Carry On Wayward Son

Kansas with Jared, Jensen and Misha at Comic-Con 2017.

"Carry On Wayward Son" by Kansas is the closest thing Supernatural has to a theme song. It has been embraced by fandom and is usually sung as the final song at karaoke at Supernatural Conventions, and just about any time two of more SPN fans get together!

The song was first used over the montage at the beginning of 1.21 Salvation, it has subsequently been used at the beginning of the finale episodes 2.22 All Hell Breaks Loose: Part Two, 3.16 No Rest for the Wicked, 4.22 Lucifer Rising, 5.22 Swan Song, 6.22 The Man Who Knew Too Much, 7.23 Survival of the Fittest, 8.23 Sacrifice, 9.23 Do You Believe in Miracles?, 10.23 Brother's Keeper, 11.23 Alpha and Omega, 12.23 All Along the Watchtower, 13.23 Let the Good Times Roll and 14.20 Moriah.

Eric Kripke said of the song, "We had an old jukebox in our basement growing up. I found a song on it that I liked and played a LOT: #CarryOnWaywardSon."

A slow version of the song was performed as part of Supernatural: The Musical! in 10.05 Fan Fiction. It was performed by Vivien Armour, Alyssa Lynch, Kelli Ogmundson, Katie Sarife, Rachel Warkentin, and Nina Winkler with music performed by Jay Gruska. You can purchase this version here.

In 15.20 Carry On, the series finale, the song does not play over the beginning of the episode like usual. Instead, it plays over the Impala's radio as Dean drives through Heaven.

The song, written by band member Kerry Livgren, was originally recorded by Kansas for their 1976 album Leftoverture. Kansas made a documentary about the "song that changed the world" - Carry On Wayward Son.

At Comic-Con 2017 the Supernatural panel in Hall H opened with a live performance of "Carry On Wayward Son" by Kansas.

• Opening video and Kansas performance by EW
• How 'Supernatural' Pulled Off That Comic-Con Surprise With Kansas by Hollywood Reporter

Lyrics

Carry On Wayward Son Carry on my wayward son There'll be peace when you are done Lay your weary head to rest Don't you cry no more Once I rose above the noise and confusion Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion I was soaring ever higher, but I flew too high Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man Though my mind could think I still was a mad man I hear the voices when I'm dreamin', I can hear them say Carry on my wayward son, There'll be peace when you are done Lay your weary head to rest Don't you cry no more Masquerading as a man with a reason My charade is the event of the season And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know On a stormy sea of moving emotion Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean I set a course for winds of fortune, but I hear the voices say Carry on my wayward son, There'll be peace when you are done Lay your weary head to rest Don't you cry no more Carry on, you will always remember Carry on, nothing equals the splendor Now your life's no longer empty Surely heaven waits for you Carry on my wayward son, There'll be peace when you are done Lay your weary head to rest Don't you cry, Don't you cry no more, No more – Kerry Livgren, Kansas

Covers

In 2016 it was performed by the artist Iacovos with the music video featuring a Supernatural themed sketch. (Link)

Links

https://ew.com/tv/carry-on-my-wayward-son-supernaturals-unofficial-theme-song/ How 'Carry on Wayward Son' became Supernatural's unofficial theme song] by EW