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| Written by | Johann Strauss, Jr. |
| Date | 1867 |
| Publisher | public domain |
"The Blue Danube" is the popular name for "By the Beautiful Blue Danube," also known as "The Blue Danube Waltz." Although the piece by Johann Strauss, Jr. (as what would become categorized as his opus #314) was originally meant to have been accompanied by lyrics, the composer favored the orchestral version. It stands in this form as one of the most popular pieces of classical music today.
The Balloon-Head Conductor conducts an orchestra of popping balloons to the tune of "The Blue Danube" in episode 112 of The Muppet Show. He finishes the song by popping his own head.
The song is used again in episode 124, this time featuring Zelda Rose as a librarian who conducts a group of noisy patrons (Fozzie, Miss Piggy, Hilda, Nigel, and Wayne and Wanda) as they cough, rustle paper, chew gum, etc to the tune of "The Blue Danube." This sketch was later marketed on its own as a Muppet Meeting Film "Teamwork in Action".
On Sesame Street, a Lavender Lady Singer sings about front and back to this song. The song is also featured on the Sesame Street album, Elmo and the Orchestra.
Internet Video
The Blue Danube Waltz (also Classical Chickens) is an Internet video starring Gonzo the Great, Camilla and some chickens. Gonzo conducts a rendition of "The Blue Danube" as clucked by chickens. Statler and Waldorf appear at the end.
The video was posted on various websites (including MySpace, YouTube, Vimeo, and others) on July 16, 2008. The video was said to be posted by Gonzo using such usernames as thegreatgonzo, weirdowhatever and bluenosedgeek.