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Song.whatsthenameofthatsong
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)
0900 01i Sing
1976 The cast sing from Ernie and Bert's bathroom in Episode 0900.
SSMacysParade76
1976 Performed by the cast at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Ernie and Bert's lines are reused from the original album version.
Sesamelive80cast
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)
SingAlongEp13
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.
3079a
1993 Lillian leads the cast in Episode 3079.
3777a
1998 Gina, Herry Monster, Zoe, Rosita and some kids sing the song in Episode 3777.
Eb-whatsthenameofthatsong
1999 Ernie and Bert in a nighttime sketch.
3952f
2001 Big Bird and the cast in Episode 3952.
Sesame group
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.
Sesame cast Hollywood Bowl 2010
2010 Alan Muraoka, Alison Bartlett, Bob McGrath, Emilio Delgado, Loretta Long, Roscoe Orman, and Sonia Manzano at the Hollywood Bowl.
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.
SS-TinyDesk
2019 The Sesame Street Muppets as part of a medley for NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts.
KennedyCenter-SingAlong
2019 Cookie Monster and Abby Cadabby at the Kennedy Center Sesame Street Sing-Along (event).
MaskedSingerOpen
2023 Elmo opens an appearance on The Masked Singer with a brief rendition of the song, asking "what's the name of that show?"
Best Friend Band WtNoTS?
2023 Elmo, Ernie, and Abby Cadabby in a Best Friends Band video.

References[]

0819e

Bob tries to remember the name of that song in Episode 0819.

A list of verbal references and briefer impromptu renditions of the song.

  • 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.
  • 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).
  • One of the questions posed by the inquisitive super-monster Asking Elmo is "what's the name of that song?"

Releases[]

Audio
Video
Online
Publications

International[]

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