Thanksgiving, a holiday synonymous with bountiful feasts, family gatherings, and heartfelt gratitude, often feels musically overlooked. While Christmas carols dominate December and Halloween boasts spooky soundtracks, Thanksgiving’s sonic landscape remains surprisingly barren. Beyond a few novelty tunes, there isn’t a definitive song that encapsulates the spirit of Turkey Day. Enter Adam Sandler and his comedic masterpiece, “The Thanksgiving Song,” a tune that, against all odds, has become the unofficial anthem for this cherished holiday.
While Sandler’s “Chanukah Song” enjoys widespread recognition, it’s “The Thanksgiving Song,” born from a 1992 “Saturday Night Live” skit and later featured on his album They’re All Gonna Laugh At You!, that truly captures the delightfully chaotic essence of Thanksgiving. This song isn’t just funny; it’s a surprisingly insightful reflection of the holiday experience, mirroring the sometimes surreal and always relatable moments of a family Thanksgiving dinner. To truly appreciate the brilliance of this comedic gem, let’s dissect its free-flowing lyrics, rhyme by humorous rhyme.
Love to eat turkey
‘Cause it’s good
Love to eat turkey
Like a good boy should
The song kicks off with an undeniable truth: the love of turkey. It’s a universal sentiment, instantly relatable to anyone who anticipates the Thanksgiving feast. Even vegetarians and vegans can appreciate the inclusive nature, easily swapping “turkey” for “Tofurkey” without disrupting the rhyme or the spirit. This simple opening line is songwriting genius in its purest form.
Turkey for me
Turkey for you
Let’s eat the turkey
In my big brown shoe
Here, Sandler takes a turn into the absurd, embracing a surrealist twist reminiscent of Dadaist poetry. The sudden shift to eating turkey in a shoe is unexpected and hilarious, injecting the song with Sandler’s signature brand of goofy humor. It’s this unpredictable element that starts to define the song’s unique charm.
Love to eat the turkey
At the table
I once saw a movie
With Betty Grable
Betty Grable
This verse introduces a non-sequitur that’s both bizarre and brilliant. Betty Grable, the iconic 1940s actress and pin-up girl, becomes an unexpected Thanksgiving reference. Perhaps Sandler is drawing a humorous parallel between the “deliciousness” of turkey and Grable’s famed legs (insured for a million dollars!). Or maybe it’s just a random thought, mirroring the stream-of-consciousness conversations that often occur during holiday gatherings. The mention of Betty Grable adds a layer of vintage pop culture, showcasing Sandler’s eclectic comedic influences. The alt text for this image is: Betty Grable, a classic Hollywood icon, mentioned in Adam Sandler’s Thanksgiving song lyrics.
Eat that turkey
All night long
Fifty million Elvis fans
Can’t be wrong
The Elvis Presley reference adds another layer of cultural depth. By invoking Elvis and his massive fan base, Sandler humorously elevates the act of eating turkey to a level of iconic popularity. It’s a playful exaggeration that contributes to the song’s overall comedic effect. Interestingly, Thanksgiving was significant for Elvis’ movie releases, with several of his films debuting on Thanksgiving Day to capitalize on the holiday weekend audience.
Turkey lurkey doo and
Turkey lurkey dap
I eat that turkey
Then I take a nap
This verse perfectly encapsulates a beloved Thanksgiving tradition: the post-dinner nap. Sandler taps into the universal experience of food-induced drowsiness, often attributed (though mythically) to tryptophan in turkey. Regardless of the science, the “turkey nap” is a real and relatable part of Thanksgiving, and Sandler captures it perfectly with playful gibberish and a simple, truthful statement.
Thanksgiving is a special night
Jimmy Walker used to say Dy-no-mite
A nostalgic nod to 1970s sitcom fame, Jimmy Walker’s “Dy-no-mite!” catchphrase brings another unexpected pop culture element into the mix. It’s a somewhat random, yet endearing reference that highlights the fleeting nature of fame and adds to the song’s quirky, conversational style.
