Bein' Green
Encyclopedia
"Bein' Green" is a popular song written by Joe Raposo
in 1970 for the first season of the children's television program Sesame Street
. It was originally performed by Kermit the Frog
(voiced by Jim Henson
).
In the song, Kermit begins by lamenting his green coloration, expressing that green "blends in with so many ordinary things" and wishing to be some other color. But by the end of the song, Kermit recalls positive associations with the color green, and concludes by accepting and embracing his greenness. ("It's beautiful
! And it's what I want to be...") Research by Children's Television Workshop
in 1989 indicated that "many preschool children failed to recognize that Kermit felt happy about being green by the end of the song."
The song's signature line "It's not easy being green" is a phrase that has since appeared in many contexts in pop culture. It is often quoted as an expression of melancholy over one's lot in life. The song is associated with questions of identity
and individuality, but also with themes such as self-love and celebration of diversity, especially in terms of race (or "color"), which was at the forefront of social debate within American culture at the time of the song's debut. With the growing usage of green as a reference to environmentalism
, the phrase (or its counterstatement) is often used in that context as well.
at the two memorial services for Jim Henson
in 1990. (In his comedy special No Cure For Cancer
, Denis Leary
incorrectly mentions, in passing, Kermit
singing the song at the Henson funeral.)
Joe Raposo
Joseph Guilherme Raposo, OIH was a Portuguese-American composer, songwriter, pianist, television writer and lyricist, best known for his work on the children's television series Sesame Street, for which he wrote the theme song, as well as classic songs such as "Bein' Green" and "C is for Cookie"...
in 1970 for the first season of the children's television program Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
. It was originally performed by Kermit the Frog
Kermit the Frog
Kermit the Frog is puppeteer Jim Henson's most famous Muppet creation, first introduced in 1955. He is the protagonist of many Muppet projects, most notably as the host of The Muppet Show, and has appeared in various sketches on Sesame Street, in commercials and in public service announcements over...
(voiced by Jim Henson
Jim Henson
James Maury "Jim" Henson was an American puppeteer best known as the creator of The Muppets. As a puppeteer, Henson performed in various television programs, such as Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, films such as The Muppet Movie and The Great Muppet Caper, and created advanced puppets for...
).
In the song, Kermit begins by lamenting his green coloration, expressing that green "blends in with so many ordinary things" and wishing to be some other color. But by the end of the song, Kermit recalls positive associations with the color green, and concludes by accepting and embracing his greenness. ("It's beautiful
Black is beautiful
Black is beautiful is a cultural movement that began in the United States of America in the 1960s by African Americans. It later spread to much of the black world, most prominently in the writings of the Black Consciousness Movement of Steve Biko in South Africa...
! And it's what I want to be...") Research by Children's Television Workshop
Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop, formerly known as the Children's Television Workshop , is a Worldwide American non-profit organization behind the production of several educational children's programs that have run on public broadcasting around the world...
in 1989 indicated that "many preschool children failed to recognize that Kermit felt happy about being green by the end of the song."
The song's signature line "It's not easy being green" is a phrase that has since appeared in many contexts in pop culture. It is often quoted as an expression of melancholy over one's lot in life. The song is associated with questions of identity
Identity (social science)
Identity is a term used to describe a person's conception and expression of their individuality or group affiliations . The term is used more specifically in psychology and sociology, and is given a great deal of attention in social psychology...
and individuality, but also with themes such as self-love and celebration of diversity, especially in terms of race (or "color"), which was at the forefront of social debate within American culture at the time of the song's debut. With the growing usage of green as a reference to environmentalism
Environmentalism
Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...
, the phrase (or its counterstatement) is often used in that context as well.
Recordings of Bein' Green
- Kermit the FrogKermit the FrogKermit the Frog is puppeteer Jim Henson's most famous Muppet creation, first introduced in 1955. He is the protagonist of many Muppet projects, most notably as the host of The Muppet Show, and has appeared in various sketches on Sesame Street, in commercials and in public service announcements over...
, various Muppet productions - Frank SinatraFrank SinatraFrancis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
, 1970 album Sinatra & CompanySinatra & CompanySinatra & Company is an album by American singer Frank Sinatra released in 1971.The first side of this album is in the bossa nova style, and the second side is influenced by soft rock, featuring a couple of standards from John Denver....
