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Changes: Christopher Cerf

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[[File:Christophercerf.jpg|thumb|300px|Cerf with the Sesame Street Song Book.]]
  
[[File:Christophercerf.jpg|thumb|300px|Cerf with the Sesame Street Song Book.]]
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[[Image:Chriscerfanimalrats.jpg|thumb|300px]]
   
  +
'''Christopher B. Cerf''' (born August 19, 1941) originally joined the [[Sesame Workshop|Children's Television Workshop]] as the head of ''[[Sesame Street]]''’s "non-broadcast" products division, which spun off books, records, and toys. However, Cerf's true forte was composing songs for the show, including parodies of contemporary pop hits.<ref>Lambert, Craig. [https://harvardmagazine.com/2011/07/channel-cerfing "Channel Cerfing."] ''Harvard Magazine'', July 2011.</ref>
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'''Christopher B. Cerf''' (born August 19, 1941) brought a mid-century pop music sound to the music of ''[[Sesame Street]]'', composing and contributing vocals for songs by [[Little Jerry and the Monotones]], [[Little Chrissy and the Alphabeats]], and other short-lived pop-star parodies. Among his best known works are "[[Put Down the Duckie (song)|Put Down the Duckie]]" and "[[Monster in the Mirror]]," two collaborations with former ''Sesame Street'' head writer [[Norman Stiles]]. Both songs have been filmed in versions that feature large numbers of celebrities. He appears in the television documentary ''[[Sing! Sesame Street Remembers Joe Raposo and His Music]]'' in tribute to his friend and collaborator. Cerf also composed songs for the short-lived series, ''[[Little Muppet Monsters]]''.
  
  +
__TOC__
  +
Among his best known works are "[[Put Down the Duckie (song)|Put Down the Duckie]]" and "[[Monster in the Mirror]]," two collaborations with former ''Sesame Street'' head writer [[Norman Stiles]]. Both songs have been filmed in versions that feature large numbers of celebrities.
  +
  ⚫
Cerf also contributed vocals for many of his songs. Muppet characters that Cerf has provided voices for include [[Little Chrissy]] (who was based on Cerf), [[Little Jerry and the Monotones|Chrissy]] (of Little Jerry and the Monotones), [[Bruce Stringbean]], [[Mick Swagger]], [[How Now Brown]], the [[Frazzletones|Lead Frazzletone]], and the [[Captain]] from "[[Imagine That (song)|Imagine That!]]". Cerf also sang on the [[Cecille]] theme song.
  +
  +
Cerf also composed songs for the short-lived series, ''[[Little Muppet Monsters]]''.
  +
  +
He appears in the television documentary ''[[Sing! Sesame Street Remembers Joe Raposo and His Music]]'' in tribute to his friend and collaborator.
   
 
His father, [[Bennett Cerf]], was the co-founder of [[Random House]] books and a panelist of ''[[What's My Line?]]'' and his mother, Phyllis Fraser, co-founded Random House's ''Beginner Books'' with [[Dr. Seuss]]. His brother, [[Jonathan Cerf]], wrote ''[[Big Bird's Red Book]]''.
  
His father, [[Bennett Cerf]], was the co-founder of [[Random House]] books and a panelist of ''[[What's My Line?]]'' and his mother, Phyllis Fraser, co-founded Random House's ''Beginner Books'' with [[Dr. Seuss]]. His brother, [[Jonathan Cerf]], wrote ''[[Big Bird's Red Book]]''.
   
  ⚫
[[Sesame Place]]'s [[The Game Centre]] was "the creative brain-child of Cerf".<ref>"[http://books.google.ca/books?id=Kz4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA17&dq=%22sesame+place%22&ei=L1MRS-S0A4P2zQTW5Y3hDA#v=onepage&q=%22sesame%20place%22&f=false Correction: Ahl's only part of Sesame Place]", ''InfoWorld'', October 31, 1979.</ref>
⚫
Some characters that Cerf has provided voices for include [[Little Chrissy]] (who was based on Cerf), [[Little Jerry and the Monotones|Chrissy]] (of Little Jerry and the Monotones), [[Bruce Stringbean]], [[Mick Swagger]], [[How Now Brown]], the [[Frazzletones|Lead Frazzletone]], and the [[Captain]] from "[[Imagine That (song)|Imagine That!]]". Cerf's voice can also be heard on the [[Cecille]] theme song.
  
   
  ⚫
Cerf is also the co-creator and an Executive Producer of ''[[Between the Lions]]''. He was a close personal friend of the late [[Douglas Adams]], acclaimed author of the ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' trilogy. He wrote the introduction for the US edition of ''The Salmon of Doubt'', a posthumous release of some of Adams' last works.
⚫
[[Sesame Place]]'s [[The Game Centre]] was "the creative brain-child of Cerf.<ref>"[http://books.google.ca/books?id=Kz4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA17&dq=%22sesame+place%22&ei=L1MRS-S0A4P2zQTW5Y3hDA#v=onepage&q=%22sesame%20place%22&f=false Correction: Ahl's only part of Sesame Place]", ''InfoWorld'', October 31, 1979.</ref>
  
   
⚫
Christopher Cerf is also the co-creator and an Executive Producer of ''[[Between the Lions]]''. He was a close personal friend of the late [[Douglas Adams]], acclaimed author of the ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' trilogy. He wrote the introduction for the US edition of ''The Salmon of Doubt'', a posthumous release of some of Adams' last works.
  
−
{{br}}
  
 
==Composer credits==
  
==Composer credits==
 
According to his bio in ''Encyclopedia Paranoiaca'' (2012, with [[Henry Beard]]), Cerf has written over 300 ''Sesame Street'' songs.
 
According to his bio in ''Encyclopedia Paranoiaca'' (2012, with [[Henry Beard]]), Cerf has written over 300 ''Sesame Street'' songs.
 
