It started with a simple, funky bassline. Then came Will.i.am, rocking an oversized colorful hat, standing next to a group of puppets that have defined childhood for over fifty years. If you’ve spent any time on the internet or in front of a preschooler’s television lately, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The Sesame Street What I Am segment is more than just a catchy tune; it’s a cultural touchstone that basically redefined how the show handles self-esteem in the digital age.
Honestly, it’s kind of a bop.
But there’s a lot more to this three-minute clip than just celebrity guest appeal. When it first aired during Season 41 in 2010, nobody really expected it to become one of the most-watched Sesame Street videos in history. It hit a nerve. It wasn't just another "believe in yourself" song that felt like a lecture. It felt like an anthem.
Why the Sesame Street What I Am Message Stuck
The song is actually a reworked version of a track by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. You remember the original from 1988? It was a bit more philosophical, a bit more "art school cool." But the Sesame Street version stripped away the 80s cynicism and replaced it with pure, unadulterated confidence.
Will.i.am didn't just show up for a paycheck. You can see it in the way he interacts with the Muppets—he’s genuinely into it. The lyrics are straightforward: "I’m wonderful, I’m powerful, I’m unique." It sounds simple, maybe even a little cliché if you just read it on paper, but when you see a diverse group of Muppets and a global superstar chanting it over a hip-hop beat, it feels different. It feels real.
We often think of kids' media as being "soft." This wasn't soft. It was assertive. It gave kids a vocabulary for identity before they even knew what the word "identity" meant.
The Muppets Who Made the Magic Happen
You can't talk about Sesame Street What I Am without talking about the puppeteers and the characters who grounded the whole thing. It wasn't just Elmo. In fact, one of the best parts about the video is seeing the secondary characters get their shine.
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- Abby Cadabby: She brings that magical, sparkly energy that contrasts perfectly with the street-style beat.
- The Muppet "Anything People": These are the blank-slate puppets that the show uses to represent everyone. By including them, the show signaled that this wasn't just a song for the stars—it was for the kid sitting on the rug at home.
- Grover and Cookie Monster: They add that classic Sesame Street chaos that keeps the segment from feeling too "preachy."
The production value was surprisingly high for a puppet show. They used dynamic camera angles and vibrant colors that mirrored the music videos of the late 2000s. It bridged the gap between the "A-B-Cs" and the actual world kids were growing up in.
How It Ranks Against Other Sesame Hits
Is it better than "C is for Cookie"? Maybe not. Is it as iconic as "Rubber Duckie"? That’s a high bar. But in terms of modern impact, Sesame Street What I Am is arguably the most successful crossover the show has ever done.
Look at the YouTube numbers. We’re talking tens of millions of views. It’s used in classrooms from New York to New Delhi. Educators love it because it hits those "social-emotional learning" (SEL) goals without being boring. Most kids' songs have a shelf life of about twenty minutes before they drive parents crazy. This one? It’s got a groove. It’s actually listenable.
There’s also the "Will.i.am effect." At the time, The Black Eyed Peas were at the absolute peak of their global dominance. Bringing that level of star power to a show about a giant yellow bird and a guy living in a trash can was a brilliant move by Sesame Workshop. It made the show feel "cool" again to a generation of parents who were starting to see Sesame Street as a relic of the past.
The Science of Singing About Yourself
There’s actually some pretty heavy psychology behind why this song works. Experts in child development, like those at the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, often talk about "self-efficacy." That’s just a fancy way of saying a kid's belief in their ability to succeed.
When a child sings "I am strong," they aren't just making noise. They are literally rewiring their self-perception. The rhythmic repetition in the Sesame Street What I Am lyrics acts as a mnemonic device. It sticks.
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I've talked to teachers who use this specific clip for "morning meetings." They say it changes the energy in the room. Kids who are shy or feeling "small" start to stand a little taller when the beat drops. It’s a tool. A musical tool for building a backbone.
It wasn't just a one-off
Sesame Workshop is known for being meticulous. They don't just throw things at the wall to see what sticks. Every segment is tested with actual kids. They monitor eye tracking, engagement levels, and whether the kids are actually absorbing the message.
The success of the "What I Am" segment paved the way for more high-profile musical collaborations. Think about Janelle Monáe’s "Power of Yet" or Bruno Mars’ "Don’t Give Up." These aren't just cameos; they are part of a deliberate strategy to use the language of pop culture to teach resilience.
Common Misconceptions About the Segment
Some people think the song was written specifically for the show. Nope. Like I mentioned, it’s a cover. Edie Brickell actually gets a writing credit on the segment.
Another weird myth is that it was a response to some specific controversy. It wasn't. The show was simply entering a new era where they wanted to focus more on the "whole child." They realized that teaching kids to count to ten was easy, but teaching them to like themselves was hard.
Also, let's be honest: some people find the repetition annoying. If you've heard it 400 times because your toddler has the iPad on a loop, I get it. But even then, you've gotta admit the production is tight.
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What We Can Learn from a Puppet and a Pop Star
The legacy of Sesame Street What I Am is really about the power of affirmation. We live in a world that is constantly telling us—and our kids—what we aren't. You aren't fast enough, you aren't smart enough, you don't have the right toys.
This song is the "no" to all of that.
It’s a simple, rhythmic "yes."
It’s also a masterclass in how to modernize a brand. Sesame Street could have stayed in the 70s. It could have kept the grainy film look and the slow pacing. Instead, it leaned into hip-hop, high-def visuals, and global superstars. It stayed relevant by being brave enough to change the tune while keeping the heart the same.
Take Action: Bringing the Message Home
If you want to use the "What I Am" philosophy in real life, you don't need a puppet or a recording studio. Here is how to actually apply it:
- Create a "Power Phrase": Ask your kid (or yourself, honestly) to pick one word that describes them today. Not a "good" or "bad" word, but a "power" word. Brave. Kind. Creative.
- The Morning Ritual: Play the track during breakfast or on the way to school. It sets a baseline of confidence before the day's stressors hit.
- Watch the Lyrics: Pay attention to the bridge of the song. It talks about "taking a stand" and "holding my head up high." Use these as talking points when a kid is facing a challenge at school or on the playground.
- Explore the Originals: Introduce your kids to the Edie Brickell version. It’s a great way to show how art can be adapted and changed to fit different audiences.
The most important takeaway is that identity is something we get to define for ourselves. Will.i.am and the Muppets just gave us a really good soundtrack for doing it.
The next time you're feeling a bit overwhelmed or the world feels a bit too loud, just remember that bassline. Put on your figurative oversized hat. Remind yourself that you're wonderful, you're powerful, and you're unique.
It works for four-year-olds. It works for us, too.