Thanksgiving: a holiday synonymous with family gatherings, bountiful feasts, and expressing gratitude. Yet, amidst the rich traditions, Thanksgiving often finds itself surprisingly underrepresented in one crucial aspect of holiday celebrations: music. While Christmas overflows with carols, Halloween boasts spooky tunes, and even Valentine’s Day has its ballads, Thanksgiving’s musical offerings are notably scarce. You’d be hard-pressed to compile a playlist of Thanksgiving songs long enough to last through dinner, let alone the entire holiday weekend.
However, there is one shining exception, a song so perfectly capturing the essence of Thanksgiving’s quirky, chaotic, and heartwarming spirit that it stands alone as the unofficial anthem of the holiday: Adam Sandler’s “The Thanksgiving Song,” also known as “Happy Thanksgiving.” While Sandler’s “Chanukah Song” often steals the spotlight, his ode to Turkey Day, which premiered on Saturday Night Live in 1992 and later featured on his 1993 album They’re All Gonna Laugh At You!, arguably surpasses it in its comedic brilliance and cultural resonance, especially when discussing Thanksgiving songs. In a uniquely Sandler-esque way, the song mirrors the sometimes surreal and rambling experience of navigating a full-blown Thanksgiving family gathering. To truly understand the genius of this Thanksgiving gem, let’s dissect Sandler’s stream-of-consciousness lyrics, one hilarious rhyme at a time.
Love to eat turkey
‘Cause it’s good
Love to eat turkey
Like a good boy should
Great songwriting often starts with relatability, and Sandler nails it from the opening lines. Who doesn’t love to eat turkey on Thanksgiving? It’s a universal sentiment for most celebrants. Even vegetarians and vegans can appreciate the inclusive nature, perhaps substituting “Tofurkey” without disrupting the rhyme – pure lyrical genius that speaks to a broad audience seeking Thanksgiving dinner joy.
Turkey for me
Turkey for you
Let’s eat the turkey
In my big brown shoe
After establishing common ground, Sandler takes a turn into the absurd, a hallmark of his comedic style. This non sequitur, reminiscent of Surrealist art, adds a layer of unexpected humor, transforming a simple Thanksgiving dinner into something delightfully bizarre. The image of eating turkey in a shoe is both ridiculous and memorable, perfectly embodying the often-unpredictable nature of holiday gatherings.
Love to eat the turkey
At the table
I once saw a movie
With Betty Grable
Betty Grable in a classic pose
Here, Sandler’s free-associative lyrics take another unexpected detour, referencing Betty Grable, the iconic 1940s actress and pin-up star famous for her million-dollar legs. Is Sandler drawing a parallel between the deliciousness of turkey legs and Grable’s famed gams? Perhaps. Or maybe it’s a nod to another Thanksgiving tradition in many homes: watching classic movies. Regardless of the intended meaning, the line is a testament to Sandler’s quirky pop culture references and his ability to weave seemingly disparate ideas into a comedic tapestry. The mention of Betty Grable injects a vintage Hollywood glamour into the otherwise homespun holiday, adding to the song’s unique charm.
Eat that turkey
All night long
Fifty million Elvis fans
Can’t be wrong
Sandler seamlessly transitions to another pop culture icon, Elvis Presley, referencing the King’s compilation album 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong: Elvis’ Gold Records — Volume 2. This line cleverly connects Thanksgiving with Elvis’s box office success; remarkably, six of Elvis’s films premiered on Thanksgiving Day to capitalize on the holiday weekend. It’s a witty observation that blends music history with Thanksgiving trivia, showcasing Sandler’s knack for unexpected cultural juxtapositions and solidifying the song’s place within a broader entertainment context.
Turkey lurkey doo and
Turkey lurkey dap
I eat that turkey
Then I take a nap
Returning to the relatable aspects of Thanksgiving, Sandler invokes the beloved post-dinner nap, a cherished tradition for many after indulging in the Thanksgiving feast. He alludes to the myth of tryptophan in turkey causing drowsiness, a theory debunked but still widely associated with the holiday. This humorous reference to the “turkey coma” taps into a shared Thanksgiving experience, making the song even more resonant with listeners who have experienced that post-turkey slump.
Thanksgiving is a special night
Jimmy Walker used to say Dy-no-mite
Sandler injects a touch of nostalgia with a shout-out to Jimmy “J.J.” Walker, the 1970s sitcom star known for his catchphrase “Dy-no-mite!” This line is a humorous acknowledgement of fleeting fame and a playful pop culture reference for those who remember Walker’s popularity. It adds another layer of unexpected humor and demonstrates Sandler’s ability to blend contemporary and retro references within the song.