. - Buddy RichBuddy RichBernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...
, 1972 album Stick ItStick It (Buddy Rich album)Stick It is a 1972 studio album by Buddy Rich and his big band. -Track listing:LP side A#"Space Shuttle" – 4:19#"God Bless the Child" – 4:48#"Best Coast" – 3:58... - Van MorrisonVan MorrisonVan Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
, 1973 album Hard Nose the HighwayHard Nose the HighwayAccording to Ritchie Yorke, who published his biography, Into the Music in 1975, the album enjoyed rave reviews at the time of release. He cited one dissenting critic Charlie Gillett, who wrote in Let It Rock: "The trouble with Hard Nose the Highway is that although the music is quite often... - Diana RossDiana RossDiana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
, 1974 album Live at Caesars PalaceLive at Caesars PalaceLive at Caesars Palace is a 1974 live album released by American singer Diana Ross during her performance at Las Vegas' Caesars Palace. It was Ross' first of two live albums she recorded for the Motown label.-Track listing:Side A:... - Ray CharlesRay CharlesRay Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
, 1975 album Renaissance; this version gained popularity thanks to an episode of The Cosby ShowThe Cosby ShowThe Cosby Show is an American television situation comedy starring Bill Cosby, which aired for eight seasons on NBC from September 20, 1984 until April 30, 1992...
. Charles then sang a duet with Kermit on Sesame Street and The Cher ShowThe Cher ShowThe Cher Show was a variety show that premiered on CBS in 1975. It was hosted by singer-actress, Cher. The show had many famous musical guests. It following a TV special, featuring Elton John, Bette Midler and Flip Wilson, The Cher Show premiered at 7.30pm on Sunday, February 16, 1975 and was an...
and also sang the song on the 1989 special Sesame Street… 20 Years & Still CountingSesame Street… 20 Years & Still CountingSesame Street… 20 Years & Still Counting is a special aired on Friday April 7, 1989 on NBC. It was made to celebrate the 20th season of the popular children's show, Sesame Street....
. - Thurl RavenscroftThurl RavenscroftThurl Arthur Ravenscroft was an American voice actor and singer best known as the deep voice behind Tony the Tiger's "They're grrreat!" in Frosted Flakes television commercials for more than five decades. Ravenscroft was also known, however uncredited, as the vocalist for the song "You're a Mean...
- Jackie McLeanJackie McLeanJohn Lenwood McLean was an American jazz alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader and educator, born in New York City.-Biography:McLean's father, John Sr., played guitar in Tiny Bradshaw's orchestra...
, 1978 album New Wine in Old Bottles. - Keith Harris and Orville the DuckOrville the DuckOrville the Duck is the puppet of ventriloquist Keith Harris and was named after Orville Wright . Orville is a green duckling who wears nothing but a nappy with a large safety pin on the front...
, 1983 single - Mandy PatinkinMandy PatinkinMandel Bruce "Mandy" Patinkin is an award-winning American actor of stage and screen and a tenor vocalist. He is a noted interpreter of the musical works of Stephen Sondheim, and is best-known for his work in musical theatre, originating iconic roles such as Georges Seurat in Sunday in the Park...
, 1990 album Dress Casual - Rowlf the DogRowlf the DogRowlf the Dog is a Muppet character, a scruffy brown dog of indeterminate breed with a rounded black nose and long floppy ears. He was created by Jim Henson....
, 1993 album Ol' Brown Ears is Back - Jill O'Hara, 1993 album Jill O'Hara, titled "Green"
- Shirley HornShirley HornShirley Valerie Horn was an American jazz singer and pianist.-Biography:Encouraged by her grandmother, who was an amateur organist, Horn began piano lessons at the age of four. At twelve, Horn studied piano and composition at Howard University and later majored from there in classical music...
, 1993 album Light Out of Darkness (A Tribute To Ray Charles) - Stan KentonStan KentonStanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
, 1992 7.5 on the Richter Scale, titled "It's Not Easy Bein' Green" - Don HenleyDon HenleyDonald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
with Kermit, 1994 album Kermit UnpiggedKermit UnpiggedKermit Unpigged is a music and comedy record released by The Jim Henson Company through BMG Kidz in 1995, and the last album released by Jim Henson Records... - Mike Campbell, 1994 Easy Chair Jazz;
- Urbie GreenUrbie GreenUrban Clifford "Urbie" Green is an American jazz trombonist who toured with Woody Herman, Gene Krupa, Jan Savitt, and Frankie Carle....
