There will never be another song like "SpongeBob SpongeBob, Patrick Patrick, Sandy Sandy." The tear-inducing song lyrics, the sheer elegance of the singer's voice, not to mention the visually stunning music video make this a masterpiece nigh impossible to match in quality. But while we can sit in awe having our ears blessed by this piece, join me, while we together can appreciate the cleverly interwoven meanings hidden within the song itself and the music video.
We'll start with the composition. The verses starting with Spongebob (x2) and Patrick (x2) are fast paced, giving us an energetic start to the song. But the listener will soon discover that as more characters are introduced, the slower the song's tempo. This is not unintentional; the tempo fluctuating in this manner, when examined to the finest grain of detail, tells a story that we, the audience, see pieces of ourselves in.
Spongebob and Patrick's happy-go-lucky friendship dynamic is symbolized through the fast tempo at the start. The energetic feeling it provides immediately captivates the viewer, effectively hooking them. Once Mr. Krabs is introduced, the tempo becomes slower. This is no coincidence; this is symbolic of how we must not be quick to take Mr. Krabs as a lawful and moral individual, despite appearing charming at first glance (especially considering his restaurant makes the best hamburgers!). He is the personification of Greed, one among the seven deadly sins representative of an insatiable desire for material gain (in Mr. Krab's case, money). The tempo remains the same for Squidward's verse as well, though the reason is more obvious given the fact he is a melancholic and lonely person in nature.
But Plankton's verse is arguably the most heartbreaking of all, as it reveals a story akin to Oedipus Rex and his hubris. Of all the verses, Plankton's name is sung six times, the most out of any character. And the tone at which the singer recites his name is up a higher pitch. What could this all mean, you may ask? Here is where the music video shines most; it depicts an ecstatic Plankton's fist in the air throughout the whole verse. Plankton's futile attempts at obtaining the Krabby Patty formula is represented by the disproportionately long length, while Plankton's overarching pride in his technological prowess is symbolized by Plankton's fist in the air and facial expression.
