EXPERIENCING A THANKSGIVING TRADITION! First Time Hearing Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant Reaction

Get ready for a unique Thanksgiving treat as we dive into Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant" for the first time! Known as a Thanksgiving tradition for many, we're excited to experience this folk classic and understand its connection to the holiday.
🍂 About the Thanksgiving Tradition: "Alice's Restaurant," a song by Arlo Guthrie, has become an unofficial Thanksgiving anthem over the years. Spanning over 18 minutes, it's known for its engaging storytelling and humorous take on a Thanksgiving incident.
🎵 In This Video: Join us on our first-ever listen to "Alice's Restaurant." As we delve into this Thanksgiving classic, expect our genuine reactions, laughter, and perhaps a newfound appreciation for this unique holiday tradition.
👫 Why React as a Couple?: Experiencing cultural and musical traditions together adds a fun and personal element to our reactions. We're curious to see how this song resonates with us and to share our different perspectives with you.
🔔 Subscribe for More Music Reactions: If you enjoy our journey into music and cultural traditions, make sure to subscribe to our channel. We love exploring and reacting to new songs, especially those with special significance like "Alice's Restaurant."
💬 Join the Conversation: Have you listened to "Alice's Restaurant" during Thanksgiving? What are your thoughts on this song and its holiday connection? Let us know in the comments section below!
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You can find the original video of Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant below:
• Alice's Restaurant Mas...
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You can find Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant on Spotify & Apple here:
open.spotify.com/track/44iero...
music.apple.com/us/album/alic...
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#arloguthrie #alicesrestaurant #thanksgiving

[@joecarcione6636]

Arlo's Dad, Woody Guthrie, was a folk legend. He wrote "This Land is your Land" among numerous other tunes...

[@emcsquared8681]

He was also a communist and wrote This Land as a communist song. He didn’t believe there should be separate states or borders, and that we should be able to go anywhere we want.

[@jettslappy7028]

That's weird because the lyrics repeatedly speak of USA borders. From California to the New York islands, Gulf Stream to the Redwoods. No mention of anything outside of USA borders.

[@emcsquared8681]

@@jettslappy7028 it is weird to those that don’t know what they’re talking about but that’s because the actual song was chopped up to make it an all American song. But he didn’t believe in private property and that no one should own land. “As I went walking I saw a sign there, And on the sign it said "No Trespassing." But on the other side it didn't say nothing. That side was made for you and me. In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people, By the relief office I seen my people; As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking Is this land made for you and me? Nobody living can ever stop me, As I go walking that freedom highway; Nobody living can ever make me turn back This land was made for you and me.”

[@arnodobler1096]

​@@emcsquared8681In many European countries, trespassing: farmland, forests and vineyards is not a problem, even a right.

[@emcsquared8681]

@@arnodobler1096 ok, I’m just saying that he wrote it as a communist song, and I’ve proven that, but there will always be complete morons that will disagree and and those even dumber that will agree with morons like the guy above me.

[@gkiferonhs]

I went to see Arlo in concert to watch him do Alice's Restaurant live and found he had an unknown lead in act named Stevie Ray Vaughn. Best night ever.

[@christhompson2006]

I saw Men at Work in the early '80s and they also featured an unknown (to me at least) opening act named Stevie Ray Vaughan. What a treat.

[@MacAisling]

I saw Arlo and Pete Seeger in concert in the mid 1980’s. Saw may be a bit of a stretch as I was on the lawn at Wolftrap…

[@barsandbarbells2022]

What?! 😯

[@gdofred]

@@christhompson2006 I think Joe Walsh opened for MaW when I saw them around the same time. Or maybe that was the U2 show... Edited to get the correct Walsh - don't know how I confused Joe with the guy from Kansas

[@charleybarley914]

@@MacAisling Saw Arlo Pete John Prine Navy Island in the middle of the Mississippi in St Paul...Pete had 20,000 people in the palm of his hand playing that big long giant banjo singing along.

[@hlawrencepowell]

Arlo didn't come before Bob Dylan. Arlo was a kid when Dylan Arrived in NYC. Arlo's father came before Bob Dylan. Arlo just posted a picture of Alice yesterday -- him and Alice. The song is actually based on true events and you actually can find the newspaper story online. The first part of the story is totally necessary because it sets up the second part of the story. One of the important songs of the time.

[@charleybarley914]

Whats the only thing you cant get at Alice's Restaurant is a great trivia question- Hint- It's Alice

[@therealpbristow]

@@charleybarley914 It's not that kind of "restaurant". =:o}

[@hilarytoffler5636]

I'm 70 yrs old this year. My boys and I listen to this every Thanksgiving Day. They're scattered all over the world now.... But we still listen to it. It's a classic.

