The Muppets 5 Best Musical Moments

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Seriously Random Lists | Comments (53)

Jason Segel has a Muppet Movie coming out later this year, and for many it may be the most exposure they’ve ever gotten of the Muppets, aside from their Sesame Street cousins. Everyone knows Kermit and Miss Piggy, but characters like Fozzie Bear, Rizzo the Rat, Gonzo the Great, Rowlf the Dog, Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker, Scooter, Statler and Waldorf, and the Swedish Chef have been largely absent from pop culture for the last decade or so. I’d actually forgotten how much more adult the Muppets were in relation to the Sesame Street characters until, recently, when I attempted to introduce the Muppets to my three-year-old, a largely hit-and-miss affair, particularly moments from “The Muppet Show.”

To re-familiarize some of you, and maybe even to introduce a few of you to the Muppets ahead of the movie, I thought we’d run down the five best musical moments from Muppet history past to ready you for Segel’s movie.

5. I Hope that Something Better Comes Along

4. Ode to Joy

3. Muppet Show Theme Song

2. Bohemian Rhapsody

1. Mahna Mahna

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Comments

You forgot "Muppet Treasure Island." The whole movie.

Posted by: Dingles at February 3, 2011 7:31 PM

I love these! Especially the Muppet Show intro, annoucing Bernadette Peters- that episode was seriously one of the top ten ever. That and when John Denver was on.

Confession time: if its sunny when I wake up, 7 out of 10 times I sing the Muppet Show Intro or "The Rainbow Connection" while I feed the cats.

For the other three times I usually end up singing the theme to Shaft.

Posted by: JuiceinLA at February 3, 2011 7:53 PM

I love everything about this list.

I don't even mind that I'll have #1 stuck in my head for the next week.

Posted by: MelBivDevoe at February 3, 2011 8:05 PM

How about The Rhyming Song? And John Denver singing Grandma's Feather Bed? And the into to the Swedish Chef? And Steve Martin with a banjo? We sing Movin' Right Along every time the family takes a road trip. Too many good ones to rank them.

Posted by: Scott at February 4, 2011 12:09 AM

No love for Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem?

Wow. Bummer, man.

Posted by: Some Guy at February 4, 2011 12:15 AM

Also: The rats' kitchen musical number from The Muppets take Manhattan. Which is the best Muppet movie. Ever.(It has Gregory Hines AND Joan Rivers AND Liza Minnelli, plus Gonzo's chickens cluck the William Tell Overture. Cinema gold!)

Posted by: K at February 4, 2011 12:22 AM

Synchronised Swimming Scene. Great Muppet Caper. Charles Grodin. Hilarious.

Posted by: kateo at February 4, 2011 12:48 AM

To this day "The Rainbow Connection" slays me dead. Who knew a banjo could be so wistful?

I have zero cynicism when it comes to The Muppets. They are just flat out awesome.

Posted by: kimk at February 4, 2011 12:51 AM

You, sir, have made my evening.

Posted by: Lennon at February 4, 2011 1:14 AM

I love 'Danny Boy' myself. Beaker and Animal kill me. Also, the worm song. It's so delightfully random.

Posted by: Redfeather at February 4, 2011 1:25 AM

If I ever have children they WILL watch the Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, and Captain Kangaroo.

Posted by: Austin at February 4, 2011 1:36 AM

My dad and I have designated ourselves as the real life Waldorf and Statler, that's pretty much how we act all the time. How can you not love the Muppets? MAHNA MAHNA!

Posted by: Even Stevens at February 4, 2011 1:40 AM

What? No mention of Harry Belafonte doing "Turn The World Around"?

And as much as I love "Rainbow Connection," the song from that movie that leaves me a weeping mess is Gonzo's "I'm Going To Go Back There Someday."

(It helps that I've always identified with Gonzo most of all.)

Posted by: Pope Buck I at February 4, 2011 1:56 AM

I feel sorry for anyone whose childhood did not involve Muppets. THAT is what is wrong with kids today!

Posted by: kateo at February 4, 2011 2:13 AM

That has to be the greatest version of Bohemian Rhapsody ever. Topping the original.

I adore Muppet music. Thank you for this.

