FollowI’m not really sure how to react to Nicole Westbrook’s YouTube sensation, It’s Thanksgiving. If it were a parody… it would be hilarious. But this video is as earnest as Rebecca Black’s It’s Friday, over-autotuned just the same, and perhaps even more awkward.
The It’s Thanksgiving music video (produced by the makers of Rebecca Black’s It’s Friday) offers deep insightful lyrics:
Oh oh oh it’s Thanksgiving.
We, we, we are gonna have a good time.
The Turkey, Hey!
Mash Potatoes, Hey!
It’s Thanksgiving
It’s Thanksgiving
Seriously!
Take a peek.
The internet is full of haters who are blasting this video… that is not my intent. I just want to make a few observations about this music video as a youth culture phenomenon.
1. Today’s kids wanna be rockstars… at all cost!
A generation who was raised watching American Idol, The Voice and America’s Got Talent all see the potential for stardom. I respect those who are willing to work towards a goal, but a video camera and an autotuner aren’t always the answer. And when do goals become unhealthy obsessions?
2. At least it’s clean!
I’ve gotta give Nicole some props for keeping it clean! In an oversexualized world, it’s nice to see a song that doesn’t sell out to sexual lyrics or imagery.
3. Where are the parents?
I got the same feeling watching this video that I get when I turn on the Disney channel for any 5-minute segment. Where are the parents? Here’s a song about Thanksgiving and it’s a girl and her friends having a meal together without any parents. Where is this world where kids are in charge? Is that really representative of that age group’s mindset? Or is that something media is pushing?
4. I wanna give thanks to… my friends!
I never expect secular entertainment media to reflect Christian morals, but it’s just a little weird when we squeeze God out of holidays. In this video Nicole looks around the table, “Gotta give thanks to you and you and you!” Well… I guess that’s it. Sorry God. No thanks to you in this video. (Even Lil Wayne thanks God when he gets an award!)
5. Lyrics are digressing
Where has all the poetry gone? I’m not saying that all lyrics are poetry. It was only a few years ago that Fergie sang, “I miss you like a child misses her blanky!” But… really?
Can’t be hateful
Gotta be grateful
Mashed Potatoes on my table!
I think we’ve hit a new low!
What about you? What do you think?
Posted in Entertainment Media, Internet, Jonathan's Rant, Music, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment
I’m speechless…although I’m tempted to grab it to show tonight for the announcement of next week’s annual youth group Thanksgiving dinner 🙂
House full of white preteens and then a middle age African American is the only adult? On top of that he shows up in a turkey outfit? Highly questionable. I like the turkey leg Mic though.
Jonathan, IDK…to me it’s kinda like the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Special with a dog and little bird but no adults. Kids acting like adults. I thought it was fun and it made me smile a little!
At least Charlie Brown thanked God.
Actually, Linus gave the Thanksgiving table talk and he just referenced the prayer given by William Brewster on the first Thanksgiving.
Anyway, I always checkout your blog posts multiple times each week and love your thoughts. I still think the song is innocent fun but do get your point about it not mentioning God. He is the giver of all good things and should be the focus of our praise and thanks.
that video was a train wreck! it was so bad yet somehow i couldn’t look away. my 8 year old could come up with better lyrics to a song!
I don’t think I’ve ever heard the words “mashed potatoes” in a song.
“I can mash-potatoe (I can mash-potatoe)
And I can do the twist (I can do the twist)”
Sorry, that’s just what I thought of the moment I heard this 🙂
Without a doubt this is being shown tonight at youth group. I’m thankful to you and you and you for this (lovely?) song..
Just make sure you bring some turkey legs to sing along with it!