Who composed the iconic Sesame Street theme song?

Joe Raposo composed the iconic Sesame Street theme song, “Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?” He was the program’s first music director and helped establish the sophisticated, varied musical style that became one of its signatures.

Raposo wrote the music for the theme, while Jon Stone and Bruce Hart collaborated on the lyrics. The song debuted with Sesame Street in 1969 and has been used as the program’s opening theme throughout its history, although the arrangement has changed many times.

Raposo also wrote or composed many of the show’s best-known songs, including “Bein’ Green,” “C Is for Cookie,” and “Sing.” His work combined jazz, pop, blues, and playful sound effects while remaining accessible to young children. “Sing” later became a major hit for the Carpenters, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973.

A common mix-up is crediting Jim Henson, Jeff Moss, or Carol Hall because each made important contributions to Sesame Street music. Raposo, however, is the composer of the theme melody.