Music by | Leonard Bernstein |
Lyrics by | Stephen Sondheim |
Date | 1957 |
Source | West Side Story (musical) |
Publisher | Chappell & Co. Inc.; The Leonard Bernstein Music Pub. Co. LLC |
"America," from Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's musical West Side Story, is about Puerto Rican immigrants living in New York City who argue that their adopted home is superior to their native land.
The Electric Mayhem performs the song on a set decorated with traditional American stars and stripes in episode 317 of The Muppet Show. The song turns into a global jam session when the international Muppet guests join in.
The international Muppets include the Witch Doctor representing a tribal nation, a Mexican Whatnot playing the trumpet, two Russian pig soldiers playing a stringed instrument, Mahna Mahna dancing for a Polynesian tribe, a Scotsman playing the bagpipe, and the Swedish Chef playing the accordion for Mary Louise and a goat.