[@kimzwolinski9919]

My grandma always played this for Thanksgiving when I was a kid. I didn’t like it until I was the one hosting Thanksgiving . We listen to it every Thanksgiving still and I of course love it. 🍁🦃🍂 very nostalgic . Thank you for recommending it Mark 😊

[@ericwalker8636]

I'm 60 and from my teens I grew up hearing it every year, too. I enjoy the song and the tradition, and I've passed it on to my son and his family as well.

[@phlgriffin]

70 also, I still have my draft card, (#62) but by '72 they were already pulling troops out. In '74 I had a DUI and went down the the Marine recurting office and the guy was excited to see me with 2 years of college etc. until I told I had a court date. Wops, he said come back and see us after you get that done. I said every old movie I had ever seen was the kid gets in a scrap and the Judge says "going in the Marines, OK". I told the recurter, if I take care of this my self, why would I come back to see you? It's unfortunate, because the Marines may have been a good thing for me at the time.

[@hilarytoffler5636]

@@phlgriffin I hooked up with a group in Baltimore MD. Led by a renegade priest Fr. Berrigan, he taught us how to break into the buildings and burn the draft notices, sometimes in the parking lot. For legal purposes I will say "allegedly".

[@whoviating]

@@hilarytoffler5636 Dan and Phil Berrigan (and the rest of the Catonsville 9) were inspirations to me. I never met either of them but I did get to host a living room discussion with Elizabeth McAllister.

[@ericanderson8886]

Arlo sang at Woodstock. His "City of New Orleans" is one of the great train songs.

[@JDoors]

His 'version' of City of New Orleans is a classic. The song was written by Steve Goodman.

[@user-kg7co9vi5r]

I'd like to add "Mr. Customs Man"

[@jrepka01]

AKA "Coming into Los Angeles"@@user-kg7co9vi5r

[@bluebird3281]

@@user-kg7co9vi5rThanks for reminding me that song existed !

[@Billy-zv6gv]

My Grampa worked on railroad since WWII, and died crunched between two coal cars, and my family lovvved train songs most of all, and while watching ALF one evening, ALF and Steven Wright were riding in an open boxcar while Arlo Guthrie sang City of New Orleans, and it broke my heart when my otherwise annoyed at ALF, Dad broke down crying when he heard the favorite song and realized how even stupid ALF creators respected such old classics during kid's show in the late '80's. I thank you for telling others about this priceless song! I'm an old fart now, and I just broke down crying when I read what you wrote. Please pardon me for rambling on.

[@tobysmith3351]

This song is played every year on the radio for the past 50 years. It is a tradition.

[@dbradx]

The best part about this song is that it's 100% true, and is actually how Arlo avoided getting drafted to Vietnam. Great choice, great reaction as always!

[@thomasmacdiarmid8251]

A few details might have been a tad embellished.

[@hettbeans]

@@thomasmacdiarmid8251 The veins in his teeth part is definitely true.

[@barsandbarbells2022]

🙏

[@charleybarley914]

plus he acutally formed a bit of a friendship with Officer Obie years later.

[@steveg5933]

Wild thing happened to me about 7 years ago. Started a job at a new hospital. Head into work, get on elevator, One of the security guys is already on the elevator. I immediately had to bite my lip. The officer's name tag read- Obie.... Yes Officer Obie works at my hospital 😂

[@billboyd9028]

As "Die Hard" is to Christmas, "Alice's Restaurant" is to Thanksgiving - both have become holiday traditions. This song was an anti-war protest song that protested the draft and the war in Vietnam. It became an anthem of sorts for a generation coming of age in the late 1960's and early 1970's and were susceptible to the draft until it finally ended. Great reaction and hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

[@barsandbarbells2022]

Thank you! Hope you had a great day!

[@shadowridgedonkeys]

I wonder if unchanged melody by the righteous brothers was a Vietnam war song of a soldier over there .dates seem to match

[@briankirchhoefer]

​@@shadowridgedonkeys unchained melody is from the movie "unchained" from 1954 about a prisoner longing to be home.

[@joelspaulding5964]

​@@shadowridgedonkeysNo. Why would that even be a thought?

[@happymethehappyone8300]

Arlo Guthrie "City Of New Orleans" & "The Motorcycle Song"...Trust Me!!🔥

[@rubroken]

Also "The Pause of Mr.Claus"

[@megnotmegan1966]

Absolutely The Motorcycle Song!!

