120 Awesome Muppet Songs, Part 6

Ryan Dosier - Wow. I really can't believe we've been showcasing this list of Awesome Muppet Songs for six weeks. We've already gone through so many classics it's hard to believe there's still 45 songs left! Well, believe it, and check out the 15 songs that make up this week's list. And don't miss out on Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5 for all of the Muppet song goodness!

76.   “Twelve Days of Christmas” from John Denver and The Muppets: A Christmas Together
Okay, if any of you reading out there can tell me that this isn't the greatest performance of this song ever recorded... well, you're wrong. There is nothing more satisfying than the Muppets and John Denver rattling off the 12 Days of Christmas is beautiful harmony. It's fun, it's charming, and it's darn funny when Miss Piggy starts off on her "ba dum bum bum." Everyone is in beautiful voice here--yes, even Lew Zealand--and it's the perfect Christmas carol. Special shout-out to the version the Muppets performed with Jimmy Fallon a few yeas ago as well. Favorite lyrics: "Fiiiiiive goooooold riiiiiiings... Ba dum bum bum!"
77.   “Fuzzy and Blue (and Orange)” from Sesame Street
It's hard to top Grover, Herry, and Cookie Monster with canes and top hats performing this soft-shoe delight. The trio is just so proud of being fuzzy and blue that they simply had to perform this cute little song about it. But then, of course, Frazzle comes in and confuses everything by being orange. It's okay though, because Grover is accepting of the ravenous Frazzle (mostly because he's ravenous) and adjusts the lyrics accordingly. I love this song for the fact that it's Frank Oz and Jerry Nelson harmonizing with each other and themselves. Favorite lyrics: "Fuzzy and blue/Me said me fuzzy and blue/From head to bottom of shoe/That right me fuzzy and blue!"
78.   “C is for Cookie” from Sesame Street
When you think about it, it's both hysterical and amazing that Cookie Monster sings as many wonderful songs as he does. He doesn't have proper grammar, but he sings with the best of them. Take his anthem, theme song, and greatest number for example. "C is for Cookie" is such a simple idea that Cookie Monster (with help from Joe Raposo) spun into this joyful song. It spells out Cookie's love for cookies, his understanding of the third letter of the alphabet, and his desire to eat the moon. It's simple elegance. Favorite lyrics: "C is for cookie/That's good enough for me/C is for cookie/That's good enough for me/Oh! Cookie cookie cookie starts with C!"
79.   “Things That I Remember” from Sesame Street
This is one of my very favorite modern Sesame Street songs. If you've never heard it, stop reading and take a few minutes to listen and watch this beautiful song from Bert and Ernie. The timeless duo reminisce their wonderful adventures and goofy happenings. This song works on so many levels. First, it's a beautiful tribute to Jim Henson and Frank Oz since all the clips shown were performed by them. Second, it's one of the final songs Sesame master songwriter Jeff Moss wrote for the show. Finally, it's just a beautiful and perfect Bert and Ernie moment. Favorite lyrics: "Each day has its memories/And when the day is through/Things that I remember/Are the things I did with you."
80.   “Follow Me” from Fraggle Rock
The best song from Fraggle Rock was in the first episode of the show. By no means does that mean the rest of the songs used throughout the course of the show weren't brilliant... but "Follow Me" is just the best. It is such a perfect duet between Traveling Matt and Gobo. The lyrics and music are pure magic and pure Fraggle. The innocent, beautiful acoustic guitar used in the entire song is awesome. It doesn't get better than this. Major shout-out to the special extended version written for Jerry Juhl and available on the bonus features for Fraggle Rock Season 2 on DVD. Favorite lyrics: "While the sun goes round I'll still be found/Followin' the sound/Somethin's callin' me/When the world goes driftin' back to bed/Memories in my head/Wonders follow me."
81.   “To Morrow” from The Muppet Show
The silliness of this song is amazing. And yes, if you're wondering, Morrow is an actual place in numerous states in the US. Jim Henson and Jerry Nelson sing so wonderfully in this song it almost distracts from how incredibly goofy the lyrics are. The County Trio is such a brilliant idea and this is undoubtedly their best performance. The song is a great duet for Jim and Jerry but it is Frank who gets the biggest laugh croaking out "I don't get it" at the end. Favorite lyrics: "If you had gone to Morrow yesterday now don't you see/You could've gone to Morrow and returned today at 3/For the train today to Morrow, if the schedule is right/Today it gets to Morrow and returns tomorrow night."
