Verb That's What's Happening

[@macbravery]

As a young Black kid, of course my favorite was "Verb, that's what's happening" because it was the first time I ever saw a Black "superhero." Back in the 70s, it was one of the few positive depictions of Black people (Fat Albert also) in cartoons or on TV in general. My other favorites were "No More Kings," "Elbow Room," "Lucky 7 Sampson," and especially "Good Good 11."

[@NormAppleton]

The Mod Squad, I Spy, Uhura...Dihann Carroll did Julia which this cartoon riffs on. There's a saying, Pioneers, settlers get the land. You don't remember certain things. It was partly before your time and a lot of it isn't on KZbin.

[@NormAppleton]

Pioneers get the arrows, Settlers get the land.

[@macbravery]

Well, it wasn't "before my time" of course because I was there...lol! Your statement confirms what I said...few...not none. Also, none of those you named were superheroes!

[@NormAppleton]

As a young Canadian white kid this was amazing, It taught me about racism too.

[@NormAppleton]

The song also kicks ass.

[@yupeo]

The ending part is always my favorite! Where he runs home to hug his mom!

[@NormAppleton]

Yeah, I love it too

[@J_Ru31352]

That's What's Up!

[@jaimewalls8416]

Its so beautiful

[@Pffft14690]

As it should be ❤

[@kidxmozzyb]

amen❤

[@RyGil91]

This one is a Bop! You can’t get more 70s than this.

[@jmarcguy]

I always watch this with a grin on my face. I lost my mom recently so the ending choked me up now. Best time of my life. Miss you mommy. ❤️❤️❤️

[@ABOVE639]

Me too

[@ABOVE639]

@@Keturah53 thanks

[@AarHan3]

Condolences on your loss. The ending where mom and son hug kicks me right in the feels every time. 😥

[@TheTalented10th]

Can I just say that those background singers were JAMMING!!!! This was my absolute favorite schoolhouse rock videos when I was younger and it STILL makes me smile. I wish I could tell all those involved how much I loved their work. #VERBThatsWhatsHappening

[@NormAppleton]

I love how they were recorded. They were belting it out but in a big room so it bounced back like singing in church. Maybe that was intentional.

[@tonylarge9924]

Totally agree. The background singers kill it!

[@talmadgemillerjr6430]

Absolutely!!!! ❤❤❤❤Verb: That's What's Happening" is a song written by Bob Dorough and performed by Zachary Sanders, with possibly the Pointer Sisters as backups.

[@TommyEfreeti]

🛠️To work, (Verb!) 🤾To play, (Verb!) 🌳To live, (Verb!) 💕To loooooooove...!

[@zq9m3xh8]

The ending to this one always choked me up! GREAT ending!

[@davidkonen7159]

I agree! A young BOY clutching at his MOTHER, expressing his LOVE to her!

[@lyndelljones5483]

Yes, that was the best part. He looked so cute jumping into his mother's arms and being cuddled. This was a great cartoon!! That's why at 45 I haven't outgrown this. Cartoons back then were beautiful and had feeling. This was wonderful and exciting.

[@battybuddy]

I always liked the part “I can take a noun and bend it”. I don’t know why, it just always made me laugh.

[@meyerpictures]

It's a beautiful moment. Cartoons today definitely have great emotional moments too if you look for them

[@kinglevi6878]

About to cry.... Saturday mornings were so real back then 😔

[@SkiiDizzle]

I'm now 51 and I remember this one as one of my favorites in elementary...my how time flys!

[@NormAppleton]

Now now Mr. Skidizzle, it's time for your mush and medication.

[@mikmaz77]

What an amazing piece of music..four key changes..those soaring female voices ,great lead vocal and that lick he sings at the end..❤️❤️

[@Wysiwyg43]

In the seventies, every Saturday, I would wait with my fingers crossed, hoping, praying for this one Schoolhouse Rock to come on. Now over 40 years later, I watch anytime on KZbin. Progress?

[@davidjordan6553]

This has got to be the ultimate 70's song! This reeks of funk and black power... I miss those days, when life was simple Anyone with me?

[@i.a.3393]

Yup!

[@coryellis2761]

This one and the capital hill yes I'm only a bill song.

[@i.a.3393]

You got that right!

[@otengammai]

I dig it!

[@jamestaunton566]

I wanna be 6 again

[@jessfrankel5212]

Zachary Sanders, you da man!! Great song!!