[@russellferriday8191]

"The significance of the pickle

[@gwydion56]

Hard to imagine these days how relevant and popular this song was when it came out. When you turned 18, you had to go register for the draft and then see if your number was called to service. This protest "song" was unique, and definitely is a Thanksgiving tradition for those of us who remember that time all too well.

[@Pahdopony]

It was a different time for sure. I can’t imagine young people now coming together to protest anything even though it’s desperately needed.

[@charismatic9467]

@@Pahdopony Bro did you not live through the last 3 years? There were record protests lmfao

[@nicknavc5]

​@@charismatic9467record protests ? You must be joking? Compared to the 60s?

[@charismatic9467]

@@nicknavc5 Yeah dude and it's not an opinion, it's a fact. The BLM riots during the gobal pandemic were in huge numbers in every major city. Fires looting, millions of dollars of property damage. Were you under a rock?

[@shygirl5280]

The last 3 years were full of riots, not protests; there’s quite a difference!

[@TheEricthefruitbat]

Alice's Restaurant Massacree is not for everyone, but I love it.

[@JuandeFucaU]

I went to an Arlo Guthrie concert in 1978 and was called up on stage with a few others by Arlo to sing the chorus of the song as he sang it. when it came to my turn to sing into the microphone I changed the lyrics of his song to..... "you can check out any time you like..... but you can never leave." he laughed and kicked me off the stage saying he loved the Eagles but "this boy got himself some kind of confusion." he even threatened the audience later by saying he might bring me back to sing some more Eagles songs.

[@thelonesomefisherman7425]

Classic story. 😂😊

[@rickeyjohnson4701]

It's not Thanksgiving without Alice's restaurant, they play it on a radio station through out the day for over 20 years now

[@TrekBeatTK]

Props to any station that has the guts to still play the word “faggot” on the radio. Unless they bleep it.

[@mdyng1955]

This is not as crazy as it may seem. In the 60's and early 70's the selective sevice was actually this ridicules. I was eligible for the draft in 71 and these type of stories were rampant. This song has been a Thanksgiving staple for 50 years in the states. Thank you for this reaction!

[@dangabbert3944]

It’s difficult to fully appreciate without understanding the military draft that loomed over every 18 year old male, during this era.

[@charleybarley914]

you could get injected, inspected, detected, infected, neglected, and selected back then.

[@jessluxsozzy]

I'm glad that kids don't have any idea what that feels like. Even when I was in high school(class '89) all my guy friends had to register for the draft.

[@58frascatti]

So right! Many of my profs at my university were conscientious objectors and plenty of students particularly from the New England area. The best of times…the worst of times….

[@gordowg1wg145]

Well, those who didn't have wealthy fathers and complicit doctors, at least...

[@58frascatti]

@@charleybarley914 gotta love Alice!🤣🤣

[@longago-igo]

Arlo’s father came before Bob Dylan. Arlo is 6 years younger than Bob and started recording several years after Bob did.

[@LarryNeie-lj7zc]

This recording should be in the Smithsonian Institute for historical preservation. Totally unique and brutally true.

[@briancheek5850]

It's not a story or a song, it's a movement. That's what it was, and always will be, a movement.

[@faithnyou1732]

I'm 66 now, and as a single Mom, I introduced this song to my Son when he was about 10. Every year, we would listen to this multiple times in the car during a 45-minute drive to spend Thanksgiving Day with family. he loved storytelling and fell in love with the song. It soon became our special little Thanksgiving tradition for the next 30+ years, and still is today. Thanks for reacting to this one and bringing back some great fond memories! ✌💙✌

[@tomenrico6199]

This 1967 song was adapted in 1969 into a feature film in which Arlo Guthrie starred as himself. The cast also included James Broderick (Matthew Broderick's father) as Ray Brock, Alice's husband. Obviously, the story had to be expanded considerably to make a full film. As someone else already commented, Arlo's father was Woody Guthrie, a folk music icon responsible for the song “This Land Is Your Land,” and many others. He traveled the country singing at union organizing meetings and other protests, along with his guitar on which he displayed the words “This machine kills fascists.” Unfortunately, Woodie suffered from a neurodegenerative disease called Huntington's chorea, and one of the subplots in the movie showed Arlo visiting his father in the hospital, in the late stages of the disease. A bit later in the movie Woody has died, and in a scene at a graveside service an as yet largely unknown Joni Mitchell sings her song, “Songs to Aging Children Come.” In real life, Woodie died at age 55 in 1967, the same year as Arlo released the song, and a couple of years after the events recounted in the song.

