- Inch Worm, also known as The Inch Worm, is a song written by Frank Loesser and originally performed by Danny Kaye in the 1952 film Hans Christian Andersen, appearing on the film’s soundtrack.
- The lyrics tell a carpe diem story as the inchworm with a business-like mind misses the beauty of the flowers, while later verses urge stopping to notice their beauty.
- Loesser also wrote a counterpoint chorus based on arithmetic that, when heard by itself, became a popular children’s song.
- The tune has been widely covered, including versions by Paul McCartney, Doris Day, Anne Murray, The We Five, and John Coltrane; David Bowie said Inchworm inspired his 1980 song Ashes to Ashes.
- It has appeared in many media, from the 1954 Looney Tunes cartoon From A to Z-Z-Z-Z to shows like Captain Kangaroo, The Simpsons, Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Curiosity Shop, Quantum Leap, and even the Paper Mario video game.
- A notable anecdote: Loesser received a fan letter from a Kansas teacher named Emily Preyer and ran a heartwarming ad in the local paper to thank her.
