Bein' Green
sung by Kermit the Frog (Jim Henson)
Written by Joe Raposo
Background info: In 1990 Jim Henson reflected on the first “Bein’ Green” recording.
“I remember coming in at two o’clock in the morning ‘cause it was one of those tightened deadlines like you always have. Recording that song in this darkened studio in the wee hours of the morning with Joe standing right in front of me like he would often do, and I’m singing into the microphone, and Joe is mouthing the lyrics.”
When first recorded, the title of this song was only “Green”. It debuted on Sesame Street on March 10, 1970. The finished result is one of the most poignant and profound statements on racial and human differences ever recorded. Lena Horne and Ray Charles would also sing “Bein’ Green” on Sesame Street.
With thanks to Muppet Central for the above info via the Songs From The Street: 35 Years Of Music box set. And for Oscar's updated version transcribed below.
[Spoken: Greetings! Kermit the Frog here, and today I'd like to tell you a little bit about the color green. Do you know what's green? [cue music] Well I am for one thing. You see, frogs are green, and I'm a frog. And that means I'm green, you see?]
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
Transcribed by Kevin Arthur with spoken intro provided by Antonio Greaney Delgado
Bein' Green (2005 version)
as sung by Oscar the Grouch (Carroll Spinney) and the Grouch choir
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 grey, or brown, or puce
Or something much less colorful like that
It's not easy bein' green
It seems you blend in with so many other beautiful things
And grouches tend to pass you over cause you're not all dingy looking
Like mud in the water, or smog in the sky
But green is the color of slime
And green can be gross and moldly (mildy?) like
And green can be smelly like a stink-weed
Or angry like an alligator
Or sour like a pickle
When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why
But why wonder, why wonder
I am green and it will do fine
It's yucky, and I think it's what I want to be
Sent in by Bipsnbaps5714@aol.com via Doug Fowler and Muppet Central
Originally released on
The Sesame Street Book & Record - Original Cast (1970)
Columbia
and on the album
Rubber Duckie And Other Songs From Sesame Street (1972?)
Disneyland Records
and on the album
Sing The Hit Songs of Sesame Street (1974)
Children's Records of America
and on the album
Sesame Street Silver - 10th Anniversary Album (1978)
Children's Television Workshop (Out of print)
and on the album
Sesame Street Disco (1979)
Children's Television Workshop
and on the album
Jim Henson: A Sesame Street Celebration (1992)
Golden
and on the album
Sing: Songs of Joe Raposo (1992)
Golden
Rowlf the Dog's version from the album
Ol' Brown Ears Is Back (1984)
Kermit's original version available on the album
Platinum All-Time Favorites (CD) and Cassette
also available on
The Best of Kermit on Sesame Street Video
and on the video
Sesame Street's 25th Birthday and DVD
and on the CD
Kermit Unpigged (w/Don Henley)
and on the CD
The Muppet Show: Music, Mayhem and More - 25th Anniversary
and on the 4-DVD Set (Peter Ustinov ep)
The Muppet Show - Season One
Bob's version available on the CD
Bob's Favorite Street Songs
Tony Bennett and Kermit's version available on
The Playground
also available on the 3-CD Box Set
Songs From The Street: 35 Years Of Music
Available on the 3-DVD Set
Sesame Street - Old School, Vol. 1 (1969-1974) (2006)
In other words, no reason NOT to have it! ;-)