The song humorously imagines popular secular cartoon characters becoming Christians and singing praise with their own distinct variations of "hallelujah".
The song also raised controversy in equal measure, with criticism aimed at its theological implications as well as the prominent references to secular media.
[1][2] The lyrics imagine if popular animated cartoon characters "got saved", suggesting they would go on to sing praise using their own versions of the word hallelujah.
Their "hallelujah" variations generally take the form of either a portmanteau with the character's catchphrase (such as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles exclaiming "cowabunga-lujah, dude!")
[citation needed] In addition to surprise at the theologically-driven reactions, Rice expressed chagrin that the outsize popularity of the song led many to pigeonhole him as a children's musician.
[2] Reflecting that he had "never intended for such a silly song to be made popular", Rice ceased performing "Cartoons" live in November 2004.