[@Tornado1994]

He was in the 70s group Change with Luther Vandross. He sadly died from a heart attack at the untimely age of 44 in 1992. His son Marlon Saunders went on to contribute to Video Game soundtracks, most notably, Burning Rangers and Sonic Adventure.

[@amandaschaefer3786]

Ah memories! The moment where the boy hugs his mom at the end always gets me close to crying but it goes away.

[@lyndelljones5483]

Love this!!! Besides Fat Albert & The Cosby Kids and The Jackson 5ive there weren't many Black cartoons so it was refreshing to see this. Great music and singing!!! The little boy was so cute!!!

[@chasef1077]

Lyndell Jones why does it matter if he’s black or not? Some people like you are so obsessed with race.

[@andrewgoldstein1029]

Lyndell already told you why it matters: there weren't many other Black cartoons. Nothing wrong with wanting some representation.

[@dannywapbang]

Black Vulcan

[@mstheroff]

@@chasef1077 Because at that time period, it meant a lot to see a face more like your own on TV. It's like being validated as a human being by society. Settle down with the edginess when other people's experiences have no bearing on your life. FFS.

[@kennethpaquin8574]

I saw this as a kid and it never made me think that it was unusual that the main character and many others are black. Maybe as a seven year old I didn't have enough experience to think that that was unusual. I'm glad it was made this way because maybe it was telling me something that I didn't realize. Maybe it was good for me to see black people in cartoons just as I saw white people. Maybe it reinforced the idea that we are not different in value and aspiration.

[@TheRealPumpkinLover]

Who could POSSIBLY thumbs-down a Schoolhouse Rock video? Especially this one??

[@sonicboy678]

Maybe they hate black people. **shot** For those who can't tell, this is a joke.

[@seriously5585]

A person who doesn't know the height of his or her ambition 😞

[@AmericanBoy-si9zg]

There's always going to be haters to everything out there.

[@thraciuspratt4915]

>I can question like, "What is it?" >Verb, you're so demanding. >I can order like, "Go get it." >Verb, you're so commanding.

[@MsDebdardx4]

Why did this make me cry? Used to watch Schoolhouse Rock every Sat. morning. I loved this one - although I did not know I was supposed to be learning form it. I remember learning that these videos were educational when my teacher asked us what was a noun. I did not know, even though I knew the "Noun" song word for word. Finally a girl got up and said, "A noun is a person, place, or thing." The light bulb came on, and I realized I was supposed to be learning from these videos.

[@zq9m3xh8]

This always made me cry too. Something touching about that last scene.

[@mstheroff]

You know, in third grade we had to recite the Preamble to the Constitution (it was the Bicentennial). Schoolhouse Rock got us all through it, because we all had the song memorized.

[@bigwrdzable]

I SO, can relate!! The music was just, that good!

[@damonmilline9227]

PURE CLASSIC!!!!!!!!! THE BEST OF THEM ALL!!!!!!!!

[@deepnation10009]

This is my favorite. The singers voice is heaven.

[@NormAppleton]

This and Figure 8 are about equal in their greatness.

[@mothrasaurus]

I just LOVE this song.

[@glorymosbyfloyd3878]

This was always one of my favorites

[@davidkonen7159]

Multiplication Rock - 3 is a Magic Number and My Hero, Zero (1973) Grammar Rock - Conjunction Junction and Interjections! (1973 and 1974) America Rock - I'm Just a Bill and The Shot Heard Round the World (1975 and 1976) Science Rock - Telegraph Line and Do the Circulation (1979) Computer Rock and Money Rock - I'm NOT sure I'd seen THESE when they came out - I went ALL over this country with my MOTHER and SISTER

[@NormAppleton]

The ladies singing backup just KILL it!

[@Tornado1994]

It’s Anita,Bonnie,Ruth and June! Yes, the Pointer Sisters!

[@plawson8577]

It’s the Pointer Sisters.

[@NormAppleton]

@@Tornado1994 Of Course

[@NormAppleton]

@@Tornado1994 Pointer Sisters again making children great. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIDEi5WXhd-Xqc0

[@NormAppleton]

Funky Chimes! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5XPfJiHmb5mnas

[@saj8]

One of my all time favorite Schoolhouse Rock shorts.

[@eaglemandelta]

This one still pumps me up!

[@glorymosbyfloyd3878]

eaglemandelta : Me too

[@frankeinstein1]

One of my Childhood staples (other than Sesame Street & Electric Company..) in growing up; and one that certainly made learning fun and appreciative...and of course 'Verb' was one of my fAvorite's of SchoolHouse Rock... 'Word up!' That's what's happening!!"

