Archive for June, 2009
It's Not Easy Bein' Green
“Bein’ Green”, (or “Green” as it was originally titled) may be Sesame Street’s most famous song. Originally performed by Kermit the Frog on the first season of the show, the song explores one’s issues with identity and ultimately realizing one’s importance and worth as an individual.
From the Muppet Wikia,
The song was described in a Children’s Television Workshop press release as “a frog’s poignant realization of his own dignity and worth.”
Since being penned by Joe Raposo in 1970, the song has been universally embraced as its theme can lend itself to so many issues including race, gender, and self-esteem amongst others. And while it has been recorded several times by the likes of Jim Henson, Frank Sinatra and Steve Whitmire – The song really grew into its own when performed by legendary musician, Ray Charles. Performing the song in 1989 on “Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting”, Ray Charles, and a chorus of Muppet singers made the performance one of the most notable in the history of the show.
Lyrics:
It’s not that easy bein’ green;
Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.
When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold-
or something much more colorful like that.
It’s not easy bein’ green.
It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things.
And people tend to pass you over ’cause you’re not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water- or stars in the sky.
But green’s the color of Spring.
And green can be cool and friendly-like.
And green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain, or tall like a tree.
When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why? Wonder,
I am green and it’ll do fine, it’s beautiful!
And I think it’s what I want to be.
Welcome to Sesame Street Songs!
Thank you so much for visiting Sesame Street Songs! As you can see, we’re just getting around to setting up shop but we’re hoping that this will be THE preeminent spot on the web for all of your sesame street song needs!
Over the years, Sesame Street has given us countless classics including Bein’ Green, Rubber Duckie, Pinball Number Count and C is for Cookie just to name a few. And obviously, the songs aren’t just known by kids either. It seems that every other day a new superstar is on Sesame Street singing one of the hits. How many have we seen… Garth Brooks, Ray Charles… We could go on forever! And why shouldn’t they go on the show? They grew up with the music so why not keep them alive by keeping them current.
It’s really amazing when you think about all the songs that have come from Sesame Street in its 40 year history… All the moments, the messages, the memories… And it’s amazing to know that you’ll be able to pass it along to your kids and be able to share something really special with them.. But look at me, now I’m gushing. (#):) As I try and wrap up this first post, I want to ask you to please feel free to comment on anything you see on here. Share your memories, share your stories, and of course we hope that if you find a way that we can make this site better that you won’t hesitate to share that too! Sesame Street Songs is much our site as yours, so why shouldn’t we all work together to make it really great?!
Well make sure you come back from time to time to see what’s new and why don’t we wrap today up with MY kid’s favourite Sesame Street song!