<gallery orientation="landscape" widths="200" spacing="small" >
  
<gallery orientation="landscape" widths="200" spacing="small" >
−
File:2837c.jpg|[[A-Cleanin' Up the Lot]]
 +
File:2837c.jpg|"[[A-Cleanin' Up the Lot]]"
−
File:AboveandBelow.jpg|[[Above and Below]]
 +
File:AboveandBelow.jpg|"[[Above and Below]]"
−
Image:Aboveitall.jpg|[[Above It All]]
 +
File:Aboveitall.jpg|"[[Above It All]]"
−
Image:EnVogue.Adventure.jpg|[[Adventure]]
 +
File:EnVogue.Adventure.jpg|"[[Adventure]]"
−
Image:Song.Air.GuySmiley.jpg|[[Air (Cerf)|Air]]
 +
File:Song.Air.GuySmiley.jpg|"[[Air (Cerf)|Air]]"
−
File:YoshShmenge.jpg|[[Alphabet Polka]]
 +
File:AlphabetPolka.jpg|"[[Alphabet Polka]]"
−
Image:Antarctica.jpg|[[Antarctica!]]
 +
File:Antarctica.jpg|"[[Antarctica!]]"
−
Count-babycountonme.jpg|[[Baby, You Can Count on Me]]
 +
File:Count-babycountonme.jpg|"[[Baby, You Can Count on Me]]"
−
Image:Song.BacksBusyTappin.jpg|[[Back Front Tap Rap]]
 +
File:Song.BacksBusyTappin.jpg|"[[Back Front Tap Rap]]"
−
Image:BigWolfFamily.jpg|[[Bad Wolf]]
 +
File:BigWolfFamily.jpg|"[[Bad Wolf]]"
−
BalladOfSlipperySlim.jpg|[[The Ballad of Slippery Slim]]
 +
File:BalladOfSlipperySlim.jpg|"[[The Ballad of Slippery Slim]]"
−
Image:BarnInUSA.jpg‎|[[Barn in the USA]]
 +
File:BarnInUSA.jpg‎|"[[Barn in the USA]]"
−
Image:Celeb.bbking.jpg|[[B.B. King (song)|B.B. King]]
 +
File:Celeb.bbking.jpg|"[[B.B. King (song)|B.B. King]]"
−
Image:Beginningmiddleend.jpg|[[Beginning, Middle, End (Cerf/Durkee)|Beginning, Middle, End]]
 +
File:Beginningmiddleend.jpg|"[[Beginning, Middle, End (Cerf/Durkee)|Beginning, Middle, End]]"
−
Image:BertsBlanket01.jpg|[[Bert's Blanket]]
 +
File:BertsBlanket01.jpg|"[[Bert's Blanket]]"
−
Image:Song.Between.jpeg|[[Between]]
 +
File:Song.Between.jpeg|"[[Between]]"
−
Image:Song.betweenyoume.jpg|[[Between You and Me]]
 +
File:Song.betweenyoume.jpg|"[[Between You and Me]]"
−
Image:Song.BigBiggerBiggest.jpg|[[Big Bigger Biggest (song)|Big Bigger Biggest]]
 +
File:Song.BigBiggerBiggest.jpg|"[[Big Bigger Biggest (song)|Big Bigger Biggest]]"
−
File:1706b.jpg|[[Big Bird's Going to Camp]]
 +
File:1706b.jpg|"[[Big Bird's Going to Camp]]"
−
Image:2938k.jpg|[[Big Bird's Rock Song]]
 +
File:2938k.jpg|"[[Big Bird's Rock Song]]"
−
Image:2938m.jpg|[[Big Bird's Rock 'n Roll Song]]
 +
File:2938m.jpg|"[[Big Bird's Rock 'n Roll Song]]"
−
Image:Song.birdlandjump.jpg|[[The Birdland Jump]]
 +
File:Song.birdlandjump.jpg|"[[The Birdland Jump]]"
−
Image:BloodTest.jpg|[[Blood Test]]
 +
File:BloodTest.jpg|"[[Blood Test]]"
−
Image:Song.borntoadd.jpg|[[Born to Add (song)|Born to Add]]
 +
File:Song.borntoadd.jpg|"[[Born to Add (song)|Born to Add]]"
−
Image:BornToLearn.jpg|[[Born to Learn]]
 +
File:BornToLearn.jpg|"[[Born to Learn]]"
−
Image:BrandNewLook.jpg|[[Brand New Look]]
 +
File:BrandNewLook.jpg|"[[Brand New Look]]"
−
Image:Breakfastclub.JPG|[[The Breakfast Club (Cerf/Evans)|The Breakfast Club]]
 +
File:Breakfastclub.JPG|"[[The Breakfast Club (Cerf/Evans)|The Breakfast Club]]"
−
Image:Song.bubbleonmysnuffle.jpg|[[Bubble on My Snuffle]]
 +
File:Song.bubbleonmysnuffle.jpg|"[[Bubble on My Snuffle]]"
−
Image:BusyGettingBetter.jpg|[[Busy Getting Better All the Time]]
 +
File:BusyGettingBetter.jpg|"[[Busy Getting Better All the Time]]"
−
Image:BugsEverywhere.jpg|[[Bugs Song]]
 +
File:BugsEverywhere.jpg|"[[Bugs Song]]"
−
Image:Song.cdrivesmecrazy.jpg|[[C Drives Me Crazy]]
 +
File:Song.cdrivesmecrazy.jpg|"[[C Drives Me Crazy]]"
−
File:3154v.jpg|[[Cerrado/Abierto]]
 +
File:3154v.jpg|"[[Cerrado/Abierto]]"
−
Image:CloudNine.jpg|[[Cloud Nine]]
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File:ChariotsOfFur.jpg|"[[Chariots of Fur]]"
  +
File:CloudNine.jpg|"[[Cloud Nine]]"
−
Image:Cluckaroundtheclock.jpg|[[Cluck Around the Clock]]
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File:Cluckaroundtheclock.jpg|"[[Cluck Around the Clock]]"
⚫
Image:3164x.jpg|[[Coastline Song]]
  
−
Image:1706h.jpg|[[Coconut Counting Man]]
 +
File:3164x.jpg|"[[Coastline Song]]"
−
File:3259d.jpg|[[(Come on Out and) Share!]]
 +
File:1706h.jpg|"[[Coconut Counting Man]]"
  +
File:3259d.jpg|"[[(Come on Out and) Share!]]"
−
Image:cookiediscoTV.jpg|[[Cookie Disco]]
  
