Kermit Sings Rainbow Connection - 52nd Annual Academy Awards 1980

Miss Piggy and Johnny Carson introduce Kermit singing his Oscar-nominated song "The Rainbow Connection" from The Muppet Movie.

[@jlasf]

"It Goes Like It Goes" from "Norma Rae" won the Oscar. But who remembers that song? And years from now, people will still be singing and loving "Rainbow Connection." Sometimes winning isn't everything.

[@Da_SpongeGun]

Very good point

[@keithdoersam2557]

One of the worst decisions by the Academy in history was not giving the Oscar to this song. Who gives a flying fig about Norma Rae?

[@sha11235]

I hope the voters who didn't vote for this song never found their RC. Probably didn't.

[@clarktooncrossing3975]

Especially when it comes to the Oscars!

[@Tiffany-th1fn]

I have always liked that song, & Kermit The Frog is so cute. I have always liked Animal as well, he was cute as well. Tiffany Deaton

[@loumichaels]

One of the biggest snubs in Oscar history that this song did not win!

[@gratefulchar]

No one even remembers the song that won. Rainbow Connection is known worldwide still remembered and treasured. It’s such a classic and connected in so many hearts. This songs still bring tears. This song will never get old. It’s timeless and priceless

[@sam2131]

This recording was played at Henson's memorial. RIP legend.

[@Wuppetwoman1]

62 years old and this song never fails to touch my heart and make me cry...

[@lewiemcneely9143]

72 and the same.

[@kathleentanczyn278]

82 years old ditto

[@rebeccashady8465]

61, and I cry like a baby. Such beauty.

[@mtoscano343]

Me too

[@Dave_L913]

I love the song, but I'd never seen the skit with Miss Piggy and Johnny Carson. They really knew how to write funny scenes back then. "...you're skating on THIN ICE, Carson!" LOL Poor Johnny Carson kept losing it too. So funny.

[@rootsandwingsboutique]

The Oscar Mayer line...I just pictured Ashton Kucher in his That 70s Show character saying BURN!!! LOL

[@crivket1235]

Paul Williams is a MUSIC MASTER !!! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@PhaedrusNYC]

Performed live, with one man moving his mouth, his arm, his tapping foot, simultaneously singing, while crouched next to someone operating his other arm in tandem...and doing it all seamlessly with no one getting in the shot or pulling focus-- making the character seem alive, making it almost look like he's playing the banjo correctly. When you think of the craft and artistry and talent involved it gives you chills. But the magic is that it's done so well that no one thinks of the craft and artistry involved.

[@Camop-iz9kt]

This is actually the soundtrack recording he's performing to.

[@jlasf]

@@Camop-iz9kt Another lip-syncing scandal! 😀

[@judith_thordarson]

@@jlasf Kermi Manilli

[@wendyhardin5259]

Jim Henson was a magician.

[@funvideoperson5268]

Yeah, it's the pre-recorded version, but someone there was doing live Muppet lip synchronization. 😊

[@RadicalRichard19]

Love when Ms Piggy tells Carson he has a rent a tux suit lol

[@darthsarcasm73]

Frank Oz is comedy gold here!

[@AnonYmous-du7fn]

Don't you mean Frank Marrs?

[@TheIncredibleBiddison]

True! 😂

[@jennifergbirge1859]

The set design for this performance is genius! The simple mirror reflecting Kermit (mimicking water in the swamp) adds a level of brilliance to this performance. Of course, Jim Henson is perfection in this. And Frank Oz...my heart. It took a lot to stay toe to toe with Johnny Carson.

[@laureltaylor4535]

One of the best songs ever wrote. Amazing.

[@groofoot]

Why does this song always make me bawl?

[@Magic_M_Hayashi]

Because it's sweet sweet poetry and a heavenly melody combined into one.

[@phantpwr]

same. I think its the melody

[@stewarttrickett3033]

Back in the day when The Academy Awards was must-see TV.

