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Changes: I Don't Want to Live on the Moon

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{{song|image=Ernieonthemoon.jpg|writer=[[Jeff Moss]]|composer=|lyricist=|date=[[1978]]|source=|publisher=Festival Attractions Inc.<br>Backfin Music Company|eka=[[Episode 2243]]}}
 +
{{song|image=Ernieonthemoon.jpg|writer=[[Jeff Moss]]|composer=|lyricist=|date=[[1978]]|source=|publisher=Festival Attractions Inc.<br>Backfin Music Company|first=[[Episode 1910]]}}
 
[[File:Sesame Street I Don't Want to Live on the Moon|thumb|300px|right|Ernie sings "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon."]]
  
[[File:Sesame Street I Don't Want to Live on the Moon|thumb|300px|right|Ernie sings "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon."]]
   
−
"'''I Don't Want to Live on the Moon'''" is a ''[[Sesame Street]]'' song sung by [[Ernie]], who expresses his desire to visit the moon someday, but ultimately decides he doesn't want to live there. He also sings about wanting to travel under the sea and to a few other places, as long as he is able to return home to those he loves. This segment was also an opportunity to see Ernie in full-body puppet form.
 +
"'''I Don't Want to Live on the Moon'''" is a ''[[Sesame Street]]'' song sung by [[Ernie]], who expresses his desire to visit the moon someday, but ultimately decides he doesn't want to live there. He also sings about wanting to travel under the sea and to a few other places, as long as he is able to return home to those he loves.
  +
__TOC__
  ⚫
Originally recorded for the 1980 album ''[[The People in Your Neighborhood (album)|The People in Your Neighborhood]]'', the song was later made into an insert during [[Season 15 (1983-1984)|season 15]]. A new version was shot in [[Season 25 (1993-1994)|season 25]] as a duet between Ernie and [[Aaron Neville]]. [[Jim Henson]]'s original vocal recording was mixed with Neville's recording, giving the impression that Jim Henson was still performing three years after he died. This version was directed by [[Jon Stone]]<ref>[https://muppetmindset.wordpress.com/2010/01/28/interview-with-muppet-performer-pam-arciero/ The Muppet Mindset: Interview with Muppeteer Pam Arciero]</ref> and includes three clips from the original. {{first|3242}}
   
  ⚫
The original version was a rare instance where Ernie is seen in full-body puppet form. It took three puppeteers to perform Ernie: Henson performed Ernie's head and left hand, while another puppeteer worked Ernie's right hand, and another puppeteer operated Ernie's feet. This example of bunraku-style puppetry is one of the frequent uses of the [[chroma key]] technique. The effect was recreated for a live performance of the song for ''[[A Swingin' Sesame Street Celebration: 50 Years & Counting|A Swingin' Sesame Street Celebration]]'' at [[Lincoln Center]], where Ernie dances and lounges on the moon in the final verse.
⚫
Ernie later sang this song with [[Aaron Neville]]. {{eka|3300}} [[Jim Henson]]'s original vocal recording was mixed with Aaron Neville's recording, giving the impression that Jim Henson was still performing three years after he died. This version was directed by [[Jon Stone]] <ref>[http://themuppetmindset.blogspot.com/2010/01/interview-with-muppeteer-pam-arciero.html The Muppet Mindset: Interview with Muppeteer Pam Arciero]</ref> and includes three clips from the original.
  
   
  ⚫
The song was also released as a book, ''[[I Don't Want to Live on the Moon (book)|I Don't Want to Live on the Moon]]'', in 2001.
−
Ernie once again sang this song, with [[Shawn Colvin]], in the [[1998]] special ''[[Elmopalooza]]''.
  
   
  +
==Performances==
−
[[Bob]], [[Rosita]], and [[Telly Monster]] sang this song in [[Episode 4031|a 2003 episode]] of ''Sesame Street''.
  
  +
{| border="1" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0"
  +
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee" ! Picture ! Year ! Description
   
  +
|-
−
An all new version of this song performed by [[Steve Whitmire]] and combined with [[Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (song)|Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star]] can be found in the [[Sesame Street Live]] presentation of [[Super Grover! Ready for Action]].
  
