Bein’ Green
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
“Bein’ Green” (also known as “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green”) is a popular song written by Joe Raposo, originally performed by Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog on both Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. It was later covered by Frank Sinatra and other performers.
In the Muppets version, Kermit begins by lamenting his green coloration, expressing that green “blends in with so many ordinary things” and wishing to be some other color. But by the end of the song, Kermit recalls positive associations with the color green, and concludes by accepting and embracing his greenness.
Cover recordings
Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog, various Muppet productions, starting with the The Sesame Street Book & Record in 1970, until 1990 following Henson’s death.
Steve Whitmire as Kermit the Frog, various Muppet productions (1990s–present).
Thurl Ravenscroft, 1970 album Rubber Duckie and Other Songs From Sesame Street
Frank Sinatra, 1971 album Sinatra & Company.
Lena Horne, 1971 album “Nature’s Baby”
Urbie Green, 1972 album Bein’ Green
Buddy Rich, 1972 album Stick It
Van Morrison, 1973 album Hard Nose the Highway
Diana Ross, 1974 album Live at Caesars Palace
Ray Charles, 1975 album Renaissance; this version gained popularity thanks to an episode of The Cosby Show. Charles then sang a duet with Kermit on Sesame Street and The Cher Show and also sang the song on the 1989 special Sesame Street… 20 Years & Still Counting.
Jackie McLean, 1978 album New Wine in Old Bottles.
Keith Harris and Orville the Duck, 1983 single
Mandy Patinkin, 1990 album Dress Casual
Rowlf the Dog, 1993 album Ol’ Brown Ears is Back
Jill O’Hara, 1993 album Jill O’Hara, titled “Green”
Shirley Horn, 1993 album Light Out of Darkness (A Tribute to Ray Charles)
Stan Kenton, 1992 7.5 on the Richter Scale, titled “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green”
Don Henley with Kermit, 1994 album Kermit Unpigged
Mike Campbell, 1994 Easy Chair Jazz;
Vanessa Rubin, 1995 album Vanessa Rubin Sings
Boston Pops Orchestra, 1996 album Wish Upon a Star/All-Time Children’s Favorites
Johnny Lytle, 1997 album Easy Easy, completely instrumental
Tony Bennett, 1998 album The Playground
Bob McGrath, 1998 album Bob’s Favorite Street Songs
Manfred Krug, 2000 album Schlafstörung, titled “Frosches Lied (Bein’ Green)” with German lyrics
Andy Hallett, as Lorne in TV series Angel episode “The House Always Wins”, and on the 2004 soundtrack album, Angel: Live Fast, Die Never
Mark Murphy, 2005 album Once to Every Heart
Oscar the Grouch, 2005 season of Sesame Street
Till Brönner, German jazz bugler, 2005 album That Summer
Audra McDonald, 2006 album Build a Bridge
Sophie Milman, 2007 album Make Someone Happy
Matthew White, Music and Sweet Poetry Agree
Take 6, 2008 album The Standard
Della Reese, recorded the song for her 1973 album “Let Me in Your Life”
Andrew Bird, 2011 tribute/cover album Muppets: The Green Album
Damian McGinty, 2011 episode “Pot O’ Gold” Glee (TV series)
Cee Lo Green and Kermit, 2012 episode The Voice
Brenna Whitaker, 2015 album We Love Disney
Imelda May and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra at a televised live event to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising
Memorial
The song was sung by Big Bird at the two memorial services for Jim Henson in 1990. (In his comedy special No Cure For Cancer, Denis Leary incorrectly mentions, in passing, Kermit singing the song at the Henson funeral as well.