The "South Park Theme" appears at the beginning of most South Park episodes. It was composed and performed by PRIMUS, featuring the band's lead singer, Les Claypool.
Background
The version of the song featured in "The Unaired Pilot" was much slower, however, it was sped up for broadcast. An instrumental version of the original broadcast song plays over the credits to most episodes.
Over the course of the series, certain lyrics have been changed, including an entire verse, originally sung by Kenny McCormick, sung by Timmy Burch. From the episode "Fourth Grade," to "Kenny Dies", a hip-hop version of the song was used, which was remixed by Paul Robb. Afterwards, they used a bluegrass remix of the song until mid-Season Ten, where the original song was remixed with "Whamola" by Les Claypool and his group, The Frog Brigade, from their album, Purple Onion.
When Comedy Central started airing reruns of older episodes, the opening theme was back to the way it was during Season Three, with the addition of several recent characters.
For the special "Goth Kids 3: Dawn of the Posers", a new theme song was made specifically for the episode. The lyrics were altered to fit the personality of the characters.
Lyrics
Les Claypool:
I'm goin' down to South Park, gonna have myself a time.
Kyle + Stan:
Friendly faces everywhere, humble folks without temptation.
Les Claypool:
I'm goin' down to South Park, gonna leave my woes behind.
Cartman:
Ample parking day or night, people spouting: "Howdy, neighbor!"
Les Claypool:
I'm headin' down to South Park, gonna see if I can't unwind.
Kenny or Timmy:
See below
Les Claypool:
So come on down to South Park, and meet some friends of mine.
Kenny's Lines
Kenny (Unaired Pilot): Our town is bigger dammit, right down to the little granite.
Kenny (S1-S2): I like girls with big fat titties, I like girls with deep vaginas!
Kenny (S3-S5): Me, I got a 10-inch penis, use your mouth if you wanna clean it.
Timmy (S6): Timmy, Timmy, Timmy, Timmy, Timmy, Timmy, livin' a lie TIMMY!
Kenny (S7-S10): Someday I'll be old enough to stick my dick up Britney's butt!
Kenny (S10 Episode 8-Present): I like fucking silly bitches and I know my penis likes it.
Goth Kids 3: Dawn of the Posers Lyrics
Singer:
Goin' down to South Park
Gonna have myself a time
Michael and Henrietta:
Death and sadness everywhere
Loneliness and degradation
Singer:
Goin' down to South Park
Gonna take my woes with me
Pete:
Nightmares every night
Posers spouting "let's go shopping".
Singer:
Heading out to South Park
'Cause I cannot unwind
Firkle:
I Like Spiders, loss and rain
I'm only happy when I'm in pain
Singer:
So I'm goin' down to South Park... to die!! ..die! ..die.