Sesame Street turns 40 this month, which means a number of things: 1) Google has already rendered an adorable Google Doodle; 2) Oh my God, Bob McGrath is close to 80 years old; 3) Oh my God, Big Bird is still 6 years old; 4) There is still no comprehensive Sesame Street songs compendium! Movieline can't quite do the show justice within the space of a single entry, but here are 10 songs that make Sesame Street more than a show about street-urchin puppets and their antics at the hardware store.
1. "Sing"
Before the Carpenters turned it into a #1 hit, "Sing" was an unofficial Sesame Street anthem, sung in a myriad of episodes -- and sometimes in different languages. This version featuring Bob (Bob McGrath) and Luis (Emilio Delgado) is the ne plus ultra within Sesame Street's vast playlist.
2. "The Echo Song"
Is there any doubt that Grover is the greatest Sesame Street creation ever? Naturally the producers paired him with the finest comic actress of her generation, Madeline Kahn. This video (and song) nearly transcend opinion; it's timeless, adorable, and an unassuming showcase for Kahn's stellar voice.
3. "Elmo's Song"
We can debate whether Elmo's juggernaut popularity was warranted, but the furry red rascal scored a handful of cute points with this jam. Also: Are Big Bird and Snuffy mocking him? Win.
4. "Rubber Duckie"
The ultimate Sesame Street jukebox hit, "Rubber Duckie" reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1970. Ernie's ho-hum balladeer skills predate Jason Mraz and Norah Jones by over 30 years. I'm not holding it against him.
5. "Breakfast Time"
I don't know what you misunderstood, Ernie, but Cookie Monster will not be having your three-cheese omelet and pomegranate juice for breakfast. Knowing Bert, he was probably rolling his eyes in back and already throwing some Milanos in the juicer. Thank God for propriety.
6. "Letter B"
Beatles covers are a source of contempt among much of the Fab Four-gobbling populace, but the Cat Stevens-style vocals here are so cute that I imagine the fanatics even tolerate this. Plus, that intro by the Count is more than worthy of a Dick Clark production.
7. "Cereal Girl"
Sesame Street has long parodied veritable pop hits, but Madonna is a surprise inspiration. Should Lourdes's maker be offended that the chanteuse here looks more like Cyndi Lauper?
8. "It's a Rainy Day"
Of all the songs to slip into American subconscious, "It's a Rainy Day" ranks highly. Perhaps it's just because the song gels so well with a languid, rainy-day mood, but it also has a genuine hook. Switch up a few words, and Nellie Forbush could sing this during a romantic lull in South Pacific.
9. "Healthy Food"
Cookie Monster's rap about healthy foods could seem like a betrayal of his stalwart, chocolate chip zealotry, but he compensates by donning gangster threads and employing the kind of rhymes and background vocals that might make Afrika Bambaataa (and exasperated health teachers across the nation) envious.
10. "It's Alright to Cry"
Sesame Street's hypersensitive fan base wept with empathy upon the premiere of this ballad in 1994. It is still OK to cry even today -- particularly when you realize that Big Bird has had a lot of work done.