Thank you for your beautiful observation of this video as you took the emotions I have always felt watching this and managed to word my personal feelings with 100% accuracy in just these few perfectly chosen words, which was something I have somehow NOT been able to do -- up until I read your comment tonight :) I have said for many years, that if there was ONE singer that I was told I could hear sing ONE last song before I went to meet my maker, my choice would be Ray Charles without ANY question, who, in my opinion, is the Greatest Of All Time and your comment on what makes his version of "this" particular song so ironic and moving is poetic in its emotion and EXACTLY what I have always wanted to claify within myself and I just wanted to thank you for doing that for me - God Bless and #ROCKON
What makes me really tear up when listening to this performance is that Jim Henson, who originally sang this song in 1969 on Sesame Street and alongside Ray Charles in 1975, had passed away about a year prior. So Ray here is partially doing a tribute to Jim and expressing how much that song meant to him as a blind black person growing up in the pre-Civil Rights era. I can’t help but cry my eyes out whenever hearing this with that in mind.
Yeah. I recommend watching Kermit's original version of this song; then -- *just in case* the allegory was a bit too subtle -- watch Kermit and Ray Charles singing it together (and as always, wonder at how *expressive* Kermit's face can be); and then watch this one.
Not ashamed to say it. The first time I heard Ray sing this silly little children's song, first recorded by a frog, I started crying. I realized what Ray had done was take it and make it about a six year old blind child in the poor south hated by too many for the color of the skin he could not see on his own body. With his incomparable soul and inimitable voice, plus an amazing arrangement added to it, it is now an anthem about survival, acceptance, understanding and love.
I don't agree that this was ever a "silly little children's song". It has always been about isolation, self-doubt, and ultimately personal acceptance. The fact that it is about a frog and his greenness allows all of us to apply it to our own circumstances. This version by Ray Charles is brilliant and beautiful, but he doesn't reinvent the intent of the original. .
No, but the history of the song is well documented, I do read....I wasn't there when the Declaration of Independence was written either, but I can comment on it's original meaning. What is your point?
It's not easy being green. It's not easy being blind. It's not easy being black. It's not easy living the childhood Ray's lived. I can see why he loved this song so much. Because despite it all, every bit of Ray was great.
The song was very popular. It became super famous when Kermit the Frog first sang it in the Sesame Street movie and the show and many big artists sang it th-cam.com/video/VlyUPxp4R2Q/w-d-xo.html
Just in case the metaphors in Kermit's original version were too subtle for some people in the back of the class to pick up on, here's Ray hammering it home.
As I'm watching the Jim Henson "Idea Man" documentary, I went searching for renditions of "Bein' Green" and found this. Be still, my heart. The late, great Ray Charles. AMAZING.
EVERYTIME!!! My mom passed 2018...i used to watch her and dad dance...they have passed...my heart aches everyday...SHE. was my BEST friend...so yes sweet person...everytime. MY💓2U&2URS.
His pitch control is absolutely perfect. For all the expressive glides and bends and gospel soulfulness and emotive painting, he always returns to perfectly clear notes. Unbelievable. Truly one of the greatest of all time.
That's what made him The Genius! Set everything else aside, and there was so much -the creativity, the soul, his outrageous personality and stage presence- on a musical level his execution was always perfect.Truly one of the greats. There was Ray, and then there's everyone else
I had this on a 45 when I was a kid... This song had the words to describe the feeling trapped inside my heart... It was not easy... young, black, and a little girl living in the south.
Hit the nail squarely. This song is about accepting & loving oneself, one's individuality, one's uniqueness, sometimes despite all obstacles & appearances to the contrary. A valuable lesson not only for muppets & children.
I had that Muppets album when I was a child and that song always made me cry when Kermit sang it, but this is on a whole nother level. The tears are rolling!
Man....I first heard this on the Cosby Show... In my childhood.... This song, that show, this artist... RAY CHARLES... Touches my soul.... My heart... Reminds me of a time, when life could be defined in a "Simple Song"....
Great song, great suit, great man. Ray was unparalleled in his revision of other people's music. Another musician once said of him "When Ray gets ahold of it, it ain't no more their song."
The Cosby Show bought me here ... The one where Rudy wanted to wear her pretty purple summer dress to a birthday party but it was autumn and Claire wasn't here for Rudy's shenanigans and made her take that dress off and put on some fall clothes. That was one of my favorite Cosby Show scenes because of this song.
