Tom Sawyer was originally released by Canadian rock band Rush in 1981 as the opening track on their album Moving Pictures, becoming one of their most recognisable songs thanks to its synth lead and shifting rhythm. Parody versions later circulated online on soundboards and in edited videos, shortening the track into a quick, repeatable clip. The parody keeps the famous hook familiar to classic rock fans while making it usable as a joke cue, which is why it continues to appear in memes, edits and reaction content.