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5 Best Musical Performances on Sesame Street

popvultures.com — Over the years, the show has hosted everyone from Kofi Annan to Tina Fey to Robert DeNiro. Celebrity guest stars are good; celebrity guest stars that sing while interacting with furry puppets are far better, and inspired this week’s Friday 5.

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  • levitron, on 04/25/2008, -22/+13Whoops- digg me down.

    • earthceltic, on 04/25/2008, -0/+3no problem sir
    • TheZorch, on 04/25/2008, -1/+1How deep do you want it? Wait ... that didn't sound right.
  • natdowner, on 04/25/2008, -3/+5Dugg for Johnny Cash.
    • hevnsnt, on 04/25/2008, -0/+4mirror: http://popvultures.com.nyud.net:8090/2008/04/25/5- ...
      • antdude, on 04/25/2008, -0/+2http://popvultures.com.nyud.net/2008/04/25/5-best- ... and a copy and paste:


        5 Best Musical Performances on Sesame Street
        Published by
        Marcia
        on April 25, 2008 in friday 5.

        Last week, I said that one had to appear on The Simpsons in order to earn their place in pop culture history, but I might have been mistaken. It turns out that you can’t make it into anyone’s book of Who’s Who till you visit Sesame Street. Over the years, the show has hosted everyone from Kofi Annan to Tina Fey to Robert DeNiro. Celebrity guest stars are good; celebrity guest stars that sing while interacting with furry puppets are far better, and inspired this week’s Friday 5.

        5. The artist: Squirrel Nut Zippers
        Why it’s great: While the song “Put a Lid On It” is a perfectly acceptable piece of retro lounge pop, it was improved immeasurably when it became “Put a Squid On It” during an episode of Sesame Street. Set in a lounge called (of course) Birdland, this features a supremely cool song, dancing muppets, and a wide array of plush objects that you can put on your head. How can you resist?

        4. The artist: REM
        Why it’s great: Hate the song “Shiny Happy People”? Yeah, me too. Apparently, that’s because we were listening to the wrong version; it’s meant to be “Furry Happy Monsters.” In fact, I’m not sure that I’ve ever enjoyed an REM song more. The band often seems to take itself too seriously, and here its members look a bit uncertain as to how they should behave while surrounded by a bunch of two-foot-tall puppets. Check out Peter Buck’s face at the 1:38 mark. He has absolutely no idea what he’s doing there. The contrast of the band’s confusion with the gleefully dramatic puppets — complete with its own Kate Monster — is genius.

        3. The artist: Johnny Cash
        Why it’s great: Johnny Cash is arguably the coolest man that ever lived. He was cool when he performed in Folsom Prison, he was cool when he took Trent Reznor to school on his cover of “Hurt,” and he’s cool singing next to Oscar the Grouch. The song itself, “Nasty Dan,” is little more than a country ditty, but all Johnny needs to do is stand there, looking cool, and the rest takes care of itself. It was a tough choice between this and “Don’t Take Your Ones to Town,” but in the end, Oscar the Grouch swayed me.

        2. The artist: Cab Calloway
        Why it’s great: If there was a man cooler than Johnny Cash, it might just be this one. For this performance of “Hi De Ho Man,” he brings all the style and class for which he was famous to the stage. That would almost be enough on its own. But then…he scats. And that sets off a call-and-response with the muppets, who scat back. It’s Cab Calloway & the Jazz Muppets, and it is excellent.

        1. The artist: Stevie Wonder
        Why it’s great: Before I started writing a word of this post, I knew which song had to be number 1. Still, I dutifully watched every YouTube clip I could find, even suffering through The Backstreet Boys, in order to prove beyond any shadow of a doubt that this is the greatest moment in Sesame Street history. And you know what? It really is. There is nothing about this performance that is not completely awesome. The afros, the ‘tude, the rocking kid on the fire escape — it’s all perfect. Wonder performed “Superstition” in its entirety (all six minutes and forty-seven seconds), complete with a lengthy mid-song jam that brings the house down. Sesame Street hasn’t been rocked like this since.

        Your turn. Do you agree with these choices? And who would you love to see perform on the show?
    • breakspirit, on 04/25/2008, -1/+1buried for Johnny Cash and the ignorant author insulting Trent Reznor.
  • diggerphelps, on 04/25/2008, -4/+596. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KANI2dpXLw
    • ahawks, on 04/25/2008, -0/+26you bastard, well played.
    • TwistyMcFister, on 04/25/2008, -0/+8Didn't see that coming. You improved my Friday. Thank you. lol
    • breakspirit, on 04/25/2008, -1/+6I won't spoil it for others, but I will say that was the best video of that kind I've seen in a long time. There needs to be a way to promote digg comments onto the front page, because that one deserves it.
    • ChiRolla, on 04/25/2008, -0/+3best youtube video '08?
    • chrissku, on 04/25/2008, -10/+3You got me! I thought I could spot a rickroll from a mile away. You are wise beyond your years young Skywalker.
    • petemcfraser, on 04/25/2008, -0/+1Matt Cutts' official blog threw this one at the crowd as well. Well done.
    • kinseyincanada, on 04/25/2008, -0/+1hahaha cool that plug in from BBspot actually works
    • digidelia, on 04/25/2008, -0/+4i knew what it was, and i still clicked it. i love that video.
  • lotar732, on 04/25/2008, -1/+14Muppet Show > Sesame Street
    • Rizmaster, on 04/25/2008, -1/+3*****' A.

