Boy, who appears in his Radioactive Man comic book. You can watch 'The Boy' talking about recording the theme here.

3. The two-guitar version

If it's virtuosity you're looking for, check out South Korean guitarist Zack Kim's take. Played on two guitars, we dread to think how long it took Zack to master it, but the clip is fully deserving of the 8.7million-plus views that it's managed to rack up on YouTube.

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