The Songsmiths of <em>Sesame Street</em>

Every week, The Friendship Files features a conversation between The Atlantic’s Julie Beck and two or more friends, exploring the history and significance of their relationship.

This week she talks to two former Sesame Street songwriters, who co-wrote many songs for the children’s program in the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s, including perhaps the show’s best-known tune, “Put Down the Duckie.” They went on to found a children’s-entertainment company together, and produced the PBS show Between the Lions. Here, they tell the stories behind some of their greatest hits, and the bond they formed while collaborating on them.

The Friends

Chris Cerf, 77, a writer-composer, formerly for Sesame Street, and co-founder of the children’s-entertainment company Sirius Thinking Ltd. He lives in New York City.

Norm Stiles, 76, a former head writer of Sesame Street and co-founder of Sirius Thinking Ltd. He lives in Hoboken, New Jersey.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Julie Beck: When did you two first meet?

Norm Stiles: When I started at Sesame Street—I think it was the end of the second season, which was 1971.

Chris Cerf: I started in 1970. I was working on books, records, toys, and products. The writers of Sesame Street actually got to write the books, so I knew everybody on the writing staff. And I got to write songs pretty early, so I got to work with Norm and others on that very soon after getting here.

Beck: What was your day-to-day like at Sesame Street? Did you two collaborate often?

If we were writing songs, I would have an idea or some lyrics written down. A hook. And I’d say to Chris, “I