It's Not Easy Being Green – Kermit (Muppets)

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It's Not Easy Being Green – Kermit (Muppets)

 

I've some huge heroes in my life and Jim Henson is up near the top of my list.
The concept of The Muppets, probably the craziest bunch of creatures you could dream up, their love and friendship is a great lesson to all young people everywhere. My favourite Muppet has to be Fozzie, but I adore this song sung by Kermit, as voiced by Jim himself. We all think we have it hard in life sometimes, this song sets out to tell us what it's like being green. I think it sums up insecurity and self analysis perfectly, having a puppet sing it makes it accessible to everyone and so non threatening.

The words are so clever, referencing all the great and diverse things that are green makes you realise how important they are. I totally get the lyric about blending into the background and not feeling noticed. But Kermit ends up saying he's happy to be himself which is something I think we all hope for, being safe inside your own skin is one of life's greatest gifts.

The song stands up on it's own, even when you take away the attachment to love-able Kemit. Maybe take a look at what the great Ray Charles did with the song, again someone who would have known prejudice and exclusion. He brings it into the real world and makes it even more honest. Even Ole Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra did a version.

Jim Henson died very young, which was a huge lose to the world, this song was sung at his funeral.

Favourite lyric : It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things / And people tend to pass you over

Location: Rayleigh, UK

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