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

Arlo because of his father, grew up around many of the most famous folk singers, traveling musicians and song writers of the depression era and on. Arlo was very talented in his own right as well as a very good story teller.

[@toddmcclellan979]

Thank you for providing me the annual Alice's Restaurant song on Thanksgiving.

[@karengoodenough827]

Growing up, a local radio station played this song on repeat all day long on thanksgiving! Miss those days

[@johngordon7510]

There is a movie about Alice's Restaurant, and Arlo bought the Church in the story and it now serves as a community center and a museum to his dad Woody Guthrie. My wife and I were lucky enough to get tickets to his concert in the church for the 40th Anniversary of the song. Great reaction.

[@lynneblacketer6479]

Arlo has some great songs like this one and The Motorcycle Song, plus some awesome regular songs like City of New Orleans and Coming into Los Angeles. He's a storyteller in a class all his own.

[@kkarllwt]

I don't want a pickle.---I just want to

[@charleybarley914]

half the fun of an Arlo show is when he decides to go on a tangent about something.

[@cabel000]

Love that song

[@lumpyb123]

ride my motor cycle. I don't want to die....@@kkarllwt

[@therealpbristow]

@@lumpyb123 Just wana ride my motor... [SIGH]... ...'Ckul!

[@cricketpitts3744]

I'm 68 years old and me and my kids always listen to this song on Thanksgiving!!! Now they have families of their own and they still listen to this song

[@reallyoldtom9352]

I'm a 72 year old disabled veteran and could sing along and narrate word for word after all years. Thanks for the memories. God bless. Tom in Idaho

[@bobschenkel7921]

A Thanksgiving tradition. Thanks for playing this, it means a lot to us older folks. Seen Mr. Arlo Guthrie live on three occasions, and he only played this song one of those times. Arlo also made a movie about the song, but it is a little darker and more involved than the song, as it would have to be. All the characters from the song appear in the movie, Alice, Ray, Officer Obie, the Sergeant, the blind Judge, Whitehall Street, the church where Alice and Ray live, Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Worth a look. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

[@BradleyDavid1962]

The largest thing missing from this song is the time period in which it was first played. The boomer generation was living life at it's fullest in much simpler times. Either you experienced that or you didn't to fully appreciate this song. Happy Thanksgiving to all !

[@studlord9970]

The sixties and seventies were NOT much simpler times. We simply have the benefit of hindsight to know what the outcome was. Living through those times was hectic, chaotic, unprecedented and often pretty scary. The eighties and nineties....now THOSE were simpler times.

[@BradleyDavid1962]

@@studlord9970 - I believe that is a matter of perception. What one sees as chaotic and hectic another sees as something so much more beautiful than that. Sorry you had to endure through those times, hopefully all is better for you now.

[@jessluxsozzy]

I don't think you understand what the draft or Vietnam was. It was not simpler times. Also it seems no one remembers that boomers were the hippies, kids marching with Martin Luther King, and fighting for Equal rights.

[@rayj1011]

This song was also made into a movie! 1969. Arlo played himself.

[@HTJB60]

A Great film.....

[@tomaleshire4145]

We played this song every year for a couple of decades at Thanksgiving. Kinda faded out 'cause our kids thought it sucked and they couldn't sit still for that long plus we all live many miles apart now. Miss those old days. Thanks for doing this....felt like I was back there again.....at home .😁❤️✌️

[@oldmanghost219]

Arlo Guthrie . Son of Woody Guthrie who also was a notable song writer. Woody wrote ... This Land Is Your Land".. . Woody served in the merchant marine on several ships in convoys crossing the Atlantic. One of them was torpedoed but it did not sink and Woody was not one of the 12 injured.

[@charleybarley914]

Woody and the fam also were renters of some slumlord by the name of Fred Trump and wrote a song about it.

[@TRuck-px5dt]

"Excepting Alice" I love that line.

[@ohioridercinci2495]

Thanksgiving to all, and thank you for listening to this and exposing your listeners to a classic.

[@barsandbarbells2022]

Happy holidays!

[@WMalven]

What a wonderful gift. Thanks! Love you guys! For a much more typical Arlo Guthrie song, check out his song "City of New Orleans." It's a real gem.

[@marcusturner2806]

Steve Goodman's song City of New Orleans. Arlo does a wonderful version but Steve deserves mention for writing it.