−
Image:4128za.jpg|[[Cookie's R Rap Song]]
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File:cookiediscoTV.jpg|"[[Cookie Disco]]"
  +
File:4128za.jpg|"[[Cookie's R Rap Song]]"
−
Image:Song.countithigher.jpg|[[Count it Higher (song)|Count it Higher]]
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File:Song.countithigher.jpg|"[[Count it Higher (song)|Count it Higher]]"
−
Image:Song.countingbackwardsinspanish.jpg|[[Counting Backwards in Spanish]]
  
−
4120bg.jpg|[[Counting Fish by 5's]]
 +
File:Song.countingbackwardsinspanish.jpg|"[[Counting Backwards in Spanish]]"
−
File:4111zi.jpg|[[Counting Flowers by 2's]]
 +
File:4120bg.jpg|"[[Counting Fish by 5's]]"
−
Image:Song.countingrobins.jpg|[[Counting Robins]]
 +
File:4111zi.jpg|"[[Counting Flowers by 2's]]"
−
Image:12starsbythrees.jpg|[[Counting Stars by 3's]]
 +
File:Song.countingrobins.jpg|"[[Counting Robins]]"
−
Image:Count vacation.JPG|[[Counting Vacation]]
 +
File:12starsbythrees.jpg|"[[Counting Stars by 3's]]"
−
File:D-A-D.jpg|[[D-A-D Song]]
 +
File:Count vacation.JPG|"[[Counting Vacation]]"
−
Image:2096w.jpg|[[Dance Myself to Sleep]]
 +
File:CrossItOut.jpg|"[[Cross It Out]]"
−
Image:LittleJerryDanger.jpg|[[Danger]]
 +
File:D-A-D.jpg|"[[D-A-D Song]]"
−
Image:HowNowBrown.jpg|[[Danger's No Stranger]]
 +
File:2096w.jpg|"[[Dance Myself to Sleep]]"
−
File:3976x.jpg|[[Danger Song]]
 +
File:LittleJerryDanger.jpg|"[[Danger]]"
  +
File:HowNowBrown.jpg|"[[Danger's No Stranger]]"
−
Image:Bertdoor.JPG|[[Do De Rubber Duck]]
  
−
Image:Doo Wop Hop.jpg|[[Do-Op Hop]]
 +
File:3976x.jpg|"[[Danger Song]]"
−
Image:Bennyhop.jpg|[[Do the Benny Hop]]
 +
File:Bertdoor.JPG|"[[Do De Rubber Duck]]"
−
Image:DoTheDog.jpg|[[Do the Dog]]
 +
File:Doo Wop Hop.jpg|"[[Do-Op Hop]]"
−
File:3166c.jpg|[[Do the Laundry]]
 +
File:Bennyhop.jpg|"[[Do the Benny Hop]]"
−
File:3438.ComingSoon.jpg|[[Doin' the Grouch]]
 +
File:DoTheDog.jpg|"[[Do the Dog]]"
  +
File:3166c.jpg|"[[Do the Laundry]]"
−
Image:Cookieangels.jpg|[[Don't Eat the Pictures (Song)|Don't Eat the Pictures]]
  
−
Image:2482a.jpg|[[Don't Sing This Song]]
 +
File:3438.ComingSoon.jpg|"[[Doin' the Grouch]]"
−
Image:DontTouchMe.jpg|[[Don't Touch Me!]]
 +
File:Cookieangels.jpg|"[[Don't Eat the Pictures (Song)|Don't Eat the Pictures]]"
−
Image:SignSaysDontWalk.JPG|[[Don't Walk]]
 +
File:2482a.jpg|"[[Don't Sing This Song]]"
−
Image:3154n.jpg|[[Don't Waste Water]]
 +
File:DontTouchMe.jpg|"[[Don't Touch Me!]]"
−
Image:FireWolf.jpg|[[Don't You Go Back In]]
 +
File:SignSaysDontWalk.JPG|"[[Don't Walk]]"
−
Image:2059x.jpg|[[D-U-C-K-I-E]]
 +
File:3154n.jpg|"[[Don't Waste Water]]"
−
File:1709s.jpg|[[Echo Rock]]
 +
File:FireWolf.jpg|"[[Don't You Go Back In]]"
−
Image:3136j.jpg|[[Elbows and Knees]]
 +
File:2059x.jpg|"[[D-U-C-K-I-E]]"
  +
File:1709s.jpg|"[[Echo Rock]]"
−
Image:Elephantelevator.jpg|[[The Elephant Elevator Operator]]
  
−
Image:Song.fivejive.jpg|[[Elmo's Jive Five]]
 +
File:3136j.jpg|"[[Elbows and Knees]]"
−
File:ErnieJoseCarreras.jpg|[[Ernie's Unhappy]]
 +
File:Elephantelevator.jpg|"[[The Elephant Elevator Operator]]"
  +
File:Song.fivejive.jpg|"[[Elmo's Jive Five]]"
−
Image:ReadingAndWritingDay.jpg|[[Every Day's a Reading and Writing Day]]
 +
File:ReadingAndWritingDay.jpg|"[[Every Day's a Reading and Writing Day]]"
−
Image:Song.everybodynap.jpg|[[Everybody Nap]]
  
−
File:InYourCloset.jpg|[[Exploring in Your Closet]]
 +
Song.beyoself.jpg|"[[Everybody Be Yo'Self]]"
−
Image:Song-exit.jpg|[[Exit]]
 +
File:Song.everybodynap.jpg|"[[Everybody Nap]]"
−
Image:FaceFacts.jpg|[[Face Facts]]
 +
File:InYourCloset.jpg|"[[Exploring in Your Closet]]"
−
Image:3978e.jpg|[[Five Waltzing Chairs]]
 +
File:Song-exit.jpg|"[[Exit]]"
−
File:3140x.jpg|[[Flowers on the Doorstep]]
 +
File:FaceFacts.jpg|"[[Face Facts]]"
−
File:3507zoe.jpg|[[Follow the Dots]]
 +
File:3978e.jpg|"[[Five Waltzing Chairs]]"
−
Image:3164g.jpg|[[Four Lambs Together]]
 +
File:3140x.jpg|"[[Flowers on the Doorstep]]"
−
File:FrontBackYaks.jpg|[[Front Back Ballet]]
 +
File:3507zoe.jpg|"[[Follow the Dots]]"
−
Image:3982c.jpg|[[Furry Happy Monsters]]
 +
File:3164g.jpg|"[[Four Lambs Together]]"
−
Image:2938o.jpg|[[Gimme Some Rock 'n Roll]]
 +
File:FrontBackYaks.jpg|"[[Front Back Ballet]]"
  +
File:3982c.jpg|"[[Furry Happy Monsters]]"
⚫
Image:4419-Horse.png|[[A Girl and Her Horse]]
  
