About the Song
As Thanksgiving approaches, our minds naturally turn to delicious food, warm gatherings, and perhaps a touch of post-dinner revelry. It’s the perfect time to revisit Little Eva’s infectious tune, “Let’s Turkey Trot,” a song that injects a dose of playful energy into the holiday season.
Released in 1963, “Let’s Turkey Trot” arrived just a few months after Little Eva’s mega-hit, “The Loco-Motion.” While it didn’t quite reach the same chart-topping heights, the song remains a beloved Thanksgiving staple, a reminder that the holiday season isn’t just about feasting, but also about letting loose and having fun.
The song’s upbeat tempo and playful lyrics, likely penned by Gerry Goffin (though some sources credit Carole King), perfectly capture the festive spirit. Little Eva’s vocals, brimming with her characteristic youthful enthusiasm, urge listeners to cast aside their inhibitions and join the “Turkey Trot,” a lighthearted dance presumably inspired by the popular early 20th century ragtime craze.
The song’s musical arrangement is deceptively simple yet undeniably effective. A driving bassline and a catchy handclap rhythm provide a foundation for Little Eva’s energetic vocals and the infectious call-and-response sections. It’s a song that’s impossible not to tap your foot or clap along to, perfectly setting the mood for some post-dinner dancing fun.
“Let’s Turkey Trot” doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a lighthearted and joyous celebration of the Thanksgiving spirit, a reminder that amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday, there’s always room for a bit of lighthearted fun and shared merriment.
The song’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to bridge generations. Whether you’re reminiscing about Thanksgiving dinners from your youth or simply looking for a fun song to get the whole family moving after a big meal, “Let’s Turkey Trot” delivers.
So, this Thanksgiving, crank up the volume, gather around the living room, and let Little Eva’s infectious energy guide you through the “Turkey Trot.” It’s a guaranteed way to add a touch of playful movement and shared laughter to your holiday celebration.
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Lyrics: “Let’s Turkey Trot”
Come on let’s turkey trot
Let’s get it while its hot
This dance is really fine
It shouldn’t take much time
My grandmother taught this dance to me
She did it at the turn of the century
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Come on let’s turkey trotPeople may say your some kind of a nut
When you’re lifting your knees and you start to strut
But if your really want to get out of a rut
Do some turkey trottin’ and all your cares will be forgottenCome on let’s turkey trot
Let’s give it all we got
And when the dance is through
I’ll trot some turkey with youOh we’re gonna do the turkey trot again
Just like they did it back in 1910
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Come on and turkey trotGobbididly gobbididly
Oh we’re gonna do the turkey trot again
Just like they did it back in 1910
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Come on and turkey trot
And give it all we got
You’ll never want to stopCome on and turkey trot