82.   “One More Sleep ‘til Christmas” from The Muppet Christmas Carol
Another perfect Christmas song, this one sung beautifully by Kermit. Looking back on this song, it's truly amazing that it is the first song Steve Whitmire performed as Kermit, because Kermit is in prime voice here. Yes, in a few spots he sounds slightly off, but 20 years later there is no doubt that this is Kermit. Another Paul Williams masterpiece, this is yet another song that deserves radio time every holiday season. It's beautiful and charming and perfectly Kemity. Favorite lyrics: "There's somethin' in the wind today/That's good for everyone/Yes faith is in our hearts today/We're shinin' like the sun/Yes everyone can feel it/The feelin's runnin' deep/After all there's only one more sleep 'til Christmas."
83.   “Blackbird” from The Muppet Show
This is my favorite Floyd Pepper song, and I will always assert that it is better than the original Beatles version. I told Jerry Nelson that once, and being the wonderfully humble man he is, he thanked me but disagreed. Still, Floyd has never been more soulful or impressive than he is in this beautiful song. He croons with such heartfelt wonder that you can't help but love it. Favorite lyrics: "Blackbird singin' in the dead of night/Take these broken wings and learn to fly/All your life/You were only waiting for this moment to arise."
84.   “My Best Christmas Yet” from A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa
Boy, that Paul Williams sure does write a lot of Christmas songs for the Muppets! And thank goodness he does, because they're gems. Even the songs from the not-too-beloved Letters to Santa are wonderful. "My Best Christmas Yet" is the stand-out, simply because it features so many Muppets and duets between Kermit and Gonzo, Kermit and Robin, Kermit and Fozzie, and Kermit and Piggy. You can't beat that. Plus, Rowlf, Zoot lighting a menorah, Lew Zealand hanging a fish on the tree, tacky sweaters, and more. Favorite lyrics: "The skies are filled with wishes tonight/The skies are filled with prayers/The night is full of hope/And of promises kept/Because somebody cares."
85.   “Put Down the Duckie” from Sesame Street
Hoots the Owl was so prominent in the late 80s on Sesame Street that he even got to sing a song with Ernie! And boy, what a song it is. I guess Ernie doesn't really get to do much singing, and it really is Hoots' song, but it's still amazing. That saxophone mixed with the Rubber Dukie squeaks is awesome and surprisingly fitting. Hoots is so great when he sings and this is the best example of him rocking a song hard. Favorite lyrics: "Ya didn't hear a word I said!/Ya gotta get it through your head/Don't be a stubborn cluck/Ernie lay aside the duck!"
86.   “Pass it On” from Fraggle Rock
Casual Muppet fans probably best know this song from A Muppet Family Christmas, but it was first used in the Fraggle Rock episode "The Perfect Blue Rollie." It features some of Wembley's best harmonizing noises and lyrics sung by Gobo, Mokey, and Red. But really, it's Wembley that steals this song. With his goofy grunts and excited shouts of "Pass it on!" Nobody does it like Wembley. Favorite lyrics: "When I give a gift to you/I know you're gonna give it too/That's why givin's what we do/When we... Pass it on!"
87.   “One Fine Face” from Sesame Street
A semi-obscure choice, perhaps, but I adore this song. A rare duet between Ernie and Elmo, this silly-but-educational song is adorable. Ernie sings about the part of his face while Elmo helps by repeating them. Of course, Elmo doesn't have ears, but it doesn't really matter. Elmo steals the show here and Ernie gets the rare opportunity to play the straight man. Favorite lyrics: "You've got a chin/But what a chin does/You just can't tell/(Just cannot tell!)"
88.   “Fraggle Rock Theme” from Fraggle Rock
Is there a song with more perfectly placed claps? I can't think of one right now, but I doubt there is. Another perfect theme song for a Henson show, and one that perfectly describes the series, its characters, and its world. We see Fraggles dancing their cares away, Doozers working their cares away, encounter Gorgs, Doc in his workshop, and more. It's truly an amazing feat of both song writing and storytelling in a very short song. Favorite lyrics: "Dance your cares away!/Worries for another day!/Let the music play!/Down at Fraggle Rock!"

