Q

What makes a great Sesame Street song? Bill Sherman gives us a lesson

Bill Sherman is the man behind the music on Sesame Street. He tells us what goes into making a great Sesame Street song and why composers should never dumb it down for kids.
The cast of Sesame Street. (PBS)

Originally published on November 23, 2018

Sesame Street is famous for its music. The beloved children's show has always enlisted the help of musical guests, such as Stevie Wonder, who performed 1-2-3 Sesame Street back in the '70s, and Feist who sang a Sesame Street version of her song 1, 2, 3, 4 in 2008.

These days, Bill Sherman is the man behind the music on Sesame Street. He's been the show's music director for the last decade. He breaks down what goes into making a great song and why composers should never dumb it down for kids.

Gwen Stefani on Sesame Street

Alessia Cara on Sesame Street

Nick Jonas on Sesame Street

Click 'Listen' near the top of this page to hear the full segment.

Produced by ​Ben Edwards

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