Bein' Green
Andrew BirdAndrew Bird - Bein’ Green
Submissions Week 2013
Recently, Disney seems to be attempting to revitalize the colorful, zany racket that is the Muppets. In 2001 the wonderfully cheesy movie written by Jason Segal and scored by Bret McKenzie hit the screens, while Muppets: The Green Album hit the shelves. The Green Album is an album of classic Muppets songs covered by modern Artists. OK Go performs the iconic theme song, The Fray growl it out with “Mahna Mahna”, and Andrew Bird contributes one of my favorite recordings ever.
One reason I love it so much is for the message. As it begins, Kermit the Frog bemoans how boring the color of his skin is. However, as the song progresses he finds more and more majestic things that are green until, by the end, he has accepted who he is and is even proud to be green. Andrew Bird takes this message and caresses it with his arrangement, delicately layering sentimental strings, lazy brushed drums, and subtle, nostalgic background tones. Because it’s Andrew Bird, there’s also a wicked whistle solo in the middle, as well as a rad violin solo.
This song is great for lazy afternoons, or if you’re feeling down. I know it’s geared towards naive children, but something about the powerful theme of self-acceptance with Bird’s delivery has never failed to improve my mood. Whenever I feel down or upset this is one of my go-to tracks to bring me back to center.
I hope this song makes your day a little better,
-Chen
