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 The Sesame Street Book & Record - Original Cast

The Sesame Street Book & Record - Original Cast (1970)
Columbia

and on the album

Rubber Duckie And Other Songs From Sesame Street

Rubber Duckie And Other Songs From Sesame Street (1972?)
Disneyland Records

and on the album

Sing The Hit Songs of Sesame Street

Sing The Hit Songs of Sesame Street (1974)
Children's Records of America

and on the album

Sesame Street Silver - 10th Anniversary Album

Sesame Street Silver - 10th Anniversary Album (1978)
Children's Television Workshop (Out of print)

and on the album

Sesame Street Disco

Sesame Street Disco (1979)
Children's Television Workshop

and on the album

Jim Henson: A Sesame Street Celebration

Jim Henson: A Sesame Street Celebration (1992)
Golden

and on the album

Sing: Songs of Joe Raposo

Sing: Songs of Joe Raposo (1992)
Golden

Rowlf the Dog's version from the album

Ol' Brown Ears Is Back

Ol' Brown Ears Is Back (1984)

Kermit's original version available on the album

Platinum All-Time Favorites

Platinum All-Time Favorites (CD)
and Cassette

also available on

The Best of Kermit on Sesame Street

The Best of Kermit on Sesame Street Video


and on the video

Sesame Steet's 25th Birthday

Sesame Street's 25th Birthday
and DVD

and on the CD

Kermit Unpigged

Kermit Unpigged
(w/Don Henley)

and on the CD

The Muppet Show: Music, Mayhem and More - 25th Anniversary

The Muppet Show: Music, Mayhem and More - 25th Anniversary


and on the 4-DVD Set (Peter Ustinov ep)

The Muppet Show - Season One

The Muppet Show - Season One


Bob's version available on the CD

Bob's Favorite Street Songs

Bob's Favorite Street Songs


Tony Bennett and Kermit's version available on

The Playground

The Playground


also available on the 3-CD Box Set

Songs From The Street: 35 Years Of Music

Songs From The Street: 35 Years Of Music


Available on the 3-DVD Set

Sesame Street - Old School, Vol. 1 (1969-1974)

Sesame Street - Old School, Vol. 1 (1969-1974) (2006)



In other words, no reason NOT to have it! ;-)