Shave and a Haircut

"Shave and a Haircut" and the associated response "two bits" is a simple, 7-note musical couplet popularly used at the end of a musical performance, usually for comic effect. The first known occurrence of the tune is from an 1899 Charles Hale song, "At a Darktown Cakewalk", while it wasn't until a 1939 song (with Milton Berle) "Shave and a Haircut - Shampoo", which used the notes near the end, that the brief tune had lyrics.

Muppet usage

• Sesame Street, Episode 0042 (1970): Gordon knocks on Oscar's trash can in a variation of the song. Other characters have knocked in similar ways, including The Mudman in 0329, Bob in 0216 and 0384, and The Count in 3489.

• Sesame Street (1971): In an Ernie and Bert sketch, Ernie drums out the rhythm of the song. He later does this in another sketch and has Bert repeat it afterwards (First: Episode 1809).

• Sesame Street, Episode 0553 (1973): The song is used for Oscar's doorbell with the last note being replaced by a grouchy sound.

• The Muppet Show, episode 116 (1976): In a Veterinarian's Hospital sketch, the song is used for the last rimshot.

• Sesame Street, Episode 1182 (1978): Oscar and his singing group, the Trashmen sing the song to Bob and the kids, replacing "two bits" with "get lost".

• Sesame Street, Episode 1404 (1980): Mr. Hooper and his brother, Arnold tap each half of the song when they reunite.

• Sesame Street, Episode 1465 (1980): Ferlinghetti Donizetti drums the song out on Oscar's can area.

• Sesame Street (1980): The song is used as the music button for several Swedish number cartoons.

• Sesame Street (1981): The song is used as the musical sting to a Cookie Monster picnic sketch.

• The Muppet Show promos (1981): Fozzie vocalizes the tune in a promo for episode 501.

• Sesame Street (1982): King Kenny the Kind plays the song on his kazoo in "Katie and the King".

• Sesame Street, Episode 1725 (1982): One of the rhythms Oscar has Telly repeat back to him is "Shave and a Haircut".

• Sesame Street, Episode 2175 (1986): Piri honks the song on the horn of the Hooper's Store delivery bike, which a new baby Honker takes a liking to.

• Sesame Street, Episode 2224 (1986): A Dinger plays the song at the end of scene 4.

• Learning About Numbers (1986): The song is heard at the end of the intro music to Big Bird's Number Show.

• Sesame Street, Episode 2453 (1988): A Honker and Dinger play the song while playing a rhythm game. This later occurs in Episode 3301, this time with a different Honker and Savion playing along.

• Sesame Street (1989): The Count plays the song on his organ in "Twenty-Something".

• Sesame Street, Episode 2663 (1990): A Dinger plays the song using Luis' bell intended for customers of the Fix-It Shop. Later, a Honker honks the song using the Dinger's bell for the last two beats.

• Muppets Tonight, episode 107 (1996): As the punchline to a riff on the famous Mah Na Mah Na sketch, with Kermit and Sandra Bullock, Doglion manifests when Sandra says "Shave and a haircut" (to add "Two bits").

• Sesame Street, Episode 3580 (1997): Zoe translates a Honker honking the song as the sponsors for the episode.

• Sesame Street, Episode 3824 (1999): Bob has Telly play the song on his musical triangle. Later, Big Bird and a Dinger play it a few times with the Dinger's own bell.

• Play with Me Sesame (2003): The song plays at the end of Grover and Cookie Monster's rendition of "A Very Simple Dance".

• Kids' Favorite Country Songs (2007): Fiddle plays the song as he exits Elmo's bedroom.

• Disney Xtreme Digital (2008): One of the possible outcomes of the "Do Not Touch" button is three penguins who sing "Shave and a Haircut".

• Disney Xtreme Digital (2008): In Kermit's Big Finish, The Swedish Chef corrects him that it's the big Swedish, which is just the Chef singing "Shave and a Haircut".

• Sesamestreet.org (2011): After the primary introductory segment for "Letter Q Day", and one filler spot, Big Bird is singing quietly, ending louder with "dum dee dum dum"s to the music of "Shave and a Haircut."

• Sesame Street at SeaWorld (2019): The Sunny Day Salon's front window advertises its many services and fees. A "Shave and a Haircut" is listed, with the original price (1 Bit) crossed out and "2 Bits" written over it.

• Foley & Friends (2020): The song was used for the "Elmo's Joke of the Day" segment.