This song always breaks me... we often use "it's not easy being green" among friends after something happened l, which was clearly caused by being perceived as different or worse. I actually found this cover after a friend posted me that sentence. I send him the kermit and this version... it never fails to lift you up.
One of my favorite childhood songs, by one of my favorite singers, Rest in peace for both Ray Charles and Jim Henson, which they both deserve. Thank you for posting this.
This song reminds me of when I was lonely and I couldn't understand why. I've grown used to being alone. It's not such a bad thing. I've looked learned to love me everyday
I’m in the hospital with Covid and I have pneumonia but this song makes me cry and smile at the same time 🙂..please pray for me I have no one with me now and I’m scared to die alone here
I’m about to cry, this is amazing. The meaning of this song I beautiful. Also blind man singing about a color he may’ve never seen before makes me so sad :(
Wow. :) Very awesome, as well as very inspiring... :) I can imagine Kermit singing the song The Rainbow Connection with Ray, as well as Ray nodding in approval and telling Kermit that he agrees with Kermit about a rainbow being beautiful, too. :)
Believe it or not i had never heard this song! I heard it for the first time on The Cosby Show & my daughter explained to me the real meaning of the song, just heard the whole song for the first time today when i bought it up on You Tube, beautiful song & beautiful meaning, this song is timeless!❤🌹
I just heard this song on The Cosby Show. And then I needed to see Ray sing it live. This song truly evokes a lot of emotions. Thank u Ray,for only you could.
The composer of this beautiful piece of music is the legendary "Joe Raposa" read his autobiography to see how he arrived at composing this fabulous piece.
if one of the great classical composers had heard this tune it would have led to, at least, another movement in one of their symphonies. it has the making of being an entire 4 movement symphony as does wave by jobim. that's what is pulling you in. that, and ray's love of fine melody and mood creating music.
beautiful,absolutely beautiful song. Although you have to be at a certain maturity level and have had gone through some shit to understand it,to really feel it. -RIP Bro. Charles.
![fellow fellow - พรุ่งนี้ไม่มีใครรู้ feat. INK WARUNTORN [OFFICIAL MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QP6JyjYx_W0/mqdefault.jpg)
![F.HERO Ft. JSPKK x ลำไย ไหทองคำ x M-PEE - ไม่สนิทบิดหมด (Thai Riders Anthem) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kPJZ0UihBfk/mqdefault.jpg)
A blind man singing about a color and other things he can't even see. I'm in tears. The irony. Such a beautiful song.
Ray wasn't always blind. He had to learn.
Its from Sesame Street. Kermit the Frog song th-cam.com/video/rRZ-IxZ46ng/w-d-xo.html
If u listen close...he sniffles in the end because he started crying too. Truly a beautiful and moving song.
Thank you for your beautiful observation of this video as you took the emotions I have always felt watching this and managed to word my personal feelings with 100% accuracy in just these few perfectly chosen words, which was something I have somehow NOT been able to do -- up until I read your comment tonight :)
I have said for many years, that if there was ONE singer that I was told I could hear sing ONE last song before I went to meet my maker, my choice would be Ray Charles without ANY question, who, in my opinion, is the Greatest Of All Time and your comment on what makes his version of "this" particular song so ironic and moving is poetic in its emotion and EXACTLY what I have always wanted to claify within myself and I just wanted to thank you for doing that for me - God Bless and #ROCKON
this should be pinned comment
What makes me really tear up when listening to this performance is that Jim Henson, who originally sang this song in 1969 on Sesame Street and alongside Ray Charles in 1975, had passed away about a year prior. So Ray here is partially doing a tribute to Jim and expressing how much that song meant to him as a blind black person growing up in the pre-Civil Rights era. I can’t help but cry my eyes out whenever hearing this with that in mind.
Yeah. I recommend watching Kermit's original version of this song; then -- *just in case* the allegory was a bit too subtle -- watch Kermit and Ray Charles singing it together (and as always, wonder at how *expressive* Kermit's face can be); and then watch this one.
Not ashamed to say it. The first time I heard Ray sing this silly little children's song, first recorded by a frog, I started crying. I realized what Ray had done was take it and make it about a six year old blind child in the poor south hated by too many for the color of the skin he could not see on his own body. With his incomparable soul and inimitable voice, plus an amazing arrangement added to it, it is now an anthem about survival, acceptance, understanding and love.
