The People in Your Neighborhood

"The People in Your Neighborhood" has been performed on Sesame Street many times, sung by many different characters. The song focuses on occupations, with each variation focusing on different jobholders, usually portrayed by Anything Muppets. During its first few performances, the Anything Muppets were given job-specific costumes before they sang their verses. By the end of season 1 this was replaced by the singer bantering with the Muppets, usually accompanied with groan-worthy jokes and puns.
Bob originated the song and performed the majority of versions on the show. It has also been performed by other human cast members, such as David, Maria, or Olivia. Occasionally, Muppet characters like Ernie or Placido Flamingo would perform a special variation of the tune. The version heard on most album releases is the postman and firefighter version recorded for the original cast album.
Bob also sang this song with celebrities such as Martina Navratilova, Barbara Walters and Ralph Nader in Sesame Street, Special, as well as in Episode 4031. The song was also performed in the Sesame Street Live shows A Sesame Street Mystery: The Case of the Missing Rara Avis and Elmo Makes Music.
==Versions==
Picture 	Singers / First Appearance 	Description 	
 	Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0023 	Postman (Jim Henson) and Fireman (Frank Oz) 	
 	Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0045 	Garbage Man (Jim Henson) and Barber (Frank Oz) 	
 	Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0067 	Grocer (Jim Henson) and Doctor (Frank Oz) 	
 	Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0106 	Dentist (Jim Henson) with his patient (Daniel Seagren)Behind the scenes photo and Bus Driver (Frank Oz)Behind the scenes photo 	
 	Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0208 	Baker (Jim Henson) and Shoemaker (Jerry Nelson) 	
 	Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0276 	Teachers (Frank Oz and Jerry Nelson) and Newsdealer (Jim Henson) 	
 	Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0436 	Cleaner (Frank Oz) and Shoemaker (Jerry Nelson) 	
 	Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0696 	Butcher (Jim Henson) and Zookeeper (Richard Hunt) 	
 	David and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0718 	Librarian (Jim Henson) and Plumber (Richard Hunt) 	
 	Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0817 	Oil Man (Richard Hunt) and Street Cleaner (Frank Oz) 	
 	Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0852 	Moving Man (Jim Henson) and Hot Dog Man (Frank Oz) 	
 	Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0892 	Fisherman (Richard Hunt) and Farmer (Jerry Nelson) 	
 	Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0901 	Florist (Frank Oz) and Electrician (Jerry Nelson) 	
 	Bob, Grover, and an Anything MuppetEpisode 0903 	Crossing Guard (Richard Hunt) and Waiter (Grover) 	
 	Maria and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0939 	Pilot (Jerry Nelson) and Nurse (Fran Brill) 	
 	Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0951 	Lifeguard (Fran Brill) and Carpenter (Jim Henson) 	
 	Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0965 	TV Repairman (Jim Henson) and Clock Maker (Jerry Nelson) 	
 	Bob, Linda, and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 0996 	Elevator Operator (Frank Oz) and Pharmacist (Jerry Nelson) 	
 	Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 1019 	Exterminator (Richard Hunt) and Window Washer (Jim Henson) 	
 	Olivia and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 1028 	Veterinarian (Jerry Nelson) and Taxi Driver (Jim Henson) 	
 	Gordon and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 1061 	Park Attendant (Jim Henson) and Garage Mechanic (Jerry Nelson) 	
 	Olivia and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 1161 	Babysitter (Jim Henson) and Photographer (Olga Felgemacher) 	
 	Maria and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 1173 	Painter (Olga Felgemacher) and Milkman (Jim Henson) 	
 	Maria and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 1183 	Motorman (Jim Henson) and Telephone Repairman (Frank Oz) 	
 	Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 2146 	Dentist (David Rudman), with his Patient (Kevin Clash), and Bus Driver (Jim Henson)(remake) 	
 	Bob (in 1700s outfit) and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 2294 	Candlemaker (Richard Hunt) and Saddler (Kevin Clash) with George Washington (Jim Henson) and a Horse (Martin P. Robinson) 	
 	Ben Stiller, Telly Monster, and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 3812 	Cable Guy (Joey Mazzarino), Letter Carrier (Stephanie D'Abruzzo), and Cheese (Ben in costume)(written by Joey Mazzarino) 	
 	Jon Batiste, Elmo, Abby, Rosita, Zoe, and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 5202 	Sanitation Worker (Stephanie D'Abruzzo), Grocer (Abby), Doctor (Rosita), Nurse (Zoe), and Crossing Guard (Martin P. Robinson) 	
Street Scenes/Stories	Street Scenes/Stories 	Street Scenes/Stories 	Street Scenes/Stories
Picture 	Singers / Episode 	Description 	
 	Olivia, David, and a Fat Blue Anything Muppet (Kevin Clash)Episode 2023 	Photographer and Storekeeper; sung in front of Hooper's Store. 
