Sesamstraat Thema Sesamstraat Theme is the opening theme song of " Sesamstraat " . The song was originally sung by a chorus of kids . The song has been remade a number of times over the years not only for the show ' s opening and closing credits , but also for inserts . One of the earliest and most distinctive versions includes a harmonica solo performed by Toots Thielemans . But there was also a kind of reggae version , instrumental version and mid 80 ' s it was sung by Frank and kids . Openings . Unlike the original " Sesame Street " , nearly every season features a different intro sequence for the " Sesamstraat " theme song . The first variation ( used only for the first season ) was a translated version by Ton Hasebos of the original " Sesame Street " Theme . The original intro sequence that was accompanied , featured stop - motion animated cut - outs of the Sesame Street Muppets , and of course Pino and Tommie . This variation of the song also mentioned the two networks , which cooperated with the show at the time : NOS ( Dutch ) and BRT ( Belgian ) . ( " Sesamstraat " was later broadcast by only NOS beginning in 1983 , NPS from 1994 until 2010 , and NTR since 2010 . ) Half of the lyrics from the original theme ( without the mention of the networks from the second half ) were re - used again only for the third season in 1979 , while the show later re - altered the lyrics for the fourth season in 1980 . The second and fifth seasons ( from 1977 and 1981 , respectively ) only used instrumental arrangements for their intro sequences . During the 6th season in 1982 , the theme was played in F major and the lyrics were altered again , this time , written by Hans Dorrestijn . These included " Laat je speelgoed staan voor " Sesamstraat " " ( put your toys aside for " Sesamstraat " ) , implying that watching TV was more important than playing . A press release brought up a complaint over the theme song in the early 1980 ' s . Children tried to sing along with Frank ( who sang the theme for the eighth season ) , but couldn ' t reach the high pitch ; this led to a key change from F major to C major . In 1984 , the eighth season updated the theme ( now reverted back to C major ) with a reggae - style beat . It remained in use for twenty years until 2004 , making it the longest - running version of the theme used on the show , although it was modified in 1991 ( with Tommie singing , instead of Frank ) , 1994 ( again with Tommie , this time , joined by Pino and Ieniemienie ) , and 1997 ( with a synthesized update to the instrumental soundtrack , and sung by the kids who cheer at the beginning ) . After the 27th season briefly introduced a salsa version in 2004 , season 28 created an upbeat remix of the theme performed in D major . It was remixed again for season 31 . This lasted until 2010 , when yet again a triumphant - sounding version was reverted back to C major . In 2013 , the lyrics were re - altered for the first time since 1982 , this time , without the mention of " putting your toys away " . Apart from the intro sequences , instrumental versions of the theme song were used during the early 1980s as background music or introductions for street scenes . Closings . The closing theme is a shortened instrumental version of the opening theme . Like the opening , the closing has changed many times throughout the show ' s run . Most of the closings involved the whole cast waving goodbye to the viewers . During the first season , the credits were displayed on a varying - colored background . Unlike the rest of the show ' s run , a harmonica solo performed by Toots Thielemans plays ; this piece was often used at the beginning of the first street scene of several American " Sesame Street " episodes from 1969 to 1992 . The original closing sequence would end with an illustration of Cookie , Ernie , Bert and Grover poking out of a curtain with the Sesamstraat sign ( with a bit of the sign bitten off by Cookie Monster ) and the BRN and NOS logos . ( A similar illustration was also used at the end of the 1980s closing for the Japanese co - production with the Sesame Street sign and the NHK logo . ) During season 6 , the closing showed the Sesamstraat residents walking home together at night . For season 7 , the closing is a pan - out shot of the street , with the lights slowly turning off , as the boy from the opening rides home on his tricycle . Unlike most seasons , the 7th season ' s ending features a full instrumental version of the opening , as opposed to an instrumental version of the " last part " of the opening , ( which plays twice during the sixth season ' s ending , due to its length ) . During season 8 , when Frank did the theme , three different characters would wave goodnight at you one by one in the center of a black background , surrounded by waving hands . For seasons 12 and 31 - 34 , the closing showed the cast waving goodbye from a table , while enjoying a meal . There were also three different closings that showed everyone in bed . During season 5 , the cast were shown together in one big bed while the visiting kids run back home . For seasons 9 - 10 , three different characters were shown apart from the street and sleeping in their own homes . ( Like season 8 , each episode showed three different characters . ) When season 28 came , the beds were all in the centre of the street . Audio releases . All versions released are performed by kids , unless otherwise noted . _ _ NOWYSIWYG _ _