Word that Jason Mraz will spoof his mega-hit “I’m Yours” on Sesame Street this season, by re-writing it as “Outdoors,” has us at NPT thinking about all the other musicians who have stopped by the show, to either parody one of their own songs, sing one straight, or join the gang in a singalong celebration of letters and learning. We quickly started sharing our favorites. The beauty of You Tube, of course, is that we can then share them with you. Below are some of our favorites, or at least the ones we could find online (where’s REM doing “Furry Happy Monsters?”) Let us know in the comments if you agree, and then share your own. I don’t want to influence you, but we saved what might be the best, for last. If you watch only one of these, make it the All-Star jam of “Put Down The Duckie.” Kudos also to Elmo, for coining the word “snorey” in the Bocelli clip. The 40th season of Sesame Street begins on NPT and PBS Stations nationwide on November 10.
If you’re on the blog home page, click “read more” below to access clips. If not, they’re right here:
James Taylor
Feist
Andrea Bocelli
Sheryl Crow
Aaron Neville
Johnny Cash
Linda Ronstadt
Bela Fleck
Stevie Wonder
Cab Calloway
Pete Seeger, Celia Cruz, Paul Simon, Itzhak Perlman, Wynton Marsalis and more: “Put Down The Duckie”
13 Comments
Feist came immediately to my mind. Sesame Street still is my favorite show, but now my children are its target audience.
Didn’t Lena Horn sing the song “Sing, sing a song” with Grover and the classic “It’s not easy bein’ green” with Kermit? Good times!
And don’t forget Ernie’s immortal reggae classic, “Do the Rubber Duck!” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc5T06SsnkA
Bobby McFerrin!
You can’t possibly forget Smokey Robinson’s “U Really Got a Hold On Me”
I have neices, nephews, etc. that would love CD’s of these. And their parents would like it too!
Andrea and Elmo–perfect!!
This is wonderful. Brought back many memories. Thank God for PBS.
Fantastic feature! Brought back some memories and made for a nice break.
what about Wubba Wubba — does it not count since it’s a medley of stars?
Another favorite – Madeline Kahn and her “echo” Grover.
Don’t forget Sugarland with Elmo!
I haven’t checked in here for some time as I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are good quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
speech recognition…
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