[@davidhutchinson6377]

74....I can remember being a kid watching this in the 70s. And the price is about right.

[@chelcie3]

Boy...this here. *tears*

[@teresajones2485]

This brings back so many memories!!!!! I loved schoolhouse rock. The cartoons the kids watch now are not nearly as COOL! Thanks for posting!

[@davidkonen7159]

I agree with you HERE!

[@crudecube]

My dad's favorite school house rock song, my favorite song too. We always used to watch SHR together.

[@brianjude6789]

Now, here's Number 24: "Verb: Now, That's What's Happening." Action!

[@jasobres]

I get my thing in action (Verb) To be, to see, to feel, to live (Verb: that's what's happenin') I put my heart in action (Verb) To run, to go, to get, to give (Verb, you're what's happenin') That's where I find satisfaction, yeah (Yeah!) To search, to find, to have, to hold (Verb, to be bold) When I use my imagination (Verb) I think, I plot, I plan, I dream Turning in towards creation (Verb) I make, I write, I dance, I sing When I'm feeling really active (Verb) I run, I ride, I swim, I fly Other times when life is easy (Oh) I rest, I sleep, I sit, I lie (Verb: that's what's happenin') I can take a noun and bend it, gimme a noun (Bat, boat, rake, and plow) Make it a verb and really send it (Show me how) Oh, I don't know my own power (Verb) I get my thing in action (verb) In being (Verb) In doing (Verb) In saying _A verb expresses action! Being or state of being!_ _(A verb makes a statement!)_ _Yeah, a verb tells it like it is!_ (Verb: that's what's happenin') I can tell you when it's happenin' (Past, present, future tense) Tell you more about what's happenin' (Say it so it makes some sense) Ooh, I can tell you who is happenin' (Verb, you're so intense) Hey, every sentence has a subject (Noun, person, place, or thing) Find that subject where's the action (Verb can make the subject sing) Take the subject What is it? (What?) What's done to it? (What?) What does it say? (Verb, you're what's happenin') Ooh! I can question like, "What is it?" (Verb, you're so demanding) I can order like, "Go get it!" (Verb, you're so commanding) When I hit, I need an object (Verb, hit, hit the ball) Ooh! When I see, I see the object (Do you see that furthest wall?) _If you can see it there, put the ball over the fence, man! Go ahead on! Yeah, alright! WHAT?! He hit it! It's going... It's going... It's gone! WHAT?!?!_ I get my thing in action (Verb: that's what's happenin') Huh! To work (Verb) To play (Verb) To live (Verb) To loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove (Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrb!)

[@macbravery]

Thanks for that lyrics transcription!

[@catherine6980]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this and share it with us all! ❤ It’s so lovely to have helpful people like you in the world! ☺️

[@gaoutlaw]

Everything I need to know, I learned from Schoolhouse Rock.

[@glorymosbyfloyd3878]

C. Dawg Knight : Basically

[@elizabethalvarado8698]

At least the important stuff.

[@kevinjokipii4260]

I'm so glad these cartoons were made in the 70s. Dig that guitar and bass.

[@christophertaylor4722]

Thank you Bob Durham for bringing us the first black superhero. Even before the Black Panther. You were a great educator sir. Thank you. Rest in peace

[@pmsfar-outgrooviness8025]

Bob Dorough

[@dannywapbang]

Black Panther came out in 1966, this guy was in 1974. John Stewart debuted in 1971 and Mal Duncan debuted in 1970. First animated black superhero more like it.

[@captainfantastic9158]

I heard Verb is going to play Superman in the upcoming movie! RIGHTEOUS!!!

[@NormAppleton]

He's not quite as bulgy as the Rock but yeah.

[@DarknetDude]

Something very memorable about Verb, a lot of creative potential.

[@GSmashGaming]

So have all the schoolhouse Rock English skits, this was my favorite. I love the music and I loved every little bit of footage. Y'all, we need to find a way to bring this back , and pass it to the next generation

[@thepepperpot3809]

What an amazing voice he had. Loved Zachary Sanders singing this when I was a wee thing in the 70s, and, a few years later in 1980, the dance song "A Lover's Holiday".

[@Tornado1994]

His son is Marlon Saunders. “We Are Burning Rangers” and “Unknown from M.E.”. You know which games these songs are from!

