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.

Just Happy To Be Me
Sesame Street Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm Kingston Livingston the Third, as in three
Named after my dad, and his dad before me
But I'm an original, one of a kind, unique
So kick back and listen up while I speak

I watch all my friends flip their caps to the back
But I kept mine to the front because I like it like that
Not trying to be different, just doing my own thing

So come on, clap your hands and sing

Be yourself, easy as ABC
Can't be no one else
Just happy to be me

I went to a party just the other day
With all my friends from school and around the way
The music was playing they all jumped to their feet
But I danced to a drummer with a different kind of beat
My friends want to know why I don't move like them
I said, your dance is cool, but I dance like Kingston
I like your style, but I've got my own thing
So come on, and clap your hands and sing

Be yourself, easy as ABC
Can't be no one else
Just happy to be me

I was reading a book one day at home
When I heard the ring-ring of the telephone

It was a couple of friends inviting me out to play
But I said I'm kind of busy, maybe later today
You see, right now I'm exercising my imagination
I'd rather read than skate, I said without hesitation
Not trying to be different, just doing the Kingston thing

So come on, clap your hands and sing
(When he's cooking up a meal)
I do it my way
(When he's got a base to steal)
I do it my way
(When he's riding a bike)
I do it my way
(When he's going for a hike)
I do it my way
(When he's picking clothes to wear)
I do it my way
(When he's combing out his hair)
I do it my way
(When he wants to just cool)
I do it my way
(When it's time to go to school)
You know I do that the right way!

Be yourself, easy as ABC
Can't be no one else
Just happy to be me

Just happy to, happy to be me
Me!

Overall Meaning

The song "Just Happy to Be Me" from Sesame Street is performed by Kingston Livingston III, a confident youngster who encourages viewers to embrace their individuality. In the first verse, Kingston introduces himself and affirms his uniqueness despite being named after his father and grandfather. He explains how he prefers to wear his hat, not based on following a trend but just because he likes it. Kingston's message is clear: "Be yourself."

The second verse depicts Kingston at a party where he dances to his own "different kind of beat." His friends inquire about his dance moves, and he responds by pointing out that he dances as himself, not to fit in, which leads to the rejoinder: "So come on, and clap your hands and sing, be yourself, easy as ABC, can't be no one else, just happy to be me." In the third verse, Kingston chooses to read a book instead of answering a call from his friends. He promotes the idea of doing what sparks joy, emphasizing that he isn't trying to be different, but merely being himself.

Kingston Livingston III's message in "Just Happy to Be Me" is that individuality is something that should be celebrated, and the song is an inventive and appealing way to impart that message to young listeners.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm Kingston Livingston the Third, as in three
My name is Kingston Livingston III, named after my dad and granddad, but I am unique and one-of-a-kind

Named after my dad, and his dad before me
My name is a family tradition that goes back generations

But I'm an original, one of a kind, unique
Despite sharing a name with my dad and granddad, I am still my own person, one of a kind and unique in my own ways

So kick back and listen up while I speak
Take a seat and listen to what I have to say

I watch all my friends flip their caps to the back
My friends have a certain way of doing things, like flipping their hats to the back

But I kept mine to the front because I like it like that
I prefer to wear my hat with the brim to the front, even though it's different from my friends

Not trying to be different, just doing my own thing
I'm not purposely trying to be different from my friends, I'm just doing what feels right for me

So come on, clap your hands and sing
Let's have some fun and sing together

Be yourself, easy as ABC
Being yourself is as easy as knowing your ABCs

Can't be no one else
Don't try to be someone else, just be yourself

Just happy to be me
I'm content and proud of who I am

I went to a party just the other day
I recently went to a party with my school and neighborhood friends

With all my friends from school and around the way
All of my friends from school and my neighborhood were there

The music was playing they all jumped to their feet
When the music started, all of my friends got up to dance

But I danced to a drummer with a different kind of beat
I danced to a different rhythm than my friends, because I have my own unique style

My friends want to know why I don't move like them
My friends were curious about why I danced differently than them

I said, your dance is cool, but I dance like Kingston
I told my friends that I do the dance my own way, and that's okay

I like your style, but I've got my own thing
I appreciate my friends' style of dancing, but I prefer to dance in my own unique way

So come on, and clap your hands and sing
Let's have some fun and sing together

(When he's cooking up a meal) I do it my way
When I'm cooking, I have my own way of doing things

(When he's got a base to steal) I do it my way
When I'm playing baseball and trying to steal a base, I do it in my own unique way

(When he's riding a bike) I do it my way
When I'm riding my bike, I do it in my own unique way

(When he's going for a hike) I do it my way
When I'm hiking, I do it in my own unique way

(When he's picking clothes to wear) I do it my way
When I'm choosing what clothes to wear, I have my own style

(When he's combing out his hair) I do it my way
When I'm combing my hair, I have my own way of doing it

(When he wants to just cool) I do it my way
When I want to relax, I do it in my own way

(When it's time to go to school) You know I do that the right way!
When it's time to go to school, I follow the rules and do things the way they should be done

Just happy to, happy to be me
I'm happy and proud of who I am

Contributed by Leah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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