Cool Covers of Muppets Music – The Green Album

Possibly the coolest kids’ show ever, The Muppet Show ran on CBS and affiliate stations from 1976 to 1981 and produced a number of much-loved TV specials and movie spin-offs, not to mention a huge range of Muppets licensed products from toys to clothing to personal gear.

One great delight of The Muppet Show was its music — and its high-profile musical guests. Over the years, cultural icons from Alice Cooper to Joan Baez to Johnny Cash to Liberace sang with Jim Henson‘s wide-mouthed, floppy-armed puppets…

Ah, memories! (Ah, the critics!)

But did you know a variety of talented contemporary artists have produced the ultimate tribute to an iconic show of the 1970s-’80s North American childhood?

Be still, my heart! It’s a collection of cover versions of classic Muppets tunes: Muppets: The Green Album to covet madly.

Track list

Here’s the line-up of songs on the Muppet cover tunes album:

• “Muppet Show Theme Song” — performed by OK Go
• “Rainbow Connection” — performed by Weezer (featuring Hayley Williams)
• “Mahna Mahna” — performed by The Fray
• “Movin’ Right Along” — performed by Alkaline Trio
• “Our World” — performed by My Morning Jacket
• “Halfway Down the Stairs” — performed by Amy Lee
• “Mr. Bassman” — performed by Sondre Lerche
• “Wishing Song” — performed by The Airborne Toxic Event
• “Night Life” — performed by Brandon Saller
• “Bein’ Green” — performed by Andrew Bird
• “I Hope That Something Better Comes Along”
  — performed by Matt Nathanson (This tune is one of my personal favourites, so happy it was included!)
• “I’m Going to Go Back There Someday” — performed by Rachael Yamagata

True, some of us ol’ curmudgeons may cringe a bit at some of the new, hip renditions of these classic Muppets tunes, but do listen with an open mind — and with your kids. If Muppets: The Green Album can bring the joy that was The Muppet Show back to mind and forge a fresh link between generations, it’s all to the good!