Turkey with gravy and cranberry
Can’t believe the Mets traded Darryl Strawberry
This line delves into the world of sports, referencing baseball and a specific player trade (or in this case, a free agency departure). The mention of Darryl Strawberry and the New York Mets adds a touch of everyday conversation, mimicking the kind of sports banter that often occurs at family gatherings. It’s a detail that grounds the song in relatable, real-world scenarios.
Turkey for you and Turkey for me
Can’t believe Tyson gave that girl V.D.
Venturing into more controversial territory, this line references the Mike Tyson rape trial that was heavily publicized in November 1992, coinciding with the song’s debut. It’s a bold and topical reference, reflecting the kind of dinner table conversations that might veer into uncomfortable or sensational news. Sandler’s inclusion of this controversial topic is a testament to the song’s willingness to embrace the messy reality of holiday gatherings.
White meat, dark meat
You just can’t lose
I fell off my moped
And I got a bruise
A sudden shift to personal anecdote, this verse injects a dose of physical comedy and a public safety message (however unintentional). The moped mishap is a humorous non-sequitur, again showcasing Sandler’s ability to jump between topics and maintain comedic momentum.
Turkey in the oven
And the buns in the toaster
I’ll never take down
My Cheryl Tiegs poster
The Cheryl Tiegs reference offers another blast of 70s/80s pop culture nostalgia. Tiegs, a supermodel icon, becomes the object of humorous, adolescent admiration, triggered by the Thanksgiving “buns” (dinner rolls). It’s a playful and slightly suggestive line that adds to the song’s overall lighthearted and slightly irreverent tone.
Wrap the turkey up
In aluminum foil
My brother likes to masturbate
With baby oil
This is arguably the most infamous and outrageous line in the song, pushing the boundaries of Thanksgiving appropriateness into hilariously uncomfortable territory. The sudden and unexpected mention of baby oil and Sandler’s brother is pure shock comedy. It’s a line that guarantees a reaction and solidifies the song’s reputation for pushing comedic limits.
Turkey and sweet potato pie
Sammy Davis Jr.
Only had one eye
Another classic entertainer reference, Sammy Davis Jr., is brought into the Thanksgiving mix. The mention of his eye patch (a result of a car accident) is a somewhat random, yet memorable detail. It’s a testament to Sandler’s free-associative style, linking Thanksgiving food to a legendary performer in a completely unexpected way.
Turkey for the girls and
Turkey for the boys
My favorite kind of pants
Are corduroys
A surprisingly personal and slightly defiant fashion statement, the corduroy line adds another layer of quirky charm. In the early 90s, corduroys weren’t exactly trendy, making it a humorous and slightly rebellious declaration of personal style. It’s a small detail that further enhances the song’s endearing oddness.
Gobble gobble goo and
Gobble gobble gickel
I wish turkey
Only cost a nickel
Adam Sandler in They're All Gonna Laugh At You! album cover
The song concludes with a return to the turkey theme and a touch of social commentary. The wish for cheaper turkey, while humorous in its simplicity, also subtly hints at economic disparities and the struggles some face in affording holiday meals. It’s a surprisingly poignant ending note amidst the absurdity. The alt text for this image is: Adam Sandler’s album cover for “They’re All Gonna Laugh At You!”, featuring “The Thanksgiving Song”.
“The Thanksgiving Song” isn’t just a funny song; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Its enduring appeal lies in its chaotic humor, relatable observations, and unexpected pop culture references. It perfectly mirrors the often-unpredictable nature of Thanksgiving gatherings, embracing the silliness and occasional awkwardness that come with family holidays. While Thanksgiving might lack a vast catalog of musical anthems, Adam Sandler’s comedic gem fills that void perfectly. It’s a gleeful, goofy, and inclusive ode to Turkey Day that, despite its bizarre detours, resonates with the spirit of the holiday. For a holiday rooted in somewhat hazy origins and filled with its own brand of delightful absurdity, “The Thanksgiving Song” stands as the perfect, unofficial anthem, a tune that, much like Thanksgiving itself, is best enjoyed with a healthy dose of humor and a willingness to embrace the delightfully chaotic.