  +
| [[Image:Album.peopleneighborhood.jpg|250px|center]]
  ⚫
| '''''[[The People in Your Neighborhood (album)|The People in Your Neighborhood]]'''''
  +
Sung by [[Ernie]]. This original audio recording features a spoken introduction and portions of an alternate vocal take.
  +
{{sketchrelease|audio=<br>''[[The People in Your Neighborhood (album)|The People in Your Neighborhood]]'' (1980)<br>''[[The Best of Ernie]]'' (1983)}}
   
  +
|-
⚫
[[Bob McGrath]] also sang this with [[Christopher Cerf]] on piano at a panel discussion at the Brooklyn Public Library on November 21, 2009. In a ''[[Plaza Sésamo]]'' insert, the [[Barón Púrpura]] sings the song. {{youtube|ei1LNprv57g}}
  
  +
| [[Image:Ernieonthemoon.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| '''''[[Sesame Street]]''''' {{first|1910}}
  +
Sung by Ernie.
  +
{{sketchrelease|video=<br>''[[The Best of Ernie and Bert]]'' (1988)<br>''[[Magic on Sesame Street]]'' (1988, interactive video)<br>''[[Sesame Street's 25th Birthday: A Musical Celebration]]'' (1993, introduction cut)<br>''[[The World of Jim Henson]]'' (1994, excerpt)<br>''[[50 Years and Counting]]'' (2019)|audio=<br>''[[Jim Henson: A Sesame Street Celebration]]'' (1991)<br>''[[We Are All Earthlings (album)|We Are All Earthlings]]'' (1993)<br>''[[Sesame Street Celebrates!]]'' (1994)<br>''[[Platinum All-Time Favorites]]'' (1995)<br>''[[Dreamytime Songs]]'' (1996)<br>''[[Bert and Ernie's Greatest Hits]]'' (1996)<br>''[[All-Time Favorites 1]]'' (2018)|online=<br>[[Sesamestreet.org]] {{SSorg|2105}}<br>[[SesameStreet's YouTube Channel]] {{youtube|kIq8jLj5TzU}}}}
   
  +
|-
⚫
The song was also released as a book, ''[[I Don't Want to Live on the Moon (book)|I Don't Want to Live on the Moon]]''.
  
  +
| [[Image:Neville-moon.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| '''''Sesame Street''''' {{first|3242}}
  +
Sung by Ernie and [[Aaron Neville]], interspersed with clips from the original segment.
  +
{{sketchrelease|audio=<br>''[[Songs from the Street: 35 Years of Music]]'' (2003)|online=<br>[[SesameStreet's YouTube Channel]] {{youtube|2WsXtCPE7Ww}}}}
   
  +
|-
⚫
The tune was used as underscore in "[[One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure]]" when [[Elmo]] and [[Hu Hu Zhu]] express their interest to return home from their imaginary trip to [[the Moon]].
  
  +
| [[Image:ShawnColvinErnie.jpg|250px|center]]
  ⚫
| '''''[[Elmopalooza]]'''''
  +
[[Shawn Colvin]] and Ernie perform a soft folk cover of the song. A portion of Ernie's vocals were removed in the album release.
  +
{{sketchrelease|video=<br>''[[Elmopalooza]]'' (1998)|audio=<br>''[[Elmopalooza! (soundtrack)|Elmopalooza!]]'' (1998)}}
   
  +
|-
−
<gallery orientation=landscape widths=209 spacing=small captionalign=center position=center hideaddbutton=true>
  
  +
| [[Image:4031n.jpg|250px|center]]
−
Image:Neville-moon.jpg|Ernie and Aaron Neville's performance.
  
  +
| '''''Sesame Street''''' - [[Episode 4031]]
−
Image:ShawnColvinErnie.jpg‎|Ernie and Shawn Colvin's performance.
  