      Alice Cooper on the Muppet Show is better than any of this *****.
  • einrobstein, on 04/25/2008, -4/+1Digg effect in full effect.
  • Superperson, on 04/25/2008, -4/+1Tina Fey was awesome as a "Bookaneer".
  • ahawks, on 04/25/2008, -1/+266 diggs and down
  • chrissku, on 04/25/2008, -0/+10one.....ah ah ah

    two.....ah ah ah

    three....ah ah ah
    • mywhitenoise, on 04/25/2008, -0/+2Page isn't loading for me, but i'm assuming Feist is on the list? Has that even aired yet?
      • podium123456, on 04/25/2008, -1/+2if you thought fiest is who he was referring to, then i am assuming you are too young too have grown up watching sesame street
        :)
        • mywhitenoise, on 04/25/2008, -0/+3I know it's the Count, but Feist is also performing (performed?) 1, 2, 3, 4 on Sesame Street.
        • podium123456, on 04/25/2008, -0/+2ahhhh my mistake... carry on
    • maxpower2911, on 04/25/2008, -0/+2That count is a pimp. - Dave Chappelle
  • ArchieAndrews, on 04/25/2008, -1/+4Stevie ***** Wonder. He is the man.
  • ElBeh, on 04/25/2008, -0/+2Did you hear that awful sound?
  • petemcfraser, on 04/25/2008, -0/+2Andrea Bocelli & R.E.M. had better be there. But I can't tell because THE SITE IS DOWN!
  • gannondork, on 04/25/2008, -0/+2I think the website is running off of one of those Sesame Count with me Learning Laptop's.
  • misterpurple, on 04/25/2008, -7/+1http://www.duggmirror.com
  • Purin, on 04/25/2008, -0/+2Anyone have a mirror?
    Bela Fleck and Buddy Rich better be on that list.
  • TheDeadDodo, on 04/25/2008, -0/+1Well, I'm guessing REM is on there. If not, then it's still worthwhile, enjoy!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkHM8xG6i8o
  • Premier, on 04/25/2008, -0/+12I don't care what this list says
    #1. Rubber Duckie - Ernie
    #2. It's not Easy Being Green - Kermit

    End of story.
    • TheZorch, on 04/25/2008, -0/+1Ah, the classics.
    • scubaman5000, on 04/25/2008, -0/+1wait...is Kermit a sesame street character? I don't remember... I thought he, fozzie, miss piggy, etc. were only on the Muppet show.
      • RobbyDigital, on 04/26/2008, -0/+3He was a reporter on Sesame Street. "Hi-ho, Kermit the Frog here..."
  • kabitoSDMF, on 04/25/2008, -0/+1Does any one remember when Big Bird sung the Alphabet Song backwards? It must have aired in '88-'89... If anyone finds it, please post a link... ah, memories...
  • caramba420, on 04/25/2008, -0/+7Although it doesn't count as a performance, the Pinball Number Count is one of the most awesome songs ever. For those who don't know, it was sung by the Pointer Sisters. Mad Funky.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-YcBVEnLT8
    • contradictator, on 04/26/2008, -0/+1I haven't seen that in over a decade... Awesome! Thanks for reminding me, seriously!
    • HappyScrappy, on 04/26/2008, -0/+1Knew exactly what you were talking about. That was a great bit.
  • Tanishaa132, on 04/25/2008, -0/+1Mirror?
  • TheZorch, on 04/25/2008, -0/+4I liked the old Sesame Street before the child psychologist got a hold of the show and structured it. It was the spontaneity and unpredictability of the show that made it so much fun to watch and learn from back when I was a kid. Today its predictable, structured, and somehow seems to have lost that certain spark that made the show so much fun to watch. My kids weren't ever really into it that much except for my daughter who insisted on seeing Elm's World EVERY DAY.

    I also miss The Electric Company, I wish they'd bring that show back.
  • Deathanator, on 04/25/2008, -0/+1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2Z6tDSb6c8
  • podium123456, on 04/25/2008, -0/+4Billy Joel FTW
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YekA5eswvLw
  • honemasterT, on 04/25/2008, -0/+3Norah Jones FTW!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c3fvqNlFvc&feature ...

    Or Rita Moreno.. :-) (technically thats the muppet show)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yvHWyvexZA
  • kiylyou, on 04/25/2008, -0/+4Hands down, Buddy Rich is the best.
    http://youtube.com/watch?v=erE8WTngaAY
  • breakspirit, on 04/25/2008, -3/+2buried for saying Johnny Cash's version of Hurt "took Trent Reznor to school." ***** this ***** face that wrote that. It was an OK cover, but nowhere near as good as the original.
  • rossiohead, on 04/25/2008, -0/+8Coral Cache is working for me: http://popvultures.com.nyud.net/2008/04/25/5-best- ...
    But it's probably just the links to the YouTube videos that you're looking for anyway:
    5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ02zLDBqMc
    4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvsIwpopxNo
    3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZy9FBDnNac
    2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esnDnIK2v1g
    1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ul7X5js1vE
  • OniTan, on 04/25/2008, -0/+0WTF?! Why are articles on the frontpage always down? We should use some foresight. Link should go directly to a mirror so we can avoid this problem.
  • mwmccullough, on 04/26/2008, -1/+1Dixie Chicks - Letter B
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-33t6QEEtc
  • LeeTXJD, on 04/26/2008, -0/+1"Goin for a ride"
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgM2yEzY-VU
  • protogenxl, on 04/28/2008, -0/+1Here is a Band That Should be on Sasame Street
    TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=_G6M6kTFt2g
  • zengeek, on 05/01/2008, -0/+0I don't understand why Dying Fetus' performance was not on here?
  •  

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