10 Incredible Sesame Street Songs for its 40th Anniversary
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.
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Comments
Although I thoroughly enjoyed this, I'm amazed you didn't include the best song ever from Sesame Street, "Bein' Green". When I die, I want the Ray Charles version played for my funeral.
#11 - "Born to Add"...which is really cribbing more from Jungleland than BTR...still amazing though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSpbvmmWvjw
#12 - Almost as great, "Barn in the USA"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_EkQARQNuk&NR=1&feature=fvwp
"Barn in the USA" is incredible. Trust me, I'm apoplectic over all the other stuff I wanted on this list. Ray Charles's alphabet song (along with a hundred other versions) also springs to mind.
You guys won't like what MY BODYGUARD has to say about all this:
http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/abaldwin/2009/11/03/sesame-street-all-monsters-are-equal/
Kudos on the Madeline Kahn inclusion but the "Bein' green" duet with Lena Horne and Kermit is a definitive classic.
Others that merited inclusion:
Oscar the Grouch sining "I Love Trash";
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1SiSUrvUnk&feature=related
"C is For Cookie" being vastly superior to the Cookie Rap;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye8mB6VsUHw
And "2 Little Girls In a Dollhouse" kicks the ass of the Rainy Day Song any day of the week
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWrUykkc-bs
and of course THE PEOPLE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs5kjsaNEL8&feature=fvw
I don't know what beatnik-turned-caveman muppet on Sesame Street was all about, but he was responsible for two terrifically memorable and weird songs:
1)The original "mah na mah na"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwYFFEf_ohc&feature=related
2) The "Fat Cat Sat Hat" song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ3-Ec0xqeQ&feature=PlayList&p=186C7F8204FD86E5&index=38
Hey you guys... Electric Company blew all of this puppet shit out of the water.
My nominees for most memorable classic SS song:
-The Telephone Rock - which can only be described as Jim Croce meets Elton John meets Springsteen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK30qJLeKPM
-The hypnotic Pinball Countdown song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-YcBVEnLT8&feature=related
-The "which of these things is not like the other" song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW8HqoDV_lM&feature=related
Why am I not surprised you didn't list their two big hits? Where's "Being Green" and "The Rainbow Connection."
I always associated the counting song with whimsy and heartbreak: I enjoyed the hell out of it, but it also meant the episode was near its conclusion. My toddler heart could not take it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZshZp-cxKg
"The Rainbow Connection" is from The Muppet Movie, not Sesame Street. And I opted to take out Bein' Green just because it's so ubiquitous. It's still great. For the record , "Rubber Duckie" is Sesame Street's biggest hit.
...oh, and Feist's Sesame Street version of her own "1, 2, 3, 4" is fun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ9WiuJPnNA
Gas...car wash...subway....DON'T WALK. No parking...tow away zone.
No right turn, no left turn...WHAT DO YOU DO?!
I know you know it. Does it have a name?!
HOME SWEET HOME!!!!
While I feel "ladybug picnic" should be on this list and numbers 7-10 could be re-evaluated, overall it's a pretty solid list. "Letter B" is one of my all time favorites (and definitely my favorite Beatles cover), and of course Rubber Duckie and Sing are classics. I'd never heard the Echo song before, but I'm certainly an instant fan, and agree that Grover is the greatest Sesame Street character ever. I do not agree with those who are advocating "bein' green". . .it's kind of a downer. My two year old hates it and cries "no froggie!" every time it comes on, while she delightedly says "froggie song!" when "I love my elbows" or "get along" come on (also songs sung by Kermit, for those who are wondering).
Sesame Street is brought to you by: the letters T and G and the number 69!!! HAPPY 40TH
There's also the "Jelly Come Home" song that James Taylor sings with the kids.
The best Sesame Street song is "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon" with Ernie and Aaron Neville. Their harmony gives me chills
"Me and My Llama," people. "Me and My Llama."
Also heartily endorse "C is for Cookie," "One of These Things is Not Like the Other," and pinball counting song. Post-Elmo Sesame Street is a migraine.
What about The Monster in the Mirror otherwise known as The Wubba Wubba song. I think it's amazing especially the celebrity version. Also--Put Down the Ducky and Elephant Elevator Operator are wonderfully fun and should be included. Thank You.
Can't believe I'm admitting this, but "Put Down The Ducky" is pretty damn great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAixgo_zJ4
Must go dance now.
This was a fun post!
This song gets an inappropriate amount of plays in my iTunes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyH1v8GRCGA
Me lost me cookie in the booooo-gieeee music.
It wasn't an original Sesame Street song, but I swear that Stevie Wonder's live performance of Supertition is one of the best jams I've ever heard:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVIIvk3Vau8
What. Where is "I don't want to live on the Moon" ?
Ernie was robbed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIq8jLj5TzU
Google has been fixated on the Sesame Street characters as an art form it would seem
Can't seem to find 'A Smile Connects Us'anywhere. (Except MusicRemedy.com, where the link is broken more often than it works).
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