[@midnightrambler7716]

Released in Oct. of 1967. I was 7 and living in Toronto and remember seeing Walter Cronkite among others showing footage of the Vietnam war every evening on the news. My brother who’s 11 years older than me bought the album soon after its release so this is synonymous to the era for me, even at that young age. Hard to believe the war raged on for another 8 years!

[@RayDavies-zv5ic]

I actually have the vinyl record of this which is featured on your video. I was a teenager and a student in the UK when it first came out. Those were the days. Arlo perfectly captured the moment.

[@hartspot009]

This is American folk at its essence, with late 60s humor laced with hippy-isms

[@jamesdamiano8894]

Yes definitely check out his song “City Of New Orleans”. Great story song about a train.

[@marcusturner2806]

Steve Goodman's

[@jamesdamiano8894]

Yeah Steve is good. I like his version of Blue Umbrella and his connection to John Prine.

[@chasestreet8082]

My Dad introduced me to this song when I was about 9 years old, and it remains a favorite 40 years later. I want to say a huge Thank You to Mark for recommending this, and another huge Thank You to the two of you for reacting to it!! Oh, and I feel like I would be doing this a great disservice if I didn't mention the movie of the same name. It stars Arlo Guthrie, and while its not the greatest thing in the world... Its still a lot of fun watch for those who love the song.

[@barsandbarbells2022]

🙌 👊

[@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus]

Fun song. Back then one of the shirts I liked to wear was a US Army WW2 Tank Commander shirt my Uncle gave me. I had Mom embroider "Group W" on to a arm patch I put on it as a joke. Check out 'City of New Orleans" or "Coming into Los Angeles" . Cheers.

[@jessluxsozzy]

Love it! ❤

[@philpaine3068]

Guthrie's absolute professionalism comes out in this song. His guitar playing is absolutely brilliant ---- very simple patterns, but everything precise and timed to perfection. He is making seem simple what is actually incredibly difficult. At the time, Americans under thirty found themselves in a very stressful situation, caught in a culture war between generations that was more intense than what we experience now. It was perfectly normal for angry parents to disown their children if they wore long hair. Practically everyone under thirty owned or often heard this one, very unique album. It spoke to them in a language they understood.

[@wturber]

People were fleeing the country to avoid the draft. The morality of "draft dodging" was heatedly debated.

[@philpaine3068]

@@wturber There wasn't much of debate about it in Canada. The overwhelming majority of Canadians opposed the Vietnam War and sympathized with the Draft Resisters. The Globe & Mail, the country's main conservative paper, read by every banker, described the draft resisters who came here as "fine, principled young men who would be a benefit to Canada." When Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson visited President Johnson at his Texas ranch, Johnson told him his plans to expand the war and wanted Canada to join in the effort. Pearson had fought in the trenches in World War 1, then been an air ace, then oversaw the aid to deal with the massive amount of stranded refugees and war orphans. He was also a disciplined student of history. In 1956, while he served as a diplomat, Great Britain tried to bully Canada into joining a proposed war against Egypt that was purely serving economic interests and could have led to thermonuclear war. He basically told Britain to f-itself and brokered a solution with diplomacy. For this he won the Nobel Peace Prize, though he was a little-known diplomat from a minor country. He knew all about wars. It is said (credibly, according to historians) that Johnson and Pearson met in Johnson's kitchen, both in pursuit of a late-night snack. Pearson told Johnson that the war in Vietnam was an obvious recipe for disasters, and that the Americans had been suckered into a trap that they wouldn't be able to extract themselves from. Johnson was furious and is supposed to have actually physically assaulted him. Pearson, ever the gentleman, said nothing about this incident, but it had been loud enough to become known later. From that moment on, Canada had nothing to do with war, while America marched resolutely into disaster and defeat. 1,353,000 deaths for no reason, and the shameful dishonor of Mi Lai. Some of the draft resisters returned to the U.S. when an amnesty was offered. Many remained in Canada and contributed to its culture and economy. Among the blessings was that Canadian and American musicians met in Canadian cities. Many of the American musicians were from the Deep South and brought their music with them. They jammed Lousiana & Mississippi Blues, Texas Country, Canadian Prairie cowboys, Celtic folk from the Maritime provinces, Tennessee and Kentucky Bluegrass, Quebec's country fiddle, and First Nations stuff in the streets and cafes of Toronto. Louisiana Cajuns rediscovered their Acadian cousins in New Brunswick. The result was a volcanic eruption of new music. Bands like The Band and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young were mixtures of Canadians and Americans. Many others came after.

[@inthedarkanonymous5625]

I’ll be 73 next month and I STILL have this memorized.

[@scottclark3761]

Absolutely a Thanksgiving Classic. It's a Thanksgiving Carol!

