C Is For Cookie, by Joe Raposo, is a song performed by Cookie Monster, a character from the television series Sesame Street. It was first performed on the show on March 28, 1972, although it had been released on record a year previously, on The Muppet Alphabet Album. Along with Kermit's Bein' Green and Bert's Doin' the Pigeon , it is one of the show's most recognisable songs.

Lyrics

At the beginning of C is for Cookie Cookie Monster asks "Now what starts with the letter C?", answering with the reply, "Cookie starts with C!" He then says, "Let's think of other things that starts with C," before casually dismissing their merits, replying "Oh, who cares about the other things?" Several times Cookie Monster emphasizes that "C is for cookie, that's good enough for me!" Furthermore, he compares cookies to partially-eaten round donuts, and Earth's moon during its crescent phase. He concludes by biting into a large cookie.

History

According to the Muppet Central article on the Songs from the Street Boxed Set, "In 1971, Jim Henson and his performers teamed with Jerry Juhl, Joe Raposo and Jeff Moss to write a sketch on each letter of the alphabet"[1]. C is for Cookie derives from this project.

Since then, numerous authorized and unauthorized versions of the song have been produced, including "funky" and "sweet" versions released on the 2003 record Cookie Monster & The Girls [2]. Laura Pace's review of the home video criticized it for "the bizarreness of "C is for Cookie done in Aida-style opera"[3].

Actress Candice Bergen sang the song, when she visited Sesame Street.

Concerned about increased obesity rates in children, PBS has announced that for its 36th season Sesame Street will have Cookie Monster promoting a more healthy approach to diet and nutrition. This will include him singing a new song: "A Cookie Is a Sometimes Food".

Merchandising and licensing

Sheet music of the song has been published by the Hal Leonard Corporation , and others.

The toy "Letter of the Day Cookie Jar" features Cookie Monster saying a short phrase about each letter. For "C", he says "C is for Cookie"

Independent rock band The Independents released "C is for Cookie" as a track on their album "Live From Murder Beach".

References

• Raposo, Joe: C Is For Cookie.
• Pace, Laura: Elmo's World: The Street We Live On.
• Songs from the Street Boxed Set, Muppet Central Articles.
• Website featuring song.
• Cookie Monster Advocates Healthy Eating