A masterpiece of puppetry and a masterpiece of singing. Cleo Laine's voice was a musical instrument of phenomenal versatility honed by Johnny Dankworth. I saw this the first time it was aired and always enjoy watching it with a lump in my throat.
As a small kid I vividly remember watching this and being profoundly affected by the puppetry--it was poignantly tragic, faintly creepy, and inexplicably unsettling...it has haunted me to this day! For a kids' show to convey a deep sense of love, death, loss, & melancholy, just thru puppets (!) was an artistic coup. I was only like 6 and had to go sulk by myself after I saw it, couldn't handle it. As an adult, watching it again, it's fascinating. Still creepily tragic. So glad I found it...
Exactly the same for me. It haunts me also every time I hear the song sung by anyone. I can't believe I was able to find this UA-cam. I wish it was clearer.
I was just telling my wife about it this morning. I carry the impact this had on me as a child to this day. It drew out a well of empathy I don't think I was actively aware of before that moment.
Sorry you had that experience as mine was completely the opposite. I found it enchanting and as a child with a child's mind I found the puppetry to symbolize forever love which is so rare but I have held this video in my heart until I meant it for someone I could spend forever with.
I still remember the time i watched it. It was 1989. I was 8. Remember crying when he died... those memories... Thank you Cleo Laine for the music... and beautiful arrangement...
I remember watching this with my Daddy. We used to watch the show every Friday evening. This is one of my favorite Bread songs. My Daddy has been gone for almost 20 years. I miss him so much.
i remember seeing this muppet show episode when it first aired and i cried like a baby, pretty much like i'm doing right now. loved cleo's version of the bread classic and it along with bruce schwartz' puppetry gives this song a new and deeper poignancy. thank you so much makilotus for posting; it brought back bittersweet childhood memories!
When I hear this song, I always think of these puppets, and cry. 😭 I was just a little kid, and it shredded my heart, but was beautiful at the same time. ❤
I remember this seen, in The Muppet Show! The song "IF" became my ol'time favorite song because of this scene in The Muppet Show! Thanks for uploading this! Truly, a classic!
I used to watch The Muppet Show in the 70's but the only thing I remembered was that I loved watching it so I decided to watch it again, and I'm glad I did, this melody sung by Cleo Laine and the guest puppeteer captured my heart
James Frase-White The first time I saw this episode and this segment, when I noticed the stars "going out" I had a HUNCH that this was the song she was going to sing, because that's a line in the song. Also is the woman puppet supposed to me a likeness of Ms. Lane? Sure looks like it.
Thank you! Cleo Laine singing If on the Muppet Show has been in my mind and heart ever since I first saw it when I was a kid. It's one of those things that always brings good old memories back.
Oh you have NO IDEA how much seeing this Muppet video meant to me - I am at a low ebb in my life at 77 and when I watched this on the Muppet show over FORTY YEARS ago--it touched me to my soul's core. I always remembered it and reviewing it forty years later...just reinforces its effect on me. Bless you, MakiLotus. I also agree with your 'take' on the "new" Muppet shows and movies--it's now controlled by Disney enterprises and they are corrupt and degenerate to the core. Thank God for UA-cam not removing your comments or delightfully innocent video!
This is the one! Thank you for posting. I remember this from so long ago. It is a beautiful performance. Never left my mind. I'm glad I found it. Unforgettable. Thank you.
that song was beautiful and it had those puppets to go with it. reminds me of Harley mourning for Joker's death in puppet version. seriously, i love that song
I've been looking all over for this video....thank you so much for putting it up here! I was mesmerized when it first aired and find it still holds up beautifully! Ms. Laine is even more beautiful than I remembered her to be. The puppetry is stunning...just chokes me up...thanks! :)
Thank you for posting this. I searched and searched over the years for this episode and couldn't find it. I couldn't remember who sang it. For some reason, I had it in my head it was Judy Collins. This had a big impact on me when I first saw it as a teenager and an equally poignant impact 40 years later.
@rjzgirl No problem! ^^ It's a very beautiful song, one of my favorites, and the puppetry in the background is amazing, I had to share it. Anyway, it's episode 16 of season 2. MultiMumpitz has all the Muppet Show episodes up, but buy the dvds, too, please.