Brief clip included in the timeline from The Street We Live On, but incorrectly cited as 1974 (as Olivia wouldn't first appear until 1976).	
 	Hoots the Owl and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 2619 	Night Watchman, Baker, Actress, Firefighter and Policeman 	
 	Young Bob and the Anything MuppetsEpisode 2621 	Fire Fighter (Martin P. Robinson) and Letter Carrier (Camille Bonora) 	
 	Bob and a GrouchEpisode 2648 	The Break-It Grouch 	
 	BobEpisode 2687 	Archaeologist 	
 	The Anything MuppetsEpisode 2736 	Doctor (Camille Bonora) and Astronaut (David Rudman) 	
 	Big Bird, Gina, Ms. Camp, Lulu, and a HorseEpisode 4008 	Veterinarian, Horse, and Letter Carrier 	
 	Chris and an Anything MuppetEpisode 4136 	Gym Teacher, Salesperson (Joey Mazzarino), Dancer, and a job at Hooper's Store(lyrics by Joey Mazzarino) 	
Specials and Other 	Specials and Other 	Specials and Other 	Specials and Other
Picture 	Singers / Production 	Description 	
 	Bob, Barbara Walters, Martina Navratilova and Ralph NaderSesame Street, Special 	News Correspondent, Tennis Player, and Consumer Advocate 	
 	Yoav, Jeremy Miller, and the Natives of IsraelShalom Sesame: Chanukah 	Miller, Blacksmith, and Olive Crushers(lyrics by Louise Gikow) 	
 	Roberta Flack and the MuppetsThe Rosie O'Donnell Show 	Postman (Joey Mazzarino) 	
 	Human CastElmopalooza 	Gordon, Susan, Bob, Gina, and Mr. Handford sing a brief portion of the song as part of a medley. 	
 	Maria, Abelardo Montoya, Lola, Pancho, Multimuppet, and MultimonstruoPlaza SésamoEpisode 918 	Postman and Fireman 	
 	Santino Fontana, Elmo, and the Mormon Tabernacle ChoirChristmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir	Clarinetist, Dancer, Choir 	
 	Rosita and GroverTiny Desk Concerts 	Musicians, Reporter, Producer 	
 	Rosita, Elmo, Mr. Johnson, and Abby CadabbyA Swingin' Sesame Street Celebration 	Grocer, Doctor, Orchestra 	
 	Nile Rodgers, Grover, and ErnieSesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration 	Grocer and Doctor 	
center 	Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and GroverCaring for Each Other 	EMT, Grocer, Doctor/Nurse, and PharmacistChorus changed from "people in your neighborhood" to "heroes in your neighborhood." 	
 	AJR and the Anything MuppetsNot-Too-Late Show episode 207 	"Heroes In Your Neighborhood" variation with a sanitation worker (Stephanie D'Abruzzo), grocer (Tyler Bunch), and doctor (Jennifer Barnhart), with lyrics by Andrew Moriarty	
 	Alan, Elmo, and Ji-YoungSee Us Coming Together 	Bus Driver, Hula Dancer, TeachersA different version was made for a YouTube video. 	
 	Ernie and BertElle 	The last song Ernie and Bert sing during a game of "Song Association." 	
==Variations==
* Ernie once sang a variation of this song titled "The Insects In Your Neighborhood." Placido Flamingo sang a similar variation in Episode 2754.
* In Episode 2395, Mr. Snuffleupagus portrays the stegosaurus in a play written and narrated by Big Bird, and he sings "A Stegosaurus is a Person in Your Neighborhood" each time he enters and exits.
* Olivia performs a bird-themed version of the song at Birdland in Episode 2442.
* Placido Flamingo also sang another variation of this song in Episode 2587, "The Bugs in Your Neighborhood," along with Bob in a spider outfit and a Muppet bumblebee (Camille Bonora).
