The Muppetshave certainly made their mark with their colorful characters, huge portfolio of celebrity guest stars, and all the different projects they’ve done over the years. For many fans, one of the best things about the Muppets is all the songs they’ve performed and released. Some songs are best known for appearing in movies; some are from specials, and some songs were made classics byThe Muppet Showitself.
Some of their more famous songs are funny, while others are heartfelt and sentimental. Something that can really make a Muppet song is when it reflects just what the Muppets represent, from their upbeat personalities to the way they all come together. Even some of the less popular Muppet projects have had songs that still won over fans. When it comes to original Muppet songs, some prove so popular and iconic that they’ve gotten encores in later Muppet projects.
12"The Witch is in The House" - The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005)
The Muppets' Wizard of Ozoffers a version of L. Frank Baum’s classic fairyland filled with Jim Henson’s classic characters. Miss Piggyplays all four witches: the two good witches of the North and South and their two wicked sisters who rule the East and West. Over the years, the Muppets have performed various Oz-related songs, from “Over the Rainbow” to “Ease on Down the Road,” but this special gives them a few original songs. Of the four witch sisters, it’s the Wicked Witch of the West who gets a song: “The Witch Is In The House.”
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz Is an Underseen Gem
Generally,The Muppets' Wizard of Ozis considered one of the Muppets' weaker installments, especially since Piggy controversially dies twice in the special as the two wicked witches. Despite this, Piggy’s performance as the Wicked Witch of the West is considered a highlight of the story. Allowing the famous diva to have a straight-up villain song, Piggy gleefully hams it up while mocking and humiliating Dorothy and her friends. Before the song is over, she and her minions have already captured the heroes, except the ones literally torn to shreds.
11"The Twelve Days of Christmas" - John Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Together (1979)
When the holidays roll around for the Muppets, it usually means it’s time for them to put on a show. Not only have the Muppets performed a few original Christmas songs, but they’ve also covered some traditional carols. One of their more famous renditions is their take on “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” which they’ve performed multiple times.
A Heartfelt Christmas Song
The Muppets have performed at least two different versions of the song with John Denver, one for theJohn Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Togetherspecial and another for theChristmas Togetheralbum. Though Denver starts them off, each Muppet’s line varies between the two versions. The famous exception to this is Miss Piggy enthusiastically singing about the “Five gold rings,” which would naturally be the most appealing gift to her. Another version of the song was also performed onLate Night with Jimmy Fallon. This one also had the added joke of Fozzie forgetting his cue.
10"Halfway Down the Stairs" - The Muppet Show (1976-1981)
“Halfway Down the Stairs” is a song based on the A. A. Milne poem “Halfway Down.” It was sung by Robin the Frog during the first season ofThe Muppet Show. The scene is Robin’s most notable performance during the series' first season and one of his most famous moments on the show, if not the franchise. It came out during a transitional period for the character: this was before he was officially addressed as Kermit’s nephew, and after he was introduced as an enchanted prince in theTales From Muppetlandspecials.
The Muppet Show
“Halfway Down the Stairs” Reached Top 10 in the United Kingdom
The simple song was quite popular when it came out. Having been released as a single in the United Kingdom, the song reached the Top 10. Robin even gave an alternate performance of the song onTop of the Pops. In popular culture, however, the song might best be remembered for its appearance on the experimentalFamily Guyepisode “You Can’t Handle the Booth!,” where Peter performs it after getting his head stuck in a staircase. Peter even credits the song to “Kermit’s nephew, Robin.”
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9"Mah Na Mah Na" - The Muppet Show (1976-1981)
“Mah Na Mah Na” is a song initially written for the pseudo-documentarySvezia, Inferno e Paradiso. Over the years, it’s appeared in different Henson productions, first appearing onSesame Street. One of the more famous Muppet performances of the song was onThe Ed Sullivan Show, before going on to become one of the first skits on the first episode ofThe Muppet Show. In the more famous version of the song, a character known as “Mahna Mahna” sings variations of his own name while accompanied by two pink backup singers known as the “Snowths.”
“Mah Na Mah Na” Will Get Stuck in Your Head
While the song was already a popular Muppet skit at the time it appeared on The Muppet Show, it is still one of the Muppets' most famous sketches. Over the years, variations of the song have appeared in other Muppet media. In a well-known skit onMuppets Tonight, Kermit the Frog reveals to Sandra Bullock that the Snowths appear to him whenever he says “Phenomahna.”
8"Never Before, Never Again" - The Muppet Movie (1979)
Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog are a famous couple, so their first meeting inThe Muppet Moviecouldn’t be just a simple event. When Miss Piggy first sets her eyes on Kermit amidst a crowd of people, she imagines a lavish sequence of what their lives could be like together. Throughout, the sequence plays out to the song, “Never Before, Never Again,” sung by Miss Piggy herself, suggesting that theirs is a love that comes once in a lifetime.
