16 of the best-ever musical guests on children's TV
It's a secret long known by dads and moms the world over, but the best bands always go on children's TV shows.
Here, from the sublime (classic Stevie Wonder) to the ridiculous (scantily-clad Katy Perry), the bizarre (Toasted Heretic) to the beautiful (The Roots) is a rundown of our favourites…
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One for the dads out there… ("Hi Elmo! Are you ready to play dress-up?")
This one never made it to broadcast, for obvious reasons. Two very obvious reasons.
Sesame Streeet said: "We use parodies and celebrity segments to interest adults in the show because we know that a child learns best when co-viewing with a parent or care-giver."
Well, they got our attention.
The Rocket Man made many appearances with the Muppets. Here's the one that keeps us hitting repeat.
Sesame St has played host to loads of modern musicians including Will.i.am and Bruno Mars but this one from Canadian singer Feist - who described it as a career highlight - is our favourite. The lovely Leslie, with added chickens, penguins and a banjo.
Perfect.
Actually, this is our favourite on the whole list. With The Roots a close second.
We DARE you to play this and not have it in your head for the rest of the day.
We'd never heard of Tilly and/or her wall before this, but everyone knows the song.
Yo Gabba Gabba is reknowned for its left of centre guest appearances. Here's Philadelphia hip-hop outfit and Jimmy Fallon house band The Roots.
If you haven't seen this… it's really lovely. Honest.
*Plays it again*.
Here's The Ting Tings singing Happy Birthday. We like them. And this song.
Not strictly a guest appearance. But no list of kids' TV musical moments would be complete without it. This won the "People's Voice" award at the 2009 Webby Awards,
The Man in Black had many career highlights. This duet with Miss Piggy is right up there.
This was that moment that some of us decided we wanted to be Julian Gough when we grew up. It is not known what Julian Gough wants to be when he grows up, although for the moment he's making a fair stab at being a writer.
Anyone know when this was?
Fact: Stipe and the boys were joined by a specially-made Muppet meant to represent Kate Pierson of the B-52s.
Six minutes of sheer musical genius. And the kid at 0.35 rocks.
Wayne Coyne fits right in to the psychadelic dreamworld of GabbaLand.
Top comment: "No son of mine is going to grow up thinking an earth worm is an insect!"
The makers of YGG really like their alternative/indie music - other musical guests include Of Montreal, Jimmy Eat World, MGMT and Band of Horses.
Some of the Sesame Street guest appearances are quite bizarre. Take Exhibit A:
And Exhibit B:
And finally…
Alright, not strictly a kids' show. But for one, they are using kids' instruments. And for two, any reason to get The Roots in twice. But what on earth is Questlove playing? We know what it looks like...
Our very very favourite of the many many versions of this song.
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