Turkey with gravy and cranberry
Can’t believe the Mets traded Darryl Strawberry
Venturing into sports commentary, Sandler touches upon a common Thanksgiving dinner trope: family discussions, often including passionate, and sometimes misinformed, sports opinions. The New York Mets didn’t actually trade Darryl Strawberry; he left as a free agent. This lyrical inaccuracy cleverly mimics the kind of slightly off-kilter sports takes often heard at family gatherings, contributing to the song’s humorous realism and capturing the essence of conversational tangents during Thanksgiving dinner.
Turkey for you and Turkey for me
Can’t believe Tyson gave that girl V.D.
Sandler then delves into topical news with a reference to Mike Tyson’s rape trial in 1992, a major headline during that Thanksgiving season. Desiree Washington’s accusations against Tyson and the related controversy were undoubtedly dinner table conversation starters across the nation. This line, though provocative, reflects Sandler’s comedic style of addressing current events through a darkly humorous lens, mirroring the sometimes uncomfortable or controversial discussions that can arise during family gatherings.
White meat, dark meat
You just can’t lose
I fell off my moped
And I got a bruise
Sandler pivots to a public service announcement wrapped in personal anecdote, highlighting the potential dangers of post-Thanksgiving overindulgence, especially when operating vehicles. The moped mishap serves as a funny, albeit slightly alarming, cautionary tale about the perils of mixing heavy meals and motorized transport. It adds a touch of slapstick humor and reinforces the theme of Thanksgiving as a potentially chaotic and unpredictable holiday.
Turkey in the oven
And the buns in the toaster
I’ll never take down
My Cheryl Tiegs poster
Nostalgia returns with a mention of Cheryl Tiegs, the 1970s supermodel and icon. Tiegs, famous for her Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue covers, adorned the walls of many young men during that era. The “buns in the toaster” line is a likely trigger for this nostalgic reminiscence, creating a humorous and slightly suggestive connection between Thanksgiving food and youthful memories. It’s a classic Sandler-esque non-sequitur that adds to the song’s overall comedic randomness.
Wrap the turkey up
In aluminum foil
My brother likes to masturbate
With baby oil
Sandler pushes the boundaries of Thanksgiving carol norms with this overtly suggestive and unexpected line. He humorously reveals a personal, and perhaps taboo, detail, venturing into adult humor while maintaining the song’s overall lighthearted and comedic tone. This line is a prime example of Sandler’s willingness to be irreverent and push comedic limits, adding a layer of shock value and further cementing the song’s unique and unconventional nature.
Turkey and sweet potato pie
Sammy Davis Jr.
Only had one eye
Continuing his stream of consciousness, Sandler name-drops Sammy Davis Jr., the legendary entertainer and Rat Pack member. The lyric playfully, albeit inaccurately, refers to Davis Jr.’s eye injury (he lost an eye in a car accident, but was born with two). This line is another example of Sandler’s free-associative style, jumping from Thanksgiving desserts to a random celebrity fact, adding to the song’s overall quirky and unpredictable charm.
Turkey for the girls and
Turkey for the boys
My favorite kind of pants
Are corduroys
Sandler makes a fashion statement, confessing his fondness for corduroy pants, a somewhat unfashionable choice in the early 90s. This line is a humorous and slightly self-deprecating admission, showcasing Sandler’s willingness to embrace the uncool and further solidifying his comedic persona as an endearingly awkward everyman. It’s a quirky and memorable detail that adds to the song’s overall charm.
Gobble gobble goo and
Gobble gobble gickel
I wish turkey
Only cost a nickel
Adam Sandler in his early SNL days
The song concludes with a whimsical and slightly poignant wish for cheaper turkeys. While humorous on the surface, this line subtly touches upon the economic realities of Thanksgiving, acknowledging that not everyone can afford a lavish holiday meal. It adds a touch of social commentary to the otherwise silly song, reminding listeners to be mindful of those less fortunate during the holiday season. This unexpected hint of social awareness elevates the song beyond pure silliness, giving it a slightly deeper resonance.
Perhaps we’ve delved too deeply into the lyrical layers of “The Thanksgiving Song,” maybe fueled by a bit too much pumpkin pie. However, it’s undeniable that Sandler’s quirky tune deserves recognition as the true Thanksgiving anthem. Thanksgiving, with its muddled origins and inherent absurdities – overeating, family squabbles, and post-dinner naps – needs a theme song that mirrors its gleeful chaos and endearing ridiculousness. While other holidays boast polished carols and anthems, Thanksgiving gets Adam Sandler’s wonderfully weird and inclusive ode. Minus a slightly risqué verse, it remains a sing-along favorite, a rare point of family agreement during Turkey Day festivities. And for that, Mr. Sandler, we are truly thankful.