[@antosmithanimation2033]

This was 21 years before I was born and it still makes me cry

[@paulborden3067]

I was 13 when this performance happened. It still makes me cry too.

[@mybellegirls]

I watched this live in 1980 and still in 2023, I cry. Master songwriter Paul Williams RIP and Jim Henson RIP. The gifts they gave us ❤️❤️

[@weebunny]

​@@mybellegirls Hey, Paul Williams is still around! He's been sober since the 90's, and has been the president of ASCAP for a long time now. 😊

[@jarrett7284]

"Oscar meyer maybe" 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@eugeniasyro5774]

Such a beautiful song! RIP Jim Henson. You are missed.

[@writereducator]

This song evokes the deepest longings of the human heart--perfect goodness, beauty, truth, love, and home.

[@karenokeson2705]

This song evokes so many memories! I was about 11 years old when the movie came out. I grew up on a dairy farm that just happened to have a creek that ran through the cow pastures. A little bit of Heaven on Earth.

[@jeremystickle6849]

I was about 6 months old, this song has been with me my whole life and the older I get the more I understand it. Dumb frog making a grown man cry...

[@deloreshaley8770]

I will always love Kermit's Rainbow Connection from this day on

[@jamesshannon4921]

One of the best songs I've ever heard . Great songwriting

[@SquigSoup]

This song should have won.

[@zibbyzubb]

It Goes Like It Goes is a really great song too. Toss up between that one and Rainbow Connection. I love them both.

[@paulsonj72]

@@zibbyzubbJennifer Warnes on the vocals for It Goes How It goes

[@zibbyzubb]

@@paulsonj72 Great singer. I love everything she does.

[@gibbzzzgl5268]

51 yrs old and still make me cry 😢

[@manualalarcon2281]

Beautiful song from Paul Williams.

[@stevennorthrup5790]

This song may not have won the award, but it’s still nice to listen to and sing along to, as well.

[@valmacclinchy]

This song is timeless. Like Paul Williams said, "It's for the child in each of us."

[@enzotakerian5488]

Agreed. My friend Andrew sang this song in our high school talent show.

[@antondoesbolton]

A Muppet fan from waaay back when and still this is my favourite song soon to be on Barbras new album as a duet with Kermit stunning .... I'm a lover and dreamer still

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

Did you ever hear the story about how this song was originally recorded for the movie? Paul Williams wrote all the songs for the movie (and many of its sequels, as well as "Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas") and he said in an interview* that they first just had Jim Henson in the recording studio to do the Kermit part, but it wasn't working. It just didn't sound quite right. So Paul suggested that Jim go get Kermit and sing it through him instead and that's the version that is in the movie. Isn't that the coolest thing? * kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZKVdYeBn9eepMU

[@gilbertescobedo9712]

I love this song from back than, its just a wholesome song to listen to. Bring back memories beautiful memories.

[@XRayy42o]

This song deserves the oscars

[@srnityluna4658]

A noble peace prize at best .. its the absolute most !

[@carolinestrouse474]

It was added to the National Recording Registry in 2021.

[@Waffles935]

Ms. Piggy thinks so

[@crystalfajman3732]

Let's just admit it, Johnny Carson did better at humor with his bit with Miss Piggy than most hosts have done with their comedy bits in the last 15-20 years.

[@S0LUT10N]

Brilliant... just brilliant

[@joewhitehead3]

“Somebody thought of that & someone believed it & look what it’s done so far” I think that can apply to a lot of things in the world

[@glenyssmith8289]

Nobody notices that (real) puppets got a spot and a few ovations at the academy award show. Enjoy it, it will not come again. Feel lucky. No other time was it possible to relive your memories so accurately. Keep star gazing people. As long as you exist and the world does too, its not to late to save it.

[@kingsmithgaming8726]

I love that the artist listed in the description is Kermit

[@AngelDame17]

Miss Piggy is calling Hollywood out.

