Why are there so many songs about Rainbows?
Kermit the frog
Songs 13 and 14 on the list are a package deal. The above quote is not from the below songs, but it is from the same imagination.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (John Denver & The Muppets)
Thankful Heart (Ebenezer Scrooge/Michael Caine)
Jim Henson’s imagination (along with the talents of hundreds of others) has been a part of every year I can remember. Some of my earliest childhood memories are of the Muppet Show, Sesame Street, and then Fraggle Rock. Some of my most recent adulthood memories are the laughs I shared with Kate watching The Muppet Mayhem show this summer.
Reason #278 why Sarah is an amazing life partner is her saint-like patience in watching my Swedish Chef uproarious tear-wiping, fall-down laughter-fit for the hundredth time and still staying with me knowing number 101 is coming eventually.
It was a long time ago but I am pretty positive we owned the John Denver Muppets album. The opening “12 Days of Christmas” Animal shenanigans was hard to leave off the list, but Rolph playing the piano to open this tune is probably my favorite.
The Thankful Heart song is an original tune written for the 1992 Muppets Christmas Carol. Next year’s project might be a review of different movie versions of the Dickens tale, but trust me when I say this version holds up with all of them. Charles Grodin chasing after Miss Piggy was some level of acting, to say the least, but Michael Caine gives his all as Scrooge and carries the familiar arc with awesome sincerity. Especially considering his Bob Cratchit is a frog.
I am so glad to have had these characters in my life to give my imagination the full Peloton + Total Gym workout. The ability to see the world through a childlike lens is something I never want to lose. It is something I want to ensure my kids take with them through all their years.
So the Muppet crew makes the list, with these two gems.
BONUS
Below is a link to the 1987 Muppet Family Christmas Special.
Arguably my favorite Christmas movie/special outside of “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Even Disney+ doesn’t allow access to this treasure. It has been relegated to YouTube due to licensing issues with all the characters and music but thankfully it has been left there for all to enjoy.
Do yourself a favor and add this to your 2024 viewing over the holidays. It’s perfection.
Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow.
Photo by Eugene Zhyvchik on Unsplash
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