Jim Henson (1969)

Mah Nà Mah Nà is a popular song by Italian composer Piero Umiliani. It originally appeared in the Italian film Sweden: Heaven and Hell. It was a minor radio hit in the U.S. and in Britain, but became better known internationally for its use by The Muppets and on The Benny Hill Show.

“Mah Nà Mah Nà” first gained popularity in English-speaking countries from its use in a recurring blackout sketch for the 1969-70 season of The Red Skelton Show first airing in October 1969.

Sesame Street producer Joan Ganz Cooney heard the track on the radio and decided it would be a perfect addition to the show. It was first performed by Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and Loretta Long on the fourteenth episode of the show, broadcast on November 27, 1969. The following Sunday, Henson and His Muppets performed the song on The Ed Sullivan Show. Seven years later the song was part of the premiere episode of The Muppet Show in 1976.

Starting in 1971, The Benny Hill Show implemented Mah Nà Mah Nà as part of a comic background music medley that would run during their often filmed slapstick sketches. The medley became a Benny Hill Show tradition for the rest of its run.

Do do do do do de do do do do do do do do do
Mah Nà Mah Nà
Do doo be-do-do
Mah Nà Mah Nà
Do do-do do
Mah Nà Mah Nà
Do doo de-do-do de-do-do de-do-do de-do-do-doodle do do do-doo do!

Do do do do do de do do do do do do do do do
Mah Nà Mah Nà
Do doo be-do-do
Mah Nà Mah Nà
Do do-do do
Mah Nà Mah Nà
Do doo de-do-do de-do-do de-do-do de-do-do-doodle do do do-doo do!

Do do do do do de do do do do do do do do do
Mah Nà Mah Nà
Do doo be-do-do
Mah Nà Mah Nà
Do do-do do
Mah Nà Mah Nà
Do doo de-do-do de-do-do de-do-do de-do-do-doodle do do do-doo do!

Do do do do do de do do do do do do do do do
Mah Nà Mah Nà
Do doo be-do-do
Mah Nà Mah Nà
Do do-do do
Mah Nà Mah Nà
Do doo de-do-do de-do-do de-do-do de-do-do-doodle do do do-doo do!!!