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Theme Song Lyrics
Original Series Opening
Turning on the Power of Literacy
The The Electric Company theme song, composed by Gary William Friedman, is one of the most energetic and funk-infused openings in educational television history. While Sesame Street focused on preschoolers, The Electric Company was designed by the Children’s Television Workshop to help elementary school children who had graduated from Sesame Street but still struggled with reading. The “Power” referenced in the lyrics is a direct metaphor for the power of literacy.
The show is legendary for its incredible cast, which included a young Morgan Freeman (as Easy Reader), Rita Moreno, and Bill Cosby. The theme song underwent several stylistic changes over the six seasons, but the iconic “HEY YOU GUYS!” shout by Rita Moreno and the funky bassline remained the series’ spiritual heart. It utilized sketch comedy, animation, and music to decode phonics, making the act of reading feel modern, cool, and rebellious.