Cha-La Head-Cha-La

The Dragon Team in the first "Cha-La Head-Cha-La" animation

Cha-La Head-Cha-La (ＣＨＡ−ＬＡ　ＨＥＡＤ−ＣＨＡＬＡ　(チャラ・ヘッチャラ), Chara Hetchara) is the first opening theme of the Dragon Ball Z anime for the first 199 episodes of the Japanese version, episodes 54 to 184 if totaled for the edited English dub. Cha-La Head-Cha-La debuted alongside the anime in Japan in 1989, and was followed by "We Gotta Power", the series' second opening theme for the remaining 92 episodes of the series.

Overview

"Cha-La Head-Cha-La" was released in Japan on May 1, 1989. The song was written by Yukinojō Mori, the music was composed by Chiho Kiyooka, with arrangement by Kenji Yamamoto, and it is performed by Hironobu Kageyama. It used three different animations during the ending of Dragon Ball Z, and it is also used as the opening theme of all the Dragon Ball Z movies until Dragon Ball Z: Broly - Second Coming.

The song was redone and re-recorded by Hironobu Kageyama in 2005. A cover version of the song was made and performed by the Japanese pop-rock band FLOW for the opening of the 2013 movie Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, and released on a double A-side CD single with an insert song for the movie, "HERO - Song of Hope", on March 20, 2013. FLOW's songs are also featured on the Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods - Original Sound Track CD released on March 27, 2013.

Use in Video Game Media

• In 2002 (2003 for Japan), Dragon Ball Z: Budokai featured Cha-La Head-Cha-La as the opening theme of the Japanese version while in the North American release, it was replaced with the then-current English dub's theme song popularly referred to as "Rock the Dragon". In the PAL release, in addition to a new cinematic for its opening, the song played was a short version of "勝利への疾走" (Running to Victory), the theme of the "Grassland" stage composed by Kenji Yamamoto. At the end of the game's main story mode, a version of Cha-La Head-Cha-La arranged by Yamamoto is played for all versions' credits & staff rolls sequences. This was removed in the HD collection. 
• In Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi, the song was used for the game's opening as well as an optional theme for Vs. match gameplay.
• Cha-La Head-Cha-La was also used as Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z and Dragon Ball Xenoverse's opening themes albeit the 2013 arrangement by J-Pop group "Flow" for Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods.
• In Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, the song is used during the second phase of Raditz' battle and in the final battle against Kid Buu.
• In the 3rd anniversary celebration of the mobile game Dragon Ball Legends, the song plays throughout the game to reminisce of all the sagas in the Dragon Ball series that are recollected in the game.

Lyrics

TV size edit

Japanese	Transliteration	English (Translated)
SONG
光る雲を突き抜けＦｌｙ Ａｗａｙ （Ｆｌｙ Ａｗａｙ） Hikaru Kumo wo Tsukinuke FURAI AWEI (FURAI AWEI) Breaking through the shining clouds, I fly away (fly away) 体中に　広がるパノラマ Karadajuu ni Hirogaru PANORAMA The panorama spreads throughout my body. 顔を　蹴られた地球が怒って （怒って） Kao wo Kerareta Chikyuu ga Okotte (Okotte) Kicked in the face, the Earth gets angry (angry), 火山を爆発させる Kazan wo Bakuhatsu Saseru Making a volcano explode. 溶けた北極こおりの中に Toketa Koori no Naka ni If, within the melting polar icecaps, 恐竜が居たら　玉乗り仕込みたいね Kyouryuu ga Itara Tamanori Shikomitai ne If there's a dinosaur, I want to train it to balance on a ball. ＣＨＡ－ＬＡ ＨＥＡＤ－ＣＨＡ－ＬＡ CHARA HETCHARA Cha-La Head-Cha-La 何が起きても　気分はへのへの河童 Nani ga Okite mo Kibun wa Henoheno Kappa No matter what happens, I won't be bothered one bit ＣＨＡ－ＬＡ ＨＥＡＤ－ＣＨＡ－ＬＡ CHARA HETCHARA Cha-La Head-Cha-La 胸がパチパチするほど Mune ga PACHIPACHI suru hodo As long as my heart beats loud, 騒ぐ元気玉 Sawagu Genki-dama The Energy Sphere roars ＣＨＡ－ＬＡ ＨＥＡＤ－ＣＨＡ－ＬＡ CHARA HETCHARA Cha-La Head-Cha-La 頭空っぽの方が　夢詰め込める Atama Karappo no Hou ga Yume Tsumekomeru I'd rather empty my head, so I could stuff it with dreams. ＣＨＡ－ＬＡ ＨＥＡＤ－ＣＨＡ－ＬＡ CHARA HETCHARA Cha-La Head-Cha-La 笑顔ウルトラＺで Egao URUTORA ZETTO de With a smile that's Ultra-Z, 今日もアイヤイヤイヤイヤイ．．．Ｓｐａｒｋｉｎｇ！ Kyou mo AIYAIYAIYAIYAI...SUPĀKINGU! Even today goes Aye-yi-yi-yi-yi... Sparking!

