I Want A Monster To Be My Friend

Words by Robert Pierce
Music by Sam Pottle
1975 Sesame Street, Inc (ASCAP)

sung by A Little Girl (Marilyn Sokel)
PARENTAL ADVISORY NOTE: This is the original version which has been banned from the show and should not be heard/read by today's tender tots. Not sure if it was ever broadcast on the show, but it was released on "Sesame Street Monsters!" in 1975. The verse in question:

If I make friends with a friendly monster
I'll let him bounce me on his knee
I'll let him do whatever he wants to
Especially if he's bigger than me

Was changed to:

If I make friends with a friendly monster
I'd be the best that a friend could be
I'd let him do whatever he wants to
And he'd always belong to me

The original sounds a bit rough by today's standards, but it was harmless back then.
Anyway, here's the full version, followed by the updated one:

Some kids just love to play with dolls
Or put on funny hats
And some make pets of birds and fish
And dogs and alley cats

That's not the way I like to play
I'm tired of all these
I need a very special friend
Won't you help me please?

I want a monster to be my playmate
I want a monster to be my friend
I want to get for my own pet
A real live monster who is not pretend

Oh, I want a monster to be my playmate
We'd soon become good friends because
Although they're hairy and sometimes scary
They have such soft and furry paws

If I make friends with a friendly monster
I'll let him bounce me on his knee
I'll let him do whatever he wants to
Especially if he's bigger than me

So, if you know of a nice old monster
If you've a monster to recommend
Weeellll, golly gee, send him to me
I just can't wait until then

I want a monster
A real live monster
I want a monster to beee myyyy friend
Please be my friend!

Transcribed by Dana

I Want A Monster To Be My Friend
Words by Robert Pierce
Music by Sam Pottle
1975 Sesame Street, Inc (ASCAP)
updated version as sung by En Vogue
Some kids just love to play with dolls
Or put on funny hats
And some make pets of birds and fish
And dogs and alley cats
That's not the way I like to play
I'm tired of all these
I need a very special friend
Won't you help me please?

I want a monster to be my playmate
I want a monster to be my friend
I want to get for my own pet
A real live monster who's not pretend

Oh, I want a monster to be my playmate
We'd soon become good friends because
Although they're hairy and sometimes scary
They have such soft and furry paws

If I make friends with a friendly monster
I'd be the best that a friend could be
I'd let him do whatever he wants to
And he'd always belong to me

So, if you know a nice old monster
If you've a monster to recommend
Ooh, golly gee, please send him to me
I just can't wait until then!

I want a monster, a real live monster
I want a monster, send me my monster
I want a monster, a real live monster
I want a monster, send my monster
I want a monster, a real live monster
I want a monster to be my friend!

Oh please, send my monster
Does anybody have a monster out there?
I'll take a a secondhand monster
He doesn't have to be new

Transcribed from the lyrics insert from "Elmopalooza!" by the archive's webmistress Tiny Dancer

Original version released on the album

Sesame Street Monsters! (1975)

Cleaned up version released on the album

Monster Melodies (CD)

En Vogue's version available on the album

Elmopalooza! (CD)

also available on Video, Cassette and even DVD

available on the CD-ROM (original version?)