A few days ago Disney brought back a “one off” episode of The Muppets which seems to tap in to a universal and collective need for childhood nostalgia. The above sing a long with Kermit leading a 2000 strong audience in The Rainbow Connection is a testament to this fact, especially as the audience was quite willing for forgo the fact that the puppeteer was obvious to all that sang a long with a green felt frog.
Adults, quite simply have and retain their childish capacity for wonder, fantasy and innocence. Remember ten year old Imogen singing the glorious doll’s song from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the village Show rehearsals and how all of the grown ups suddenly became all bleary eyed and silent as we watched her open mouthed.
I remember once watching a homeless woman singing You are my Sunshine , my only Sunshine to her old sick dog , with so much passion and feeling on Colwyn Bay Promenade that it hurt like a punch.
I remember too sharing with my old Irish therapist that the song Moon River had a great significance to me and quietly she sang the words
“ two drifters off to see the world, there’s such a lot of world to see…..” in a thin, reedy alto by an eighty year old counsellor with “ we’re after the same…. rainbows end, waiting round the bend , my Huckleberry friend ..Moon River …and me…….”
And I joined in with the last line with my shaky bass…..the moment, raw and all rather special because we had sung it together.
That caught me out of the blue…..I’m moved
ReplyDeleteKeith
Xx
Oh, how wonderfully sweet. The first time I saw Kermit he sang "It's Not Easy Being Green" and the next day I couldn't find anyone who had also seen it. Just Rob and me.
ReplyDeleteJim Henson is someone who died far, far too soon.
Please consider yourself hugged just enough!
It was sweet “ Babs “
DeleteLee x
The only thing I miss about my ex husband is that we would sing together, in Welsh as well as English, at home, with my father-in-law, or at our local where one of my best friends was the resident pianist. The world needs more singing.
ReplyDeleteOh, I have been moved tonight. Those songs are two of my favorites. Though my father and I sure had our differences, "Moon River" was his favorite song, and when I hear it, I think of him. And the Rainbow Connection was a song I listened to whilst going through cancer treatments. Thank you John for posting these two songs.
ReplyDeleteThe Muppets are well-loved and I think they are still popular today. I know I am fond of them.
ReplyDeleteKermit the frog was my son's favorite.
Moon River - always and forever a favorite.
Are you saying that Kermit the Frog isn't REAL??????
ReplyDeleteMy husband is Grover and when our daughter would see blue muppet Grover, she would point to the screen and excitedly say Dada, dada. Did she think they were the same? Possibly.🙂
ReplyDeleteOops. This is weavinfool.
DeleteThere is something deep about music. People with dementia often remember music, when they don't recognize their family. My grandmother could play the piano, long after she didn't know who my mother was.
ReplyDeleteMusic and singing, the universal language. xx
ReplyDeleteKermit is made of felt?!? Still, he sings beautifully.
ReplyDeleteStar songs stay with us for life. Under stress, how many of us hear a calming song from the past rolling around our heads? And often songs we have not thought about consciously for years. Sadly, some of us have the sort of singing voice that must never be heard out loud!
ReplyDeleteOne of my happiest memories was meeting and interviewing Kermit and Miss Piggy - Bel Ami
ReplyDeleteHow do you do it? You either make me laugh out loud or quietly weep at something that is so touching. It is a special skill.
ReplyDeleteI love those songs.
ReplyDeleteI saw The Muppet Movie in the theater with friends a long, long time ago, and that song brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteMine and my Mum's favourite song, Moon River. Have you heard the Eric Clapton version? Kermit takes me back to my daughter's childhood, lovely days. Xx
ReplyDeleteWell, I did not expect to end up in a puddle of tears, sobbing, as I watched this video.
ReplyDeleteNina
Singing all the old childrens songs and rhymes i remember to my 5 yr old granddaughter while i push her on the swing , same as i did with her mother at that age.. but why do i remember all the old song and rhymes and my daughter remembers none? Maybe with the granddaughter they'll stick... Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteHow I love The Rainbow Connection. I miss The Muppet Show and would love if it started again. Long ago we went to a exhibit of muppets and saw Kermit, Big Bird, and some of the others, but they were in glass cases. It wasn't right.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Back for another needed dose of sweetness.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
I like that story.
ReplyDeleteI could picture it all - especially you and the therapist. Tears. Thank you for sharing that tender moment. XO
ReplyDeleteFabulous. I love "Moon River," always have since I was a child, even though I have no idea what a "huckleberry friend" is.
ReplyDelete