Premiering in 1969, this educational television show aimed at preschoolers … Read Full Bio ↴Premiering in 1969, this educational television show aimed at preschoolers has charmed generations of youngsters ever since. The show - featuring a lovable cast of characters including Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, Elmo, Snuffy, Grover and many others - has delighted and educated children and adults alike, with its collection of songs, skits, and celebrity guest appearances.

ABC-DEF-GHI
Sesame Street Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Boy
Look at that beautiful absolutely marvelous word

ABC-DEF-GHI-JKL-MNOP-QRSTUV-WXYZ
It's the most remarkable word I've ever seen
ABC-DEF-GHI-JKL-MNOP-QRSTUV-WXYZ
I wish I knew exactly what I mean
It starts out like an "A" word as anyone can see

But somewhere in the middle it gets awful "QR" to me
ABC-DEF-GHI-JKL-MNOP-QRSTUV-WXYZ
If I ever find out just what this word can mean
I'll be the smartest bird the world has ever seen!

What that strange looking word possibly mean?
Funny word
It might be kind of an elephant
Or a funny kind of kazoo
Or strange, exotic turtle
You never see in a zoo
Or maybe a kind of a doggie
Or particular shade of blue
Or maybe a pretty flower
Naah, not with a name like that, uh uh!

ABC-DEF-GHI-JKL-MNOP-QRSTUV-WXYZ
It's the most remarkable word I've ever seen
ABC-DEF-GHI-JKL-MNOP-QRSTUV-WXYZ
I wish I knew exactly what I mean
It starts out like an "A" word as anyone can see
But somewhere in the middle it gets awful "QR" to me
ABC-DEF-GHI-JKL-MNOP-QRSTUV-WXYZ

If I ever find out just what this word can mean
I'll be the smartest bird the world has ever seen!

Overall Meaning

The song "ABC-DEF-GHI" from Sesame Street is a playful and charming tune that explores the wonder and mystery of the alphabet. The song begins with a young boy singing about the beauty and intrigue of the word "ABC-DEF-GHI-JKL-MNOP-QRSTUV-WXYZ." He marvels at how the word starts out like an "A" word, but quickly becomes something strange and unintelligible. The boy expresses his confusion and wonder, asking what this strange word could possibly mean.

Throughout the song, the boy playfully imagines what ABC-DEF-GHI-JKL-MNOP-QRSTUV-WXYZ could be, suggesting that it might be a type of animal or a particular shade of blue. He acknowledges that he doesn't really know what the word means, but is enjoying the process of trying to figure it out. The song is a lighthearted celebration of the wonder of words and language.

Line by Line Meaning

Look at that beautiful absolutely marvelous word
The singer is excited about the word and thinks it is wonderful.

ABC-DEF-GHI-JKL-MNOP-QRSTUV-WXYZ
This word is made up of all these letters.

It's the most remarkable word I've ever seen
The singer thinks the word is the most impressive they have encountered.

I wish I knew exactly what I mean
The artist is confused about the word and wants to know its meaning.

It starts out like an "A" word as anyone can see
The word begins with the letter A and appears to be an A word at first.

But somewhere in the middle it gets awful "QR" to me
At some point in the middle of the word, it becomes difficult for the singer to understand or say the letters.

If I ever find out just what this word can mean
The singer hopes to one day learn the meaning of this word.

I'll be the smartest bird the world has ever seen!
The artist believes that understanding the word will make them very smart.

What that strange looking word possibly mean?
The artist is curious about the unusual word and wants to know what it means.

Funny word
The artist thinks the word is amusing or odd.

It might be kind of an elephant
The singer suggests that the word could be related to an elephant in some way.

Or a funny kind of kazoo
The artist suggests that the word could be related to a kazoo instrument in some way.

Or strange, exotic turtle
The singer suggests that the word could be related to a unique and unusual turtle.

You never see in a zoo
This turtle is so unusual that it is not found in a zoo.

Or maybe a kind of a doggie
The singer suggests that the word could be related to a type of dog.

Or particular shade of blue
The artist suggests that the word could be related to a specific hue of blue color.

Or maybe a pretty flower
The artist suggests that the word could be related to a lovely flower.

Naah, not with a name like that, uh uh!
The singer dismisses the idea of the word being related to a pretty flower, as the word does not sound like it would be associated with something beautiful.

Lyrics © THE JOE RAPOSO MUSIC GROUP INC
Written by: Jon Stone, Joe Raposo

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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