Pinball Number Count

Album: Sesame Street: Songs from the Street, Vol. 3 (1972)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song played with a cartoon that aired regularly on the television show Sesame Street. There were 11 different versions (2 through 12, with no version made for the number 1), all with the same main chorus but different styles of music for the individual numbers - some jazz, some funk, one with music hailing for the Caribbean Islands - eclectic but familiar enough so the children would identify each number with a separate melody. (Think Schoolhouse Rocks but for numbers.)
  • The Pointers were asked to record the series for Sesame Street because at the time, their records were in the style of '40s doo-wop, funk, country, and a little bit of rock - eclectic enough to make them the ideal artist to record such a set of "Auditory Vignettes."
  • This was remixed for the club scene and was a dance hit in 2002. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Rich - West Hollywood, CA, for all above

Comments: 2

  • Patrick from Tallapoosa, GaI have seen the original cartoon. It is very trippy and can be frightening to smaller children.
  • Tom from Atlanta, GaA parody of this cartoon appeared on the FOX sitcom Family Guy (12/18/05). The parody starts out with Stewie saying "you would not believe the morning I've had." The cartoon then begins with Stewie in a plastic ball replacing the actual the pinball in the cartoon. Pretty funny stuff. The cartoon was almost identical to the original.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Richie McDonald of Lonestar

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.