−
Image:GoBabyGo!.jpg|[[Gonna Rock You to Sleep]]
 +
File:2938o.jpg|"[[Gimme Some Rock 'n Roll]]"
  ⚫
File:4419-Horse.png|"[[A Girl and Her Horse]]"
−
Image:Googlebugle.jpg|[[Google Bugle]]
  
−
Image:Song.HandTalk.jpg|[[Hand Talk]]
 +
File:GoBabyGo!.jpg|"[[Gonna Rock You to Sleep]]"
−
File:HandfulOCrumbs.jpg‎|[[Handful of Crumbs]]
 +
File:Googlebugle.jpg|"[[Google Bugle]]"
−
Image:Happytapping.jpg|[[Happy Tappin' with Elmo]]
 +
File:2802c.jpg|"[[Grouch Come Out]]"
  +
File:1983.JPG|"[[Grouchy Book]]"
⚫
Image:Song.healthyfood.jpg|[[Healthy Food]]
  
−
Image:Song.heavylight.jpg|[[Heavy and Light]]
 +
File:Song.HandTalk.jpg|"[[Hand Talk]]"
−
Image:HeyFood.jpg‎|[[Hey Food]]
 +
File:HandfulOCrumbs.jpg‎|"[[Handful of Crumbs]]"
−
Image:HonkAroundtheClock.jpg|[[Honk Around a Clock]]
 +
File:Happytapping.jpg|"[[Happy Tappin' with Elmo]]"
  ⚫
File:Song.healthyfood.jpg|"[[Healthy Food]]"
⚫
Image:HonkerDuckieDingerJamboree.jpg|[[The Honker-Duckie-Dinger Jamboree]]
  
−
File:2795p.jpg|[[Hooper's! Hooper's! Hooper's!]]
 +
File:Song.heavylight.jpg|"[[Heavy and Light]]"
−
Image:Hotinthecity.jpg|[[Hot in the City]]
 +
File:ErnieJoseCarreras.jpg|"[[He Lost His Duckie]]"
  +
File:HeyFood.jpg‎|"[[Hey Food]]"
⚫
Image:CountRuler.jpg|[[How Deep is Your Bathtub]]
  
−
Image:4112zi.jpg|[[How Hard It Is to Be 15]]
 +
File:HonkAroundtheClock.jpg|"[[Honk Around a Clock]]"
  ⚫
File:HonkerDuckieDingerJamboree.jpg|"[[The Honker-Duckie-Dinger Jamboree]]"
−
Image:TellyRandyTravis.jpg|[[How Should I Tell You I Love You]]
  
  +
File:2795p.jpg|"[[Hooper's! Hooper's! Hooper's!]]"
⚫
Image:Song.IAmChicken.jpg|[[I Am Chicken]]
  
−
File:2970d.jpg|[[I Can Be As Quiet]]
 +
File:Hotinthecity.jpg|"[[Hot in the City]]"
  ⚫
File:CountRuler.jpg|"[[How Deep is Your Bathtub]]"
⚫
Image:ICan'tGetNoCooperation.jpg|[[(I Can't Get No) Co-Operation]]
  
−
Image:IfElmoHadTeeth.jpg|[[If Elmo Had Teeth]]
 +
File:4112zi.jpg|"[[How Hard It Is to Be 15]]"
−
Image:Gotoschool1.jpg|[[I Go to School]]
 +
File:TellyRandyTravis.jpg|"[[How Should I Tell You I Love You]]"
  ⚫
File:Song.IAmChicken.jpg|"[[I Am Chicken]]"
⚫
Image:4135-abbysong.jpg|[[I Love Words (Cerf)|I Love Words]]
  
−
Image:4125s.jpg|[[I Want to Be Me]]
 +
File:2970d.jpg|"[[I Can Be As Quiet]]"
  ⚫
File:ICan'tGetNoCooperation.jpg|"[[(I Can't Get No) Co-Operation]]"
−
Image:Wishihadafriend.jpg|[[I Wish I Had a Friend to Play With Me]]
  
−
Image:RememberILoveYou.jpg|[[I'll Always Remember I Love You]]
 +
File:IfElmoHadTeeth.jpg|"[[If Elmo Had Teeth]]"
−
Image:Song.ImABookwormBaby.jpg|[[I'm a Bookworm, Baby!]]
 +
File:Gotoschool1.jpg|"[[I Go to School]]"
−
Image:4419d.png|[[I'm a Kangaroo]]
 +
File:1619e.jpg|"[[I Love to Eat]]"
  ⚫
File:4135-abbysong.jpg|"[[I Love Words (Cerf)|I Love Words]]"
⚫
Image:4419-Lobster.png|[[I'm a Lobster]]
 
−
File:Iamamanatee.jpg|[[I'm a Manatee]]
 +
File:4125s.jpg|"[[I Want to Be Me]]"
−
Image:4134u.jpg|[[I'm Gonna Get to You]]
 +
File:Wishihadafriend.jpg|"[[I Wish I Had a Friend to Play With Me]]"
  +
File:RememberILoveYou.jpg|"[[I'll Always Remember I Love You]]"
⚫
Image:4419-Beast.png|[[I'm Looking for a Beast]]
  
−
Image:Song.sadhappy.jpg|[[I'm Sad Because I'm Happy]]
 +
File:Song.ImABookwormBaby.jpg|"[[I'm a Bookworm, Baby!]]"
−
Image:Inout.jpg|[[In and Out Crowd]]
 +
File:4419d.png|"[[I'm a Kangaroo]]"
  ⚫
File:4419-Lobster.png|"[[I'm a Lobster]]"
⚫
Image:InYourImagination.jpg|[[In Your Imagination]]
  