89.   “Happy Tappin’ with Elmo” from Sesame Street
Ahh, my favorite Elmo song! Not only is this little number 100% adorable, it's also insanely catchy and well-written. The lyrics and rhyme scheme are fantastic and perfect for Elmo. Also note the few times that Elmo actually says "me" in this song--that's how you know this is vintage Elmo goodness! I absolutely love this song and it never fails to make me want to dance. Favorite lyrics: "Happy's such a neat emotion/It'll give your feet that happy notion/If your toes get tired rub in some lotion/And they'll feel swell so come join Elmo!"
90.   “Man Or Muppet” from The Muppets
How perfect that we end today's list with the most recent Awesome Muppet Song and the only Muppet song to win an Academy Award! And what a deserved win it was. Bret McKenzie's fantastic power ballad duet between Walter and Gary (Jason Segel) is magnificent. Plus, this song got the biggest laugh in the movie when Jim Parsons walked out as human Walter. This song would give Muppet fans a new identity crisis... and an amazing new song to never get out of their heads. Favorite lyrics: "I look into these eyes/And I don't recognize/The one I see inside/It's time for me to decide/Am I a man?/Or am I a Muppet?"

Well that's it for today! Don't miss next week's continuation of the list. Only two more installments left of 120 Awesome Muppet Songs!





The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, muppetmindset@gmail.com

Muppet Maestros: Paul Williams

Hilarie Mukavitz - For Muppet fans, December is the time of year when our lives seem to have a Paul Williams soundtrack. He is one writer and performer that I have long suspected has Muppet DNA, he understands them so well: the humor, the idealism, the longing to fit in. His body of work his so extensive, it only seemed appropriate to have two playlists for him. One for his most famous songs performed by other artists and one for his work with the Muppets.

Born in Omaha, September 19, 1940, initially Williams aspired to be an actor. He had a couple of roles here and there, but pretty soon he figured out the money-maker for him was as a songwriter. Initially his songs, usually co-written with Roger Nichols, were mostly B-sides. However, one day Richard Carpenter heard "We've Only Just Begun" used in an insurance commercial. Soon the Carpenters gave Paul Williams his first hit. It was followed by many others including "Rainy Days and Mondays" performed by the Carpenters,   "Family of Man," "Out in the Country," and "Old-Fashioned Love Song" performed by Three Dog Night, "You and Me Against the World" performed by Helen Reddy, and the Oscar-winning "Evergreen" co-written and performed by Barbra Streisand. Researching Paul Williams I kept saying "Wait... he wrote that one too?" Besides being all over the radio in the 1970's, Williams was a frequent guest on TV. He made multiple appearances on The Tonight Show, Hollywood Squares, and The Gong Show just to name a few.

Paul Williams' first collaboration with the Muppets was composing the songs for Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas. The show remains a holiday favorite for Muppet fans, especially now that it has been made into a stage show. The standout song in the show was "When the River Meets the Sea." The song proved to be such a good fit for the Muppets that it was later used on the Christmas album with John Denver, and ultimately at Jim Henson’s memorial service, as well as being performed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon a few years ago at Christmas time. 

During the first season of The Muppet Show Paul Williams was the guest star in Episode 108. Paul had the chance to sing his songs "Sad Song" and "Old-Fashioned Love Song" (joined by two Muppet clones of himself). He also had the chance to show off his comic chops. My personal favorite is when Williams revels in finally getting to be the "tallest person on the show" only to be proven wrong when Sweetums, Thog, and one of the Mutations show up.

Williams later teamed up with Kenny Ascher to write the songs for The Muppet Movie. Easily the most famous song is "Rainbow Connection." Recently, in the documentary Paul Williams: Still Alive, a group of people were asked if they had heard of Paul Williams. They hadn't heard of him, but every last one of them knew "Rainbow Connection." Williams and Ascher made a rare joint appearance on the television special The Muppets Go Hollywood. Williams also made a cameo in the movie as the piano player at the El Sleezo Café.

