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Last week’s Musicians and Their Awesome Sesame Street Appearances was a big hit, so I thought I’d follow up with a whole bunch more Sesame Street musical performances. This week we’re featuring: James Blunt, Pee Wee Herman, Yo Yo Ma, India.Arie, Goo Goo Dolls, Hootie and the Blowfish, Johnny Cash, James Taylor, Smokey Robinson, Melissa Etheridge, Andrea Bocelli, Los Lobos, Backstreet Boys, Samuel Ramey, and Alicia Keys. There are actually more coming next week, so stay tuned.
James lost his triangle, and is heartbroken. (Sung to the tune of “You’re Beautiful.”) It’s very touching and kind of hilarious. “I saw your shape [a triangle] in a crowded place, now I don’t know what to do….”
From a 1988 PBS pledge drive special, this video features a ton of celebrity cameos (starting at about 1:30): “John Candy (as Yosh Schmenge from SCTV), Andrea Martin (as Edith Prickley from SCTV), New York Mets Keith Hernandez & Mookie Wilson, Jane Curtin (of SNL and Kate & Allie), Madeline Kahn, Joe Williams, Paul Reubens (as Pee Wee Herman), Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Wynton Marsalis, Celia Cruz, Ihtzak Perlman, Gordon Jackson & Jean Marsh (as Angus Hudson and Rose Buck of Upstairs Downstairs), Paul Simon, Jeremy Irons, Pete Seeger, Rhea Perlman and Danny Devito, and NY Giants Sean Landeta, Mark Ingram, Karl Nelson and Carl Banks.”
Elmo wants to hear music, but Elmo’s radio won’t work.
The lead singer’s hair is actually kinda Muppet-like. To the tune of “Slide.”
Let’s learn how to cross the street…together.
More fun with counting from the Man in Black. See also: “Don’t Take Your Ones to Town.”
Sung to Oscar the Grouch, who’s grouchy as ever.
“I don’t like U, but I love U; seems like I’m always thinking of U.” Get it? U?
More U jokes.
No one else begins uptown
No one starts up upside-down
No one else begins unable, uncertain or unstable
And no one else can spell a
A neat word like umbrella
To the tune of “Time to Say Goodbye.”
Kind of spooky in its awesomeness.
Whoa.
Any opera fans in the house?
A Christmas duet with Elmo.