 The series ' music editor and main composer is Nicolas Carr . After working with Hillenburg on Rocko 's Modern Life , Carr struggled to find a new job in his field . He had been considering a career change when Hillenburg offered him the job . The first season 's score primarily featured selections from the Associated Production Music Library , which Carr has said includes " lots of great old corny Hawaiian music and big , full , dramatic orchestral scores . " Rocko 's Modern Life also used music from this library . It was Hillenburg 's decision to adopt the approach . The selections for SpongeBob SquarePants have been described by Carr as being " more over @-@ the @-@ top " than those for Rocko 's Modern Life . 
