With the recent news about the new Jem and the Holograms movie as well as the reveal of who will be playing Jem along with her band mates, I got to thinking about the original Jem and the Holograms cartoon from the 80’s. Nothing was better. Except for, ya know, She-Ra. Jem was one of my favorite cartoons though. All those bright colors and awesome music created a whole world that was perfect for the MTV set. Since the new Jem movie might be a big hit, or a big miss, it only makes sense to check out some of the best music videos from Jem and the Holograms!

Top Five Jem and the Holograms songs

5. Only the Beginning

This song takes place literally at the beginning of the series. Having already unlocked the secrets of Synergy, Jerrica transforms into Jem and her band mates play their first impromptu song challenging the Misfits and their manager Eric Raymond to a battle of the bands contest in the coming months. It’s one of the first songs that Jem sings and a really good start to the series. I enjoy how when they break into song it becomes a true music video full of interesting and flashy images. This first episode set up some great story lines for most of the first season.

4. Theme Song/Truly Outrageous

Though technically two songs, both certainly borrow from each other. The opening theme song is simply outrageous. There is so much action and mayhem going on. From Jem showing off her talents to the sign raining glass down on her before Rio races by to take off with her, there is a lot to pay attention to with this sequence. Kimber looks playful with spraying the camera. Aja’s blue hair looks like cotton candy. Shana looks awesome playing the drums. The snippet from the Misfits is also really infectious. I wish they had made a full song out of their mini intro. Like most cartoon openings, this was a song that really stuck. I dare anyone not to get caught up singing along.

The theme song was expanded upon with the song Truly Outrageous. It is catchy, while providing a different spin from the opening theme. I like that it sounds as if it will play along like the theme song and then it just switches things up. “Being anyone I want to be.” The lyrics and sound were impressive for a kid’s cartoon show. The animated sequences have a nice complicated frenzy. This was really a special show. I can’t help but wonder what kinds of songs will be sung on the new movie.

3. Glitter & Gold

In an effort to rock a new look and sound, Jem and the Holograms sang this sparkly tune about the joys of glitter and gold. I adore this song, it features the catchy feel of other Jem and the Holograms songs as well as the dazzling display of rockin’ 80’s fashions. When Hasbro released the Glitter and Gold look in the show and toy line I was obsessed. Even though I never owned any Jem dolls growing up, I loved the fashions and wondrous images of these interesting characters. All the ruffles and shiny metallic fabrics were perfect for one growing up in the 80’s. The shiny light effects in the video are also really cool. One must also enjoy the whole new look of the Glitter ‘n Gold Rockin’ Roadster. Was there ever a cooler toy car than the Rockin’ Roadster? (It actually played an FM radio in the trunk! Such a cool toy.)

2. Like A Dream

One of the best songs of the entire series; Like A Dream is romantic and enticing. The video is full of romance and adventure. I enjoy the scenes with Jem and Rio. There is a nice pace to the song. The lyrics are also twofold, she’s singing about her new life, her romance to Rio, and also to us. Jem appears to us like a dream. I remember being completely taken away with this cartoon and others from the 80’s. With so much mystery surrounding who Jem is, the songs and music videos would sometimes reflect the dual nature of Jerrica and her alter ego Jem. It would be a theme that the show would touch upon throughout the series and one that would never fully be resolved. (The show would end on a somewhat nice note, even though there was still some more story to be told.)

1. I Got My Eye On You

This is my favorite of the Holograms songs. I wish they would play this on the radio today. The instrumental sound in this song is so cool. Everything that unfolds in this song and video also sum up a very interesting aspect of the series that was a little kooky; with the whole Jerrica and Jem being the same person and playing mind games with Rio. Poor guy. He was falling for two different women that were one in the same. How he could never catch on is beyond me, but as a fan, I always wanted that moment to unfold; to see how the writers would have handled Rio finding out that Jerrica and Jem were the same person. Talk about having an eye on someone.

These are my favorite songs from Jem and the Holograms. There are certainly more and I highly suggest checking them out on YouTube or even renting the series from Netflix. It had a lot to offer and is still pretty entertaining to this day. (Check out how many times the Misfits break the law and never pay for their crimes!) Now that I’ve shared my favorite Jem songs, be sure to share your favorites! And don’t worry; there will be a future post on my favorite Misfits songs too!