Pinball Number Count The Pinball Number Count is a series of animated segments that debuted on " Sesame Street " in episode 0989 ( broadcast on February 22 , 1977 ) . Each entry follows a pinball as it goes through an extravagant pinball machine , while the Pointer Sisters sing a counting song . The lyrics count up to the number twelve , with each segment focusing on a different number . Animation . Animation was made for numbers two through twelve ; a segment for number one was never produced . The “ Pinball Number Count ” segments contain common beginning and ending sequences showing the launch of the pinball into the machine and the exit of the pinball from play , respectively . Between these two sequences are different number - specific animated narrative showing the pinball in play . This middle segment features a scene in which a number of contraptions moved the pinball about the interior of the machine . These scenes are tied to a theme , such as an amusement park , a jungle , a forest , a European medieval area , a desert , US landmarks , international landmarks , a golf course , a circus , a baseball game , and a farm . The segments were produced and animated by Jeff Hale ' s Imagination Inc . The animation was directed by Hale , who also developed the concept and design for the segments . The actual animators included Ernie Fosselius . The animation recalls contemporary psychedelic and pop art styles , typified by the ornate pinball bumpers , colorful geometrical motifs , and whimsical themes and devices inside the machine . In 2010 , a stop - motion remake of the segment done by an Italian animation studio , Florence Animation . The segment was entered in the AniBOOM Awards 4 Sesame Street and was declared the winner and aired during Season 41 , as a part of Episode 4221 . Music . The music for Pinball Number Count was composed by Walt Kraemer , who also served as producer , and was arranged by . The vocals were provided by the Pointer Sisters . The arrangements in the eleven films reflect musical idioms commonly found in 1970s urban culture , predominantly funk and jazz , though other styles including Caribbean steel drum music are also represented . The number - specific middle sections contain one of three different improvised instrumental solos over a basic progression featuring soprano saxophone , electric guitar , and steel drum . The vocals work in similar fashion with wild lines from the Pointers shouting the various numbers from 2 to 12 at different intensities each time the pinball hit a selected target . The 2000 " Sesame Street " home video " Let ' s Make Music " features a segment with Elmo and Telly sitting on the stoop of 123 Sesame Street singing the song accompanied by cast members of the musical " Stomp " using push brooms as instruments . This led into the 12 segment , which had pinball sound effects added . In 2003 , as part of the show ' s 35th anniversary , Sesame Workshop and UK - and Canada - based electronica label Ninja Tune released a 12 - inch vinyl record for the DJ collectors ’ and beat diggers ’ market titled " Solid Steel Presents Sesame Street . " The maxi - single included a new remix of " Pinball Number Count " combining all 11 sketches and all three versions of the solo section into one extended track . Ninja Tune also produced a video remix for the DVD " ZenTV " and , for a limited time , also had a 1 , 280 - by - 1 , 024 - sized computer wallpaper available for downloading . Strictly Kev , part of DJ Food , re - edited the song for the new mix . This reworked and remastered DJ Food edit was featured on the " " collection ; according to producer / composer Walt Kraemer , this was because a clean master track of the original recording did not exist . The remix video was released as a bonus feature on " What ' s the Name of That Song ? " and " " . Pentatonix perform an a capella cover of the song in a Season 44 insert as part of their " Number Medley . " Releases . Although mentioned in the packaging and promotional material for " " , " Pinball Number Count " is not actually included on the set . Sources . _ _ NOWYSIWYG _ _