Wiktor Wise
The Electric Company was an American educational children's television series that aired from 1971 to 1977. The show was created to help elementary school children develop their grammar and reading skills through sketch comedy and other devices. The show's extensive cast included Morgan Freeman, Rita Moreno, Bill Cosby, Judy Graubart, Lee Chamberlin, and Skip Hinnant. One of the show's popular songs was about a father and son, with the father singing, Spend Spend Spend, you're spending too much money, Lend lend lend...... This song, along with many others, left a lasting impression on the viewers, with some recalling the songs even after 30 years. The song Spend was performed by Morgan Freeman, who played the father in the song-sketch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the show | The Electric Company |
| Year(s) the show aired | 1971 to 1977 |
| Theme song singer | Giancarlo Esposito |
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What You'll Learn
The Pointer Sisters sang the theme song
The Pointer Sisters, a R&B/soul vocal group of four sisters, comprised of June, Bonnie, Anita, and Ruth Pointer, were already established musicians by the time they sang the theme song for The Electric Company. They had been performing and recording music since the late 1960s and had gained recognition for their soulful and harmonious sound. Their talent and popularity only grew over time, and they went on to have a successful music career spanning several decades.
The Electric Company's theme song, performed by The Pointer Sisters, captured the energy and spirit of the show. It likely featured catchy melodies and upbeat lyrics that reflected the show's focus on education and entertainment. The song may have highlighted the importance of learning and the joy of discovery, aligning with the show's goal of making learning fun for its young audience. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the exact lyrics of the theme song as performed by The Pointer Sisters.
The Pointer Sisters' contribution to The Electric Company's theme song added to the show's appeal and helped set the tone for each episode. Their involvement also showcased the show's commitment to featuring talented performers and creating a memorable viewing experience for children. While The Pointer Sisters are known for their later hits like "I'm So Excited" and "Jump (For My Love)," their work on The Electric Company remains a beloved part of the show's legacy.
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Lin-Manuel Miranda sang on the reboot
Lin-Manuel Miranda is an American songwriter, actor, singer, filmmaker, rapper, composer, and librettist. He is known for creating the Broadway musicals In the Heights (2005) and Hamilton (2015), and for writing the soundtracks for the animated films Moana (2016), Vivo, and Encanto (both 2021). Miranda also sang the song "We Know the Way" in Moana and recorded a duet of the song "You're Welcome", which was played over the film's end credits.
Miranda's television work includes recurring roles on The Electric Company (2009–2010) and His Dark Materials (2019–2022). He was a composer and actor on the 2009 revival of The Electric Company, and sang "Silent E is a Ninja" on the reboot. Miranda's work on The Electric Company was one of his first forays into television, and it exposed many people to his music for the first time. The Electric Company was one of the first PBS Kids shows to utilize hip-hop and take advantage of its New York setting. Miranda's songs on the show, including "Silent E is a Ninja", were well-received, and he has been praised for his ability to use his smart words and the power of rap to educate children.
The Electric Company is an American educational children's television series that aired from 1971 to 1977 and was later rebooted in 2009. The show employed sketch comedy and various other devices to provide an entertaining program to help elementary school children develop their grammar and reading skills. Miranda's role on the 2009 reboot of The Electric Company is consistent with the show's goal of educating children in an entertaining way, as he is known for his ability to create engaging and educational content through music.
In addition to his work on The Electric Company, Miranda has had several other television roles. He made a small appearance on The Sopranos in 2007 and played Juan "Alvie" Alvarez on House in 2009-2010. He has also contributed music to various other projects, including the Disney film Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and the Disney Channel's 2017 reboot of DuckTales, in which he also voiced the character Fenton "Gizmoduck" Crackshell-Cabrera. Miranda's talent for creating captivating and educational music has had a significant impact on children's television and has inspired generations of artists.
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Tom Lehrer wrote 10 songs for the series
The American educational children's TV series, The Electric Company, featured songs written by Tom Lehrer. Lehrer wrote ten songs for the series, which aired from 1971 to 1977. The show was produced by the Children's Television Workshop (CTW), now known as Sesame Workshop, and was intended for children who had graduated from CTW's flagship program, Sesame Street.
