Sesame's Treet

Album: Sesame's Treet (1992)
Charted: 2
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Smart E's was a short-lived production/instrumental group formed by the London trio of DJs/producers Tom Orton, Chris 'Luna C' Howell and Nick Arnold. Their only hit was basically the theme tune for the UK version of the children's TV series Sesame Street on top of some hardcore rave break beats. It was one of a number of novelty "kiddie rave" tracks in Britain during the early 1990s that referenced drug use and clubbers' '70s childhoods. Other tunes in the same vein included "A Trip to Trumpton" by Urban Hype, "Charly" by The Prodigy and "Roobarb And Custard" by Shaft.
  • Howell recalled to Mojo magazine in a 2011 interview that they had few expectations for the song: "Using the Sesame Street theme was just a little joke, it took about six hours to make," he said. "We were surprised people liked it, more surprised when it started getting radio play, then a video, the gigs, the charting, I was over the moon."
  • The song was Smart E's only single to chart. Said Howell to Mojo: "I knew that we would be a one-hit wonder even as the record blew up. When it came to the follow up I argued we should make something very underground. The others were keen to make a more commercial-sounding track. In the end we made something between the two (Loo's Control), it wasn't bad, but it didn't fit anywhere. We also made an album for the US market, and it was every bit as good as you can imagine."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.