Drug and alcohol abuse would take its toll on Williams' life and career. He pretty much disappeared during the 1980s. However, as of today, he has been sober for over 22 years.

After a lengthy absence, Williams would once more work with the Muppets, writing the songs for The Muppet Christmas Carol in 1992. In an interview, Williams pointed out that the musical themes for "Scrooge" and "One More Sleep Till Christmas" are related. Williams' most recent work with the Muppets was in A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa. He wrote the songs as well as appearing in the role of Chief Elf.

A year ago, "Rainbow Connection" was featured in the movie The Muppets in the scene I like to call "The scene where all the 30 and 40-somethings in the audience are weeping and thinking about their childhoods."

Williams continues to record, perform and collaborate with other artists. I was rather surprised to find out he had written a song with The Scissor Sisters. Listening to the song "Almost Sorry," the song has a definite Paul Williams feel to it, while being surprisingly edgy for the man whose most famous songs were sung by Kermit the Frog and the Carpenters.

Most recently, Williams was featured in the documentary Paul Williams: Still Alive. Not your garden-variety documentary, filmmaker Stephen Kessler sets out to discover what happened to his childhood hero. It's a good exploration both of Williams' career, and how much he has grown up and evolved over the years. I know I'll never look at Emmet Otter or The Muppet Christmas Carol in quite the same way.

Paul Williams: Still Alive is currently available for download and viewing on iTunes.

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, muppetmindset@gmail.com

Twelve Favorite Muppet Christmas Songs

Ryan Dosier - I know what you're thinking, "A list of things? That's Michael Wermuth, Jr.'s territory!" Well, that's true... but we've got nothing else to use for a post today, and it's almost Christmas, and I felt the need to list some of my personal favorite Muppet Christmas songs! These span from various Muppet Christmas productions (Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, A Muppet Family Christmas, The Muppet Christmas Carol, It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, Letters to Santa) to Muppet Christmas albums (John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together, Green and Red Christmas, Merry Christmas from Sesame Street), and other places! So get your music ready, and prepare to have a listen to these wonderful Muppet Christmas favorites!

12.   "My Best Christmas Yet," The Muppets, A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa
Say what you will about this 2008 special, but I just love this song. It's Paul Williams, it's Muppets, it's Christmas... it's hard to go wrong. The Muppet-filled finale gives us solo verses from the likes of Rowlf and Robin the Frog, the latter of which had not been heard since It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie. But aside from that, this song stands on its own as fun both lyrically and tunefully. Kermit and Gonzo leading the vocals works brilliantly and showcases the wonderful voices of Steve Whitmire and Dave Goelz. What I love is all the little side-plots going on during this song: Swedish Chef revealing to the turkey that he made a tofu turkey for dinner, Zoot lighting a menorah, Fozzie giving Clare and Clare's mom Christmas sweaters, rats in stockings, Bunsen dancing with Beaker... everywhere you look is fantastic Muppet mayhem. 

11.   "Everyone Matters," Kermit the Frog and Gonzo the Great, It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
Another showcase for the beautiful vocals of Steve Whitmire and Dave Goelz, this song is the obvious emotional highlight of It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie for me. Yes, Kermit returning to the theater is fantastic, but nothing can top this beautifully sad, yet eventually uplifting song. The imagery of a down-trodden Gonzo singing with Kermit on a park bench is great. The message and lyrics and everything about this song is moving... "If only I could go back/and take another crack at/all the things I've left undone/I'd do them right" is such a great lyric, and speaks to us all in different ways. It's a crying shame that this song lost when it was nominated for an Emmy... I'll forgive, but only because it's Christmas.

10.   "Merry Christmas Baby," Pepe the King Prawn, The Muppets: A Green and Red Christmas Album
I believe this marks Pepe's first solo song ever, and it came on this great album released way back in 2006. Honestly, who knew Pepe could sing this well? I guess anyone that knows how unbelievably talented Bill Barretta is would realize that. This song is catchy, fun, and unbelievably well-performed and suited perfectly for Pepe, who joins the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Ray Charles, who also performed this song. I'm such a fan of this that I listen to it even when it's not Christmas, just for Pepe's fantastic vocals. Besides, how often do you get to hear Pepe call out to Zoot for a rockin' sax solo?

