What's The Name Of That Song?

Words by David Axlerod
Music by Sam Pottle

as sung by David (Northern Calloway), Bob (Bob McGrath), Gordon (Roscoe Orman),
Susan (Loretta Long), Maria (Sonia Manzano), Luis (Emilio Delgado),
Mr. Hooper (Will Lee), Bert (Frank Oz), Oscar the Grouch (Carroll Spinney),
The Count, and Herry Monster (both Jerry Nelson)


David: La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
What's the name of that song?

La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
What's the name of that song?

It goes la-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
Something something birds

La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
I wish I remembered the words

La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum

Bob: What's the name of that song?

David: La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum

Bob: I'd like to sing right along
I've heard it said with words and music
A fella can't go wrong

So la-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
What's the name of that song?

Both: La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum

Gordon and Susan: What's the name of that song?

David and Bob: La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum

Gordon and Susan: We need the name of that song!

Susan: It goes la-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
Something something nice (rest agree)

Gordon: La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum

All: I think it repeats itself twice (all agree)

Maria: La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum

Rest: What's the name of that song?

All: La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum

Bert and Herry: We know the name of that song

Bert: It's called...

Herry: Now wait...

Bert: I think I got it...

Herry: Oh no ...

Both: That must be wrong

All: So la-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
What's the name of that song?

Luis: Cuál es el nombre de eso canción? (What's the name of that song?)

All: La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum

Oscar: What's the name of that song?

All: La-de-da-de-dum

Oscar: They keep on singing that song
They go la-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da and then

All: La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum

Oscar: They start it all over again

All: La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum

The Count: Something shining above
La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum

All: La-de-da-la love!

We can't help singing la-de-da-de-dum
Loud and clear and strong

David: But, la-de-da-de-dum

Maria: La-de-da-de-dum

All: La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
Laaaaaaa

Mr. Hooper: What's the name of that song?

(all arguing)

David: White Christmas!

Rest: No ...

David: Danny Boy!

Rest: No ...

David: I've heard it said with words and music
A fella can't go wrong
But la-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
What's the name of that song?

Transcribed by Gregory Brobeck


What's The Name Of That Song?

Words by David Axlerod
Music by Sam Pottle


This is the version heard on more recent albums.


La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
What's the name of that song?

La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
What's the name of that song?

It goes la-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
Something something birds

La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-dee
I wish I remembered the words

La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
What's the name of that song?

La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
I'd like to sing right along!

I've heard it said
With words and music
A fellow can't go wrong

So la-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
What's the name of that song?

La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
What's the name of that song?

La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
We need the name of that song!

It goes la-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
Something, something nice

La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-dee
I think it repeats itself twice!

La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
What's the name of that song?

La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-dee
I know the name of that song!

It's called -- now wait
I think I got it!
Oh, no -- I must be wrong

So la-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
What's the name of that song?

(Honkers) Honk-ee-honk-ee-honk, honk-ee-honk-ee-honk

(Oscar-annoyed) What's the name of that song?

(All) La-de-da-de-dum, la-de-da-de

(Oscar) They keep on singing that song

They go la-de-da-de-dum, la-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum, la-de-da-de-dum
They start it all over again

La-de-da-de-dum, la-de-da-de-dum

(Gordon) Something shining above

(two-headed monsters sing some unintelligible words that end with something that rhymes with "above")

We can't help singing la-de-da-de-dum
Loud and clear and strong

But la-de-da-de-dum, la-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum, la-de-da-de-dum
La-de-da-de-dum, laaaaaaaaaaaa!

What IS the name of that song?

Transcribed by Carrie Ray and Launi Lockard


Originally released on the album

Bert & Ernie Sing-Along

Bert & Ernie Sing-Along (1975) Children's Records of America

available on the album

Platinum Too
Platinum Too (CD)
and Cassette

also available on

Sing Along
Sing Along (DVD)
and Video

also available on the 3-CD Box Set

Songs From The Street: 35 Years Of Music

Songs From The Street: 35 Years Of Music