Charles Cornell sat down with the deceptively simple song about counting to 12. You almost certain know this song if you were a kid between 1977 and 2002.

Called the Pinball Number Count on Sesame Street, Cornell peals back the surprising layers of complexity. Odd time signatures (7/4 or pairs of 4/4 + 3/4), funky chord compositions, and famous musicians that had no business being on a kids show. It’s definitely fun watching a musician pull apart this little masterpiece.

It was written in 1976 by Walt Kraemer, arranged by Ed Bogas, and vocals were performed by the Pointer Sisters. Yes, the actual Pointer Sisters. It first appeared on Sesame Street in Season 8 which aired in1977. It appeared continually until 2002. Andy Narell plays the steel drums for numbers 2, 4, 9, and 12. Mel Martin plays the soprano sax bits for numbers 5, 6, 7, and 10.

More details about the song from someone that interviewed Walt Kraemer about this song can be found here.

Or, you can play the Number Count pinball game from the Sesame Street website.