Electric Company Nitty Gritty Song

[RossLGould]

It's probably been thirty years since I last saw this. It's even more awesome than I remember.

[dvdtrr]

Is that Whoopie Goldberg?

[aislesoffiles]

Ok, I guess that was Hattie Winston. Sure looks like Deniece Williams! :D

But Hattie did go on to be Margaret on the "Becker" TV series

[aislesoffiles]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned the fact that the lead singer (up on the bench) is Deniece Williams ("Let's Hear it for the Boy" from Footloose fame)?? At least, to me, it LOOKS AND SOUNDS like her!

[TonicMike]

This is so much better than the children's crap that's on TV now. This was actually really cool for a kid's show.

[mikeysaur65]

I'll be damned if the bass and guitar I'm hearing in this song don't immediately remind anyone of the thinking cues heard on Match Game, only twice as upbeat.

[zacandtaylorrule]

Oh my god I love this one. Is it normal that I am 39 and was singing along?

[Crotchrot]

@zacandtaylorrule Yes. Absolutely and positively yes.

[Katzi]

@Crotchrot Good...glad it's normal. Because *I* was sitting here singing along too..(I'm a little older than 39 though ;-) )

[PLBraxton]

@zacandtaylorrule brings back our 70's childhood memories, doesn't it? 

[MusicPheend]

@zacandtaylorrule -- is it normal?? God, I hope so...otherwise, we're both certifiable!

Today's kids just don't understand...LOL

[DRUMMERMAN77]

words that rhyme for ways to get high, wacky tobaccy!

[funkmike]

@DRUMMERMAN77 "Goofed-up candy" sounds like a definite gateway drug.

[lolgurlyyy]

lol ok this is cute

[TnseWlms]

Beachwear sure has changed a lot since 1972, hasn't it?

[quirpco]

@TnseWlms True, although I think what they're wearing here is from 1872. lol

[mikeysaur65]

@quirpco I know, right? Albeit they're at a "beach," but if they gonna dance like that, might as well borrow some up-to-date material, say, from the Jackson 5 wardrobe.

[Krazy3912]

That lead singer is sexy as hell. :-)

I remember watching this show religiously up until the summer of 1977. Unfortunately I outgrew that show (along with Sesame Street and Zoom) the fall of that year as I was 10 at the time.

[user44932]

Why hasn't The Go! Team done this song yet?

[JohannaGotTalent41]

I used to sing to this when it was on

[UtahMike41]

When I was a kid watching this show I had a crush on the Asian girl.

[landrykkb]

Me too,although I didn't really get into it until after its original run ended in '77.

[rockstarrocket]

These people are all in a nursing home now.

[Crotchrot]

@rockstarrocket Morgan Freeman would like a word with you....

[DaveWollenberg]

Did Janina Mathews sing alto?

[sageofsuccess]

There's Janina Mathews again. It was before kindergarten. She was my first love.

[RCbohemian]

One of my favorites as well as Sweet Sweet Sway! Thanks so much for bringing back my youth with your posting! Peace

[MuzikJunkyAES]

Hattie Winston always looked like she was having an absolute blast! Peace.

[radioman66]

LOL Yeah that is Dr. Becker's head nurse when she was sooo much younger. Probably no more than 26 or 27 here.

[daffylatke]

Wow - a later TEC sketch featuring the final round of the Short Circus. June Angela was growing fast.

[gun15509]

LMAO!!! I always liked this Short Circus sketch, had a funky vibe to it. I remember my fourth grade teacher Mrs. Carry having the whole class singing and dancing to this, lol!!! Brings back good memories, the Electric Company was the shit back in the day!

[cmulwee001]

Does anyone remember an earlier version of this song from either season 1 or 2 with Lee Chamberlin on lead and the original Short Circus lineup, in the regular studio w/ the words appearing on "Stanley The Word Board". If anyone has the original, please post it.

[Katzi]

@cmulwee001 I don't have the original. But THANK YOU! I KNEW there was an earlier version! I just forgot when it was done on EC. I've been making up things like this with my niece (she's 10) & I showed her this clip earlier today. We had called them "Rhymies". Ironically a few months ago she asked me "A rhymie for a father that's glad .Her answer was "happy pappy" So she was surprised when she saw "happy pappy" on HERE!

[Immortal1000]

There's a new EC now. I've seen a few episodes but the new show isn't even close to being as good as the original.

[Zoloft77]

The parodies of the Soft-Shoe Silhouettes done by Family Guy and South Park do a much better job than the remake. Now, that's sAD!

It'll make Paul the Gorilla feel both bAD and really mAD.

[DRUMMERMAN77]

wow dr becker is this what your head nurse does on her coffe break

[quirpco]

As an adult fan of 70s music, I'm actually quite impressed with E.C.'s style of music and singing. There are some really great songs in their collection - Nitty Gritty, Sweet Sweet Sway, Boom, Hard C/Soft C, the list goes on and on.

[watsyorproblum41]

who said happy pappy.

[dh1173]

Samantha

[karonG1]

wow

[naturalmystic33]

They cut out the part when Ted Bundy jumped in and said Bitty Titty

[RahdeeNda804]

What's a couple of words that rhyme for what I get down to? Nitty Gritty! Yeah, Nitty Gritty !!!!!!!!!

[RahdeeNda804]

I love it!

[smilleydunc]

gotta love that bass line though

[genom27]

Yeah, that bass line is tight. i remember seeing this as a kid. I've been playing bass for 2 years now. Does anyone know who the bassist for TEC was?

[flowertrue]

Man their outfits crack me up! Imagine running around on the beach in those clothes! Talk about Nitty Gritty!

[JannyMama]

In the Summer of 1974 my sister and I returned to the US after a lengthy 2 yr stay with g-parents in a non-english country. She was 6 yrs old and I was 8. Not speaking nor hearing the english language for 2 yrs made us 'forget' it completely. By Christmas of the same year it had almost come back to us. Although Sesame Street helped us with our daily speaking, I will always give credit to The Electric Company for teaching us to love to read and write.

[hminchan]

TEC is way cooler than Barney! I wish I can get my hands on the CDs. Great way for my son to learn to read!

[Bradat26]

Thanks for posting this video. I have this one on a VHS tape as well as "Fiddler on a Chair". Even though I was too old for these songs when they came out, they are still fun tunes.

[sageofsuccess]

I remember this. I was born in 1971, and that's kind of scary that I remember it. Thanks for more Janina Mathews.

[madamecarroll]

I LOOOOOOVE this!!!

[RahdeeNda804]

OMG this was my favorite TEC skit EVER!!! I love it and it still sounds good!! Who were the kids singing with her?

[dh1173]

The Short Circus were TEC house band. The line-up here: Julie, Gail, Samantha, Jesse and Charlie were the last version from 1975-77! Julie was the ONLY member to stay throughout its six seasons on air!

[devangelis]

Did you notice that at about 1:20 Julie's hat falls off? It stays clipped to her hair for a sec and then can later be seen on the ground!

[genom27]

this really makes me want to go back in time.

[blkguy620]

did they like doing this show? I know I would!!!

[ccr12345678]

According to June Angela, who played Julie and whose hat falls off in this skit, states on one of her fansites as being " ...one of the most enjoyable experiences of my career. "

[puppyshoes]

DO you think that June Angela looked like Jodie Sweetin THat played Stephanie Tanner On Full House?

[devangelis]

The DVD box set (volume 2) has interviews with original cast members including Ms. Hattie Winston, seen singing lead here. It's fabulous! But also a little depressing! They are VERY old now! Makes me feel the same...

[freakyann1993]

Is there also an interview with Todd?

[devangelis]

Todd Graff? No...you know he went on to direct right?

[freakyann1993]

Yes, I know, he directed camp and now he's directing cult figure! He's great, I love him! lol

[dh1173]

This probably the only one of two songs I remembered all these years (the other Sweet Sweer Sway) Hattie was an excellent choice to replace Lee! Samantha was probably one of the best dancers of the short circus and Julie (who grew in height) losing her hat!! LOL!!

[Crotchrot]

Wow. I've watched that video a LOT since I found it, and I NEVER noticed her hat. Good eye!

[nirrad0791]

There was a song Morgan Freeman sung that was "Read a little everyday". I thought that was his best singing ever. Can anyone post that one??

[AMH6568]

wow..it all comes back...

Childhood Smilehood... !

[LaDracul]

Wow, I can't believe that I remember this song...

"Knitty Gritty, Knitty Gritty, OH!"

[ebf1957]

Which version was better? The one sung by the first Short Circus or the last version?

[philly37]

I thought there was an earlier one! I definitely prefer the first one then.