How do I begin to describe something that has so drastically changed my life? I'll
start with the basics.
What it is: A flash animation, with a song. The song by the
Buckwheat Boys, the animation by Ryan Gancenia Etrata. It's one of the ridiculous
internet creations that you either love passionately or look down
upon with disgust. The entire animation is composed of a dancing banana with
arms and legs (a prerequisite for gettin' down) and the words "Peanut Butter Jelly
Time" beneath said banana. The song, of course, plays throughout.
The Song: First, the lyrics.
It’s peanut butter jelly time, peanut butter jelly time, peanut butter jelly
time
Chorus
Where he at (4x)
There he go (4x)
Peanut butter jelly (4x)
Do the peanut butter jelly, peanut butter jelly, peanut butter jelly with a baseball bat (2x)
Chorus
Now, break it down and freeze (4x)
Chorus
Now tic tac toe (uh-huh)
Tic tac toe (let’s go)
Tic tac toe (you got it)
Tic tac toe (let’s ride)
Chorus
Now, freestyle, freestyle, freestyle, freestyle,
freestyle, your style (2x)
Where he at (4x)
There he go (4x)
I use the version that accompanies the dancing banana. There are other, similar yet distinct, PBJ Time renditions, all by the Buckwheat Boys. The
Buckwheat Boys themselves don't seem to have made any other music. They have
released an album called Peanut Butter And Jelly, distributed by Koch
Records. There were four versions of PBJ Time on the album: radio, instrumental,
a cappella, and a shortened version of the song.
The Animation: Ryan Gancenia Etrata created the movie, and he credits Kevin
Flynn with creative ideas. His website, http://etrata.home.comcast.net, has some
information about him, but it doesn't matter. The Banana has begun a life
of its own, independent of its former master. Ryan has incorporated the Banana into some
of his other flash animations, including one where the Banana squares off against a
pepper in a vigorous dance off. Cameo by a tomato. I believe
that the sheer grooviness of the Banana is something we can all aspire
to.
There is a different set of animations to go with PBJT, not by Ryan, which claim
to be the original PBJ Dance. The movie consists of a peanut-like caricature
dancing in a similar manner to the banana, with appearances by a cupcake. In my humble
opinion, the Banana is far superior.
So, what is the allure of Peanut Butter Jelly Time? Is it its
elegant simplicity? The kickin' soundtrack? The awe/stupidity you feel after watching,
mesmerized, the gesticulating yellow fruit? The true answer is far too
complex, and I'm sure it involves some kind of latex.
Like all things on
this internet, and even in life, you can do naught but relax and let
the good vibrations flow through you. Peanut butter jelly time indeed, my friend.
Links! Hopefully, these won't go stale. I'll try to keep them updated.
I got lyrics from:
http://www.magicturtle.net/archives/2002/05/02/buckwheat_boys.php
For the animation:
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/peanutbutter.shtml or
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/banana.php
For alternate animations: Gone. I knew nothing could compete with the Banana.
Other versions of the song, all by the Buckwheat
boys:http://www.emusic.com/cd/10749/10749837.html
Other animations by Ryan Etrata: http://etrata.home.comcast.net/flash.html