, 1994 Bein' Green - Vanessa RubinVanessa RubinVanessa Rubin is an American jazz vocalist and composer.-Biography:Rubin was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, grew up in a musical household to parents from Trinidad and Louisiana. After achieving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Ohio State University...
, 1995 album Vanessa Rubin Sings - Paul Schmeling, 1995 album One for the Road
- Boston Pops OrchestraBoston Pops OrchestraThe Boston Pops Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in playing light classical and popular music....
, 1996 album Wish Upon a Star/All-Time Children's Favorites - Fools and Critters, 1995 album Flinging Powdered Doughuts
- Daboa, 1997 album From the Gekko
- Johnny LytleJohnny LytleJohnny Lytle was a jazz drummer and vibraphonist.-Biography:...
, 1997 album Easy EasyEasy Easy"Easy Easy" was a single released by the Scotland national football team in 1974. It reached number 20 in the UK Singles Chart....
, completely instrumental - Tony BennettTony BennettTony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
, 1998 album The PlaygroundTony Bennett: The Playground-Track listing:#"The Playground" - 3:36#"Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" - 2:37#"Dat Dere" - 3:17#"Little Things" - 3:09... - Bob McGrathBob McGrathRobert Emmet "Bob" McGrath is an American singer and actor best known for playing the human character Bob on Sesame Street. He was born in Ottawa, Illinois. McGrath was named for Irish patriot Robert Emmet....
, 1998 album Bob's Favorite Street Songs - Manfred KrugManfred KrugManfred Krug is a German actor and singer.-Life and work:After moving to East Germany at the age of 13, Manfred Krug worked at a steel plant before beginning his acting career on the stage and, ultimately, in film...
, 2000 album Schlafstörung, titled "Frosches Lied (Bein' Green)" with German lyrics - Donna Leonhart, 2001 album Bein' Green
- Maestro Pocero (Josele Santiago), 2002 album, Patitos feos
- 2003 album Drew's Famous Kids St. Patrick's Day Party
- Andy HallettAndy HallettAndrew Alcott "Andy" Hallett was an American singer and actor best known for playing the part of Lorne in the television series Angel. He used his singing talents often on the show, and performed two songs on the series' 2005 soundtrack album, Angel: Live Fast, Die Never.-Early life:Andrew Alcott...
, as Lorne in TV series AngelAngel (TV series)Angel is an American television series, a spin-off of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series was created by Buffys creator, Joss Whedon, in collaboration with David Greenwalt, and first aired on October 5, 1999...
episode The House Always Wins, and on the 2004 soundtrack album, Angel: Live Fast, Die NeverAngel: Live Fast, Die NeverAngel: Live Fast, Die Never is an Angel soundtrack album.The album primarily features scores composed by Robert J. Kral. In addition it also contains an extended version of the opening credits by Darling Violetta, performances from actors Andy Hallett, and Christian Kane, as well as Kim Richey's "A... - Mark MurphyMark Murphy (singer)Mark Murphy is an American jazz singer based in New York. He is most noted for his definitive and unique vocalese and vocal improvisations with both melody and lyrics...
, 2005 album Once to Every Heart - Oscar the GrouchOscar the GrouchOscar the Grouch is a Muppet character on the television program Sesame Street. He has a green body , has no nose , and lives in a trash can. His favorite thing in life is trash; evidence for this is the song "I Love Trash". A running theme is his compulsive hoarding of seemingly useless items...
, 2005 season of Sesame StreetSesame StreetSesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The... - Till BrönnerTill BrönnerTill Brönner is a German jazz musician, trumpet player, singer, composer, arranger and producer. He has a unique jazz approach influenced by bebop and fusion jazz, but also modern pop music, movie soundtracks , country music and even German pop songs...
, German jazz bugler, 2005 album That SummerThat SummerThat Summer is Sarah Dessen's first novel, published in 1996. The movie How to Deal is based on this novel as well as another one of Dessen's novels, Someone Like You.... - Audra McDonaldAudra McDonaldAudra Ann McDonald is an American actress and singer. She currently stars in the ABC television drama Private Practice as Dr. Naomi Bennett. She has appeared on the stage in both musicals and dramas, such as Ragtime and A Raisin in the Sun...