Preach.
I don't agree that this was ever a "silly little children's song". It has always been about isolation, self-doubt, and ultimately personal acceptance. The fact that it is about a frog and his greenness allows all of us to apply it to our own circumstances. This version by Ray Charles is brilliant and beautiful, but he doesn't reinvent the intent of the original. .
Beautiful, thank you 💚💚💚
Jeffrey Wetterman
You don't know "the intent of the original". You weren't there when it was written.
No, but the history of the song is well documented, I do read....I wasn't there when the Declaration of Independence was written either, but I can comment on it's original meaning. What is your point?
Absolutely one of the most brilliant covers ever recorded.
Facts!
100% true!
I mean he wrote it.
I prefer Mark Murphy's version.
Lena Horne has an excellent version, as well.
If this song is not playing at my funeral, I ain't dying.
My favorite ever comment made on TH-cam
green is the color of spring , and green can be cool
Hardest laugh I've had today. I gotta use that one. 😅
So strange…three-ish months ago I told my best friend that I wanted this to be one of the songs played at my funeral. So beautiful.
Amen! Please come to my funeral and I'll be at yours! Let's make sure this song is played!
R.I.P. Ray Charles & Jim Henson.
❤
It's not easy being green.
It's not easy being blind.
It's not easy being black.
It's not easy living the childhood Ray's lived.
I can see why he loved this song so much. Because despite it all, every bit of Ray was great.
@Scott D You know he became blind when he was 7? You think that's easy?
@Scott D eat sh!+
I agree fully
The song was very popular. It became super famous when Kermit the Frog first sang it in the Sesame Street movie and the show and many big artists sang it th-cam.com/video/VlyUPxp4R2Q/w-d-xo.html
Just in case the metaphors in Kermit's original version were too subtle for some people in the back of the class to pick up on, here's Ray hammering it home.
Ray Charles could probably have sung the phone book and made you laugh or made you cry, as he wished.
Charlie Fogwhistle, Lord knows that's the truth!
Exactly
🙃no doubt
Omg this made me LAUGH!!
Richard Sinclair too !
As I'm watching the Jim Henson "Idea Man" documentary, I went searching for renditions of "Bein' Green" and found this. Be still, my heart. The late, great Ray Charles. AMAZING.
My daughter loves this song. She is a non-verbal with autism and she only wants to wear green dress and green leggings. I had to get 6 pairs …
Sending Love
@@tabathabrabham6384
Thank you
@@kkiissssiikk You're Welcome 🙏 😘 💞
i'm glad to hear im not the only one who cries
Me too. Ray can do that to you
OMG Yes! Everytime I hear him sing this I either tear up if I don't outright cry.
EVERYTIME!!! My mom passed 2018...i used to watch her and dad dance...they have passed...my heart aches everyday...SHE. was my BEST friend...so yes sweet person...everytime.
MY💓2U&2URS.
His pitch control is absolutely perfect. For all the expressive glides and bends and gospel soulfulness and emotive painting, he always returns to perfectly clear notes. Unbelievable. Truly one of the greatest of all time.
That's what made him The Genius! Set everything else aside, and there was so much -the creativity, the soul, his outrageous personality and stage presence- on a musical level his execution was always perfect.Truly one of the greats. There was Ray, and then there's everyone else
Perfect song, green is a metaphor for being human
The Cosby Show rerun always brings me back. 😢❤
I heard this on that episode when Rudy wanted to wear that dress
@@blairscott3863 yes!
I had this on a 45 when I was a kid...
This song had the words to describe the feeling trapped inside my heart...
It was not easy... young, black, and a little girl living in the south.
I'm not ashamed to say i weep with joy and understanding and sadness and resolve every time I hear this. beautiful doesn't Begin to describe it.
This has always been the song that comforted me, when i was in my lowest lows, being recent diagnosed with autism, it reminded me that I'm okay.
My daughter love this song. She is a non-verbal with autism and she only wants to wear green dress and green leggings. I had to get 6 pairs …
listen to this and hug yourself;
then hug someone else,
it is absolutely beautiful
being
+Marcella Detreville thank you you dear person.
+Marcella Detreville Thank you. So beautifully expressed.