−
Image:2795m.jpg|[[The Inside Story]]
 +
File:Iamamanatee.jpg|"[[I'm a Manatee]]"
−
File:Song.Island.jpg|[[Island Song]]
 +
File:4134u.jpg|"[[I'm Gonna Get to You]]"
  ⚫
File:4419-Beast.png|"[[I'm Looking for a Beast]]"
⚫
Image:ItsMyFeather.jpg|[[It Ain't Heavy, It's My Feather]]
  
−
Image:StartsWithGoo.jpg|[[It All Starts with Goo Goo Goo]]
 +
File:Song.sadhappy.jpg|"[[I'm Sad Because I'm Happy]]"
−
Image:Zydeco.jpg|[[It's Zydeco]]
 +
File:Inout.jpg|"[[In and Out Crowd]]"
  ⚫
File:InYourImagination.jpg|"[[In Your Imagination]]"
−
Image:3136m.jpg|[[Jump]]
  
−
File:Song-strawberries.jpg|[[Just One Strawberry Blues]]
 +
File:2795m.jpg|"[[The Inside Story]]"
  +
File:Song.Island.jpg|"[[Island Song]]"
⚫
Image:KidsGottaListen.jpg|[[Kids Gotta Listen and Kids Gotta Speak]]
  
  ⚫
File:ItsMyFeather.jpg|"[[It Ain't Heavy, It's My Feather]]"
−
Image:3159m.jpg|[[(The Name of the Place is) The Laundromat]]
  
−
File:3568.ComingSoon.jpg|[[Let the Triangles In]]
 +
File:StartsWithGoo.jpg|"[[It All Starts with Goo Goo Goo]]"
−
File:3penguins.stopmo.jpg|[[Let's Count Penguins]]
 +
File:Zydeco.jpg|"[[It's Zydeco]]"
−
Image:Thebeetles.jpg|[[Letter B]]
 +
File:3136m.jpg|"[[Jump]]"
−
Image:2404j.jpg|[[The Like Changed Into Love]]
 +
File:Song-strawberries.jpg|"[[Just One Strawberry Blues]]"
  ⚫
File:KidsGottaListen.jpg|"[[Kids Gotta Listen and Kids Gotta Speak]]"
−
Image:LongTimeNoSee.jpg|[[Long Time, No See]]
  
−
File:3165j.jpg|[[Lost Bug Blues]]
 +
File:3159m.jpg|"[[(The Name of the Place is) The Laundromat]]"
−
File:BBGrouch-2.jpg|[[The Loudest Lullaby (You've Ever Heard)]]
 +
File:3568.ComingSoon.jpg|"[[Let the Triangles In]]"
−
Image:3763f.jpg|[[Love in the Junkyard]]
 +
File:3penguins.stopmo.jpg|"[[Let's Count Penguins]]"
  +
File:3144w.jpg|"[[Let's Lay an Egg]]"
−
Image:MeGoingtoMunchYou.jpg|[[Me Going to Munch You, Munch You, Munch You]]
  
−
Image:Megottabeblue.jpg|[[Me Gotta Be Blue]]
 +
File:Thebeetles.jpg|"[[Letter B]]"
−
File:TheotherMEsong.jpg|[[Me, M-E, Me!]]
 +
File:2404j.jpg|"[[The Like Changed Into Love]]"
−
File:M-O-M.jpg|[[M-O-M Song]]
 +
File:LongTimeNoSee.jpg|"[[Long Time, No See]]"
−
Image:Monsterinthemirror.jpg|[[Monster in the Mirror]]
 +
File:3165j.jpg|"[[Lost Bug Blues]]"
−
File:Mountainsong.jpg|[[Mountain Song]]
 +
File:BBGrouch-2.jpg|"[[The Loudest Lullaby (You've Ever Heard)]]"
  +
File:3763f.jpg|"[[Love in the Junkyard]]"
⚫
Image:Character.mrbetween.jpg|[[Mr. Between (song)|Mr. Between]]
  
−
File:BoyfriendBackFront.jpg|"[[My Boyfriend's Back and Front]]
 +
File:MeGoingtoMunchYou.jpg|"[[Me Going to Munch You, Munch You, Munch You]]"
−
File:SeeMyNewComputer.jpg|[[My New Computer]]
 +
File:Megottabeblue.jpg|"[[Me Gotta Be Blue]]"
  +
File:TheotherMEsong.jpg|"[[Me, M-E, Me!]]"
⚫
Image:Song.natashaslullabye.jpg|[[Natasha's Lullabye]]
  
  ⚫
File:M-O-M.jpg|"[[M-O-M Song]]"
⚫
Image:NearFar.balcony.jpg|[[Near and Far (Cerf)|Near and Far]]
  
−
File:3538c.jpg|[[Near to You (Cerf/Ferraro)]]
 +
File:Monsterinthemirror.jpg|"[[Monster in the Mirror]]"
−
File:Nexttoewe.jpg|[[Next To Song]]
 +
File:Mountainsong.jpg|"[[Mountain Song]]"
  ⚫
File:Character.mrbetween.jpg|"[[Mr. Between (song)|Mr. Between]]"
−
Image:Travelsongs.jpg|[[Ninety Nine Bats (In My Car Today)]]
  
−
File:3996l.jpg|[[No Letter Better Than B]]
 +
File:BoyfriendBackFront.jpg|""[[My Boyfriend's Back and Front]]"
−
File:OhG.jpg|[[Oh, G (I Love That Letter)]]
 +
File:SeeMyNewComputer.jpg|"[[My New Computer]]"
  ⚫
File:Song.natashaslullabye.jpg|"[[Natasha's Lullabye]]"
−
Image:Onmypond.jpg|[[On My Pond]]
  
  ⚫
File:NearFar.balcony.jpg|"[[Near and Far (Cerf)|Near and Far]]"
⚫
Image:OnceIsNotEnough.JPG|[[Once is Not Enough]]
  