The Muppet Movie
The Muppets Movie Where it All Started
Originally, Johnny Mathis was going to perform the song, until it was decided that it would be funnier if Miss Piggy was the singer. Despite this, the song is so pure and simple that it almost makes the listener hope that Miss Piggy’s wish to be loved could come true. In a way, it gets to the charm of Piggy’s character: someone so determined to make their dreams come true, whether it’s stardom or her frog, you can’t help but root for them.
7"When Love is Gone/When Love is Found" - The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
“When Love Is Gone” is a song performed by Belle, Scrooge’s lost love, fromThe Muppet Christmas Carol, adapting the Charles Dickens classic, highlighting the end of their love story. The song later gets a triumphant reprise, “When Love Is Found/The Love We Found,” whileScrooge has a happy Christmaswith a green Bob Cratchit and his new Muppet friends. Belle’s rendition of the song was notably cut during the film’s original theatrical release, but it has since appeared in later releases. A pop version also plays during the credits, performed by Martina McBride.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
The Song Was Almost Cut Completely
Fans have been known for having a mixed reaction to the “When Love Is Gone.” While some appreciate its role in the story, highlighting the point Scrooge would become the miser he is in the present, others felt it was too sentimental and didn’t like it being used on a character that was just introduced. That said, there is something impressive about a song somehow surviving the cutting room floor to make an impression on fans.
6"Man or Muppet" - The Muppets (2011)
Two new characters introduced in the filmThe Muppetsare a pair of brothers, Gary and Walter, who hope to reunite the Muppets and save Muppet Studios. While both brothers are fans, the Muppets are especially important to Walter, as, unlike the seemingly human Gary, he was somehow born a Muppet. However, during the events of the film, an existential crisis drives them to question just who and what they are in “Man or Muppet.”
“Man or Muppet” Is a Song of Self-Reflection
Walter seesa human version of himselfin a mirror, played by Jim Parsons, although his singing is provided by Walter’s actor, Peter Linz. Meanwhile, Gary appears alongside a Muppet version of himself, before the “four” figures all come together. The song is performed in the style of a power ballad, particularly bringing to mind the songs, “Without You” and “All by Myself.” The song proved to be one of the more popular moments of the film, even going on to win an Oscar at the 84th Academy Awards for “Best Original Song.”
RELATED:Top 10 Most Streamed Movie Songs on Spotify
5"We’re Doing a Sequel" - Muppets Most Wanted (2014)
“We’re Doing a Sequel” is the first song inThe Muppetssequel,Muppets Most Wanted. The song held a dual purpose: not only does it serve as the opening song, it was also used to help promote the film. Realizing the cameras are still rolling at the “end” of the first film, the Muppets don gold suits with matching hats and break the fourth wall in true musical fashion. Rather modestly, they admit the new film might not live up to the first and still needs a plot. Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga also make cameos.
Muppets Most Wanted
Perfect for a Strong Sequel
WhenThe Muppetsfirst came out, there was concern about whether the film couldmake or break the franchise. Through “We’re Doing a Sequel,“Muppets Most Wantedgave fans hope that they wouldn’t be seeing the end of the Muppets anytime soon. It also highlights the Muppets' famous tongue-in-cheek humor, with the characters trying to come up with a new plot right on the spot, all the while seemingly disbelieving they’re even getting another film.
4"I’m Gonna Always Love You” - The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)
DuringThe Muppets Take Manhattan, Miss Piggy muses what it would have been like if she and Kermit knew each other as children in “I’m Gonna Always Love You.” A fantasy sequence unfolds in which Baby Piggy sings about all the things she wants to do when she grows up, all the while accompanied by baby versions of Fozzie, Gonzo, Scooter, and Rowlf. Of course, Piggy believes, no matter where life takes her, she’ll always love Baby Kermit.
The Precursor to Muppet Babies
For most fans of the Muppets, the sequence is best remembered for being the start of theMuppet Babiesfranchise, which actually did explore baby versions of the characters knowing each other. The song also got a music video released onThe Merv Griffin Showto promote the movie. Poking fun at music videos at the time, it features sequences like Baby Piggy dancing around a bunch of candles like in The Police’s “Wrapped Around Your Finger.”
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3"Movin' Right Along” - The Muppet Movie (1979)
“Movin' Right Along” is a song that appears inThe Muppet Movie, as Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear head off to California in their car. The sequence is notable for a cameo from Big Bird, who is heading off to New York. Later, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem reprise their own version of the song when the Muppets join them on their bus.
The upbeat song reflects the importance of staying determined about your goals and appreciating the journeys life takes us on. The running joke of Fozzie accidentally constantly getting them lost, at one point reaching Canada, adds to the humor while keeping the song going. In popular culture,Saturday Night Livehad the cast sing part of the song in a parody of the bus scene, which features the Muppets getting involved in a hit-and-run, meeting Nipsey Russell, and fleeing to Mexico.