9.  "Little Saint Nick," Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem, John Denver and The Muppets: A Christmas Together Album
One of the Electric Mayhem's greatest performances is this Christmas classic from the Beach Boys. Dr. Teeth and Janice's leading vocals have never been better, and Floyd's repetitive back up singing is perfection. This song more than almost any other just sounds like Jim, Frank, Jerry, Richard, and Dave were having a ton of fun. I had a hard time choosing between this song and "Jingle Bell Rock" from A Muppet Family Christmas for my favorite Electric Mayhem Christmas song... but "Little Saint Nick" just barely wins out for having more Floyd. I love me some Floyd Pepper.

8.   "True Blue Miracle," The Sesame Street Cast, Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
There are so many great songs and performances in this near-perfect Sesame special (and this isn't the only one you'll find on this list), it's impossible not to include some of them on any list of the greatest Muppet Christmas moments. This song performed by Bob, Olivia, Gordon, Susan, Maria, Luis, Mr. Hooper, David, Bert, Ernie, The Count, and more classic Sesame Street favorites is absolutely beautiful. You would really be hard-pressed to find a song that sings the beauty of the Christmas season better than this. Lyrics like, "Once a year, the street I live on sparkles like the sky--all hung with lights for Christmas!" make this song stand out as one of the true greats. And if that isn't a true blue miracle, I don't know what one is.

7.   "It Feels Like Christmas," The Ghost of Christmas Present and The Muppets, The Muppet Christmas Carol
It is so unbelievably hard to pick out just a few great songs from The Muppet Christmas Carol. Let's face it, they're all good. "One More Sleep 'Til Christmas" is a great showcase for Kermit, "Bless Us All" is one of the most beautiful songs ever... but "It Feels Like Christmas" always takes the cake for me. It's the real show-stopper of the movie, plus it boasts great vocals from Jerry Nelson as the Ghost of Christmas Present. It's another example of a fun Muppet number that you can't help but smile during. Also... Michael Caine tries (and fails) to dance at one point. How do you beat that?

6.   "The Christmas Wish," Kermit the Frog, John Denver and The Muppets: A Christmas Together Album
This song is not only one of my favorite Christmas songs ever, but one of my favorite Kermit songs ever. Jim Henson is so perfect here (as he so often was) and Kermit really never sounded better. Everything about this song is beautiful. It's a song of acceptance, it's a song of love, it's a song of peace. When Kermit sings, "I don't know if you believe in Christmas/or if you have presents underneath the Christmas tree/but if you believe in love/that will be more than enough/for you to come and celebrate with me," he's telling you and me and all of us that no matter who we are, as long as we love, we're okay with him. It's a message on par with any other message Kermit delivers. I love it.

5.   "Carol Medley," The Muppets and the Sesame Street Cast, A Muppet Family Christmas
When choosing a song from A Muppet Family Christmas, it might seem incredibly difficult... but it's not. The nine minute medley that closes out the special features a million Muppets, a million songs, and shines the spotlight on nearly every main character. It's amazing how confident Jerry Juhl, Jim Henson, and the rest were in these characters by this point... so confident, that they knew the audience would sit and adore a nearly ten minute medley of songs. The Muppets were really at their peak at this point, and this medley exploits it brilliantly. Whether you have the slightly cut version released on most home video, or the full version from TV broadcast... it really is hard to top this.

4.   TIE: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," Kermit the Frog, A Green and Red Christmas Album, and Bert and Ernie, Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
Yes... it's a tie on the same song, but anyone who has heard both of these will surely agree with me. It's impossible to declare either of these versions better than the other. Steve Whitmire's sweet, calming, and loving voice as Kermit gives me shivers every time I hear it, and Jim Henson and Frank Oz never had a better duet as Ernie and Bert than in the culmination of their "Gift of the Magi" story. It also helps that this song is so perfectly suited for the Muppets that they've done it over 15 times (according to Muppet Wiki)... but none of them top the beauty and perfection of Kermit or Bert and Ernie.