  +
File:3538c.jpg|"[[Near to You (Cerf/Ferraro)|Near to You]]"
⚫
Image:OneWaysong.jpg‎|[[One Way]]
  
−
File:Ewfood-quiz.jpg|[[Oops! (song)]]
 +
File:Nexttoewe.jpg|"[[Next To Song]]"
−
File:Song.OPEN.jpg|[[Open Song]]
 +
File:Travelsongs.jpg|"[[Ninety Nine Bats (In My Car Today)]]"
  +
File:3996l.jpg|"[[No Letter Better Than B]]"
−
Image:OppositeGame.JPG|[[Opposite Game]]
  
  +
File:OhG.jpg|"[[Oh, G (I Love That Letter)]]"
−
Image:TheOppositeSong.jpg|[[The Opposite Song]]
  
−
Image:Band.oscarsjunkband.jpg|[[Oscar's Junk Band]]
 +
File:Onmypond.jpg|"[[On My Pond]]"
  ⚫
File:OnceIsNotEnough.JPG|"[[Once is Not Enough]]"
−
Image:2746q.jpg|[[Our Grouch (and We're Stuck with You)]]
  
  ⚫
File:OneWaysong.jpg‎|"[[One Way]]"
⚫
Image:2963-C7.jpg|[[Part of the Whole]]
  
−
File:3525j.jpg|[[Perfect as a Pig]]
 +
File:noimage-landscape.png|"[[Oops! (song)|Oops!]]"
−
File:4pineapples.jpg|[[Pineapple Addition]]
 +
File:Song.OPEN.jpg|"[[Open Song]]"
−
File:3957s.jpg|[[Playground Map Song]]
 +
File:OppositeGame.JPG|"[[Opposite Game]]"
−
File:Song.Pleasebecareful.jpg|[[Please Be Careful]]
 +
File:TheOppositeSong.jpg|"[[The Opposite Song]]"
−
File:2867-03.jpg|[[Practice (Cerf/Moss)]]
 +
File:Band.oscarsjunkband.jpg|"[[Oscar's Junk Band]]"
−
File:Pushsong.jpg|[[Push! Push! Push!]]
 +
File:2746q.jpg|"[[Our Grouch (and We're Stuck with You)]]"
  ⚫
File:2963-C7.jpg|"[[Part of the Whole]]"
⚫
Image:PutDowntheDuckie.jpg|[[Put Down the Duckie (song)|Put Down the Duckie]]
  
−
Image:TracyChapman.jpg|[[Questions]]
 +
File:3525j.jpg|"[[Perfect as a Pig]]"
−
File:3rabbits.jpg|[[Rabbit Subtraction]]
 +
File:4pineapples.jpg|"[[Pineapple Addition]]"
  +
File:3957s.jpg|"[[Playground Map Song]]"
⚫
Image:GladImMe.jpg|[[Really, Really, Really Glad I'm Me]]
  
  +
File:Song.Pleasebecareful.jpg|"[[Please Be Careful]]"
⚫
Image:RebelLsong.jpg‎|[[Rebel L]]
  
−
File:3121f.jpg|[[Recycle, Save a Tree (Reggae Recycle)]]
 +
File:2867-03.jpg|"[[Practice (Cerf/Moss)|Practice]]"
  +
File:Pushsong.jpg|"[[Push! Push! Push!]]"
⚫
Image:Chrissyandthealphabeats.jpg|[[Rock 'N Roll Readers]]
  
  ⚫
File:PutDowntheDuckie.jpg|"[[Put Down the Duckie (song)|Put Down the Duckie]]"
−
Image:RockNRollStar.jpg|[[Rock 'N Roll Star]]
  
−
Image:3150u.jpg|[[Rollin' on the River]]
 +
File:TracyChapman.jpg|"[[Questions]]"
  +
File:3rabbits.jpg|"[[Rabbit Subtraction]]"
−
Image:3959c.jpg|[[The Room Is Full of Chickens]]
  
  ⚫
File:GladImMe.jpg|"[[Really, Really, Really Glad I'm Me]]"
−
Image:4027c.jpg|[[Rosita (song)|Rosita]]
  
  ⚫
File:RebelLsong.jpg‎|"[[Rebel L]]"
−
Image:Toothpaste.jpg|[[Say Toothpaste, Somebody!]]
  
−
File:BunnyShadow.jpg|[[Shadow Show]]
 +
File:3121f.jpg|"[[Recycle, Save a Tree (Reggae Recycle)]]"
  ⚫
File:Chrissyandthealphabeats.jpg|"[[Rock 'N Roll Readers]]"
−
Image:4116za.jpg|[[Shake Your Rattle and Roll]]
  
−
Image:Song.ShortTall.jpg|[[Short or Tall]]
 +
File:RockNRollStar.jpg|"[[Rock 'N Roll Star]]"
−
Image:3161u.jpg|[[Silly Squirrel Dance]]
 +
File:3150u.jpg|"[[Rollin' on the River]]"
−
File:Lake_song.jpg|[[(Sittin' On) A Boat on a Lake]]
 +
File:3959c.jpg|"[[The Room Is Full of Chickens]]"
−
Image:3806d.jpg|[[Six Circus Balls]]
 +
File:4027c.jpg|"[[Rosita (song)|Rosita]]"
−
File:2995scene4.jpg|[[Slimey and Snuffy's Big Small Song]]
 +
File:Toothpaste.jpg|"[[Say Toothpaste, Somebody!]]"
  +
File:BunnyShadow.jpg|"[[Shadow Show]]"
−
Image:SnufflePolka.jpg|[[The Snuffleupagus Polka]]
  
−
File:AlwaysBetweenUs.jpg|[[Something Always Comes Between Us]]
 +
File:4116za.jpg|"[[Shake Your Rattle and Roll]]"
−
Image:SometimesACookie.jpg|[[Sometimes a Cookie]]
 +
File:Song.ShortTall.jpg|"[[Short or Tall]]"
  +
File:2586g.jpg|"[[Silly Dancing (song)|Silly Dancing]]"
−
Image:StandByYourCan.jpg|[[Stand By Your Can]]
  
  +
File:3161u.jpg|"[[Silly Squirrel Dance]]"
⚫
Image:1sxu02&s-1-.jpg‎|[[Startin' Kindergarten]]
  