, 2006 album Build a Bridge - Sophie MilmanSophie MilmanSophie Milman is a Russian-born jazz vocalist who currently lives in Canada.After emigrating from Russia in the early 1990s, Milman, who is of Jewish heritage, spent most of her childhood years in Israel where she listened extensively to jazz...
, 2007 album Make Someone HappyMake Someone HappyMake Someone Happy is the second studio album by Sophie Milman. It was released on June 19, 2007.- Track listing :... - 2 Different People, 2008 Single EDF EnergyEDF EnergyEDF Energy is an integrated energy company in the United Kingdom, with operations spanning electricity generation and the sale of gas and electricity to homes and businesses throughout the United Kingdom...
TV Advert - Matthew WhiteMatthew WhiteMatt White or Matthew White is the name of:*Matt White , left-handed baseball pitcher and rock entrepreneur*Matt White , Australian cyclist*Matt White , American ice hockey player...
, Music and Sweet Poetry Agree - Take 6Take 6Take 6 is an American a cappella gospel music sextet formed in 1980 on the campus of Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama. The group sings in a contemporary style, integrating R&B and jazz influences into their devotional songs and has 10 Grammy wins, 10 Dove Awards, one Soul Train Award and two...
, 2008 album The StandardThe Standard (Take 6 album)The Standard, released on September 30, 2008 on Heads Up International, is a Jazz music album by American contemporary Gospel music group Take 6.-Track listing:#"Sweet Georgia Brown" 3:26... - Naim Amor, 2009 single Precious Second EP on The Orchestra Pit Recording Co. label
- Della ReeseDella ReeseDelloreese Patricia Early, known professionally as Della Reese , is an American actress, singer, game show panelist of the 1970s, one-time talk-show hostess and ordained minister. She started her career in the 1950s as a gospel, pop and jazz singer, scoring a hit with her 1959 single "Don't You...
, recorded the song for her 1973 album "Let Me in Your Life" - Andrew BirdAndrew BirdAndrew Bird is an American musician, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.- Early life and the Bowl of Fire :...
, 2011 tribute/cover album Muppets: The Green AlbumMuppets: The Green AlbumMuppets: The Green Album is a cover album of popular Muppet songs by various contemporary music artists. The album was released by Walt Disney Records on August 23, 2011 on CD and as a digital download in the iTunes Store.... - Damian McGintyDamian McGintyDamian McGinty, Jr. is a Northern Irish singer and actor from Derry, Northern Ireland, and was a member of the group Celtic Thunder. He has been performing for the past thirteen years, winning his first music competition before the age of six...
, 2011 episode "Pot O' Gold"Pot o' Gold (Glee)"Pot o' Gold" is the fourth episode of the third season of the American musical television series Glee, and the 48th overall. Written by Ali Adler and directed by Adam Shankman, the episode was first broadcast on November 1, 2011 on Fox in the United States...
Glee (TV series)Glee (TV series)Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and on GlobalTV in Canada. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues...
Memorial
The song was sung by Big BirdBig Bird
Big Bird is a protagonist of the children's television show Sesame Street. Big Bird, like many of the other Sesame Street characters, is a Muppet character. He is sometimes referred to simply as "Bird" by his friends....
at the two memorial services for Jim Henson
Jim Henson
James Maury "Jim" Henson was an American puppeteer best known as the creator of The Muppets. As a puppeteer, Henson performed in various television programs, such as Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, films such as The Muppet Movie and The Great Muppet Caper, and created advanced puppets for...
in 1990. (In his comedy special No Cure For Cancer
No Cure for Cancer
No Cure for Cancer is one of Denis Leary's standup routines from the early 1990s. It was made into a television special, a book, and a compact disc, all with the same title...
, Denis Leary
Denis Leary
Denis Colin Leary is an Irish-American actor, comedian, writer and director. Leary is known for his biting, fast paced comedic style and chain smoking...
incorrectly mentions, in passing, Kermit
Kermit the Frog
Kermit the Frog is puppeteer Jim Henson's most famous Muppet creation, first introduced in 1955. He is the protagonist of many Muppet projects, most notably as the host of The Muppet Show, and has appeared in various sketches on Sesame Street, in commercials and in public service announcements over...
singing the song at the Henson funeral.)