List of songs from Sesame Street facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Sesame Street is a famous TV show known for its amazing songs! These songs are written just for the show and come in many different styles, like R&B, opera, folk, and even world music. In the past, the show often made funny versions of popular songs, which are called parodies.

Many well-known musicians have sung on Sesame Street. The show chose musicians who were not only talented and popular but also had a good public image that matched the show's friendly and positive values. The words in Sesame Street songs always had to be safe and positive. For example, they would never suggest doing something dangerous, like leaning too far out of a window.

Singing on Sesame Street
Images for kids
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Singing on Sesame Street

Many talented people helped create the songs for Sesame Street. Some of the main songwriters include Joe Raposo, Christopher Cerf, Jeff Moss, and Al Jarnow. Their songs helped teach kids about letters, numbers, feelings, and how to be a good friend.

Famous Songs and Their Stories

Here are some of the most memorable songs from Sesame Street and a bit about them:

"Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?" (also known as "Sunny Day") is the show's famous theme song. It was written by Joe Raposo, Jon Stone, and Bruce Hart. It makes everyone feel welcome!
"C Is For Cookie" is a classic sung by Cookie Monster (Frank Oz). It's all about his favorite snack! Joe Raposo wrote this catchy tune, and Jim Henson directed the original video.
"Bein' Green" is a beautiful song sung by Kermit the Frog (Jim Henson). It talks about being happy with who you are, even if you feel different. Joe Raposo wrote this song, and it has been sung by many other famous artists like Frank Sinatra and Diana Ross.
"Rubber Duckie" is another beloved song by Ernie (Jim Henson). It's a sweet song about his favorite bath toy. Jeff Moss wrote this tune, which even became a popular hit song in 1970!
"I Love Trash" is sung by the grumpy but lovable Oscar the Grouch (Caroll Spinney). It shows that even trash can be interesting to someone! Jeff Moss wrote this song.
"The People In Your Neighborhood" is often sung by Bob (Bob McGrath). This song helps kids learn about all the different people who live and work around them, like the mail carrier or the baker. Jeff Moss wrote it.
"Pinball Number Count" is a fun, jazzy song that teaches counting. It was sung by The Pointer Sisters and featured cool animated pinball machines.
"Monster in the Mirror" is sung by Grover (Frank Oz). It's about looking at yourself and being happy with who you see. A special version of this song featured many celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg and Ray Charles.
"Put Down the Duckie" is a funny song sung by Hoots the Owl and Ernie. It teaches Ernie to play his saxophone instead of holding his rubber duckie. Many celebrities like John Candy and Paul Simon appeared in the music video!
"Believe in Yourself" is an encouraging song written by Joe Raposo. It has been sung by many characters and artists over the years, including Diana Ross and NSYNC.
"ABC-DEF-GHI" is a fun way to learn the alphabet, sung by Big Bird (Caroll Spinney). It was written by Jon Stone and Joe Raposo.
"A New Way to Walk" was originally sung by The Oinker Sisters and later by Destiny's Child. It celebrates different ways people move.
"Elmo's Song" is a popular tune sung by Elmo (Kevin Clash), Big Bird (Caroll Spinney), and Mr. Snuffleupagus (Martin P. Robinson). Tony Geiss wrote this song.
"Sing" is a very famous song written by Joe Raposo. A version of "Sing" by The Carpenters became a huge hit in 1973!

Songs That Teach Important Lessons

Many songs on Sesame Street help kids learn about important ideas:

"Different Yet the Same" sung by Buster the Horse and Gladys the Cow, teaches that even if we are different, we can still be friends.
"Share" sung by Ernie and Cookie Monster, teaches the importance of sharing with others.
"It's Alive" sung by Kermit the Frog, helps kids understand what makes something alive.
"Don't Waste Water" teaches about saving water.
"Healthy Food" sung by Cookie Monster, encourages eating good foods.
"Bounce Back" sung by Lillian, teaches about being strong and trying again when things are tough.
"You are Not Alone" sung by Sofia, Abby Cadabby, and Rosita, reminds us that we always have support.

Fun and Silly Songs

Sesame Street also has many songs just for fun!

"Mahna Mahna" is a very silly and catchy song that first aired in 1969. It was written by Piero Umiliani.
"The Batty Bat" sung by Count von Count (Jerry Nelson), is a fun song about bats and counting.
"Doin' the Pigeon" sung by Bert, is a quirky dance song about pigeons.
"The Honker Duckie Dinger Jamboree" sung by Ernie, is a playful song with lots of funny sounds.
"Fuzzy and Blue" sung by Grover, Herry Monster, and Cookie Monster, is a lighthearted song about being fuzzy and blue.

