MAHNA MAHNA: Sexy Origins of a Muppets Classic
I recently heard a rumor (that appears to be well-founded) about the origins of the Muppets’ song, “Mahna Mahna.” This song, when performed by the Muppets, features a guy with dark glasses and an orange lion-mane-like hairdo (named Mahna Mahna, as well) singing the nonsense verses. He’s backed up by two pink, horned, lashy bird/cow/alien creatures named the Snowths. They sing the “doo-doo-doos” for Mahna Mahna, and also try to reign him in when he gets carried away.
The song was premiered on The Muppet Show, but has had a few reincarnations over the years. Most recently, the trio showed up in the new Muppet Movie (which I thought was FANTASTIC). The band Cake also did a cover of “Mahna” a while back, with all their brassy goodness. All in all, the “Mahna” sketch is a favorite of mine, and and I’ve added the Cake cover to more than a few mix CDs.
I was surprised, and weirdly delighted, to learn that the song first graced our earth as part of the soundtrack of a steamy Italian film from 1968. The film is called Sweden: Heaven and Hell, and is described as a documentary about sexuality in 1960s Sweden, where “the new morality is old hat.” Based on this video, I’m actually dying to watch the whole documentary. The film promises to reveal the truth about Swedish swingers, sex cruises, roving predatory motorcycle gangs, naked meter maids, and so much more! The scene featuring “Mahna Mahna” seems quite tame in comparison, just showing a gaggle of Swedish babes hanging out in a sauna wrapped in towels.
I don’t think my childhood memories have been tainted by my new knowledge of the inspiration behind the Muppets’ classic. The Muppets were created by adults for children, but seem to include secret nods to adults that I like to discover as I rewatch them as a grown-up. I’ve had similar revelations watching Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, and even Disney movies (we all know what’s going on with that priest in The Little Mermaid…).
A timeline of the history of “Mahna Mahna” includes the note that the Snowths got their name from a combination of the words “snout” and “mouth.” Sure, maybe, but I wouldn’t be surprised if those Swedish maidens tromping around in the snow had something to do with it, too…
xoxo,
Lucy
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I'm Lucy. I live in Chicago and I like to talk about sex. Give me a topic: I'm happy to answer any questions about love, sex, and relationships. Email me at LucyRockwell@gmail.com Follow @LucyRockwell
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