  +
Sung by [[Bob]], [[Rosita]], and [[Telly Monster]], on the steps of [[123 Sesame Street]]. This version uses the original backing track.
⚫
Image:Baron-LiveOnMoon.jpg|''Plaza Sésamo'' performance
  
−
</gallery>
  
   
  +
|-
−
==Notes==
  
  +
| [[Image:Bob McGarth singing I don't want to live on the moon.jpg|250px|center]]
−
[[File:Sesame Street Aaron Neville And Ernie Sing Don't Want To Live On The Moon|thumb|right|300px|Aaron Neville and Ernie's version of the song.]]
  
  +
| '''''[[Sesame Street: A Celebration of 40 Years of Life on the Street (exhibit)|Sesame Street's 40th Anniversary Book Panel Discussion]]'''''
  ⚫
[[Bob McGrath]] sang the song, with [[Christopher Cerf]] on piano, for an impromptu concert during a panel at the Brooklyn Public Library on November 21, 2009.
   
  +
|-
⚫
* It took three puppeteers to perform Ernie in this song: [[Jim Henson]] performed Ernie's head and left hand, while another puppeteer worked Ernie's right hand, and another puppeteer operated Ernie's feet. This example of bunraku-style puppetry is one of the frequent uses of [[Alternate Puppetry Techniques]].
  
  ⚫
| [[Image:Baron-LiveOnMoon.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| '''''[[Plaza Sésamo]]'''''
  +
Sung by [[Barón Púrpura]].
  +
{{sketchrelease|online={{youtube|ei1LNprv57g}}}}
   
  +
|-
⚫
* Ernie made a reference to the song in [[episode 3909]].
  
  +
| [[Image:Simsim-MoonSiesta.jpg|250px|center]]
  +
| '''''[[Iftah Ya Simsim]]''''' (2015 revival)
  +
A rewritten version of the song is performed as a lullaby by [[Shams]] on guitar, backed by Gargur ([[Grover]]) on a drum.
  +
{{sketchrelease|online={{youtube|WgubHg5HwUc}}}}
   
  +
|-
−
==Releases==
  
  +
| [[Image:Love2Learn-Moon.jpg|250px|center]]
−
;Audio (original version)
  
  +
| '''[[Love to Learn (campaign)|Love to Learn]]''' video
⚫
*''[[The People in Your Neighborhood (album)|The People in Your Neighborhood]]'' (1980)
  
  +
A country pop version performed by Ernie with [[Lennon & Maisy]] was released online in October 2016 as a part of the "[[Love to Learn (campaign)|Love to Learn]]" campaign. The video was directed by [[Marilyn Agrelo]], and features animation by [[Maureen Boyle]] and produced by [[Mochimochi Land]].
−
*''[[The Best of Ernie]]'' (1983)
  
  +
{{sketchrelease|online=[[SesameStreet's YouTube Channel]] {{youtube|DLyuD9gvQfY}}}}
−
*''[[Jim Henson: A Sesame Street Celebration]]'' (1991)
  
  +
−
*''[[We Are All Earthlings (album)|We Are All Earthlings]]'' (1993)
  
  +
|-
−
*''[[Sesame Street Celebrates!]]'' (1994)
  
  +
| [[Image:DontLiveonMoon-Animated.jpg|250px|center]]
−
*''[[Platinum All-Time Favorites]]'' (1995)
  
−
*''[[Dreamytime Songs]]'' (1996)
 +
| '''[[YouTube]]''' video
  +
An animated lyric video, using the original segment audio, was published on the ''Sesame Street'' YouTube channel in March 2019. The video features animated cameos by [[Jim Henson Cameos#Caricatured appearances|Jim Henson]] as mission control, [[Slimey]] [[Slimey to the Moon|in a rocket ship]], and [[the Martians]] in a shaky spacecraft.
−
*''[[Bert and Ernie's Greatest Hits]]'' (1996)
  
  +
{{sketchrelease|online=[[SesameStreet's YouTube Channel]] {{youtube|lGhxemtWXq4}}}}
−
;Audio (Aaron Neville version)
  
  +
−
*''[[Songs from the Street: 35 Years of Music]]'' (2003)
  
  +
|-
−
;Audio (Shawn Colvin version)
  