Hit the nail squarely. This song is about accepting & loving oneself, one's individuality, one's uniqueness, sometimes despite all obstacles & appearances to the contrary. A valuable lesson not only for muppets & children.
green
I'm having a terrible night of depression and seeing your comment was wonderful
I had no idea this existed. A beautiful voice can take a children's song sang by Kermit the Frog and turn it into such a powerful ballad
That made me tear up a little and I ain't even sure why.
The first time I heard this recording I cried also
Cause you wanna be green bro.
You are just too precious that's why! Happy New Year, my friend.
Drellistenstomusic yep Ray did Kermit proud with this cover😏
Drellistenstomusic me to
I had that Muppets album when I was a child and that song always made me cry when Kermit sang it, but this is on a whole nother level. The tears are rolling!
What a beautiful human being. Sometimes people forget that. A beautiful HUMAN BEING.
It is said that Ray liked this song because he related it to his blindness. Perhaps he meant its not being different, not easy being blind.
Man....I first heard this on the Cosby Show... In my childhood.... This song, that show, this artist... RAY CHARLES... Touches my soul.... My heart... Reminds me of a time, when life could be defined in a "Simple Song"....
You should listen from Sinatra also
Me too I loved that episode ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Not silly.
An underappreciated song sung by one an absolute master and genius, who feels every note, every chord, every nuance of the song.
So love this rendition! Rest in peace, Brother Ray!
Sheila Coleman-Castells I agree. Ray may be gone physically, but he will always be here in his music, as well as the legacy he left behind, too. :)
Great song, great suit, great man. Ray was unparalleled in his revision of other people's music. Another musician once said of him "When Ray gets ahold of it, it ain't no more their song."
Wow, just wow, I had no idea this existed, amazing performance Mr Charles.
Jim Henson was a genius, and this song is part of the evidence. Thanks, Ray.
Joe Raposo wrote it
he wrote many of the songs for Sesame Street
The Cosby Show bought me here ... The one where Rudy wanted to wear her pretty purple summer dress to a birthday party but it was autumn and Claire wasn't here for Rudy's shenanigans and made her take that dress off and put on some fall clothes. That was one of my favorite Cosby Show scenes because of this song.
32 people are monsters for down voting this beauty.
Thank you so much, Ray, for so beautifully honouring one of the most special songs from my childhood. R.I.P. 💚
I first head kermit sing this on sesame street when i was a kid, never would have predicted I'd hear this haunting version as an adult
To think as a young boy he had vision and could see the colors around him...makes this song even more poignant.
This song always makes me cry. It’s so beautiful and we can call relate. Ray just puts so much into this ❤❤
This song always breaks me... we often use "it's not easy being green" among friends after something happened l, which was clearly caused by being perceived as different or worse. I actually found this cover after a friend posted me that sentence. I send him the kermit and this version... it never fails to lift you up.
I can't stop clutching my heart when I listen to him hit notes from another realm. Ray Charles was listening to music from another universe.
So beautiful said. I feel the same way.
I heard this on The Cosby Show and fell in love! The chord changes are AMAZING!
Could listen to him all day and night. We were blessed to have his voice.
I love Ray Charles 😢😊🎉
Well isn’t this a hidden gem. Beautiful 🎶 song. Rest Peacefully Mr.Charles❤️🙏🕊️
One of my favorite childhood songs, by one of my favorite singers, Rest in peace for both Ray Charles and Jim Henson, which they both deserve. Thank you for posting this.
...and for Joe Raposo who wrote the song.
That deserved a standing ovation.
My favorite version. Soulful and heartfelt! 💜😌
We need this message now more than ever
i love this song and certainly love Ray's rendition.... It's ok to be just who you are
Tears falling for Ferguson. Beautiful tribute to those suffering racism.
Luv him! And that’s one of my FAVORITE songs! Thank you.😊
This song reminds me of when I was lonely and I couldn't understand why. I've grown used to being alone. It's not such a bad thing. I've looked learned to love me everyday
❤🤟🥁
Mr Charles ..makes me cry with this every time!
+peter clark Me too
When Ray Charles sings this song, there is a magic that is felt on your heart and a stirring in your soul. Thanks for sharing.
still makes me cry!!!😢😢😢😢 one of the most important and beautiful songs ever written!
I’m in the hospital with Covid and I have pneumonia but this song makes me cry and smile at the same time 🙂..please pray for me I have no one with me now and I’m scared to die alone here
Are you okay?
