Composing For Kermit

Wellingtonian Bret McKenzie has applied “his rare talents to a sacred” and “daunting” “Muppets-related endeavour” writing three songs for the forthcoming movie The Muppets. The New York Times’ cultural editor Adam Sternbergh writes for the publication’s magazine: “It’s a sacred endeavour because, to a certain generation, of which McKenzie is part (he is 35), the Muppets are a foundational part of childhood. And it’s daunting because, well, these are the Muppets, and the Muppets have rules. ‘[Flight of the] Conchords is definitely very Muppety,” McKenzie says. ‘It’s like a mixture of the Muppets and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm.’ McKenzie tried not to fret too much over the impressive history of Muppet movie music, which includes several iconic hits, not least being Rainbow Connection. ‘So many people would say to me: ‘You’re doing music for the Muppets? Hmmm. Well, you’re not going to write anything as good as Rainbow Connection.’”