Sam Pottle


Samuel H. Pottle was an American composer, conductor, and musical director involved in many theatrical and television productions. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, he is perhaps best remembered for his work on Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, having co-written the iconic melody Muppet Show theme song for the latter. However, Pottle was also involved with many theatrical productions in the 1960s and 1970s. His principal collaborators were David Axelrod and Tom Whedon, although he also worked with other lyricists. He replaced Joe Raposo as musical director for Sesame Street from season 6 through season 9.
Pottle graduated from Yale in 1955. At Yale he was president of the Yale Dramatic Association, and in 1954 he wrote the music for the Dramat's successful original musical, "Stover at Yale." His father was Frederick Pottle, Sterling Professor of English at Yale.
He died on July 4, 1978, from a heart attack while on holiday in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. His partner, writer Charles Choset, dedicated the 1982 plays Letters to Ben and The Messiah to him. His remains were donated to medical science.

Credits

Theatre

''Sesame Street''

  • Musical director
  • Composer
  • *"What's the Name of That Song?" - 1974
  • *"City-Country Song" - 1974
  • *"Mary Had a Bicycle" - 1974
  • *"I Just Adore Four" - 1974
  • *"Numerical Correspondence Song" - 1974
  • *"The Subway" - 1974
  • *"Swamp Mushy Muddy" - 1974
  • *"Beep" - 1974
  • *"Happy / Sad" - 1974
  • *"Women Can Be" - 1974
  • *"Wonder Child" - 1974
  • *"A Very Simple Dance" - 1974
  • *"Counting Is Wonderful" - 1975
  • *"I Want a Monster to Be My Friend" - 1975
  • *"Frazzle" - 1975
  • *"Fur" - 1975
  • *"Monster Lullaby" - 1975
  • *"Keep Christmas With You " - for Merry Christmas from Sesame Street, 1975
  • *"I Hate Christmas" - for Merry Christmas from Sesame Street, 1975
  • *"Elevator Song" - 1976
  • *"It's Funny" - 1976
  • *"The Transylvania Polka" - 1976
  • *"Madame Schwartzhead Blending" - 1976
  • *"This Frog" - 1976
  • *"One Way" - 1976
  • *"Bus Stop" - 1976
  • *"A Song from Kermit" - 1976
  • *"I Love a March" - 1976
  • *"Ah, For the Joys of the Countryside" - 1976
  • *"Proud of Me" - 1976
  • *"Just Around the Corner" - 1976
  • *"Furry Blue Mommy of Mine" - 1977
  • *"Cookie Disco" - 1977
  • *"Feelin' Good/Feelin' Bad" - 1977
  • *"Sound It Out" - 1977
  • *"Cry" - 1977
  • *"I Got a Song" - 1977
  • *"Sing After Me" - 1977
  • *"Beginning, Middle, End" - 1977
  • *"Count Up To Nine" - 1977
  • *"This is my J" - 1977
  • *"Three Waltzing Chickens" - 1977
  • *"Disco D" - 1978
  • *"Pigeons on Parade" - 1978
  • *"David's Street Fever" - 1979
  • *"Six of One" - 1979
  • *"Without People" - 1981

    ''The Muppet Show''

  • Composer
  • *"The Muppet Show Theme" - 1976

    Other works

  • Composer
  • *"Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" for SATB choir and piano, publ. Trigon Music, 1972
  • *"Jabberwocky" for SATB choir, piano, harpsichord and small instruments, publ. Trigon Music, 1972
  • *"We'll Find America" - 1975