"Somebody Come and Play" is a Sesame Street song that originally appeared in the show's first season, sung by its composer Joe Raposo. It was then recorded for The Sesame Street Book & Record by The Kids, and has been remade multiple times on the show. The singer implores for a friend to play with and have fun before the day's end.
Raposo's wife, Pat Collins, stated that the song was inspired directly from his youth as an only child. Collins said she sees it “not as a song of regret or self-pity, but a song about an only child looking to toss the ball around before the sun goes down. It's about begging for pals to hang out with, kind of saying 'If this day goes by, maybe we won't have another quite like it.'”[1]
Big Bird sings the song as he roams Sesame Street looking for his friends, who appear in the yard and invite him to play. (First: Episode 0703) This version has been released on albums with added backing vocals by The Kids.
Ernie performs the song in an insert where he arrives, ready to play, to a deserted playground. As he sings, he is gradually joined by several woodland animals. (First: Episode 3822)
Elmo, Rosita, and the cast sing the song as a part of a medley in their 2000 Evening at Pops concert.
Elmo encourages Whoopi Goldberg to "play" a musical instrument with him, and they perform a special version of "Somebody Come and Play." (First: Episode 3971)
Elmo sings the song in Episode 4046 as he searches for Rosita. The two perform a slow, sad reprise when they give up looking for each other, and then, they sing another verse when they reunite.
A brief instrumental of the tune underscores the title card for Elmo's Playdate. Louie is heard singing a bit of the song to himself immediately afterward.