  +
| [[Image:SesameJazz-Moon.png|250px|center]]
⚫
*''[[Elmopalooza!]]'' (1998)
  
  +
| '''''[[A Swingin' Sesame Street Celebration: 50 Years & Counting|A Swingin' Sesame Street Celebration]]'''''
−
;Video (original version)
  
  +
A new arrangement by [[Wynton Marsalis]] was performed by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and sung by [[Ernie]], [[Abby Cadabby]], and [[Big Bird]].
−
*''[[The Best of Ernie and Bert]]'' (1986)
  
  +
−
*''[[Sesame Street's 25th Birthday: A Musical Celebration]]'' (1993, introduction cut)
  
  +
|-
−
*''[[The World of Jim Henson]]'' (1994, excerpt)
  
  +
| {{landscapetable|300px-123 imagine program.jpg}}
−
;Video (Shawn Colvin version)
  
  +
| The song has also been performed in the ''[[Sesame Street Live]]'' shows ''[[Around the World]]'', ''[[1-2-3 Imagine!]]'', and ''[[Super Grover! Ready for Action]]'' (combined with "[[Twinkle Twinkle Little Star]]" in the latter).
−
*''[[Elmopalooza!]]'' (1998)
  
  +
−
;Online
  
  +
|}
−
*[[Sesamestreet.org]] original: {{SSvideo|67d170be-dc23-4595-8bb8-92c38c1b0129}} Aaron Neville: {{SSvideo|3b21a9bb-1558-11dd-a62f-919b98326687}}
  
  +
−
*[[Hulu]] original: {{Hulu|69274}} Aaron Neville: {{Hulu|40430}}
  
  +
==References==
−
*[[SesameStreet's YouTube Channel]] original: {{youtube|kIq8jLj5TzU}} Aaron Neville: {{youtube|2WsXtCPE7Ww}}
  
  ⚫
*Ernie made a reference to the song in [[episode 3909]].
−
;Special
  
  +
−
*''[[The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson]]'' (1990, excerpt)
  
  ⚫
*The song is quoted in the underscore for "[[One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure]]" when [[Elmo]] and [[Hu Hu Zhu]] express their interest in returning home from their imaginary trip to [[The Moon|the Moon]].
−
*''[[Sesame Street's All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever]]'' (1994, brief clip of Aaron Neville version only)
  
  +
−
;Publications
 +
==Publications==
 
*''[[The Sesame Street Songbook]]'' (1992 and 2007 editions only)
  
*''[[The Sesame Street Songbook]]'' (1992 and 2007 editions only)
−
;Other
  
−
*''[[Magic on Sesame Street]]'' (1988, interactive video)
  
   
 
==See also==
  
==See also==
−
*[[Ernie and Bert Songs]]
 +
*[[Ernie and Bert songs]]
   
 
==Sources==
  
==Sources==
 
<references />
  
<references />
   
  +
−
__NOTOC__
  
  +
__NOWYSIWYG__
 
[[Category:Sesame Street Songs]]
  
[[Category:Sesame Street Songs]]
  +
[[Category:Space]]
  +
[[Category:Sleep]]

Revision as of 05:18, 7 May 2020

Ernieonthemoon
Written by Jeff Moss
Date 1978
Publisher Festival Attractions Inc.
Backfin Music Company
First Episode 1910
Sesame_Street_I_Don't_Want_to_Live_on_the_Moon

Sesame Street I Don't Want to Live on the Moon

Ernie sings "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon."

"I Don't Want to Live on the Moon" is a Sesame Street song sung by Ernie, who expresses his desire to visit the moon someday, but ultimately decides he doesn't want to live there. He also sings about wanting to travel under the sea and to a few other places, as long as he is able to return home to those he loves.

