Sesame Street Theme
The Pips Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sunny day
Sweepin' the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet

Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street?

Come and play
Everything's A-OK
Friendly neighbors there
That's where we meet

Can you tell me how to get
How to get to Sesame Street?

It's a magic carpet ride
Every door will open wide
To happy people like you--
Happy people like
What a beautiful

Sunny Day
Sweepin' the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet

Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street





How to get to Sesame Street
How to get to

Overall Meaning

Sesame Street is a classic children's song that has become a cultural icon. The lyrics are about a sunny day and the magic of Sesame Street. The first verse talks about how the clouds are being swept away on a sunny day, and the person singing is on their way to where the air is sweet. The phrase "sweepin' the clouds away" is not just a reference to the weather, but also to the magic of Sesame Street. This is a place where people can forget their troubles and enjoy a world of fun and friendship.


The chorus of the song is an invitation to come and play, where everything is A-OK and the neighbors are friendly. The singer is asking for directions to Sesame Street, which is portrayed as a kind of secret garden where children can go to have their imaginations stimulated and to learn important life lessons. The second verse is a repetition of the first one, with the addition of the line "Every door will open wide", which is another metaphor for the magical world of Sesame Street.


Overall, the song describes a place where children can go to have fun, make friends, and learn important lessons. It's a place where the air is sweet and the sun is always shining, a place where anything is possible. The lyrics are simple, but they have a powerful message about the importance of play and imagination in the lives of children.


* "Sesame Street Theme" was composed by Joe Raposo and first used on the show in 1969.
* The theme song has been sung by many artists throughout the years, including Lena Horne, Ray Charles, and Destiny's Child.
* The opening sequence of the show featuring the theme song was famously parodied by The Simpsons in their episode "The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular".
* The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007.
* The song was sampled on the Blackalicious song "Alphabet Aerobics".
* In 2010, Time Magazine named the Sesame Street Theme one of the 10 Best TV Theme Songs of all time.
* The theme song has undergone very few changes since its original composition, with the exception of slight variations in arrangement.
* The song has been translated into many different languages for international versions of the show.
* The original recording of the song features vocals by The Kids, a group of children who were part of the show's cast.
* The song's lyrics originally included the line "Girls and boys, take a look at my big surprise," but this was changed to "People in your neighborhood" in the 1990s to be more gender-inclusive.


Chords (key of C):
C - Bb - F - G - C - G - Am - Dm - G - F - C - F - G - C.


Line by Line Meaning

Sunny day
A bright and cheery day with clear skies


Sweepin' the clouds away
Where the clouds are moving aside to show the sun’s brightness


On my way to where the air is sweet
Going to a place with a refreshing and pleasant atmosphere


Can you tell me how to get,
Asking for directions


How to get to Sesame Street?
The specific place the artist wants directions to


Come and play
Invitation to participate in a fun activity


Everything's A-OK
Everything is going well and good


Friendly neighbors there
People around the area are pleasant and enjoyable


That's where we meet
It is where people gather


It's a magic carpet ride
Feels like an extraordinary experience


Every door will open wide
All opportunities will be open for you


To happy people like you--
To individuals with a positive outlook


Happy people like
Individuals who are generally happy


What a beautiful
Expressing admiration for the beauty that surrounds them


Sunny Day
Another mention of a clear, bright day


Can you tell me how to get,
Reiterating the request for directions


How to get to Sesame Street?
Restating the destination the artist is asking for




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRUCE HART, JON STONE, JOSEPH G. RAPOSO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@tnawcwvictoria

Now THIS is what I call a performance to see Gladys Knight and the Pips on Sesame Street was AMAZING and I do remember watching this when I was little and it was the 1st Primetime Special of SS that I ever saw and it was great to see everyone from the puppets and the humans from Gordon, Susan, Bob, Linda, Luis, Maria, David, Gina among others get into the groove was awesome

I miss the good 'ol days of The Street, but Gladys Knight will always be known as The Empress of Soul

God Bless Her

This was back when Sesame Street had great direction, interaction and hey, even the entire gang hung outside

Today's Sesame Street isn't what it use to be and ever since Jim Henson died, the show lost its magic and its direction



All comments from YouTube:

@fatboyslimqq

First of all, gladys knight and the pips are amazing. second, just watching that again gave me the chills

@tiffanicrayon7027

They done took Sesame Street on down to Soulsville 👍🏾❤️❤️

@higgybaby1

We got taught some Soul on this day, when the EMPRESS OF SOUL GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS stopped by. Word for today is "SOUL".

@PieFights

and what a tribute to the man who wrote the song Joe Raposo

@grapesofwraith1066

I had this on VHS - I LOVE this version of the opening!!! Thanks for posting!

@DetroitLove4U

Man in '88 is was ten years old!!! I used to watch Seasame Street in the mid 80's ...... glued to it every morning!!

@necktieguy1

Ms. Knight is brilliant. She can and does sing anything, anywhere. The greatest. Thanks for this post.

@jimmymackster33185

I love this version of this song Gladys Knights vocals give me chills and it makes me very emotional 😭 ❤️ because it makes me think of my childhood 😭 😭 ❤️ and a much simpler time and it also makes me think of my Pop-pop 😭 😭 ❤️ because he taped this special for Me when I was younger so that makes me cry like a baby 😭 😭 ❤️ I'm crying as I'm typing this life was good back than I miss the 80s and 90s 😭 😭 ❤️ so much

@justyb4963

That was the best version EVER! ✊🏾

@SistaQueen88

they could probably sing about a bar of soap and i'd like it! thanks largo for putting this up!

More Comments

More Versions