Bret McKenzie Sings With Kermit: 'Life's A Happy Song' From 'The Muppets' (VIDEO)

While "The Muppets" is all about reviving the spirit of the beloved Jim Henson franchise, it is also, on a behind-the-scenes level, bringing back together another quirky TV series.

During Kermit & Co.'s decade absence from singing and dancing on television, the New Zealand import "Flight of the Conchords" helped pick up the slack. A hipster hallucinogenic musical about two down and out musicians living on the lower east side of Manhattan (as well as the vast expanses of their imaginations), it only lasted two seasons, but two of its most important elements have joined up with the Jason Segel "Muppets" movie for ultimate musical happiness.

Along with James Bobin, who co-created the "Conchords" show for HBO, directing the film, Bret McKenzie, one half of the singing stars of the show, played a major part in creating its soundtrack. That includes its opening scene song, "Life's A Happy Song," which has largely become the theme for the film. A fun, bouncy tune that spouts optimism in every note, it's performed by Jason Segel and his Muppet pal Walter in the movie, with mass dance sequences as they traipse through their home of Smalltown, USA.

In a new feature about McKenzie in the NY Times, he talks trying to write music for the film, and the odd experience of trying to figure out which Muppets could, and which couldn't, sing.

On the yes list: bears, frogs and pigs. The no list: chickens, and other fowl.

"So I was like, 'Can we get the penguins to sing?'" McKenzie remembers about one song in particular that required an ensemble chorus. "And they'd say: 'No. Penguins don't sing.'"

Luckily, as noted, frogs can sing; Kermit, of course, is one of the Muppets' most famous vocalists. To celebrate his contribution, the NY Times had McKenzie sing his "Life's A Happy Song" with the head frog himself, creating a delightful duet you can see below.

WATCH:

Comments

[Cindy Tatum]

04:14 PM on 11/21/2011

I've loved Kermit for a long long time. Frogs are the best!

[Edward Standley]

06:13 PM on 11/21/2011

You know, I just looked at the picture of Kermit with his skinny little arms and legs and smiled. Doesn't matter how old and crotchety I get, the Muppets still rock. :)

[AllisonAEB]

02:24 PM on 11/21/2011

I think I can safely say that this is the cutest video I'll watch all week

[Max Shaw]

01:14 PM on 11/21/2011

cute. I feel like they messed it up on purpose just for the sake of comedy.

[Robert Neblett]

12:22 PM on 11/21/2011

Disney doesn't know what it's talking about. Muppet penguins do sing.

Evidence:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj2Z7mzBNg8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfmNFW7mplM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPleVXxgHqQ

[mary896]

11:49 AM on 11/21/2011

Welcome back Muppets, it's been far too long. Missed you!

[littlepuffycloud]

11:20 AM on 11/21/2011

As long as Kermit doesn't sing 'TheRainbowConnection'. I can't hear it without getting choked up..

Why are there so many songs about rainbows...

[cameron d]

10:57 AM on 11/21/2011

Brit?

[madchen515]

03:00 PM on 11/21/2011

Yes, like Brittany :)

[Guardian Weasel]

10:38 AM on 11/21/2011

Bret's probably used to performing duets with singers who look somewhat like a frog.

[Bruce Forbes]

11:45 AM on 11/21/2011

Bret is one half of "Flight of the Concords"...the new Smothers Brothers. They are really great.