Those who dislike this were those that were born later. They regret not having lived it for the first time. I was glad to have found it 40 years later. Thank you. & Thanks, UA-cam. You bought back a past emotion. 🙏
+Chris Mulwee This version is similar to the one she does with John Williams. watch?v=jjTJF5jYPP0 Not exactly the same, but extremely close. And sorry it took me four months to reply. xD For some reason comments for my older videos don't appear in my inbox.
You might be missing the fact that this was a memorial performance after Henson passed away, and rushing a song to remember someone you only lose once makes less sense than being in the slow motion of grief. Or you've never grieved. A lovely innocence to maintain while you can.
A masterpiece of puppetry and a masterpiece of singing. Cleo Laine's voice was a musical instrument of phenomenal versatility honed by Johnny Dankworth. I saw this the first time it was aired and always enjoy watching it with a lump in my throat.
It left me with a vivid memory. Greatly appreciated. 🙏
As a small kid I vividly remember watching this and being profoundly affected by the puppetry--it was poignantly tragic, faintly creepy, and inexplicably unsettling...it has haunted me to this day! For a kids' show to convey a deep sense of love, death, loss, & melancholy, just thru puppets (!) was an artistic coup. I was only like 6 and had to go sulk by myself after I saw it, couldn't handle it. As an adult, watching it again, it's fascinating. Still creepily tragic. So glad I found it...
Exactly the same for me. It haunts me also every time I hear the song sung by anyone. I can't believe I was able to find this UA-cam. I wish it was clearer.
I was a few years older, but I had much the same reaction.
I was just telling my wife about it this morning. I carry the impact this had on me as a child to this day. It drew out a well of empathy I don't think I was actively aware of before that moment.
You must have been an intelligent and sensitive kid. That can be very hard to handle when too young to understand what's at play.
Sorry you had that experience as mine was completely the opposite. I found it enchanting and as a child with a child's mind I found the puppetry to symbolize forever love which is so rare but I have held this video in my heart until I meant it for someone I could spend forever with.
I still remember the time i watched it. It was 1989. I was 8. Remember crying when he died... those memories... Thank you Cleo Laine for the music... and beautiful arrangement...
I remembered this as a kid. God,it's just as I recall😊
I remember watching this with my Daddy. We used to watch the show every Friday evening. This is one of my favorite Bread songs. My Daddy has been gone for almost 20 years. I miss him so much.
i remember seeing this muppet show episode when it first aired and i cried like a baby, pretty much like i'm doing right now. loved cleo's version of the bread classic and it along with bruce schwartz' puppetry gives this song a new and deeper poignancy. thank you so much makilotus for posting; it brought back bittersweet childhood memories!
When I hear this song, I always think of these puppets, and cry. 😭 I was just a little kid, and it shredded my heart, but was beautiful at the same time. ❤
I remember this seen, in The Muppet Show! The song "IF" became my ol'time favorite song because of this scene in The Muppet Show! Thanks for uploading this! Truly, a classic!
I used to watch The Muppet Show in the 70's but the only thing I remembered was that I loved watching it so I decided to watch it again, and I'm glad I did, this melody sung by Cleo Laine and the guest puppeteer captured my heart
The music, Cleo's voice, the puppets,,,this is so perfect. One of the most beautiful, moving performances i've ever seen
I remember watching this when it was first shown, I am not ashamed to say, I was in tears. So beautifully done.
so good to see it again; a beautiful tribute to Jim Henson, in his memory
James Frase-White This was BEFORE Jim died.
I know, that is why it is a tribute to him and the gift he gave us through his work.
James Frase-White The first time I saw this episode and this segment, when I noticed the
stars "going out" I had a HUNCH that this was the song she was going to sing, because that's a line in the song. Also is the woman puppet supposed to me a likeness of Ms. Lane? Sure looks like it.
Thank you! Cleo Laine singing If on the Muppet Show has been in my mind and heart ever since I first saw it when I was a kid. It's one of those things that always brings good old memories back.
I love when beautiful music ....
For me.. it keeps me alive, for one more day..