Posted by: Fuckchop at February 4, 2011 2:20 AM

i love any muppet love, but, this list excludes

moving right along: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVn6Yz9W-ng

and from the same movie,

Can You Picture That: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAPxsaRB30M&feature=related

(which does include the electric mayhem band)

actually, its just the first i need on the list. ic ould bnot have grown up to love beat literature without this intor to road storise, and "moving right along"

Posted by: idleprimate at February 4, 2011 4:00 AM

actually, the muppet movie always just gets better with every repeated viewing

Posted by: idleprimate at February 4, 2011 4:11 AM

My toddler loves the Muppets- I get a chufty every time he goes mental for Beaker, or Animal, or Gonzo.

@Pope Buck- just saw that episode a few weeks ago with my 2 year old son- he made me rewind it several times. Although he preferred the Banana Boat number, which was brilliant.

Posted by: Amandahugandkiss at February 4, 2011 4:16 AM

The other night I was on our campus shuttle and I hear this singing going on behind me.

These two guys were sharing headphones and singing The Rainbow Connection.

Thanks Kermit! :)

I absolutely love Muppets Take Manhattan, "Okay, I'll call my people and your people and we'll do lunch!" (or something like that).

Posted by: grace b at February 4, 2011 6:12 AM

I loved Beeker singing "Feelings"

Posted by: tim at February 4, 2011 7:40 AM

This totally started my day off on a great foot.

One of my favorites doesn't involve any of the named Muppets, but it's the Pig Viking version of "In The Navy" from the Muppet Show.

Posted by: Siege at February 4, 2011 7:45 AM

meep meep meep meep meep meep meep meep meep meep meep meep meeeeeeeeeeep mee-meeep

ahhh glorious

Posted by: PyD at February 4, 2011 8:02 AM

Honorable mention: "I'm Going To Go Back There Someday". Makes me tear up every time.

Posted by: Cat at February 4, 2011 8:37 AM

ANIMAAAAAAAAAAL!

Posted by: admin at February 4, 2011 9:11 AM

I have never resented my work blocker more than I do today!

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at February 4, 2011 9:31 AM

These made my day. Anyone who can't glean a little bit of happiness from watching The Muppets just might be dead inside.

Posted by: Mattfactor at February 4, 2011 9:33 AM

Alice Cooper attempting to buy the muppet's souls.

Steve Martin on the show when it was "cancelled" hanging out with the cast.

I loved those two.

Posted by: mrcreosote at February 4, 2011 9:43 AM

"Moving Right Along" and "Rainbow Connection" were not included on this list. You know NOTHING about the Muppets!

Posted by: Martin at February 4, 2011 10:26 AM

Aw, man, this is the kind of stuff I need to see in the morning. Adorable, floppy-haired muppets being hilarious. No rage here.

I watch "Mana-Mana" at least once a week, specially when I'm feeling down. It's just too damn good.

Posted by: Figgy at February 4, 2011 10:36 AM

"Who knew a banjo could be so wistful?"

Banjo's are awesome and you should never doubt their range. I really wish I could play one :/

Posted by: L4NkYb at February 4, 2011 10:38 AM

Here's another personal favorite, the Swedish Chef and Beaker doing "Habanera":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXKUb5A1auM

Posted by: Figgy at February 4, 2011 10:41 AM

Oh Fozzie, I WOULD let you joke. I promise. Can you rock me to sleep now?

Im sho ty ty.

Posted by: Pitter Patter Matter at February 4, 2011 10:45 AM

oh sad happy sad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCDcCIrq7G4&feature=related

(and parts 2-5 can be followed)

sad happy sad again

Posted by: idleprimate at February 4, 2011 10:50 AM

OH. I can't believe I forgot "Danny Boy". Thanks, redfeather!

Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbuRA_D3KU

(People need to stop complaining and just link to more Muppety goodness)

Posted by: Figgy at February 4, 2011 11:00 AM

idleprimate posted the link to Can You Picture That, which I highly highly recommend.

Can you get behind it? Fer shurely.....

Posted by: mswas at February 4, 2011 11:00 AM

The Muppets NEVER get old. This made my day, and yet there were so many more missing.