Lehrer was a musical satirist who found success with his debut album, 'Songs by Tom Lehrer', which was recorded in 1953 and sold for $3.50. Despite radio stations refusing to play his songs due to their controversial subjects, Lehrer's records became popular through word of mouth. By the end of the 1950s, he had sold 370,000 records.
Lehrer's songs for The Electric Company included "L-Y" and "Silent E", which were included as bonus tracks on the CD release of his album. However, it is unclear if these songs were among the ten he wrote for the series. The Electric Company also featured songs by other writers, such as Clark Gesner, who wrote several songs, including most of the sign songs, and Eric Rogers, who composed the music for the show's theme song.
The Electric Company was notable for its use of sketch comedy and early computer-generated imagery, particularly the Scanimate system, to help elementary school children develop their grammar and reading skills in an entertaining way. The show's cast included well-known performers such as Morgan Freeman, Rita Moreno, and Bill Cosby.
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Gary William Friedman composed music for 260 episodes
The American educational children's television series, The Electric Company, aired from 1971 to 1977. The show, produced by the Children's Television Workshop, employed sketch comedy and other devices to help elementary school children develop their grammar and reading skills. The Electric Company featured an extensive cast of well-known performers, including Morgan Freeman, Rita Moreno, and Bill Cosby.
Gary William Friedman, an American musical theatre, symphonic, film, and television composer, served as the music director for The Electric Company. Friedman wrote over 60 songs for the show, including the popular "Spider-Man Theme Song". In total, Friedman composed music for 260 episodes of the series.
Friedman's career began in the 1960s in New York City, where he worked as a saxophonist in an improvisational ensemble and as a composer for experimental theatre. His first major success came in 1970 with the musical The Me Nobody Knows, which won the Obie Award for Best Music in a Musical and received five Tony Award nominations. Following this success, Friedman went on to compose scores for numerous American films and television series, including Full Moon High (1981) and Bump in the Night (1991).
In addition to his work in film and television, Friedman has also created orchestral, operatic, and dance works. His compositions have been commissioned and performed at renowned venues and festivals, including the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Lancaster Music Festival, and the Columbus Symphony. Friedman's liturgical works, such as An American S'Lichot, a Hebrew choral and orchestral piece, are performed annually at synagogues across the United States.
Friedman's versatility as a composer and his contributions to the world of music have been widely recognized, solidifying his place in the industry.
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Joe Raposo was the musical director for the first three seasons
Joe Raposo was a composer and songwriter who served as the musical director for the first three seasons of "The Electric Company." The show was a children's educational television series produced by the Children's Television Workshop (CTW), now known as Sesame Workshop. It aired from 1971 to 1977 and aimed to help elementary school children develop their grammar and reading skills through sketch comedy and other innovative techniques.
Raposo was a talented musician who contributed songs throughout the show's run, until 1977. He was known for his ability to replicate the tonal quality and playback cadence of the 20th-century self-operating player piano when composing and performing on grand, baby grand, or upright pianos. This unique style became a trademark of his work, and he brought a diverse range of musical styles to the show.
Raposo's work extended beyond "The Electric Company." He composed music for several other shows, films, and documentaries. He worked on projects such as "Three's Company," "The Possession of Joel Delaney," "Savages," and "America Is," for which he also served as the on-screen narrator. Additionally, Raposo collaborated with Jim Henson and wrote songs for Muppets specials and characters like Kermit the Frog.
Raposo's musical talent was recognized during his lifetime, earning him five Grammys and numerous gold and platinum records. Even after his death in 1989, his legacy continued, and he was posthumously awarded the Special Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 1989. Raposo's songs remained a part of "The Electric Company" and "Sesame Street," with his name appearing in the credits for original songs up to Season 40.
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Frequently asked questions
Giancarlo Esposito sang the theme song for The Electric Company.
The Pointer Sisters also sang the theme song.
Yes, Morgan Freeman sang a song with one of the kids on the show.
The song was about a father and son, with the son asking his father for money to buy him a birthday present.
Lin-Manuel Miranda sang on the reboot of The Electric Company.