I hope all is well with you friend
@@zackattack32 Me too ♥
I hope u came through it ok?
Her channel posted 2 weeks ago. I think she is all right now.
I’m about to cry, this is amazing. The meaning of this song I beautiful. Also blind man singing about a color he may’ve never seen before makes me so sad :(
First time I heard Ray Charles. I was 10 years old. I’m 25 now and I’ve never heard this song from him. He’s been my number 1 favorite musician ever.
This man is amazing! I’m in tears right now.
This is the most beautiful song I've ever heard.
listen to the voice. a trumpet playing at its best. this guy loved the song and lyrics. again...this is a symphony.
this should be our national anthem. It unites.
A very good idea.
especially when your Irish .
@@funny.gon-12 😅🍀
Seconded
Especially during Bidanomics.
Just kidding.
could not have been said any better, let us embrace all of the colors out there ...
absolutely a great rendition of the song. Makes me feel sad and happy at the same time. Just like the original with Kermit. I love it.
Makes me cry every single time. The Kermit original of my childhood does, too.
No one ever dared to mess with the music here. Nor with the lyrics. This is about you, me, us.Waht came first...music or words. This is poetry.
Should be 100 million views and more of this guy's pure genius!
Wow. :) Very awesome, as well as very inspiring... :) I can imagine Kermit singing the song The Rainbow Connection with Ray, as well as Ray nodding in approval and telling Kermit that he agrees with Kermit about a rainbow being beautiful, too. :)
Keep Coming back for this Cover ❤
As important a composition as "Over the Rainbow." All-time Classic. Thank you, Joe Raposo...and Ray Charles, of course.
Hearing Mr. Charles sing this brings tears to my eyes. A great vocalist/musician and a wonderful song.
you know i’m crying bc ray is amazing. and i love him dearly because he’s making a kids song a reality and it’s heart aching almost ❤️
Believe it or not i had never heard this song! I heard it for the first time on The Cosby Show & my daughter explained to me the real meaning of the song, just heard the whole song for the first time today when i bought it up on You Tube, beautiful song & beautiful meaning, this song is timeless!❤🌹
My mom toured Europe and sang under the direction of Ray Charles.
What’s your moms name I’d love to hear her music
My bird's song! This is for u Hulk. I love u.
tears flowing
First time I heard this was watching a Cosby Show episode. Great song
how has this only had 40,000 views?!?!? it's soooo good!
I'm not crying. You are
I just heard this song on The Cosby Show. And then I needed to see Ray sing it live. This song truly evokes a lot of emotions. Thank u Ray,for only you could.
Some performance !!!!!!!
Beautiful.
Watching the Cosby Show brought me to this song I just love it Ray Charles is a genius.
More Beautiful than anyone could have done or even imagined with this Not Easy Being Green song. Good all the Time ! Party On !
What a tribute to Kermit by such a legend 💚💚💚🐸
The composer of this beautiful piece of music is the legendary "Joe Raposa" read his autobiography to see how he arrived at composing this fabulous piece.
Thank You, Ray. Hope you and Jim are resting green and easy laid back above
A recently departed legend
Ray Charles
Such an amazing performance 💚
I’M not crying….. YOU’RE crying!!!
Ray Charles love that dude
It makes me cry, everytime
...you not the one sweetheart. Life is about how well WE face the challenges. Love you.
This song gets me every time...every version. But this one is quite beautiful 💚
@maskedsinger bought me here and I thank you for that
i love ray charles love the muppets and love this song
play this all the time - in tears - It will be payed at my funeral, which sadly is soon!
I will pray for you, sir. (or ma'am)
Why did this make me cry?
if one of the great classical composers had heard this tune it would have led to, at least, another movement in one of their symphonies. it has the making of being an entire 4 movement symphony as does wave by jobim. that's what is pulling you in. that, and ray's love of fine melody and mood creating music.
I cry every time I hear it 😢
This really touches me. Thank you so much Ray.
beautiful,absolutely beautiful song. Although you have to be at a certain maturity level and have had gone through some shit to understand it,to really feel it.
-RIP Bro. Charles.
OMG!!! FINALLY SOMEONE UNDERSTAND!!!!! Tears!
this song just gives me peace of mind somehow, neaver ceases to fail whenever i'm feeling down
I cry so hard
MY BEST friend who was my mom...this was one of her favorites....she could play that organ like there's no tomorrow....