33 years ago yesterday , The Muppet Moviemade its silver medal screen introduction . Over the opening deferred payment , Kermit dally his banjo in the swamp , spill the beans the now - iconic motif song,“Rainbow Connection . “The song was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song , though it did n’t pull ahead either ; instead it reached # 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart , appeared in every subsequent Muppets cinema , and has been enshroud dozen of times . And it all started with Jim Henson ’s interpreter in a swampland .
Let ’s take a look back at some famed public presentation … after a tiny bit of small beer : On March 27 , 1996 , a New Zealand man invaded a radio station and held its managing director hostage . His main demand ? That the place , Star FM , play " Rainbow Connection . " Before the song could be played , police recapture the post and arrested the valet de chambre . “Who said that every regard would be heard and answered when wished on the morning superstar , " indeed . ( Wakka wakka ! )
The Original
The presentation toThe Muppet Movie . The birdsong was written byPaul WilliamsandKenny Ascher .
Kermit & Debbie Harry
From the Muppet Show , Kermit duets with Debby Harry .
The Carpenters (Demo)
Karen Carpenter recorded this demo for her band in 1981 ; it was n’t complete until twenty years afterwards , when Richard Carpenter completed the arrangement .
Dixie Chicks
Another terrific cover by Dixie Chicks . ( You ’re see their version of " Landslide , " right ? )
Jason Mraz
The video does n’t look great , but the singing is fantastic .
Willie Nelson
This one takes a while to get going , but is worth it .
One for the Geeks
An acid - base titration demonstration , in which a rainbow of colors is created ( and then combined ) as the song make for . Adorable .
