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 saxophone, but due to the presence of Rubber Duckie in his hand, 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 for later re-airing. Celebrities included: John Candy, Celia Cruz, Jane Curtin, Pee Wee Herman, Jeremy Irons, Gordon Jackson, Madeline Kahn, Jean Marsh, Andrea Martin, Itzhak Perlman, Rhea Perlman, Pete Seeger, and Paul Simon.

This song was featured in The Sesame Street Special, as well as in a self-titled album, Put Down the Duckie, and in the video Sing Yourself Silly. Bob sang it in the album Bob's Favorite Street Songs.

In a segment from the 1990s, Ellen Degeneres listened to this song on a walkman, explaining to Elmo how walkmans work. This segment led into the "Put Down the Duckie" sketch.

Album Releases

 * Put Down the Duckie (cassette)
 * Platinum All-Time Favorites
 * Sesame Street Best
 * Songs from the Street

Video Releases

 * Put Down the Duckie (special)