[@mowerdan8133]

If that song doesn't give you goosebumps, especially during the climax, then you need to see your doctor.

[@yousaywhatwhatwhat]

Heh, I wish popcorn was that cheap today. If this was made today he would have handed the cashier a ten.

[@Trismegustis]

Wow... twelve years ago you could get a large popcorn for ten bucks. I want to cry.

[@AarHan3]

If you see the ending and don't feel at least a _bit_ emotional (like I do), _YOU HAVE NO SOUL._ 🥺

[@thecoolmexican100]

Dj Quik's "We Still Party" brought me here!! Really great song btw, I think y'all should listen to it 😁😌

[@MidnightBlue766]

I'm studying Latin verbs and this came back to me.

[@mejustme479]

Always one of my Favorite School House Rock Clips 💖💖 Thanks for bringing this back to light 💖💖

[@Uhura4ever]

I loved this video when I was a kid in the 70s.. I made sure my own kids had this when it was out on cassete and VHS. Wow, Im getting old ! Most of you don't remember VHS or cassettes.My 21 year old would say School House Rock FTW!

[@513KING]

DJ Quik is a genius! ✊🏿👑🔥💯

[@austinreed7343]

Four decades before Black Panther.

[@Wysiwyg43]

For real! LMAO VERB FOREVER!!

[@robert7984]

Touche!

[@shanerulez79]

Not the comic though. He was invented in the 60s before the black panther party

[@davidkonen7159]

I'd HATE to BURST your BUBBLE, sir - but the Black Panthers came about when the Civil Rights movement happened in this country (1966 - I was born around 2 years AFTER)

[@dawnstrumbos6262]

Very funky!! Love Schoolhouse Rock!! I have the dvd!!

[@kellymiller3873]

Brings back memories❤

[@francesjarvis884]

That was funky! I forgot how funky Verb was!

[@richardlewis9058]

Brilliant!

[@albny289]

This guy was my type of super hero who could bend a verb and proved it by hitting a home run.

[@dannywapbang]

Notice how he doesn't do anything actually heroic? Like he would be denied in the Avengers for shitty powers and basically all he's done was hit a home run. He does save that boy from falling though... but he hasn't fought crime! WHAT THE FUCK, SHR PEOPLE? HOW CAN YOU BE A SUPERHERO IF YOU DON'T FIGHT CRIME?!

[@mstheroff]

He bent a noun. Bend is the verb.

[@thephoenix3155]

I love this song!

[@tay2944]

I used to play this for my dog every morning ❤

[@osalgulama]

so cool 70s rules!

[@fredrickwilliamsjr6872]

this is the jam

[@danielcreasy5]

This is a bona-fide banger

[@FreeKentHovind]

I remember this!!!

[@trollmanable]

So many great songs. This one stands out in my mind!

[@katiemcnabow7732]

My thecher still shows this

[@FaytLinegod]

I love that, too. :)

[@timothy8871]

awesome!!!!!!

[@stantonrogers]

Sing it, Zachary Sanders!

[@Tornado1994]

His son is awesome too! “You can call me Knuckles. Unlike Sonic I don’t chuckle.”

[@ncnative1]

R.I.P. Bob

[@MissCalla33]

love this one!

[@SenseiAishitemasu]

Omg I remember watching these reruns as a kid

[@Ruth-g3c9z]

Verb, Lucky Seven Sampson, and Conjunction Juntion are three of my favorite Schoolhouse Rock episodes. ❤

[@KevinPayton-fq8gd]

I liked Verb and Conjunction Junction too. My other favorites are Adverb, Interplanet Janet and Electricity.

[@acsounds]

RIP to the creator of school house rock

[@dawemmy]

@shebootles77 The seventies--when there was penny candy too.

[@elizabethfrohn-hengst296]

dawemmy I still buy penny candy like fruit flavored tootsie rolls and I get regular ones 2 for a penny you just need to know where you go

[@SunflowerVibe329]

His mama was so cute

[@dannywapbang]

You sure about that? I think the superhero is sexy...

[@Aramanth]

LOL in the first frame it shows a *wig shop* near the theater... just like my hometown in the 1970s!!!!!!! Verb... _To Love._ 2:51 ♥

[@elinadominguez6901]

Oh sweet memories...

[@patrickscreativeshack]

Took me right back :)

[@brianamanyere6019]

My childhood❤❤❤

[@supedaddy699]

That drawing of that superhero look funny. Check out his chin and legs..lol

[@dannywapbang]

Yeah IKR right?

