JUKEBOX: “Take On The World” by Rowan Blanchard and Sabrina Carpenter

The Cast of Girl Meets World

Happy 4th of July JUKEBOXERS! It’s Kimberly here for my twentieth post for the genre “Children’s Music.”

Whether you were a nineties kid or born in the nineties, there’s a good chance that at least some point in your life you watched Boy Meets World. Episode by episode, viewers watched Cory Matthews as he discovered the world. He had a best friend in the form of Shawn Hunter and found the love of his life in Topanga Lawrence. Cory and Topanga had an on-again off-again relationship with many trials and tribulations, but they survived and eventually got married. Boy Meets World ended with Cory and Topanga moving to New York, so Topanga could pursue an internship at a law firm. Now 14 years later since the Boy Meets World finale, Cory and Topanga are back with their two children: a daughter named Riley and a son named Auggie. The story centers on their daughter Riley whose turn it is now to find out about the world. For today’s review, I’ll be reviewing the theme song for Girl Meets World fittingly called “Take On The World.”

Since Girl Meets World focuses on Riley and her best friend Maya, it makes sense for the theme song to be sung by the actresses who play them, Rowan Blanchard and Sabrina Carpenter. The song itself was written by Matthew Tishler. If you happen to watch more current Disney Channel programs (like I do), you might recognize his work in shows like Austin and Ally and the movies Lemonade Mouth and Radio Rebel. Tishler’s songs in my opinion are enjoyable, but as I say in many of my reviews, they might not have the ability to resonate for long periods of time. I don’t expect “Take On The World” to deviate from this trend.

The opening line “Take On The World” may reflect what Boy Meets World fans have been thinking ever since Girl Meets World was announced, “I’ve been waiting for a day like this to come.” The lead singer combined with the song’s lyrics flow effortlessly. The song starts off almost with a quiet confidence that builds with anticipation. The harmonies make the song even better and help convey Riley and Maya’s close friendship. The chorus is almost like an anthem: “Take on the world! Take on the world!” The back-track makes the listener feel a sense of being on top of the world and for those who watched Boy Meets World, a sense of nostalgia. The repetitive nature of the song may be cumbersome for some listeners, but I find it acceptable since it is like an anthem. I’m giving “Take On The World” 4 records because I feel like the song is perfect for a project like Girl Meets World but like I said it may not prove to be memorable. Only time will tell.

If you liked Boy Meets World, I recommend you watch the Girl Meets World pilot if you haven’t already and to check out the second episode coming out sometime in July. Thank you for checking out my review for this week. I really do appreciate it. J

Here is the official audio for “Take On The World.”