Johnny Mercer

Johnny Mercer (1909-1976) was a prolific song lyricist, as well as a recording artist in his own right. He was one of the three founders of the label Capitol Records. He was one of the highest profile American lyricists, boosted by his own radio series and frequent guest appearances, and he wrote popular standards including "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" (singing the first recorded version as well) and "One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)".‎

He composed for movies (sharing four Academy Awards for Best Original Song) and Broadway musicals, and collaborators over the decades ranged from Hoagy Carmichael and Jerome Kern to Henry Mancini ("Moon River") and Barry Manilow. In 1961, he released an album of duets with Bobby Darin called Two of a Kind and wrote the title song (with music by Darin).

Mercer's work was frequently used on Sam and Friends, usually as a songwriter (including tracks from the Li'l Abner Broadway album) but occasionally as a singer as well.

Songs Performed by the Muppets

• "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" (music by Harold Arlen)
• "Autumn Leaves"
• "Camaraderie" (music by André Previn)
• "Girlfriend of the Whirling Dervish"
• "Goody Goody"
• "Hooray for Hollywood"
• "I'm Old Fashioned" (music by Jerome Kern)
• "Jeepers Creepers"
• "Lazy Bones"
• "Satin Doll" (music by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn)
• "The Pleasure of Your Company" (music by Previn)
• "That Old Black Magic" (music by Arlen)
• "Two of a Kind"

Recordings used on Sam and Friends

• "Ugly Chile (You're Some Pretty Doll)." Transcribed on August 19. 1955.
• "Who Takes Care of the Caretaker's Daughter" with Bobby Darin, from Two of a Kind (1961). Spring 1961 broadcast.