Put Down the Duckie (song)

In 1986, Christopher Cerf wrote a song that was meant to teach kids that they should put down their prized possessions if they get in the way of what they are supposed to be doing.

This song was sung to Ernie by Hoots the Owl. Ernie wanted to play the saxaphone, but due to him holding his Rubber Duckie whenever he played the sax, he got a funny squeaky sound.

During the season that this song premiered, every time a celebrity appeared on the show, the producers would tape a special verse to be sung by that celebrity, and these verses were then edited into the song, which aired later. Celebrities included Paul Simon, John Candy, Madeline Kahn, and Jane Curtain.

This song was featured in The Sesame Street Special, as well as in a self-titled album called Put Down The Duckie (Cassette) and in the video Sing Yourself Silly.