Oh you have NO IDEA how much seeing this Muppet video meant to me - I am at a low ebb in my life at 77 and when I watched this on the Muppet show over FORTY YEARS ago--it touched me to my soul's core. I always remembered it and reviewing it forty years later...just reinforces its effect on me. Bless you, MakiLotus.
I also agree with your 'take' on the "new" Muppet shows and movies--it's now controlled by Disney enterprises and they are corrupt and degenerate to the core. Thank God for UA-cam not removing your comments or delightfully innocent video!
Thank you s much for posting this- it's stayed with me for 30 years now & yeah, it's hard to find!
i love it.williams, lane and schwartz together are so moving that even my evil heavy metal heart melts away.world masterclass entertainment.bravo
My mother always recounts this scene from The Muppet Show when listening to the song "If".
Thank you for this. I remember watching this years ago for it's beauty and sadness. And I love Cleo Laine.
thank you..in memory of my son..he loved this show...we watched it all the time...tears..and joy..
Rest in peace mom childhood memories with you... thank you for being my mother 💔
This is the one! Thank you for posting. I remember this from so long ago. It is a beautiful performance. Never left my mind. I'm glad I found it. Unforgettable. Thank you.
If this song, and this performance, do not live until our species ceases to exist, I will personally eat my computer.
I have always loved this and been very touched by it - simply extraordinary blend of words, music and visual - beautiful!!
I never forgot this, finding it was difficult but do worth it. thank you so much for posting
Yeah.. It's one of those Muppet moments that's impossible to forget. You're welcome.
that song was beautiful and it had those puppets to go with it.
reminds me of Harley mourning for Joker's death in puppet version.
seriously, i love that song
Thank you so much. I never forgot this. :-)
Thank you for posting this. I saw it when it aired and I never forgot it.
So beautiful. Thanks for putting it up where the rest of us can find it.
Thank you so much. I couldn't find too.
Love this version. By the world's best singer. It's the only song I want played at my funeral.
How sweet. God Bless You.
I've been looking all over for this video....thank you so much for putting it up here! I was mesmerized when it first aired and find it still holds up beautifully! Ms. Laine is even more beautiful than I remembered her to be. The puppetry is stunning...just chokes me up...thanks! :)
That was a delightful performance.
Maravilloso ¡¡¡ Recuerdo cuando lo vi por primera vez cuando era niño....por fin lo encontré , gracias por compartirlo maki . GRACIAS ¡
Jon❤
Thank you for posting this. I searched and searched over the years for this episode and couldn't find it. I couldn't remember who sang it. For some reason, I had it in my head it was Judy Collins. This had a big impact on me when I first saw it as a teenager and an equally poignant impact 40 years later.
Thank you so much for uploading this video.
Thank you, a beautiful piece !
When reading the lyrics directly, it suggests the theory of the latter half of the century. I feel serious and fond memories of love.
Very moving.
@rjzgirl No problem! ^^ It's a very beautiful song, one of my favorites, and the puppetry in the background is amazing, I had to share it. Anyway, it's episode 16 of season 2. MultiMumpitz has all the Muppet Show episodes up, but buy the dvds, too, please.
Who dislikes this video? D8 You can't dislike Muppetz. TT_TT
Those who dislike this were those that were born later. They regret not having lived it for the first time. I was glad to have found it 40 years later. Thank you. & Thanks, UA-cam. You bought back a past emotion. 🙏
@nosegoblinz No problem. I thought it was a wonderful part of the Muppet Show and was surprised no one uploaded it on it's own, so I did it myself.
Her voice like mrs shirley but more Heavenly
Couldn't say it better myself...
Did she ever RECORD this song. Or did she only perform it here?
+Chris Mulwee This version is similar to the one she does with John Williams.
watch?v=jjTJF5jYPP0 Not exactly the same, but extremely close. And sorry it took me four months to reply. xD For some reason comments for my older videos don't appear in my inbox.
+Chris Mulwee Cleo recorded this with John Williams the classical guitarist , I believe the CD was called Best Friends .
gawd this is awful. she kills this song.. like really kills it.. as in slows it down to a crawl so its awful.
You might be missing the fact that this was a memorial performance after Henson passed away, and rushing a song to remember someone you only lose once makes less sense than being in the slow motion of grief.
Or you've never grieved. A lovely innocence to maintain while you can.