 | |
| Music by | Sam Pottle |
| Lyrics by | David Axlerod |
| Date | 1974 |
| Publisher | Sesame Street, Inc. |
| First | Episode 0666 |
"What's the Name of That Song?" is a Sesame Street song that asks the question, "what's the name of that song?"
Typically performed by an ensemble, individuals take turns musing on the question singing nondescript "la-de-da-de-da"s and asking each other how the next part goes. Despite the assertion that "a fellow can't go wrong" with "words and music," the question is never answered.
It has been performed several times on the show, in studio recordings, and on stage, both domestically and internationally.
Performances[]
| Image | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
 |
1974 | In its debut, the song is performed by David, Bob, Susan, Gordon, Maria, Bert, Herry Monster, Luis, Oscar the Grouch, Count von Count, and Mr. Macintosh, with support from Mr. Hooper. (First: Episode 0666) |
 |
1976 | The cast sing from Ernie and Bert's bathroom in Episode 0900. |
 |
1976 | Performed by the cast at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Ernie and Bert's lines are reused from the original album version. |
 |
1980 | Performed by Grover, Inspector Fortescu Farquar, Count von Count, Bert, and Ernie in A Sesame Street Mystery: The Case of the Missing Rara Avis |
 |
1982 | Forgetful Jones struggles to remember the name of that song in an Old West sketch. (First: Episode 1696) |
 |
1987 | The cast sing on the roof of 123 Sesame Street as the finale of the direct-to-video Sing Along, scenes from which later formed the street story in Episode 2443. |
 |
1993 | Lillian leads the cast in Episode 3079. |
 |
1998 | Gina, Herry Monster, Zoe, Rosita and some kids sing the song in Episode 3777. |
 |
1999 | Ernie and Bert in a nighttime sketch. |
 |
2001 | Big Bird and the cast in Episode 3952. |
 |
2004 | The song plays a central role in the direct-to-video What's the Name of That Song? When Oscar plays an instrumental rendition, it prompts Big Bird to find the name of the song. The full cast performs the song in the finale and Grover reveals that, although he also didn't know the song's name, it was his favorite song. |
 |
2010 | Alan Muraoka, Alison Bartlett, Bob McGrath, Emilio Delgado, Loretta Long, Roscoe Orman, and Sonia Manzano at the Hollywood Bowl. |
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2019 | An animated dance remix music video was posted on Sesame Street's YouTube channel. The vocals from the cast recording used in the 1976 Macy's Parade are set to a new dance remix music track. The video includes animated cameos from Abby Cadabby, The Martians, Two-Headed Monster, Guy Smiley, Super Grover, Teeny Little Super Guy, Sam the Robot, Mr. Snuffleupagus, and Twiddlebugs. |
 |
2019 | The Sesame Street Muppets as part of a medley for NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts. |
 |
2019 | Cookie Monster and Abby Cadabby at the Kennedy Center Sesame Street Sing-Along (event). |
 |
2023 | Elmo opens an appearance on The Masked Singer with a brief rendition of the song, asking "what's the name of that show?" |
 |
2023 | Elmo, Ernie, and Abby Cadabby in a Best Friends Band video. |
References[]
Bob tries to remember the name of that song in Episode 0819.
A list of verbal references and briefer impromptu renditions of the song.
- Bob whistles the tune in scene 3 of Episode 0671.
- Big Bird sings some of the song at the beginning of Episode 0803.
- In scene 3 of Episode 0819, as Big Bird observes passersby not noticing him, Bob passes through singing the song.
- Oscar sings the song while minding Melvin Meanie's plants in scene 2 of Episode 0848.
- On the stoop, Gordon practices the song on his guitar at the start of Episode 0927.
- David plays a record of the song (which skips) for Oscar on his birthday in Episode 0967 (scene 6).
- Bob whistles the tune in a Season 10 segment with Oscar. (First: Episode 1197)
- David sings the song as he dusts Hooper's Store in scene 1 of Episode 2410.
- One of the questions posed by the inquisitive super-monster Asking Elmo is "what's the name of that song?"
Releases[]
- Audio
- Bert & Ernie Sing-Along (1975)
- 60 Favorite Songs from Sesame Street (1975)
- 25 Greatest Hits (1975)
- Sing/What's the Name of That Song? (single, 1976)
- Sing Sang Song Singalong (1978)
- Sesame Street Treasury (1980)
- Platinum Too (1997)
- Songs from the Street: 35 Years of Music (2003)
- Sesame Street Music: Amazon Sampler (2011)
- Video
- Sing Along (1987)
- What's the Name of That Song? (home video, 2004)
- Old School: Volume 2 (2007, Original version)
- 40 Years of Sunny Days (2009, Season 23 version)
- 50 Years and Counting (2019, Forgetful Jones version)
- Online
- Publications
- The Sesame Street Songbook (1992 edition only)
International[]
- 5, Rue Sesame — "Le Chanson de l'Amitié" (lyrics by Alexandra Pic)
- Sesamstrasse — "Wie Heißt Nur Dieses Lied?"
- Sesamstraat — "Hoe Heet Dat Liedje Ook Weer?"
- Bonjour Sesame — "Quelle est cette chanson?"