[@bert0522]

We saw Arlo play this in St. Pete in the 80's. Donovan was the opener. Great show. Jim

[@richardmarston6704]

I've listened to this on Thanksgiving morning every year for over 50 years.

[@RutlandRick]

Arlo was the featured opening act for our renovated Paramount theater in downtown Rutland. My sons were in town at the time, and we all made it to the inaugural performance. It was the first of many sellout crowds for the theater. My sons had never heard Arlo before, and they really got a kick out of his performance. Arlo apologized for not performing this piece at the concert because it would have taken too much time, shorting the rest of his appearance there. A great restart for the historic building. First performance for the newly rescued theater, and the first standing ovation. This was probably the first time my sons thought about what it was like for my generation to grow up with the specter of the draft. Great conversation starter.

[@terryflint7557]

It was a great comedic song for those of us who ended up getting drafted and sent to Việt Nam. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard it but I can’t help but smile, and join in with the singing every time I hear it.

[@sharrongrant6240]

This has always been a Thanksgiving ritual...my brothers and I would escape for a "little drive" and this song was always part of it!!

[@jessluxsozzy]

Love that! ❤

[@kabarm]

We always listen to Alice’s Restaurant on thanksgiving

[@UnderhillKoufax]

He has another gem called the Motorcycle Song. Check out “the significance of the pickle” version. Hilarious.

[@mattjohn4731]

Motor sickle

[@johndavids4780]

People hear about the draft and kind of let it pass as something not good. But imagine for a minute that you are, say, a farm boy or working as a mechanic learning your trade. Then you get a letter telling you that you have a choice. You can report to the Army, train and be made to go over to a remote jungle where people are shooting at you in 110 degree heat and mud and insects and you have to shoot at them to survive while watching guys you know die bleeding in the mud. Your other choice is to go to prison for refusing to let them turn your life upside down and traumatize you then just turn you back to your life like nothing ever happened. In a real defense of your way of life that is one thing. But to go to a war that was only political in a land you can't find on a map is something else. I was there. I saw a lot of people die senselessly because of inept politicians.

[@kerrycronin256]

I was a little too young and a girl ,so I cannot ever truly understand. Thank you for putting it so well.

[@HoustonRebel]

I was born the year this song came out ('67) but I'm kind of a 60s enthusiast in a way and think of that in in-depth detail a lot. I've always often said that I was born 20 years too late because the music was better then. But I'm also glad I WAS born 20 years later because I often put myself in that scenario mentally and think of how scary that would have been. Especially if you didn't believe we should have been there. And the voting age was 21 back then. So 18 year olds had no say in it. I think that's why they lowered the voting age to 18 eventually. Not a minute too soon though. "You're old enough to kill, but not for voting" -Barry McGuire, 1966.

[@RobRager]

Don’t know if it’s been mentioned already, but this song is a Thanksgiving tradition in NYC radio. Every Thanksgiving at 12 noon, at least one station, probably more, plays this. I remember it EVERY year since I was 9 or 10. I’m 62, and listened to it on the radio today.

[@donnaneville192]

I lived in Pacific Northwest for over 20 years and one of the radio stations in Seattle played this song every year on Thanksgiving. My hubs never missed it!

[@jessluxsozzy]

It's played here in Portland every year too.

[@mdanam]

I have lived in New York City my entire life. One of the biggest rock and roll radio stations in the country was wnew-fm, which was the rock station that would break new artists like Bruce Springsteen, meatloaf, U2 and plenty of others before anyone heard of them. It was a Thanksgiving tradition that at exactly 12:00 noon they would play this in its entirety with no commercial interruption. This tradition has been carried on by other New York stations ever since. Since the Advent of streaming, I haven't listened to the radio very much so it was very special to hear this again on Thanksgiving. It's now 1:23 p.m. I only wish I had listened to it an hour earlier!

[@robertrockwell7581]

Arlo is the son of folk singer Woody Guthrie. one of the funniest stories ever. have listened to it all my life and still love it. I'm 65.

[@craigreid7178]

This totally Thanksgiving tradition. I listen to it every year. I think they made a movie of it too. A total classic.

[@chandravargas3040]

i love this song and it was based on a true story that happened to arlo

[@aliceharper707]

I'm 69 years old. A friend of mine gave me this album for my 16th birthday and I still have it. I practically wore the darn thing out listening to it. My name's Alice and that's why he gave it to me for my birthday. Anyway, I just never can get enough of it. It's so hilarious!

