It's Not Easy Being Green—The Music of Sesame Street
"It's not easy writing songs for Sesame Street. You get assignments such as, 'Write a song for Kermit the Frog.' Songwriter Joe Raposo realized that there was at least one definite fact about a frog: It's green. From this he developed a lyric that rationalized Kermit's feeling of self-awareness, making the point that some seemingly antisocial beings have sensitive sides. It is a declaration of personal dignity. 'A great deal of my own life is in it," says Raposo, 'and it all became more powerful than I had intended it to be.' All sorts of people have seen themselves in Kermit the Frog. Frank Sinatra, whose recording made "Green (Bein' Green)' a popular hit, has said, 'It's me.' Ray Charles recorded the song. Ministers have used it as the basis for their sermons. And the Lutheran Church has even included it in its hymnbook." —Festival of Popular Songs
SIDEBAR: Joe Raposo also wrote the classic childrens' (and adults too!) "sing-a-long," "Sing (Sing a Song)," the famous "Sesame Street Theme," and many songs used throughout the long-running TV program and the Muppet spin-offs.
Green (Bein' Green) Lyrics
It's not that easy bein' green
It's not easy bein' green
But green is the color of Spring
When green is all there is to be
And green can be big like an ocean
When green is all there is to be
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