−
Image:Bert-moranis.jpg|[[Stick Out Your Hand and Say Hello]]
 +
File:Lake_song.jpg|"[[(Sittin' On) A Boat on a Lake]]"
−
File:3715e.jpg|[[Stinky's Love Song]]
 +
File:3806d.jpg|"[[Six Circus Balls]]"
−
File:3144p.jpg|[[Take 6 (song)]]
 +
File:Googoodolls.jpg|"[[Slide (Pride)]]"
−
File:BertTakesBath.jpg|[[Take a Bath with Bert]]
 +
File:2995scene4.jpg|"[[Slimey and Snuffy's Big Small Song]]"
−
File:3370d.jpg|[[Take a Bird to Work Day]]
 +
File:Song.slimeytothemoon.jpg|"[[Slimey to the Moon (song)|Slimey to the Moon]]"
−
File:Hair.jpg|[[Take Care of Your Hair]]
 +
File:SnufflePolka.jpg|"[[The Snuffleupagus Polka]]"
  +
File:AlwaysBetweenUs.jpg|"[[Something Always Comes Between Us]]"
−
Image:TallTale.jpg|[[Tall Tale]]
  
  +
File:SometimesACookie.jpg|"[[Sometimes a Cookie]]"
⚫
Image:Littlejerryandthemonotones.jpg|[[Telephone Rock]]
  
−
File:TellyTheDad.jpg|[[Telly the Dad]]
 +
File:StandByYourCan.jpg|"[[Stand By Your Can]]"
  ⚫
File:StartinKindergarten.jpg‎|"[[Startin' Kindergarten]]"
−
Image:10CommandmentsofHealth.jpg|[[The Ten Commandments of Health]]
  
  +
File:Bert-moranis.jpg|"[[Stick Out Your Hand and Say Hello]]"
⚫
Image:Canttakethat.jpg‎|[[They Can't Take That Away from Me (Sesame Street)]]
  
−
File:Song.NotAlive.jpg|[[They're Not Alive]]
 +
File:3715e.jpg|"[[Stinky's Love Song]]"
−
Image:3187za.jpg|[[Things Are Always Changin']]
 +
File:3144p.jpg|"[[Take 6 (song)|Take 6]]"
−
File:3142v.jpg|[[Thirteen]]
 +
File:noimage-landscape.png|"[[Take a Bath with Bert]]"
−
Image:2874d.jpg|[[This Song Is for the Birds]]
 +
File:3370d.jpg|"[[Take a Bird to Work Day]]"
−
File:3107h.jpg|[[Twice as Nice]]
 +
File:Hair.jpg|"[[Take Care of Your Hair]]"
−
File:4127zn.jpg|[[Two Pretty Flowers]]
 +
File:TallTale.jpg|"[[Tall Tale]]"
  ⚫
File:Littlejerryandthemonotones.jpg|"[[Telephone Rock]]"
⚫
Image:001.JPG|[[Up and Down Opera]]
  
  +
File:TellyTheDad.jpg|"[[Telly the Dad]]"
−
Image:Cecille.UpDown.jpg|[[Up Down, In Out, Over and Under]]
  
−
File:Song.Walk.jpg|[[Walk Song]]
 +
File:10CommandmentsofHealth.jpg|"[[The Ten Commandments of Health]]"
  ⚫
File:Canttakethat.jpg‎|"[[They Can't Take That Away from Me (Sesame Street)|They Can't Take That Away from Me]]"
−
Image:4137m.jpg|[[Washin' the Dog]]
  
−
File:Song.wasteroon.jpg|[[The Wasteroon Song]]
 +
File:Song.NotAlive.jpg|"[[They're Not Alive]]"
−
Image:3007f.jpg|[[Watching All the Triangles Go]]
 +
File:3187za.jpg|"[[Things Are Always Changin']]"
−
Image:WeHateTheRain.jpg|[[We Hate the Rain]]
 +
File:3142v.jpg|"[[Thirteen]]"
−
Image:3816h.jpg|[[We're All Growin']]
 +
File:2874d.jpg|"[[This Song Is for the Birds]]"
−
Image:WetorDry.jpg|[[Wet or Dry]]
 +
File:3107h.jpg|"[[Twice as Nice]]"
  +
File:4127zn.jpg|"[[Two Pretty Flowers]]"
⚫
Image:Wetpaintsong.jpg‎|[[Wet Paint (Cerf/Stone)|Wet Paint]]
  
−
Image:WetPaintSign.jpg|[[Wet Paint Sign]]
 +
File:Song.twoprinces.jpg|"[[Two Princes]]"
  ⚫
File:001.JPG|"[[Up and Down Opera]]"
−
Image:Whatsinside2.jpg|[[What's Inside? (song)|What's Inside?]]
  
−
File:2616streetstory1.jpg|[[What's Your Name (Cerf/Durkee/Jacobs)]]
 +
File:Cecille.UpDown.jpg|"[[Up Down, In Out, Over and Under]]"
−
Image:Song.WhenYouGrowUp.jpg|[[When You Grow Up]]
 +
File:DoctorPlease.jpg|"[[Waiting Room Song]]"
−
Image:3898b.jpg|[[When You Move the Mouse]]
 +
File:Song.Walk.jpg|"[[Walk Song]]"
−
Image:3831oinkerBsong.jpg|[[Where Can You Be, B?]]
 +
File:4137m.jpg|"[[Washin' the Dog]]"
−
Image:Nosong.jpg|[[The Word is "No"]]
 +
File:3007f.jpg|"[[Watching All the Triangles Go]]"
−
File:3592a.jpg|[[Words That Rhyme with Play]]
 +
File:WeHateTheRain.jpg|"[[We Hate the Rain]]"
−
Image:WriteItDown.jpg|[[Write it Down]]
 +
File:3816h.jpg|"[[We're All Growin']]"
−
File:3259f.jpg|[[Yell]]
 +
File:WetorDry.jpg|"[[Wet or Dry]]"
  ⚫
File:Wetpaintsong.jpg‎|"[[Wet Paint (Cerf/Stone)|Wet Paint]]"
⚫
Image:3816s.jpg|[[You Don't Have to Be a Grizzly]]
  