[@jnagarya519]

The form is called "Talking Blues". His father was well known for it, and Dylan got it from him.

[@MrTheCamel]

it's not Thanksgiving without hearing this song. A Philadelphia radio station played it every few hours on Thanksgiving...every year when I was growing up.

[@millermful]

I didn't go to all the trouble that Arlo did...I just hopped a bus to Canada and have been very happy ever since. Loved listening to the "song", and I've heard him perform it in concert.

[@johngriswold2213]

This kind of folk/blues story is an old American tradition. Young people today often have no idea what the Vietnam war was, and definitely no idea how brutal and bloody it was. We lost somewhere around ten thousand troops in the Middle East over the twenty years of conflict there, we lost over fifty thousand in Vietnam over less than ten years of combat. More importantly, we killed in the neighborhood of two million, maybe twice that number, of Laotians, Cambodians, and Vietnamese. And then in thirty years we forgot totally what we seemed to have learned and allowed our president to invade Iraq.

[@ktriddle2]

This has been a Thanksgiving tradition since I was draft age and first heard it in 1967.

[@gregpearson9644]

That was the most “unique” reaction to this I have ever seen. Brilliant comedic social commentary. He drove his point home, but acted like he wasn’t even trying. I would say “not getting it” is maybe a generational thing, but other younger reactors were in tune with it. It also was definitely “a song.” Others have pointed out his legendary father and for a more “normal” song from Alice, check out his performance of of Coming into Los Angeles at Woodstock.

[@jealousjelly]

Beautiful. I don't have to recall that song. I've played it every Thanksgiving for more than half a century. Fortunately, I was a criminal, too. Busted for an antiwar sit-in. Thank goodness for small favors.

[@ronclark9724]

When I was serving in the navy in the late 70s there was a crew mate in my division aboard the ship that memorized this entire song. He does sing at the end.

[@jonathan.palfrey]

I’m British, so this is not really of my culture, but it was almost of my generation (Arlo is 7 years older than me). I think I heard it quite soon after it came out; it was in tune with the spirit of the time, and I’ve always been fond of it. I suppose it’s an iconic song of that period, even though as you say it’s more of a story than a song. You could pair it, for instance, with Tom Paxton’s “Talking Vietnam Pot Luck Blues”, which you might consider listening to sometime. More humour about the same serious subject.

[@brucer2152]

A classic. When I was on late night radio in Houston, I used to play this every Thanksgiving.

[@Zealdave2223]

I am always loved Arlo's Motorcycle song. All his songs are so magically eccentric, eg "I don't want a pickle Just want to ride on my motorsickle".

[@robgelfand2414]

On November 26, 1965, while in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, during Thanksgiving break from his brief stint in college, 18-year-old Guthrie and his friend, Richard Robbins, were arrested for illegally dumping on private property what Guthrie described as "a half-ton of garbage" from the home of his friends, teachers Ray and Alice Brock, after he discovered that the local landfill was closed for the holiday. Guthrie and Robbins appeared in court, pled guilty to the charges, were levied a nominal fine and picked up the garbage that weekend. Officer Obie's real name - William Obanhein, was the Chief of Police in Stockbridge MA. The version that has become the quintessential version was recorded in NYC in 1967 - which is why he states it was 2 years ago on Thanksgiving in the song. He had a 50th anniversary tour in 2017 and I got to see him perform in Princeton NJ. Classic rock radio stations all over the country play this song at noon on Thanksgiving Day. You mentioned his accent - funny thing is that he was born in Coney Island, Brooklyn NY and attended school in Brooklyn up until the end of Junior High School(8th grade). Listening to this song at noon on Thanksgiving day has been a family tradition for a long while and even though both my children are grown and live away, they call and we still listen to this song at noon - on vinyl!.

[@emilylynch7940]

I absolutely have to hear this every Thanksgiving!

[@islandseeker1260]

And now I have to hear it with the crazy subtitles! It's like an entirely different and totally nonsensical story. The guy actually thought Arlo said "knee flexion"...

[@robbob5302]

Me too

[@paul00390]

An absolute classic. I still have the album.

[@larryfisher7056]

In the early 70s I played this on the guitar and my brother did the story. We were asked to do this many times. Just great to hear this again after so long.

[@socalso]

This was a favorite song as a kid. The correlation between this song - the chorus - and real life was uncanny. At the time my dad was dating my soon-to-be stepmom. Her name was Alice, she was a great cook, and actually did live about a half mile from the railroad tracks. We'd sometimes end up singing this on our way to visit her. They're both gone now and it's been a quite a while since I've thought of this. Thanks for the memories!