[@jackdee9365]

I know the late Zachary Sanders is doing the lead vocals man he and those background singers were sic oh my Goodness that vocal power natural raw talent especially that last note “ to love”

[@Tornado1994]

He died so young. But his son Marlon carried on his name during the late 90s by recording songs for Video Games.

[@jackdee9365]

@@Tornado1994 thanks I will look him up

[@Tornado1994]

​@@jackdee9365 "We are Burning Rangers" Marlon did the lead vocals. He also did the vocals for Sonic Adventure.

[@theodoreharrington3922]

If they make a movie about " Verb" ,his side kick outta be the "Noun" girl, lol.

[@NormAppleton]

And the conjunction junction guy

[@NormAppleton]

Lolly Lolly already has her adverbs here. There's an Avengers type thing here.

[@SXCForever2008]

2:03 - My Favorite Clip!

[@Goatchild90]

Method Man "I Get My Thang in Action"

[@ronniebuck8939]

Am I the only one who likes this just as a song?

[@richcarreiro9594]

Nope!

[@leftcoaster67]

Lets see Superman take a noun and bend it! No way! Verb ...he's always is what's happening!

[@dannywapbang]

Superman would beat Verb tho. Superman's got X-ray vision, heat vision, frost breath, super-strength, super-speed... he is jacked and all this guy can do is "take a noun and bend it." Like, he's a fucking teacher. I do have a theory he's Jefferson Pierce though, but if he makes it into Marvel vs. Capcom 4 like I want him to, he's not. EDIT: In the Grammar Rock PC game he has heat vision, assumed super strength, and can fly. So basically, a Superman expy. If the costume didn't imply that already XD

[@troygoodall4825]

One of my favorites

[@RhyperiorRanger]

Verb can beat Goku AND Superman

[@henryhaworth1743]

At the same time

[@Memelord2020]

Verb is no match for Popeye

[@damonmilline9227]

With both hands tied behind his back!

[@RyGil91]

The power is in the Verb Fro!

[@White_sentinel]

Agreed

[@justinjamesful]

VERB!

[@Gills-jc8km]

The animation reminds so much of Rankin Bass

[@crazybonnie8736]

my teacher is 45 and he watch this stuff as a little kid

[@davidkonen7159]

TWO parts I LIKED in this video: 1) When the person UNDER the cloud was saying "To Be", and THEN having been STRUCK by LIGHTNING, said "or NOT to be" 2) This is a GREAT song as WELL as a VIDEO

[@dannywapbang]

"the person"... THAT'S FUCKING VERB YOU MORON!!

[@stonecrazy89]

I get my thing in ACTION!!!

[@supedaddy699]

This is my favorite one.

[@4thtroika]

Black Panther's got nothing on Verb.

[@dannywapbang]

We're gonna see about that when Verb makes it (hopefully) in Marvel vs Capcom 4.

[@rocee1140]

Bob Dorough R.I.P

[@hotfriedgriyoandpeeklees1522]

I taught my son to enjoy these and when he went to school and they taught subjects he would break out in song. His teachers would ask: Does he watch school house rock? Me: Yes! They loved his enthusiasm for learning

[@dariusivey543]

2:40 Mission Failed, We’ll get em next time

[@waynegadson8726]

These got ne through grammar school

[@zacksargent]

Ironic

[@waynesolomon9313]

"Verb" and "I'm Just A Bill" were my 2 favorites!! Why did My Wife say that the Little Boy looked like me when she saw my pictures as a little boy?!?! His Ears are Big and round like mine, and I did have an Afro back in the 70's...lol These were good times and School House Rock on Saturday Mornings made my Saturday Mornings. That and Fat Albert and The Cosby Kids. Does anybody remember the cinnamon Fat Albert Cookies???? Haha

[@dannywapbang]

And Super Friends, with Black Vulcan.

[@tsukashipaisen3451]

Sounds like Verb has the Soul stone😎

[@dannywapbang]

I'm an otaku too and I grew up with this. Nowadays I come back to this loving the crap out of black superheroes and I'm like "MARVEL DO SOMETHING WITH THIS GUY"

[@tonacor1413]

We did Megan song ... It's goes... Teachers kept my name in they mouth but I'm passing ... I'm a verb ... For the kids, like School House Rock but the songs they like and that's popular and hits ...

[@supedaddy699]

I can tell you wheeen it's happening!!