Multiplication Rock
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Multiplication Rock was the mathematical arm of Schoolhouse Rock, developed in the early 1970s. These were educational shorts that feature rock songs, featured with accompanying animation. Schoolhouse Rock was originally conceived by Thomas G. Yohe in 1972.
The math series was called Multiplication Rock, specifically, because the only math topic featured in these vignettes was multiplication (except for, perhaps, the song "My Hero, Zero" which discussed the concept of zero more than its multiplicative powers.)
The songs were featured during ABC network Saturday morning children's programming, interspersed with other Schoolhouse Rock vignettes between shows and commercials. The shorts were broadcast on ABC television affiliates until 1986.
Multiplication Rock proved popular enough that it was also sold as a phonograph record (produced on vinyl). After a resurgence in the popularity of Schoolhouse Rock as Generation X (its original intended audience) aged, Multiplication Rock and the other Schoolhouse Rock music and cartoon vignettes were digitally reproduced (and some songs were even covered by popular contemporary rock bands), issued on CD and DVD.
[edit] The Multiplication Rock songs (and topic)
- My Hero, Zero (0 as a numeral) - music, lyrics, and performance by Bob Dorough
- Elementary, My Dear (2) - lyrics
- Three Is a Magic Number (3) - music, lyrics, and performance by Bob Dorough
- The Four-Legged Zoo (4) - lyrics
- Ready or Not, Here I Come (5) - lyrics
- I Got Six (6) - lyrics
- Lucky Seven Sampson (7) - lyrics
- Figure Eight (8) - music and lyrics by Bob Dorough; performed by Blossom Dearie
- Naughty Number Nine (9) - music and lyrics by Bob Dorough; performed by Grady Tate
- The Good Eleven (11) - lyrics
- Little Twelvetoes (12) - lyrics