[@lauriebowman6979]

Love this song... The Muppet Show was one of my favorite TV shows... don't make TV like that anymore.

[@53kenner]

This is great. I was a huge Muppets fan, but I was off the coast of Iran when this was shown -- I had absolutely no idea it was in the Academy Awards ... if holding up over time is the best test, then this deserved to win... hands down.

[@seforatsipi6148]

The winner of our hearts❤

[@sansankudo]

25 yrs later, it still gets to me. Academy Awards is coming up, perhaps they can make it up to Miss Piggy? The way things are going 🌍, why not?

[@nancybeauregard7178]

I love this song and Kermit. ❤️❤️❤️

[@ktwashere5637]

In yer face Bono. This has to be the best performance at the Academy Awards. EVer.

[@brookerichardson3098]

Although this was release before I was born in 1981, I grew up listening to this on album 💿 over and over and over again, my uncle had bootlegged the VHS for me and I watched the movie non stop. I truly believe we have lived our best lives and seen the best of humanity in much much simpler times. 🐸 🐷❤

[@juRa6077]

Kermit and his Rainbow Connection - my favourite green man and song from my childhood❤

[@diane1390]

If I have a Memorial Service, I want this song played there. It really sums up how I've felt about life!

[@GabrielLong-zm3er]

Stuff like this makes me miss the old Oscars they cared about art and talent back then know they only do it because they feel like it these days.

[@Teresaisall]

Exactly

[@CraigCaldwell-ln5zf]

After ALL these years...I just now noticed Kermit is left-handed!

[@yvesf5355]

I'm 63 years old got a knee surgery and the DR office ask me what I song I wanted to hear when I got in the Operating Room ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,that was easy I said Rainbow Connection ,,,,,thanks You Very Much .....

[@_just_comic]

Do you not consider moi to be Oscar material? Well Oscar Meyer maybe. I lost it there

[@mmasjuan]

When songs were songs! And still didn't win!

[@redwingfan9393]

Someday we'll find it, the Costco Connection. The families, the preppers and me.

[@o_b_wan]

I was 3 ❤

[@Asukenick]

I can't believe Jim's been gone for almost 33 years.

[@franknberry333]

I remember the day it happened, where I was, what I was doing, it was heart breaking!

[@Asukenick]

@@franknberry333 I wasn't even born yet.

[@franknberry333]

@@Asukenick God bless you! You're so young!

[@Asukenick]

@@franknberry333 I'm 31.

[@franknberry333]

@@Asukenick I'm 52, you're just a boy

[@Sshooter444]

How was this not the best song?

[@azucenaplata8312]

Beatiful songs 😢😢😢 !!! Kermit miss Peggy ❤❤❤❤😍

[@frogkik]

my sister used to sing this to me as a lullaby before bed when i was little, many good feelings 💚

[@cryptkicker71]

Proof that the Academy Awards gets it wrong... a lot.

[@cheechalker8430]

In all seriousness, i know this is a puppet frog, but what a great song!

[@martinwhelan6629]

Brings me back

[@raymondparisza5094]

Always timeless

[@paulinayexannihtorres1709]

Performed To Someone's Waiting For You From The Rescuers Live Oscars

[@nondescript2892]

the one and the only Kermit for me..after Henson died the magic of that character died with him..none of his successors does it for me..same with Frank Oz whose Miss Piggy is one of the greatest comic creations ever

[@karitahannikainen4734]

Clever-ness at its Best! Love to Oscars, hve Enjoyd for yrs in Holy-wood, Love to All,Karita.

[@kashmirabhattarai1255]

Love this song Kermit sings this song so well i love the colour green love you Kermit you are very unique 🐸🌈🌈💜💙💜💙🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🤍💜💜💜💜💜💜🌹

[@bernieappugliese2029]

Hell yeah!

