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.

Junk
Sesame Street Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I know a lot of folks who are extremely loyal
To a banjo or a nice guitar
But I prefer a greasy can of olive oil
With a broken broom handle by far
Some people think the sound of a trombone's divine
But I think wet paper and a comb are fine
So blow the soda bottle, let the soup cans crash
'Cause one guy's treasure is another guy's trash

[Chorus]
In Oscar's junk band, Oscar's junk band
Stamp your muddy feet and clap your dirty hands
We're gonna play the junkiest tune you can stand
Come on and hear Oscar's junk band

Some music fans appreciate the pedal steel
Or a clarinet or violin
But me I love the sound of dried up orange peel
When you shake it in a sardine tin
You keep your tuba give me paper tubes to play
Don't want a glockenspiel I want an ice-cube tray
We'd like it rusty, dusty, busted, bent or old
'Cause one gal's garbage is another gal's gold

[Chorus x2]

Come on and hear Oscar's junk band, oh yeah!
Come on and hear Oscar's junk band

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sesame Street's "Oscar's Junk Band" are a playful celebration of unconventional musical instruments and the unique sounds they produce. While many people might be drawn to the familiar sounds of traditional instruments like banjos and guitars, the singer of the song prefers the audibly interesting and somewhat bizarre noises made by things like broken broom handles, wet paper and combs, and dried up orange peels shaken in sardine tins. This lyrical perspective celebrates the idea that one person's trash can truly be another person's treasure when it comes to music-making.

The chorus of the song invites listeners to join in with the band's chaotic, improvisational spirit by stamping their feet and clapping their hands along to the beat. The lively mood of the song is infectious and encourages creativity and experimentation when it comes to exploring music.

Overall, the lyrics to "Oscar's Junk Band" convey a lighthearted and subversive message about the joys of making music with unexpected materials. They show that the best music often comes from a sense of fun and experimentation, rather than strict adherence to traditional instruments or approaches.

Line by Line Meaning

I know a lot of folks who are extremely loyal
I am aware of many people who are very devoted

To a banjo or a nice guitar
To musical instruments such as banjos and guitars

But I prefer a greasy can of olive oil
However, I personally enjoy using a greasy can of olive oil

With a broken broom handle by far
Paired with a broken broom handle, this is my preferred musical tool

Some people think the sound of a trombone's divine
There are individuals who find the sound produced by a trombone to be heavenly

But I think wet paper and a comb are fine
On the contrary, I believe wet paper and a comb can produce equally pleasing sounds

So blow the soda bottle, let the soup cans crash
With the use of items such as soda bottles and soup cans, we can create beautiful music

'Cause one guy's treasure is another guy's trash
What one person may consider useless or unimportant, another may find valuable and worthwhile

In Oscar's junk band, Oscar's junk band
Come and witness the one and only, Oscar's junk band

Stamp your muddy feet and clap your dirty hands
Feel free to stomp your feet and clap your hands, disregarding their condition

We're gonna play the junkiest tune you can stand
Our band will perform the most unconventional and peculiar music, only if you can bear it

Some music fans appreciate the pedal steel
Other music enthusiasts may enjoy the pedal steel, a stringed instrument

Or a clarinet or violin
As well as woodwind and stringed instruments like the clarinet and violin

But me I love the sound of dried up orange peel
However, I particularly adore the sound that comes from a dried up orange peel

When you shake it in a sardine tin
Especially when moved within a small can of sardines

You keep your tuba give me paper tubes to play
I prefer to use paper tubes as oppose to a traditional tuba

Don't want a glockenspiel I want an ice-cube tray
Rather than a glockenspiel, I would much rather play music with an ice-cube tray

We'd like it rusty, dusty, busted, bent or old
We value the imperfections brought on by age and damage on our instruments

'Cause one gal's garbage is another gal's gold
Just like before, what might be considered rubbish to one individual, can be seen as a treasure to another

Come on and hear Oscar's junk band
Please do come listen to Oscar's junk band

Come on and hear Oscar's junk band
Again, join us in listening to the melodies provided by Oscar's junk band

Lyrics © SPLOTCHED ANIMAL MUSIC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SARAH B. DURKEE, CHRISTOPHER B. CERF

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS