Question about "Batty Bat"

[Blue Weirdo]

I'm trying to remember this one song the Count sings along with his bats I remember loving it as a kif but now cannot remember the lyrics excpet for the bats singing the chorus "Batty batty batty batty bat..." I think teh Coutn was singing about some new dance called "The Batty Bat" but it jsut not comign to me

What I do recall plainly is that we actually got to see closeups of the bats faces while they were singing, (hanging upside down and swinging to the music) while all other Count skits at the time just had the typical flapping around bat puppets

Does anyone remember this? What are the lyrics and when was it first performed?

 

[Rosewood]

Here you go!

Here are the lyrics. Don't know much on dates, though.

Doing the Batty Bat!

"In Old Transylvania, when I was a lad
our castles were cold, yet never were sad.
We learned to be happy, we danced 'round the hall!
And learning to count was the key to it all!
By counting each count, I knew just where to start
and one special step will stay close to my heart!"

Chorus
"1,2,3,- Spread out the cape!
1,2,3,- Twirl round the floor!
1,2,3,- Left foot you swing!
1,2,3,- Then start to sing!
1,2,3,- Loud as you please!
1,2,3,- Counting with ease!
1,2,3, - Doing the "Batty Bat"!

(bats start to sing along, dancing from side to side, folding one wing, then the other, then both, singing "batty, batty, batty; batty, batty, batty; batty, batty, bat!")
(count says this line starting as bats say last word) "1, 2, 3, - Count!"
(repeat 2 times)
Then- "Won't you dance with me, doing the "Batty Bat"?

verse 2
"So now in my own castle, I can enjoy
this wonderfull dance that I learned as a boy!
I see just how wise was my whole family;
they taught me to count, and so now look at me!
I'm counting and dancing, and I swear that it's true!
If you do the same, you will be happy, too!"

"Come! we try again!"

Chorus repeats first part once, and second part 3 times, ending with;
"Oh, come! Dance with me; doing the "Batty, Bat"!"

 

[BEAR]

The earliest copyright date for this song is 1985. This info was taken from the Songs From the Street cd booklet. Hope that helps.

It has been recorded on numerous Sesame Street cd compilations. I can't tell you when it was first performed on the show, but probably no earlier than 1985 with the info i provided.

 

[Ilikemuppets]

I like that song.

 

[Mokeystar]

This was also on one of the Sesame video tapes that was produced back in the late 80s to early 90s. I think it could have been "Sing Along" or "Dance Along". (Can anyone help me here?)
All I remember is that in the early 90s, I worked in a toy store that played the video tape with this clip on it over and over and over. I'd go home in the evening singing the "Batty Bat" over and over in my head. Good thing I love Sesame Street, or it probably would have driven me "batty bat." Ha.

 

[Rosewood]

It's shown on "A celebration of music!"

This was also on one of the Sesame video tapes that was produced back in the late 80s to early 90s. I think it could have been "Sing Along" or "Dance Along". (Can anyone help me here?)
All I remember is that in the early 90s, I worked in a toy store that played the video tape with this clip on it over and over and over. I'd go home in the evening singing the "Batty Bat" over and over in my head. Good thing I love Sesame Street, or it probably would have driven me "batty bat." Ha.

They show it, in all its digitally enhansed glory, on the "Sesame Streets 25th birthday! A musical celebration!" video, along with alot of other classic songs. It's a great video!

 

[Ilikemuppets]

Sounds cool, I have to get my paws on that.

 

[greenth1ng]

Here are the lyrics. Don't know much on dates, though.

Doing the Batty Bat!

"In Old Transylvania, when I was a lad
our castles were cold, yet never were sad.
We learned to be happy, we danced 'round the hall!
And learning to count was the key to it all!
By counting each count, I knew just where to start
and one special step will stay close to my heart!"

Chorus
"1,2,3,- Spread out the cape!
1,2,3,- Twirl round the floor!
1,2,3,- Left foot you swing!
1,2,3,- Then start to sing!
1,2,3,- Loud as you please!
1,2,3,- Counting with ease!
1,2,3, - Doing the "Batty Bat"!

(bats start to sing along, dancing from side to side, folding one wing, then the other, then both, singing "batty, batty, batty; batty, batty, batty; batty, batty, bat!")
(count says this line starting as bats say last word) "1, 2, 3, - Count!"
(repeat 2 times)
Then- "Won't you dance with me, doing the "Batty Bat"?

verse 2
"So now in my own castle, I can enjoy
this wonderfull dance that I learned as a boy!
I see just how wise was my whole family;
they taught me to count, and so now look at me!
I'm counting and dancing, and I swear that it's true!
If you do the same, you will be happy, too!"

"Come! we try again!"

Chorus repeats first part once, and second part 3 times, ending with;
"Oh, come! Dance with me; doing the "Batty, Bat"!"

Here's a better layout of the lyrics, taken from the "Dance Along!" poster:

One-two-three spread out the cape,
One-two-three twirl round the floor,
One-two-three left foot you swing,
One-two-three then start to sing,
One-two-three loud as you please,
One-two-three counting with ease,
One-two-three doing the Batty Bat

Chorus:
Batty-batty-bat
Batty-bat
Batty-bat
Batty-bat
One-two-three count
(Repeat twice)

Won't you dance with me doing the Batty Bat?
So now in my own castle I can enjoy
This wonderful dance I learned as a boy
I see just how wise was my whole family--
They taught me to count and so now look at me
I'm counting and dancing and I swear that it's true:
If you do the same you will be happy too
(Repeat first verse and chorus)

Ah, come dance with me doing the Batty Bat!