Earlier this week, Toys ‘R’ Us confirmed the rumors about its impending demise by announcing the closure of its American stores. Toys ‘R’ Us’ legacy goes back 70 years and it was once the most popular toy store franchise in the nation, as the official Toys ‘R’ Us theme song used to be a constant presence in TV ads that invited kids and their parents into “the world’s biggest toy store.” As a tribute to Toys ‘R’ Us, Chase Holfelder has released his take on the theme as performed in a minor key.
Holfelder has a YouTube channel devoted to his covers of songs in a minor key, which can make almost any tune sound sad. This song feels particularly melancholy and haunting because going to Toys ‘R’ Us was a shared experience for many children and young adults. Just the visit alone could be an uplifting experience that can’t be replicated by an online retailer. There was something magical about being surrounded by so many toys. And now it’s gone.
How did this happen? The Week has a great summary of Toys ‘R’ Us’ final years. The short version is that the venture capital firms Vornado, KKR, and Bain Capital purchased the franchise and saddled it with the debt of the purchase, which made it nearly impossible for Toys ‘R’ Us to turn a profit or recover. And if this story sounds familiar to you, it’s probably because Bain Capital did the same thing to KB Toys several years earlier. So, we can thank corporate shenanigans for crushing our collective childhood memories.
What do you think about Holfelder’s cover of the Toys ‘R’ Us theme? Let us know in the comment section below!
Image: Chase Holfelder
In happier toy news…
- Hot Toys has a new Loki figure.
- Star Wars Solo toys include an eyebrow-raising Lando.
- Funko is all over the Infinity War.