3.   "Keep Christmas With You (All Through the Year)," The Sesame Street Cast, Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
Music, lyrics, vocals... all of them come to the forefront in this tour de force of Christmas caroling. Sam Pottle and David Axlerod completely outdid themselves with this perfect piece first debuting on the album Merry Christmas From Sesame Street, and used beautifully--twice--in Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. I love the magic of Bob and the kids singing it while doing sign language with Linda, but then the finale version which brings the whole cast together to sing... perfect. Honestly, I think I would love any version of this song... and I'd really like for the Sesame gang to sing it again soon.

2.   "When the River Meets the Sea," Emmet Otter and Ma Otter, Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas
What is there to say about this Paul Williams song that hasn't been said before? It's perfect, it's beautiful, it's breath-taking, it's amazing. Numerous versions of this song have been done, including an exceptional rendition by John Denver and Robin, but none can ever beat the original. Jerry Nelson's Emmett and Marlyn Sokol's Alice Otter carry the tune like no one else. This song is also amazing for not pigeon-holing itself as an exclusively Christmas song. You can listen to "When the River Meets the Sea" anytime, anywhere, and still be moved by its beauty. Look for Kermit and Robin to sing the song on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on December 23rd!


1.   "The Twelve Days of Christmas," John Denver and the Muppets, John Denver and The Muppets: A Christmas Together Album
Is anyone surprised by this song being number one? I hope not, because it really doesn't get better than this. John, Fozzie, Gonzo, Robin, Piggy, Scooter, Lew Zealand, Rowlf, Bunsen, Beaker, Statler, Waldorf, Beauregard, and Kermit sing this song with such gusto and hilarity that it can't be beat. From Miss Piggy's hysterical "ba-dum-bum-bum" to Gonzo singing about three French hens, to Lew Zealand singing at all... this is a wonderful piece through and through. Every time this song comes on in the car, I attempt to sing it in the voice of each Muppet... and it ain't easy. I also love the performance of this that the Muppets did with Jimmy Fallon a few years ago, featuring Sam Eagle, Pepe, Rizzo, and Animal, along with all the others. Hysterical, wonderful, perfectly sung... there is no better Muppet Christmas song... and perhaps no better Christmas song period.

Did your favorite Muppet Christmas song make the list? Tell us yours in the comments below!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

12 Favorie Muppet Christmas Moments

12 Favorite Muppet Christmas Moments

Michael Wermuth, Jr. - It's almost Christmas, and in keeping with the Christmas season, I thought I'd make my list of my 12 favorite Muppet Christmas moments. Now let's get things started!

12. "The Christmas Song" with Big Bird and The Swedish Chef from A Muppet Family Christmas
In this scene, The Swedish Chef has gotten Big Bird to enter the kitchen, with the intention of cooking him as the main course, but before he can do so, Big Bird gives the Chef a present: chocolate covered birdseed. He gives this to the Chef because he's away from his family in Sweden during the holidays. This led to a beautiful, if incomprehensible, duet of "The Christmas Song." Of course, with a change of heart, the Chef has to change plans for Christmas dinner, though it turns out he cooks Big Bird's absolute favorite: shredded wheat and cranberry sauce! This is a very sweet scene, with plenty of humor as well.

11. "The Christmas Wish" (album version) from John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together
This is a great song sung by Kermit. I know that Kermit sang the song with John Denver in the special, but I enjoy the album version with just Kermit (plus background vocals by the other Muppets) a lot better. The soulful sounds of Kermit's voice is sweet and powerful and says everything about Christmas that you could ever hope to hear. Kermit sounds great here and the lyrics are just as great.

10. "Everyone Matters" from It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
A great moment in the "world where Kermit was never born" when Kermit decides he wants to go back to his reality, only he can't find Daniel the Guardian Angel. He finds Gonzo singing about having a bad Christmas, until Kermit joins in, and the two sing about how everyone matters. The full-cast version at the end of the special is good as well, but I prefer Kermit and Gonzo's duet of this beautiful and heart-warming song.