Full version

Japanese 光る　雲を突き抜けフライアウェイ（フライアウェイ） 体中に　広がるパノラマ 顔を　蹴られた地球が怒って（怒って） 火山を爆発させる 溶けた北極の中に 恐竜が居たら　玉乗り仕込みたいね チャラ　ヘッチャラ 何が起きても　気分はへのへの河童 チャラ　ヘッチャラ 胸がパチパチするほど 騒ぐ元気玉…スパーキング！ 空を　急降下ジェットコースター（コースター） 落ちて行くよ　パニックの楽園へ 景色　逆さになると愉快さ（愉快さ） 山さえ　お尻に見える 悩む時間はないよ 何処かに潜む「吃驚！」に逢いたいから チャラ　ヘッチャラ 頭空っぽの方が　夢詰め込める チャラ　ヘッチャラ 笑顔ウルトラZで 今日もアイヤイヤイヤイヤイ チャラ　ヘッチャラ 何が起きても　気分はへのへのカッパ チャラ　ヘッチャラ 胸がパチパチするほど 騒ぐ元気玉⋯⋯スパーキング！

Transliteration Hikaru Kumo wo Tsukinuke FURAI AWEI (FURAI AWEI) Karadajuu ni Hirogaru PANORAMA Kao wo Kerareta Chikyuu ga Okotte (Okotte) Kazan wo Bakuhatsu Saseru Toketa Koori no Naka ni Kyouryuu ga Itara Tamanori Shikomitai ne CHARA HETCHARA Nani ga Okite mo Kibun wa Henoheno Kappa CHARA HETCHARA Mune ga PACHIPACHI suru hodo Sawagu Genki-dama...SUPĀKINGU! Sora wo Kyuukouka JETTOKŌSUTĀ (KŌSUTĀ) Ochite Yuku yo PANIKKU no Sono he Keshiki Sakasa ni naru to Yukai sa (Yukai sa) Yama sae Oshiri ni Mieru Nayamu Jikan wa nai yo Dokoka ni Hisomu "Bikkuri!" ni Aitai kara CHARA HETCHARA Atama Karappo no Hou ga Yume Tsumekomeru CHARA HETCHARA Egao URUTORA ZETTO de Kyou mo AIYAIYAIYAIYAI CHARA HETCHARA Nani ga Okite mo Kibun wa Henoheno KAPPA CHARA HETCHARA Mune ga PACHIPACHI suru hodo Sawagu Genki-dama...SUPAAKINGU!

English (Translated) Breaking through the shining clouds, I fly away (fly away), The panorama spreads throughout my body. Kicked in the face, the Earth gets angry (angry), Making a volcano explode. If, within melting polar icecaps, If there's a dinosaur, I want to train it to balance on a ball. Cha-La Head-Cha-La No matter what happens, I won't be bothered one bit Cha-La Head-Cha-La As long as my heart beats loud, The Energy Sphere roars... Sparking! Swooping through the sky in a Jet Coaster (Coaster), I fall in the paradise of panic. The scenery turns upside-down and I'm pleasant (pleasant), Even the mountains look like rear-ends. There's no time to worry, Cause there's a "Surprise!" somewhere, and I want to find it! Cha-La Head-Cha-La I'd rather empty my head and stuff it with dreams. Cha-La Head-Cha-La With a smile that's Ultra-Z, Even today goes Aye-yi-yi-yi-yi Cha-La Head-Cha-La No matter what happens, I won't be bothered one bit. Cha-La Head-Cha-La As long as my heart beats loud, The Energy Sphere roars... Sparking!

English Remake

There are two known English versions of this song. One was done by Hironobu Kageyama (the same artist of the original Japanese version) and had a very faithful, if rather literal, translation. The other English version was created for the Philippines broadcast of the series that was similar to the other English version, being that it used the same lyrics, but rerecorded the background score using instruments different from that of the original version. Another version was made for the OVA Dragon Ball: The Return of Son Goku and Friends! Animetal USA also sampled part of the song with their own English lyrics in their album "Animetal USA W":

Come slide down rainbows in the sky, Let's Fly away!
Like a bird, you're free to see the boundless face of the Earth!

Let the wind blow you like a kite,
and glide away!
Far beyond the clouds,
You'll find another place!

If the road ahead of you seems so cold and gray,
When the night never turns to day,
Don't you be afraid, go fly away!

Cha-La Head-Cha-La
No time to hesitate,
Go on and search the Earth!
Within it lies a magic surprise! Ohh!

Cha-La Head-Cha-La
Be cool, don't be afraid, you've got the power
To get you through the darkest night!

Cha-La!

Zooming round and round
The endless sky like a coaster!
Hold on tight, or you may find yourself trapped in a maze!

When that happens,
You may think you won't ever find a way
As the paths that you may take
All seem the same!

If the road ahead of you seems so cold and gray,
When the night never turns to day,
Don't you be afraid, go fly away!

Cha-La Head-Cha-La
No time to hesitate,
Go on and search the Earth!
Within it lies a magic surprise! Ohhhohhh!

Cha-La Head-Cha-La
Be cool, don't be afraid, you've got the power
To get you through the night! Oh!

Cha-La Head-Cha-La
No time to hesitate,
Go on and search the Earth!
Within it lies a magic surprise! Ohhhhhh!

Cha-La Head-Cha-La
Be cool, don't be afraid, you've got the power
To get you through the darkest night!

 Cha-La!

2nd English remake

Penetrate the clouds shining Fly Away (Fly Away)
Panorama that spread throughout the body
Earth was kicked in the face angry (angry)
Detonate a volcano

In the (ice) melting Arctic
Wish there was a dinosaur charged Tamanori

Chara Hetchara
Kappa mood to the in any event to
Chara Hetchara
My heart is so パチパチ
Energy to make noise ... sparking ball!

Dive roller coaster (coaster) in the sky
I went down to the paradise of panic (it)
Once the pleasant landscape upside down (the pleasant)
Visible in the ass even mountain

I do not have time to worry
Because I want to meet! "Surprised" lurking somewhere

Chara Hetchara
Head towards the empty dream packable
Chara Hetchara
Georgette ultra smile
Aiyaiyaiyai Yai today

Chara Hetchara
Kappa mood to the in any event to
Chara Hetchara
My heart is so untranslated
Energy to make noise ... sparking ball!

3rd English Remake

Breaking through the shining cloud
I'm gonna fly away, fly away
Spreading through my body, feel the power through my soul

Kicked in the face, this earth is mad
As a fire brigade, fire brigade
Can't you feel it building up for her to blow

If there ever was a dinosaur
In a mound of icicles
I would wanna train it to ride a ball

Chala Head Chala
No matter, if ever anything could happen
Nothing can stop me now
Chala Head Chala
Oh, my heart just keep sparking up like a ball of flame
Oh yes, it make me fired up, sparking

I feel it, freedom in the sky
My roller coaster, coaster
Coming down to panic, chaos that spread over the ground

Take the scenic route down and upside down
I'm like a melting star, melting star
And the world seems faster as she's turning round

There's no time for me to mope and cry
I got to get started now
Adventures are so much the meaning of life

Chala Head Chala
Got so much space in my burning heart now
I'll take it up with all the world
Chala Head Cha La
Smiling away, away today, I'm ultra Z
Ai, Ai, Ai, Ai

Chala Head Chala
No matter, if ever anything could happen
Nothing can stop me now
Chala Head Chala
Oh, my heart just keep sparking up like a ball of flame
Oh yes, it make me fired up, sparking!