Posted by: BWeaves at February 4, 2011 11:03 AM

Big Bird at Jim Henson's memorial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrZyMptC2eQ

Posted by: Mr. Figgy at February 4, 2011 11:15 AM

BB sounded like he was choking back tears while he sang

Posted by: idleprimate at February 4, 2011 11:33 AM

always subversive, here's a levity biscuit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0s5Kn9QXtU

Posted by: idleprimate at February 4, 2011 11:35 AM

@ Mr. Figgy: I think that may be the saddest thing I have ever seen.

I wish I still had my old "Muppet Movie" album, singling along with it always cheered me up....

Posted by: kimk at February 4, 2011 11:38 AM

another classic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN5Mqr6tRlw&feature=related

Posted by: idleprimate at February 4, 2011 11:44 AM

My son and I sing "Mahna Mahna" all the time. The song that doesn't end unless you want it to. Glorious.

Posted by: Maryscott O'Connor at February 4, 2011 12:01 PM

how could --It Is Not Easy Being Green and The Rainbow Connection --not be included ???????

Posted by: mbolton at February 4, 2011 12:19 PM

The first song I ever learned to play on my guitar was The Rainbow Connection.

That song could solve every problem in the world...

Posted by: citizen_cris at February 4, 2011 12:29 PM

I love the video from behind the scenes of Jimmy Fallon where they spontaneously burst into "One Is the Loneliest Number." I am so PUMPED for this movie!

Posted by: ChristianH at February 4, 2011 12:45 PM

A MUPPET FAMILY CHRISTMAS?! The caroling marathon at the end, with Mrs.Piggy's entrance, and Jim Henson doing the dishes! How is this left out?

The end of Muppet's Take Manhattan?!! Together again, it's great to be together again! MORE FROGS AND DOGS AND BEARS!

Posted by: Brian at February 4, 2011 12:51 PM

Oh, I can't wait for my 12 year old daughter to get home so I can show her this! She keeps Mahna Mahna on her iPod at all times. (Also, KanyeMahna, the hilarious Lenlow mashup.)

Here's another tearjerker from Mr. Henson's memorial service. For all their perfect hilarity and frolic, nobody does sad loving wisdom like the Muppets, either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zzfdlxjx4Y&NR=1

Posted by: Young_Grandma_Ben at February 4, 2011 1:15 PM

I love my fellow enthusiastic muppet fans!
If you haven't read the book "Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street", then you are doing yourself a great disservice-get thee to a library pronto!
I hope that Jason Segal gets Dave Grohl to do the drums for Animal...that would be the raddest. All in all tho, i hope he knocks it out of the park! (otherwise I'll have his head!)

Posted by: Janice at February 4, 2011 2:32 PM

We convinced my Dad to initiate a raucous round of "Mahna Mahna" during his toast at my sister's wedding last fall.

Many of our guests were confused. But our friends, bless each and every one of them, stood up on their chairs and shouted the "Do dooo do do do!" part.

I fucking love my friends.

And Beaker's Ode to Joy NEVER fails to make me happy.

Posted by: Meggrs at February 4, 2011 2:39 PM

One of my favorites, which is a surprisingly heartfelt and haunting melody for the Muppets, is Floyd Pepper's version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr7v5lLQhHQ

Posted by: Danny from Puerto Rico at February 4, 2011 2:55 PM

When I was a kid, I thought the Mahna Mahna song was saying, "phenomenon" over and over. I was kind of bummed when I realized it didn't. I second, third, fourth, or whatever the nominations for "Can You Picture That?" and basically everything from the original Muppet Movie. I tear up at "Going to Go Back There Someday," every time, and "The Rainbow Connection" and "Movin' Right Along" are absolute classics.

A couple months ago I saw my 6 year-old daughter's Thanksgiving art project in which she listed the Muppets one of the five things for which she was most thankful. I beamed with pride that day. The pride was in myself mostly for succeeding in at least one critical parenting task--ensuring that my kid knows about the awesomeness that is the Muppets.

Posted by: GeekChic at February 4, 2011 3:41 PM

No Danny Kaye singing Inchworm with the Muppets? No Rainbow Connection?

Posted by: Lucas at February 4, 2011 7:12 PM

@geek chic, i think there might be a mystical nature to the mahna mahna song, in that you can hear whatever word is appropriate at any moment in time. it's like a matra or meditation, and like all wondrous things, not to be taken too heavily.

Posted by: idleprimate at February 4, 2011 10:15 PM

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The Muppets 5 Best Musical Moments

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