9. The Wish Granter 3000 from A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa
At one point in Letters to Santa, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew informs the gang that he has come up with a way they can contact Santa Claus: his invention, The Wish Granter 3000, a helmet which can magically grant the wishes of whoever wears it. Beaker tests it out, wishing for a hot supermodel girlfriend (Petra Nimcova) who talks like Beaker. For some reason Bunsen wants Beaker to wish her away, but after initially refusing, Beaker not only wishes her away, but also himself (and the Wish Granter).

8. "Pass It On" from A Muppet Family Christmas
One of the many highlights of A Muppet Family Christmas is when Kermit and Robin meet the Fraggles after Robin finds a Fraggle hole in the cellar. They travel into Fraggle Rock to meet the Fraggles, who learn about Christmas and reveal that they celebrate a similar holiday, which involves giving presents. They reveal that they have constantly given the same Fraggle Pebble as a present 37 times, leading to this bouncy and fun song, "Pass It On" (which originated in the Fraggle Rock episode "The Perfect Blue Rollie").


7. Sesame Street News: Santa Claus from Sesame Street
This is one of the few Sesame Street inserts to be about Christmas or any holiday in general. Here, Kermit intends to interview Santa Claus but it turns out that the Easter Bunny thinks he's Santa, but hands out jack-o-lanterns and scary masks, while a witch thinks she's the Easter Bunny and hands out Easter eggs. In the end, a Muppet Santa Claus thinks Kermit is Santa and tells Kermit what he wants for Christmas.

6. "Jingle Bell Rock" from A Muppet Family Christmas
When Kermit and Robin start singing a sweet, quiet rendition of "Jingle Bells," Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem jump in unannounced to perform a rockin' version of "Jingle Bell Rock." With vocals by Dr. Teeth, Floyd, and Janice, great instrumental solos from Zoot and Lips, and jamming from Animal, this is one of the band's best performances in any show or special.

5. The Muppets Defer Their Pay from It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
At one point in It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, Kermit learns that it's possible for the Muppets to come up with the money they owe in time with only one performance if everyone agrees not to get paid. At first, everyone is against this (Sam Eagle worries about how he'll afford his Propecia, while Janice wonders how one can celebrate Christmas without any money), but Fozzie gives them all a speech about how Kermit has done so much for them, convincing everyone to agree to give up their paychecks to save the theater. It's so great to see all of the Muppets, old and new, in the audience of the Muppet theater.

4. "Thankful Heart" from The Muppet Christmas Carol
This song was well-written, by Paul Williams, and well-sung, by Scrooge after he reforms himself joined by a crowd of Muppets and human extras. This sequence has great moments, sweet moments, funny moments, and even some "what were they thinking?" moments. It also has a cameo by Fozzie and Sam as elderly versions of the characters they play in the movie, Fozziwig and Headmaster respectively.

3. "Gift of the Magi" storyline with Bert and Ernie from Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
A classic subplot from Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, Bert wants to get Ernie a soap dish for Rubber Duckie and Ernie wants to get Bert a cigar box for his paperclip collection. Since they both have no money, they both trade in their prized possessions so that they can purchase presents at Hooper's Store. But shortly after they open their presents, Mr. Hooper arrives and gives them their possessions back, informing them that he got the best present: He got to see that everyone got exactly what they wanted for Christmas. And then Bert and Ernie sing a great rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

2. My Best Christmas Yet from A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa
The finale of Letters to Santa, sees the various Muppets not going on their separate vacations so they can spend the holidays with their neighbor Claire. Almost every great Muppet production has a great closing song, with almost everyone from the special, including callbacks to earlier scenes (such as the girlfriend Beaker wishes for with the Wish-Granter), and verses from a few characters who had been silent elsewhere in the special (Robin, Rowlf).

1. Christmas Medley from A Muppet Family Christmas
At the end of A Muppet Family Christmas, the Muppets all gather for a carol sing, with the Muppets singing an incredible array of Christmas songs, even "Together at Christmas," a tune written for The Christmas Toy. This medley closes the special and features solos or duets from nearly every prominent character from both The Muppet Show and Sesame Street. The medley lasts a whopping nine minutes and is a classic example of Muppety greatness.

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com