Originally recorded for the 1980 album The People in Your Neighborhood, the song was later made into an insert during season 15. A new version was shot in season 25 as a duet between Ernie and Aaron Neville. Jim Henson's original vocal recording was mixed with Neville's recording, giving the impression that Jim Henson was still performing three years after he died. This version was directed by Jon Stone[1] and includes three clips from the original. (First: Episode 3242)

The original version was a rare instance where Ernie is seen in full-body puppet form. It took three puppeteers to perform Ernie: Henson performed Ernie's head and left hand, while another puppeteer worked Ernie's right hand, and another puppeteer operated Ernie's feet. This example of bunraku-style puppetry is one of the frequent uses of the chroma key technique. The effect was recreated for a live performance of the song for A Swingin' Sesame Street Celebration at Lincoln Center, where Ernie dances and lounges on the moon in the final verse.

The song was also released as a book, I Don't Want to Live on the Moon, in 2001.

Performances

Album.peopleneighborhood
 The People in Your Neighborhood

Sung by Ernie. This original audio recording features a spoken introduction and portions of an alternate vocal take.

Audio:
The People in Your Neighborhood (1980)
The Best of Ernie (1983)
Ernieonthemoon
 Sesame Street (First: Episode 1910)

Sung by Ernie.

Video:
The Best of Ernie and Bert (1988)
Magic on Sesame Street (1988, interactive video)
Sesame Street's 25th Birthday: A Musical Celebration (1993, introduction cut)
The World of Jim Henson (1994, excerpt)
50 Years and Counting (2019)
Online:
Sesamestreet.org (sesamestreet.org)
SesameStreet's YouTube Channel (YouTube)
Audio:
Jim Henson: A Sesame Street Celebration (1991)
We Are All Earthlings (1993)
Sesame Street Celebrates! (1994)
Platinum All-Time Favorites (1995)
Dreamytime Songs (1996)
Bert and Ernie's Greatest Hits (1996)
All-Time Favorites 1 (2018)
Neville-moon
 Sesame Street (First: Episode 3242)

Sung by Ernie and Aaron Neville, interspersed with clips from the original segment.

Online:
SesameStreet's YouTube Channel (YouTube)
Audio:
Songs from the Street: 35 Years of Music (2003)
ShawnColvinErnie
 Elmopalooza

Shawn Colvin and Ernie perform a soft folk cover of the song. A portion of Ernie's vocals were removed in the album release.

Video:
Elmopalooza (1998)
Audio:
Elmopalooza! (1998)
4031n
 Sesame Street - Episode 4031

Sung by Bob, Rosita, and Telly Monster, on the steps of 123 Sesame Street. This version uses the original backing track.

Bob McGarth singing I don't want to live on the moon
 Sesame Street's 40th Anniversary Book Panel Discussion

Bob McGrath sang the song, with Christopher Cerf on piano, for an impromptu concert during a panel at the Brooklyn Public Library on November 21, 2009.

Baron-LiveOnMoon
 Plaza Sésamo

Sung by Barón Púrpura.

Online: (YouTube)
Simsim-MoonSiesta
 Iftah Ya Simsim (2015 revival)

A rewritten version of the song is performed as a lullaby by Shams on guitar, backed by Gargur (Grover) on a drum.

Online: (YouTube)
Love2Learn-Moon
 Love to Learn video

A country pop version performed by Ernie with Lennon & Maisy was released online in October 2016 as a part of the "Love to Learn" campaign. The video was directed by Marilyn Agrelo, and features animation by Maureen Boyle and produced by Mochimochi Land.

Online: SesameStreet's YouTube Channel (YouTube)
DontLiveonMoon-Animated
 YouTube video

An animated lyric video, using the original segment audio, was published on the Sesame Street YouTube channel in March 2019. The video features animated cameos by Jim Henson as mission control, Slimey in a rocket ship, and the Martians in a shaky spacecraft.

Online: SesameStreet's YouTube Channel (YouTube)
SesameJazz-Moon
 A Swingin' Sesame Street Celebration

A new arrangement by Wynton Marsalis was performed by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and sung by Ernie, Abby Cadabby, and Big Bird.

The song has also been performed in the Sesame Street Live shows Around the World, 1-2-3 Imagine!, and Super Grover! Ready for Action (combined with "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in the latter).

References

Publications

See also

Sources

  1. ↑ The Muppet Mindset: Interview with Muppeteer Pam Arciero
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