[@tylerwheeler8595]

Miss Piggy shoulda received an Oscar for her song Never Before and Never Again in The Muppet Movie

[@enzotakerian5488]

When I was a kid, I NEVER wanted to watch Sesame Street. I never wanted to watch the Muppets either, because it had a Sesame Street feel. But then, I watched "The Muppet Movie," which was surprisingly good to me.

[@s.rosesmith6525]

Saw this with my children and their father.

[@luiscr78]

Wonderful

[@Mr.RyanButterly]

The pork stops here. He he he

[@noraluzcalugas2731]

Singing Frog, Kermit

[@sha11235]

I'm sure this was easier for Jim to perform than he did in the movie.

[@weebunny]

Ha, yes! For the movie, they actually had some deal rigged up where he was underwater (!!!), under the log. The sacrifices one makes for art... 😊

[@Mr.RyanButterly]

That sounds a little Hammy.

[@lohphat]

It’s been almost 34 years since losing Jim. Only he can still really sing this other than Paul Williams.

[@Gigan10610]

Jim Henson was a genius. Change my mind...

[@oopik0059]

They played this at Jim’s funeral. 😢

[@gratefulchar]

This song should have won

[@imactuallykools]

I'm pretty sure this is the version they used soundtrack, since it's definitely not the movie one and it sounds almost identical.

[@carolinestrouse474]

I also believe it’s the soundtrack version.

[@hemikid52]

"The most prestigious award show in the world..." ...what the hell happened these days? Ugh!

[@jayneadanoff1876]

no truer words said now a few days after the 2022 Oscars.

[@orangecrush1208]

It's kinda funny in a way, how kermit the frog can be a better performance that most people from the oscars and other award shows in the past 5 years

[@jakethecarsandreactorvideo9409]

Is there an orchestra behind Kermit?

[@davidwhite2141]

😂

[@Lyrical1408]

3K views but only 4 comments?!

[@geromhy2593]

Yeah... That is crazy

[@Gemmarose9012]

Closeted Muppet fans.

[@derkwest]

8.4k views but only 13 comments

[@monkakonga4305]

Everyone is enjoying the music

[@judgedredd3568]

We lost John Lennon the same year....i wonder if imagine had any ifluence on the Rainbow connection...im 57...this just came to me aug 2023...i know Paul Williams Penned this.....just pardon the pun...i feel a connection between both masterpieces

[@slayersbestanimeraaaaaaggghhh]

there is a kaito cover TT

[@robertdrisdelle]

Was Henson doing the fingerboard puppeteering too!? In any case, folks put some serious effort into that tiny detail

[@Mr.RyanButterly]

I smell bacon he he he he

[@slapshot68]

Back wen the world was normal

[@glasshalffull8471]

Miss Piggy would be a chance to win an Oscar in 2023.

[@Strikes057]

If they knew in ten years jim died

[@ecdjcl7642]

Huh, looks like Alex Jones was right.

[@camilovaleropyne181]

Why didn’t it win instead ? 🐸🌈

[@taurinecat]

I think I'm OK with this song not having won an Oscar. I'm glad this clip exists and that it was nominated, but Oscar wins have always been political and the Norma Rae song spoke to political issues much more than Rainbow Connection. Which clearly didn't need a win to stay relevant.

[@goatlocker1995]

I think he was lip syncing! 😛

[@judith_thordarson]

Oh, I feel so disillusioned.

[@iHeartsNostalgiaPit]

I don't think she understands that she can't win for playing herself

[@daniosborne8134]

Now that’s the true original Kermit voice, no “wannabe”‼️❗️👋🏻😯😕😌😎🫶🏻🎥🖥️🇨🇦👍🏻

[@kathleentanczyn278]

This song is more spiritual than any so called religious song ever written.

[@ronsadventures2007]

Don’t vou hink I’m Oscar material.. Oscar mayer maybe lol

[@mikecarroll3538]

This not winning best original song is up there with biggest Oscar’s mistakes ever

[@LordTalax]

Terrible video quality

[@BearTx]

I'm 49, but I still feel like I'm 7 priceless