[@msmilder25]

One of my Thanksgiving traditions, have to listen to this song every Thanksgiving...mandatory. Local classic rock stations often take advantage of the holiday (when staff is low) to play this song in its entirety...since it's such a long song, it's the only day of the year they can do it...gives the DJ a chance to go to the bathroom or grab some turkey day leftovers.

[@oldmanghost219]

Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant !!!!!!!!!!!! Is that enough !!!!.. I 2nd ...City Of New Orleans ... And happy Thanksgiving to all !!!

[@arkadybron1994]

One of greatest protest songs of it's time. It was also a big part of my adolescent life.

[@rebeccamyott7041]

I remember Alice's restaurant from 50 years ago.!!!! Still just as good.

[@davidcardoso3525]

The first time I heard this song was during the early '80's on Kacey Kasum's Top 40 - once/episode he's play an older song & give its historical context. Kasum's extra songs introduced me to Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Moody Blues, as well.

[@thomasdorsey6197]

this album was one of the counter cultures unofficial anthems. Vietnam was at its highest point ever and and the antiwar movement was at its peak also. dodgeing the draft was a crusade and the term (group w bench) became a cultural slogan of the anti war movement. to put things in perspective, arlo played at WOODSTOCK and the rest is history! when i hear this just brings back memories of the times of the late 60s. they also made a movie about Alice and the restaurant. GOOD TIMES

[@stevenphilpott1493]

He' out there still playing Alices Restaurant !

[@judyxyz9948]

Bought this on vinyl in 1967 and have carried it through 23 moves. It's still out in the garage. As a female I didn't have to deal with the draft but many of my high school/college friends did. It was a much more serious topic than this song makes it seem to young people now. This was real life in 1967.

[@kdogusna77]

One of the great anti-war songs of the Vietnam era. Up there with Country Joe and the Fish, CCR (Fortunate Son), and John Prine (Sam Stone).

[@mikefleischauer498]

Don't forget "War" by Edwin Starr!

[@valeriemoore2762]

Also Country Joe & The Fish, The Feel Like I'm Fixin To Die Rag.

[@rheameadow6575]

I am 2 wks shy of 72, this has been a tradition since it came out. Listen to it every Thanksgiving.🦃🦃🦃 💖💖💖👣🌛🌝🌜👣💖💖💖

[@johnm506]

I was 13 when I first heard this in Canada on a visit from UK to a family member. Now 69 I still periodically play and I know it word perfect even when the Sargent came over. It hilarious and not many English people would understand it but it was of its time and The Vietnam war and the draft in the US Utterly brilliant

[@rcinsley]

This song RESONATED with those of us who were facing the draft during the 'Nam era. Most of us could recite long passages...and some knew every word.

[@edwardweaverling7312]

They made a movie based on this song!

[@arjaylee]

This song IS Thanksgiving. 🎉

[@geraldarchambault2565]

I loved your reaaction. It brings me back to my youth. When my granddaughter was born I would play this every thanksgiving. Thank you for this!

[@donnalehman6805]

I always start laughing as soon as he starts strumming the guitar.

[@douglasg.9271]

This is perfect turkey cooking music.

[@ATN2USN]

Thanks for doing this on Thanksgiving. Please listen to his cover of "City of New Orleans" .for a more musical story.

[@alisonsmith1137]

This was, and may still be, played every Thanksgiving on KINK 101.9 FM in Portland, Oregon. It was part of our tradition. I no longer live in Oregon and was just thinking about this song on Thanksgiving so this was a treat. Thank you!!!

[@user-ns9fj8qi3v]

This was at the heart and soul, the peak of the hippie era.

[@candacewillis4443]

I love this song and listen to it every Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing it,

[@bazzer124]

Definitely a Thanksgiving tradition in our house for the past 50 years. Can't resist all 27 of the 8 x 10 color glossy photos with the circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back explaining what each one was. And that's not counting the aerial photos! Happy Thanksgiving to all! Cheers....

[@unrulyjulie4382]

"It was a case of American Blind Justice". Priceless 😅

[@JackieSimpson-ex2oi]

My sons grew up with this song every year and now it's a tradition and my Grandson is listening with us. We all enjoy it and my grandson thinks it's hilarious when we all sing along.

[@dianedarby442]

I'm one of 5 and the first text this morning to all of us was my youngest sister reminding us all to listen to this at noon on the radio. . . an annual occurrence. I thought I'd join you guys, though . . . . enjoy! The first question of our zoom call this Sunday will be "Did you listen to Alice's Restaurant?" lol