For more than two decades, millions of children across the United States grew up singing “What a Wonderful Kind of Day…”—the iconic theme song from the beloved PBS children’s series Arthur. What many people did not know is that Grammy-winning reggae artist Ziggy Marley helped create the song’s joyful, reggae-infused sound.
Marley originally worked on music in 1996 with his Melody Makers for the soundtrack of Muppet Treasure Island, including tracks such as “Love Power” and “Hey What a Wonderful Kind of Day.” The latter was later reworked and retitled “Believe in Yourself” before becoming the opening theme for Arthur.
However, Marley has revealed that despite the song’s global reach and cultural impact, he did not receive royalties for its use as the PBS series theme.
In a recent interview with Zach Sang, Marley reflected on the unexpected legacy of the song and how its meaning has grown over time.
“I tell you the truth… it’s just more recently I’ve been understanding the impact,” Marley said. “People have been telling me… when I travel, people tell me all of that.”
He noted that many fans were unaware he was the voice behind the song.
“A lot of people didn’t know I sing the song. A lot of people don’t realize it,” he said.
That changed after a recent PBS fundraiser performance, when social media reactions highlighted widespread surprise. “From my Instagram page, I read that people were like, ‘What? That’s you!’”
Marley said the opportunity came through a relatively simple request at the time.
“Somebody just said, ‘PBS wants a thing.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, let’s go,’” he recalled.
What began as a straightforward project would go on to become one of the most recognizable children’s television themes in the United States. Still, Marley acknowledged that the business arrangement did not reflect the song’s eventual cultural reach.
“I would have done a better contract if I knew what would happen,” he said. “The contract would be a little bit better.”
Despite the lack of financial returns from the theme song, Marley emphasized the emotional significance of its message, which centers on self-belief, kindness, and resilience.
Zach Sang summed up its impact during the interview, saying, “You were able to cram almost 20 life lessons into one single song.”
The song was later reimagined in 2017 by Chance the Rapper alongside Marley and Stephen Colbert, introducing it to a new generation through a late-night television performance. Chance the Rapper has since performed it at concerts and released his own version online.
Beyond its music legacy, Arthur has also been noted for its cultural moments, including a 2019 episode featuring the show’s first same-sex wedding between teacher Mr. Ratburn and his partner Patrick, which drew both praise from LGBTQ+ advocates and a broadcast boycott by Alabama Public Television.
For Marley, however, the lasting legacy remains simple: a song that continues to resonate with generations of children long after its original release.