  +
File:WetPaintSign.jpg|"[[Wet Paint Sign]]"
⚫
Image:BePatient.jpg|[[You Gotta Be Patient (To Be a Patient)]]
  
−
File:CountElvis.jpg|[[You Gotta Count My Blue Suede Shoes]]
 +
File:Whatsinside2.jpg|"[[What's Inside? (song)|What's Inside?]]"
−
Image:Little chrissy you're alive.jpg|[[You're Alive]]
 +
File:Song.WhenYouGrowUp.jpg|"[[When You Grow Up]]"
  +
File:3898b.jpg|"[[When You Move the Mouse]]"
⚫
Image:Cartoon-takeawayfood.jpg|[[Zero Song]]
  
  +
File:3831oinkerBsong.jpg|"[[Where Can You Be, B?]]"
⚫
Image:Song.zigzagdance-original.jpg|[[Zig Zag Dance]]
  
−
Image:2356-4.jpg|[[ZZ Blues]]
 +
File:Nosong.jpg|"[[The Word is "No"]]"
  +
File:3592a.jpg|"[[Words That Rhyme with Play]]"
  +
File:WriteItDown.jpg|"[[Write it Down]]"
  +
File:BBWaylon1.jpg|"[[Wrong]]"
  +
File:3259f.jpg|"[[Yell]]"
  ⚫
File:3816s.jpg|"[[You Don't Have to Be a Grizzly]]"
  +
File:1815h.jpg|"[[You Got a Nose]]"
  ⚫
File:BePatient.jpg|"[[You Gotta Be Patient (To Be a Patient)]]"
  +
File:CountElvis.jpg|"[[You Gotta Count My Blue Suede Shoes]]"
  +
File:Little chrissy you're alive.jpg|"[[You're Alive]]"
  ⚫
File:Cartoon-takeawayfood.jpg|"[[Zero Song]]"
  ⚫
File:Song.zigzagdance-original.jpg|"[[Zig Zag Dance]]"
  +
File:2356-4.jpg|"[[ZZ Blues]]"
 
</gallery>
  
</gallery>
   
−
==References==
 +
==Writing credits==
  +
*''[[Count It Higher: Great Music Videos from Sesame Street]]''
  +
*''[[Monster Hits!]]''
  +
*''[[Sing Yourself Silly!]]''
  +
*''[[Rock & Roll!]]''
  +
  +
==Sources==
 
[[Image:Cerf-ernie-henson.jpg|thumb|300px|Cerf with [[Ernie]] and [[Jim Henson]].]]
  
[[Image:Cerf-ernie-henson.jpg|thumb|300px|Cerf with [[Ernie]] and [[Jim Henson]].]]
 
<references />
  
<references />
Line 258: Line 283:
 
* [http://www.youtube.com/chriscerf Cerf's official YouTube channel]
  
* [http://www.youtube.com/chriscerf Cerf's official YouTube channel]
 
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC-6718iZEE Christopher Cerf, 2010 McGraw Prize in Education Winner]
  
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC-6718iZEE Christopher Cerf, 2010 McGraw Prize in Education Winner]
  +
* ''The Atlantic'' interview: [https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/03/friendship-files-sesame-street-songwriters-behind-put-down-duckie/585895/ "The Songsmiths of Sesame Street"] by Julie Beck, March 29, 2019
   
  ⚫
__NOWYSIWYG__
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cerf, Christopher}}
  
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cerf, Christopher}}
⚫
[[Category:Writers]]
  
 
[[Category:Composers]]
  
[[Category:Composers]]
  +
[[Category:Lyricists]]
  ⚫
[[Category:Writers]]
 
[[Category:Muppet Voice Actors]]
  
[[Category:Muppet Voice Actors]]
 
[[Category:Sesame Workshop Staff]]
  
[[Category:Sesame Workshop Staff]]
 
[[Category:Vocalists]]
  
[[Category:Vocalists]]
⚫
__NOWYSIWYG__
  

Revision as of 03:41, 8 August 2020

Christophercerf

Cerf with the Sesame Street Song Book.

Chriscerfanimalrats

Christopher B. Cerf (born August 19, 1941) originally joined the Children's Television Workshop as the head of Sesame Street’s "non-broadcast" products division, which spun off books, records, and toys. However, Cerf's true forte was composing songs for the show, including parodies of contemporary pop hits.[1]

Among his best known works are "Put Down the Duckie" and "Monster in the Mirror," two collaborations with former Sesame Street head writer Norman Stiles. Both songs have been filmed in versions that feature large numbers of celebrities.

Cerf also contributed vocals for many of his songs. Muppet characters that Cerf has provided voices for include Little Chrissy (who was based on Cerf), Chrissy (of Little Jerry and the Monotones), Bruce Stringbean, Mick Swagger, How Now Brown, the Lead Frazzletone, and the Captain from "Imagine That!". Cerf also sang on the Cecille theme song.

Cerf also composed songs for the short-lived series, Little Muppet Monsters.

He appears in the television documentary Sing! Sesame Street Remembers Joe Raposo and His Music in tribute to his friend and collaborator.

His father, Bennett Cerf, was the co-founder of Random House books and a panelist of What's My Line? and his mother, Phyllis Fraser, co-founded Random House's Beginner Books with Dr. Seuss. His brother, Jonathan Cerf, wrote Big Bird's Red Book.

Sesame Place's The Game Centre was "the creative brain-child of Cerf".[2]

Cerf is also the co-creator and an Executive Producer of Between the Lions. He was a close personal friend of the late Douglas Adams, acclaimed author of the The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy trilogy. He wrote the introduction for the US edition of The Salmon of Doubt, a posthumous release of some of Adams' last works.

Composer credits

According to his bio in Encyclopedia Paranoiaca (2012, with Henry Beard), Cerf has written over 300 Sesame Street songs.

Writing credits

Sources

Cerf-ernie-henson

Cerf with Ernie and Jim Henson.

  1. ↑ Lambert, Craig. "Channel Cerfing." Harvard Magazine, July 2011.
  2. ↑ "Correction: Ahl's only part of Sesame Place", InfoWorld, October 31, 1979.

External links

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