Sing (Sesame Street song) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids "Sing"
Cover to the single, "Sing"
Single by Carpenters
from the album Now & Then
B-side	"Druscilla Penny"
Released	January 13, 1973
Recorded	1972
Genre	Children's music pop
Length	2:54 3:18
Label	A&M
Songwriter(s)	Joe Raposo
Producer(s)	Jack Daugherty
Carpenters singles chronology
"Goodbye to Love" (1972) "Sing" (1973) "Yesterday Once More" (1973)

"Sing" is a famous song written in 1971 by Joe Raposo for the children's TV show Sesame Street. It quickly became one of the show's most popular tunes. In 1973, the song became even more well-known when the music group The Carpenters recorded it. Their version became a big hit, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 music chart.

Joe Raposo was one of the main songwriters for Sesame Street. "Sing" was sung on the show in English, Spanish, and even sign language. The first time it appeared, adult cast members like Bob McGrath and Muppets such as Big Bird sang it.

Before The Carpenters, Barbra Streisand released her own version of "Sing" in 1972. It reached number 28 on the Easy Listening chart. Many other artists have also recorded the song, including Trini Lopez, who sang a Spanish version in 1972.

How The Carpenters Made "Sing" Famous

Even though Barbra Streisand had a hit with "Sing" in 1972, Karen and Richard Carpenter of The Carpenters first heard the song in 1973. They were guests on a TV special called Robert Young with the Young. They loved the song right away and thought it could be a big hit for them.

Their version of "Sing" was the first single from their 1973 album, Now & Then. It climbed to number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached number one on the easy listening chart. This success made it the group's seventh gold single, meaning it sold over 500,000 copies!

Richard Carpenter produced and arranged the song. Karen Carpenter sang the main vocals and played the drums. Richard also sang backing vocals and played keyboards. The Jimmy Joyce Children's Choir added their voices, making the song even more special.

In 1974, while touring in Japan, The Carpenters recorded a live version of "Sing". For this performance, the Kyoto Children's Choir joined them. This live recording was included on their album Live in Japan, which was released only in Japan in 1975.

Later, in 1991, a special "Spanglish" version of the song was released. It was called "Canta/Sing" and switched between Spanish and English lyrics.

"Sing" on Sesame Street Through the Years

"Sing" has been a beloved song on Sesame Street for many years. In 1975, Lily Tomlin sang and used sign language for a group of deaf children on the show. She also used the song in the 1975 film Nashville.

In 1976, the famous singer Lena Horne performed "Sing" on The Muppet Show. Later, Alaina Reed (who played Olivia) sang it, while Linda (Linda Bove) used sign language. In 2001, after a hurricane on Sesame Street, Big Bird sang "Sing" to celebrate his rebuilt nest.

Because it's such an important Sesame Street song, "Sing" has been used to end many episodes and TV specials. These include Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting and Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration. It was also the title of a 1990 documentary about Joe Raposo, the song's writer.

The song has also appeared in fun animated parts of the show. One cartoon featured Suzie Kabloozie and her cat. Another showed Cab Callowmouse singing in an art museum. There was also a clay animation video with animals.

In 2000, many famous people sang "Sing" together. These included Nathan Lane, Gloria Estefan, Patti LaBelle, Ben Stiller, Maya Angelou, Garth Brooks, Vanessa Williams, R.E.M., and Conan O'Brien. A year before that, Denyce Graves sang the song by herself with some penguins!

Many Sesame Street albums have featured "Sing". Some of these include Sesame Street Concert/On Stage – Live! (1973), Sing the Hit Songs of Sesame Street (1974), and Songs from the Street: 35 Years of Music (2003). A Spanish version was also on the Fiesta Songs! album in 1998.

Who Played on The Carpenters' Version?

• Karen Carpenter – lead and backing vocals, drums
• Richard Carpenter – backing vocals, piano, Wurlitzer electric piano, celesta, orchestration
• Joe Osborn – bass
• Tom Scott – recorders
• The Jimmy Joyce Children's Choir – backing vocals
• Doug Strawn - triangle, tambourine

Other Artists Who Covered "Sing"

Many different artists have recorded their own versions of "Sing" over the years:

• In 1972, Barbra Streisand released a version that became an Easy Listening hit.
• In 1973, Julie Andrews and Perry Como sang it together on a TV special.
• In 1974, Sammy Davis Jr. recorded it as a single.
• In 1975, Shirley Bassey included it on her album Good, Bad but Beautiful.
• In 1975, Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire recorded it for their album A Couple of Song and Dance Men.
• In 1981, Lea Salonga included it on her first album, Small Voice, when she was just nine years old.
• In 1989, Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett sang it at their concert at Carnegie Hall.
• The Dixie Chicks recorded a version, and they were also part of the all-celebrity version in 2000.
• In 2002, the band Ivy sang a version for the For the Kids album.
• The cast of That '70s Show sang "Sing" in their 100th episode in 2002.
• In 2008, Kristin Chenoweth covered the song with new holiday lyrics on her Christmas album.
• In 2009, Pink Martini included English and Spanish versions on their album.
• The song was featured in the 2009 anime film Mai Mai Miracle.
• In 2010, the song was used a lot in the video game Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
• In 2012, Lea Salonga recorded "Sing" again for her album Inspired.
• In 2013, Japanese singer Rie fu included it on her Carpenters cover album.

How The Carpenters' Version Charted

The Carpenters' version of "Sing" was very popular around the world.

Weekly Charts

Year-End Charts