What's the Name of That Song? (song)

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.
	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.