Latin American Spanish Version

El cielo resplandece a mi alrededor (alrededor)
Al volar, destellos brillan en las nubes sin fin.

Con libertad puedes cruzar hoy el cielo azul (el cielo azul)
Despierta, furia a un golpe de pronto en ti...

Como si un volcán hiciera una erupción...
Derrite un gran glaciar...
¡Podrás ver de cerca, un gran Dragón!

CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
No importa lo que suceda,
¡Siempre el ánimo mantendré!

CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
Vibrante mi corazón siente emoción,
¡Haré una Genki-Dama!

CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
No pienses nada, sólo escucha,
sueños hay en tu corazón...

CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
No importa lo que suceda,
¡Sonreiré, el día de ho-ho-ho-ho-hooooy!

Brazilian Version

TV version

O céu resplandece
Ao meu redor (ao meu redor)
Vou voar e as estrelas
Brilham entre as nuvens sem fim

Só a verdade vai cruzar
Pelo céu azul (pelo céu azul)
E a verdade vai crescer dentro de mim

Como um vulcão que entra em erupção
Sua lava vai espalhar
Verá toda a fúria do dragão

CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
Não importa o que aconteça, sempre
Tenho a força e o poder

CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
Vibrante o meu coração sente emoção
E tem amor pra dar

CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
Não pense em nada, só escuta
Sonhos dentro do coração

CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
Não importa o que aconteça
Tudo vai ficar melhor.

Full version

O céu resplandece
Ao meu redor (ao meu redor)
Vou voar e as estrelas
Brilham entre as nuvens sem fim

Só a verdade vai cruzar
Pelo céu azul (pelo céu azul)
E a verdade vai crescer dentro de mim

Como um vulcão que entra em erupção
Sua lava vai espalhar
Verá toda a fúria do dragão

CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
Não importa o que aconteça, sempre
Tenho a força e o poder

CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
Não importa o que aconteça
Tudo vai ficar melhor

No céu
Mergulhando na imensidão (Na imensidão)
Em um paraíso o pânico pode surgir

Girando no horizonte eu posso ver (Eu posso ver)
Nas montanhas um motivo pra sorrir

Não há mais tempo pra se preocupar
Pois há uma surpresa
Sei que está escondida em algum lugar

CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
Não importa o que aconteça, sempre
Tenho a força e o poder

CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
Vibrante o meu coração sente emoção
E tem amor pra dar

CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
Não pense em nada, só escuta
Sonhos dentro do coração

CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA
Não importa o que aconteça
Tudo vai ficar melhor.

Trivia

• Aya Hirano, who is Dende's voice actress in Dragon Ball Kai, performed her own rendition of "Cha-La Head-Cha-La" whilst in the character of Konata Izumi from the popular anime Lucky Star. One of the show's quirks was to have Konata (an otaku) perform a different anime opening for each episode's ending theme, with Dragon Ball Z's being the most "mainstream".
• FLOW's cover for this song is heard in the openings for Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z, Dragon Ball Xenoverse, and Dragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapters.
• This song was used for 199 episodes, the most for any opening theme.
• The song was referenced in Dragon Ball Super.
• During the English Dub of Super’s 76th episode, Goku can be heard singing the chorus after reuniting with the Flying Nimbus.
• A remade version plays in Dragon Ball Super: Broly during the Present Day Scene when Vegeta and Goku are battling each other.
• A cover of this song served as one of many demo songs for the VOCALOID3 singing-synthesis software ZOLA PROJECT in 2013. Its YouTube broadcast was privated, but its Nico Nico Douga broadcast is still public and playable.

Gallery

Title card

A mysterious face

An Android's Hand

Krillin firing his Scattering Bullet

Gohan diving from sky

First "Cha-La Head-Cha-La" animation

Second "Cha-La Head-Cha-La" animation

Second "Cha-La Head-Cha-La" animation

"Cha-La Head-Cha-La" animation in Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!

"Cha-La Head-Cha-La" animation in Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!

Goku fighting Vegeta in DBS: Broly