* In Episode 3367, Ruthie makes good use of a fish given to her by Wolfgang the Seal by putting hats on them (namely construction worker and nurse hats) and singing a little something called "The Fish in Your Neighborhood."
* In Episode 3661, Big Bird gives a tour of the street to a family potentially moving in. He sings a variation of the song, naming the different "Places in Our Neighborhood."
* In Episode 3805, Bob sang a variation of this song about the letter Z being "A Letter in your Alphabet."
* "The Computers in Your Neighborhood" was sung by Elmo in Episode 3880. The song asks where computers can be found, and Elmo learns from Farley and Mrs. Turow that they are in libraries and schools. 
* On the program Let's Get Ready!, a dalmatian sings a variation called "Who Helps You When There's an Emergency?" to Grover and Rosita, backed by some kids off-camera. They sing about the work of the teacher, the fireman, and the doctor.
* The song was incorporated in a Sesame medley at the 2009 Daytime Emmy Awards, where the cast sings about soap opera actors, cooking show hosts, talk show hosts and game show hosts.
* At the Jim Henson's Musical World concert, Bob and the Sesame Street cast sang the song which featured a new verse about the conductor.
* Murray Monster and Ovejita find people in the neighborhood in a series of tune-ins in Season 43. Murray sings a rap tune inspired by the titular song, while the original song appears as background music during the segments.
* During The Jim Henson Retrospectacle Live in Concert, another version of the song was performed by Bret McKenzie (representing a composer), two Anything Muppets (as a writer and director) and Grover (as a puppeteer).
* A rap version sung by Daveed Diggs, Grover, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird was sung in a 2021 DoorDash commercial.
==Other uses==
* The song was used as the introduction for a series of segments by William Wegman, featuring his Weimeraner dogs.
* The song was used as the score during the opening of the street story in Episode 4301.
* The tune was also used as a part of the score in One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure as Hu Hu Zhu takes a tour of Sesame Street.
* The song inspired an insert used in Episode 4920, in which Elmo, Abby Cadabby and Rosita take the "People in Your Neighborhood Challenge." The three sing the chorus of the song during the beginning of the segment.
* Mama Bear and the Monsters are heard playing the song during the Sesame Street Jazz Festival in Episode 5504.
===Non-Muppet performances===
* Bob McGrath performed this on Bob's Favorite Street Songs, with a Dixieland band replacing professions, and Bob explaining the instruments within it.
* In 2015, members of the news team of NJTV, New Jersey's public TV network, sang this song in a promo for the network.
* In 2017, a commercial for the Jordan Peele directed film Get Out used a slow sung version. 
==Notes==
* When Ralph Nader performed the song with Bob during his special guest appearance in Sesame Street, Special, Nader insisted on singing the grammatically correct "the people whom you meet each day," rather than the original "the people that you meet each day." The producers agreed to this change, but in the end the original lyric was used.Borgelnict, David Sesame Street Unpaved page 150
* Lyrics to this song were included in The Sesame Street Book & Record, The Sesame Street Song Book, Sesame Street Unpaved and The Sesame Street Book of People and Things.
* This song was once referenced in The Electric Company. When Big Bird visits Fargo North and gets help translating his scrambled message, he then asks Fargo how to get to Sesame Street. Fargo tells him to find a bus driver, to which Big Bird answers "I know the bus driver. He's a person in my neighborhood."
==Releases==
;Audio
* The Sesame Street Book & Record (1970)
* People in Your Neighborhood/Somebody Come and Play (single, 1970) (includes two extra verses, with a garbage man and a grocer)
* 60 Favorite Songs from Sesame Street (1975)
* 25 Greatest Hits (1975)
* Five People in My Family/People in Your Neighborhood (single, 1976)
* What Time Is It on Sesame Street? (1977)
* The People in Your Neighborhood (1980)
* Platinum All-Time Favorites (1995)
* Songs from the Street: 35 Years of Music (2003)
*All-Time Favorites 1 (2018)
;Publications
* Sesame Street Songbook Vol. 1
* The Sesame Street Songbook (1971, 1992 and 2007 editions)
* Songs of Sesame Street (1977)
==See also==
* The People in Your Neighborhood (disambiguation)
==Sources==
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Category:Sesame Street Songs