JANE HENSON, FORMER wife of Jim Henson and Muppets co-creator, died yesterday at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer.
Despite the fact that they legally separated in 1986, Jane was involved with the company for the rest of her life, founding the Jim Henson Legacy after the man himself passed away in 1990.
What better way to remember her and her work, than by looking back at some of the incredible musical moments The Muppets have given the world over the last 58 years?
Mahna Mahna
The Muppets’ version of this song debuted on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1969, but it appeared in lots of their work since.
YouTube/Veselin Trayanov
Rainbow Connection
A hundred different celebs have jumped on the Rainbow Connection bandwagon, but this version with Debbie Harry is special.
YouTube/Rich Mullinax
Danny Boy, featuring Animal, Beaker and the Swedish Chef
We had to include the Irish link, didn’t we?
YouTube/Blakwulf
Bohemian Rhapsody
When this version popped up on YouTube in 2009 it received 10 million hits in its first two weeks.
YouTube/MuppetsStudio
Bein’ Green
Bein’ Green is Kermit’s calling card and has been covered and performed by lots and lots of major celebs, including people like Frank Sinatra.
This version is a duet between Kermit and Ray Charles which was performed on Cher’s television show in 1975.
YouTube/Kennellykeysmusic
Never Before, Never Again
If you’re not touched by Miss Piggy’s love song for Kermit you have a heart of stone.
YouTube/ZuzuFitzwaller
Fever
Animal is incredible on the drums with Rita Moreno, singing the classic ‘Fever’.
YouTube/moresco63
The translation of her Spanish is ‘Listen, buddy. All I want to tell you is, you shouldn’t do that. It’s not nice, you understand? Look at me when I’m talking to you. This is my number, and if you bother me any more, I’m going to hit you so hard it’s going to leave you stupid. Cool it.’
The Banana Boat Song
Fozzie Bear is just the best. Also, it’s good to hear an explanation of what exactly Harry Belafonte is on about in the classic song.
YouTube/digitalmorphine
Life’s a Happy Song
The newest Muppet Movie was released last year, and it’s no surprise that people were a bit nervous about it.
What if it wasn’t good?
Fortunately it was.
YouTube/JoswaR7
The Hensons gave the world a lot of laughs. May they rest in peace.
