The word "Muppet" itself was said by Henson to have been created by combining the words "marionette" and "puppet"; however, Henson was also known to have stated that it was just something he liked the sound of, and he made up the "marionette/puppet" story while talking to a journalist because it sounded plausible.
Muppets are distinguished from ventriloquist "dummies", which are typically animated only in the head and face, in that their arms or other features are also mobile and expressive. Muppets are typically made of softer materials. They are also presented as being independent of the puppeteer, who is usually not visible, hidden behind a set or outside of the camera frame.
We Need a Little Christmas
The Muppets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're getting home so we can start to celebrate
Fill up the stockings
We may be rushing things but we can hardly wait now
For we need a little Christmas, right this very minute
Candles in the window, carols at the spinet
Yes we need a little Christmas, right this very minute
Fozzie, we're all in a hurry
Haul out the holly
Turn on the brightest string of lights we've ever seen
Slice up the fruitcake
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough
For we need a little music, need a little laughter
Need a little singing ringing through the rafter
Yes we need a little snappy happy ever after
We need a little Christmas now
The lyrics to The Muppets song "We Need a Little Christmas" perfectly capture the feeling of urgency that one experiences during the holiday season. The first few lines, "haul out the holly, we're getting home so we can start to celebrate, fill up the stockings", express a desire to begin the festivities as soon as possible, even if it means rushing things a bit. The repetition of the phrase "we need a little Christmas" emphasizes this urgency and longing for the holiday season, even if everything may not be perfect or exactly as we envision it.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the focus is not on flashy decorations or gifts, but on the intangible qualities that make the holiday season so special. The lyrics speak of the importance of music, laughter, and joyous singing to create a festive atmosphere. The line "we need a little snappy happy ever after" sums it up perfectly - what we all want is a happy ending to the year, a chance to forget our troubles and come together in celebration.
Overall, "We Need a Little Christmas" is a joyful reminder that the holiday season is not about material possessions, but about the people we love and the memories we create together.
Line by Line Meaning
Haul out the holly
Let's bring out the holly to decorate and create a festive atmosphere.
We're getting home so we can start to celebrate
We're excited to finally be home and ready to start celebrating.
Fill up the stockings
Let's stuff the stockings with treats and goodies.
We may be rushing things but we can hardly wait now
We're eager to celebrate and can't wait any longer, even though it might seem too early.
For we need a little Christmas, right this very minute
We're in need of some Christmas cheer, and we need it right away.
Candles in the window, carols at the spinet
Let's light candles in the window and play Christmas carols on the spinet (a type of piano).
It hasn't snowed a single flurry
There has been no sign of snow yet this Christmas season.
Fozzie, we're all in a hurry
We're all rushing around, including Fozzie (one of the Muppet characters).
Turn on the brightest string of lights we've ever seen
Let's put up the most dazzling and bright string of Christmas lights we can find.
Slice up the fruitcake
Let's cut into the fruitcake (a traditional Christmas dessert) and enjoy it.
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough
Let's decorate the Christmas tree with some shiny tinsel.
For we need a little music, need a little laughter
We need some festive music and some lighthearted enjoyment.
Need a little singing ringing through the rafter
We want to hear some joyful singing throughout the house.
Yes we need a little snappy happy ever after
We're looking for a happy and satisfying holiday season.
We need a little Christmas now
We need to fully embrace the Christmas spirit and celebrate right away.
Contributed by Lily O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.