Images for kids

Feist.jpg

Feist sang a version of her song "1234" on the show.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo.jpg

Ladysmith Black Mambazo performed "African Alphabet" with Paul Simon and Kermit the Frog.
Pharrell Williams.jpg

Pharrell Williams sang "'B' is for Books."
John Candy sang "Alphabet Polka."
En Vogue.jpg

En Vogue sang "Adventure."
Destiny's Child.jpg

Destiny's Child covered "A New Way to Walk."
Bruce Springsteen.jpg

Songs like "Born to Add" were parodies of Bruce Springsteen's music.
Frank Sinatra covered "Bein' Green."
Diana Ross.jpg

Diana Ross covered "Believe in Yourself."
The Neville Brothers.jpg

The Neville Brothers covered "Believe in Yourself."
Ray Charles.jpg

Ray Charles covered "Believe in Yourself" and sang "I Got a Song" with Ernie and Bert.
NSYNC.jpg

NSYNC covered "Believe in Yourself."
Paul Simon.jpg

Paul Simon sang "Bingo was his name o" with Harper Simon.
John Candy also appeared in "Put Down the Duckie."
Talking Heads.jpg

The song "Beginning Middle and End" was sung to the tune of "And She Was" by Talking Heads.
Gloria Gaynor.jpg

The "Counting Song" was a spoof of "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.
Harry Belafonte.jpg

Harry Belafonte sang "The Coconut Counting Man" with Count von Count.
Johnny Cash.jpg

Johnny Cash performed "Don't Take Your Ones to Town" and "Five Feet High and Rising."
Take 6.jpg

Take 6 sang "Down Below The Street."
Olivia Newton-John.jpg

The song "Exercise" was a parody of "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John.
The "Cookie Disco" parodied Isaac Hayes' "Theme from Shaft."
The Beatles.jpg

Songs like "Hey Food" and "Letter B" were parodies of The Beatles' songs.
Hootie and the Blowfish.jpg

Hootie and the Blowfish sang "Hold My Hand" on the show.
Huey Lewis And The News.jpg

The song "It's Hip To Be a Square" was a spoof of Huey Lewis And The News' "Hip To Be Square."
James Taylor.jpg

James Taylor sang "Jellyman Kelly" and "Your Grouchy Face."
Cab Calloway.jpg

Cab Calloway sang "I Want to Count" and "Jumpin' Jive."
Cyndi Lauper.jpg

The song "Kids Just Love to Brush" was a parody of "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper.
The Pointer Sisters.jpg

The Pointer Sisters sang "Pinball Number Count."
The Rolling Stones.jpg

The song "I Can't Get No Cooperation" was a parody of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones.
The song "Eighteen Sandwiches" was sung to the tune of "I'm Eighteen" by Alice Cooper.
Los Lobos.jpg

Los Lobos sang "Elmo & The Lavender Moon."
Mariah Carey.jpg

The song "Some Hay" was a parody of "Someday" by Mariah Carey.
The song "Nineteen Party" was sung to the tune of "1999" by Prince.
Icona Pop.jpg

The song "Me Want It (But Me Wait)" was a spoof of "I Love It" by Icona Pop.
The 5th Dimension.jpg

The song "Telly's Aquarium" was a parody of "The Age of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" by The 5th Dimension.
The Four Tops.jpg

The Four Tops sang "Standing at the Bus Stop Sign."
Billy Idol.jpg

The song "Rebel L" was a parody of "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol.
Smokey Robinson sang "U Really Got a Hold on Me."
The Spin Doctors.jpg

The Spin Doctors sang "Two Princesses" with Elmo, Telly, and Zoe.
M.C. Hammer.jpg

The song "You Can't Top This" was a parody of "U Can't Touch This" by M.C. Hammer.
The song "Wet or Dry" was sung to the tune of "Black or White" by Michael Jackson.
Will.i.am.jpg

Will.i.am sang "What am I?" and "What I Am."
ZZ Top.jpg

The song "ZZ Blues" was sung to the tune of "Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top.
Celia Cruz.jpg

Celia Cruz sang "Numero Comparsa" and "Zunzun."
The Goo Goo Dolls.jpg

The Goo Goo Dolls sang "Pride" with Elmo.
Squirrel Nut Zippers.jpg

The Squirrel Nut Zippers sang "Put A Lid On It."
Bobby McFerrin sang "Simple Pleasures" and "Tweet in the Morning."