I'm glad my dad wasn't the only to memorize this song.... Every year I listen to this on the radio.... This year in honor of my Dad..... I can sing it word for word just like he did. Love you dad rest in peace ✌️
I memorized this song when I was a kid. For 35 years I made the song a part of my Thanksgiving day radio show. I'm not in radio anymore, but Alices Restaurant is still a part of my Thanksgiving celebration.
It's an anti-Viet Nam War song. It is a spoof on local law enforcement and US Service recruitment practices back in the '60's. Back then you could get arrested for littering and sentenced to either jail or the Army over stupid stuff because they needed fresh bodies in the war machine. But the Army wouldn't take you if they thought you were gay or morally twisted. This is one of the greatest anti-war songs ever written in the history of music!
To be fair to Obi, he was a good sport and when he found out they were making a film he said "If anybody gonna be making a fool of me it may aswell be me." So whenever you see that bumbling officer in the film, it's the real life Obi.
Yeah it’s a true story. I guess the chief was a real environmentalist before that was even a thing so he lost his shit when the trash was there and that’s why they got arrested for littering in the first place. Massachusetts was popular area for those hippy folk singers and shit in the 60s because the people were a bit more progressive and wouldn’t break balls for just being a hippy or smoking weed. James Taylor, arlo Guthrie, Paul Simon, Carly Simon, and a whole bunch of others, I think bob Dylan at one point as well, though I’m not 100% on Dylan.
Thanksgiving would not be the same without it.... 'incident' was 50 yrs ago... still a good yarn told well. AND the perfect length for pie baking. Better than a timer. When it is over, my apple pie will be done
I was 17 when "Alice's" came out. And my boyfriend and I (husband now) actually WENT to the dump on Thanksgiving weekend, with a plastic bag of garbage, and was met, with a chain, saying..."dump closed". We left the bag, by the chain and came home. I remember worrying for weeks......was there a envelope in there? I HAVE to listen to this every Thanksgiving, I`m 66 yrs. now...;)
Shelley Collins I’m 66 and listened to it with my girlfriend (now wife) then too. Sounds like we’ve lived through a lot of the same things. Now, I just had “a thanksgiving dinner that couldn’t be beat,” and we’re sitting by the fire playing with grandkids and dogs. Peace.
Lost my dad sept 2020 and this song is one of those songs that brings memories back. Dad every thanksgiving would listen to this song and knew the words.
A few years ago, my wife and I were at a Thanksgiving dinner with friends, a few of whom were younger. "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" came on the radio, and some of us older folk talked about "the old days" and how everybody our age knew it. One of the younger people said, "My parents don't know that song -- they've never played it around the house . . ." We all laughed at his naivety, so he pulled out his phone and called his mom just to prove himself right. The look of horror that crossed his face as she sang him a bar of "Alice's Restaurant" was priceless! After he hung up, he asked, "How'd you know my parents better than I do?" There were notes of disbelief and despair to his voice. "We were the same age as your parents," we replied. "Everybody knew 'Alice's Restaurant' back then." Then we had dessert and helped clean up the kitchen. No drives to the dump needed.
My Father was a lifer in the Army. Two tours in Nam. He left on his second tour11/08/69. my fifth birthday. He was a gunner in a huey. I can't imagine how that felt. When He came back , he hated guns. never touched one again.
Along with the Turkey, dressing & mashed potatoes...this is a tradition in our family for over 40 years. Yes, we say Grace but You can bet this is playing in the background at every Thanksgiving Feast. My Mom is 97 this year & the youngest family member is 2... We will all listen & sing along... Happy Thanksgiving! Traditions are important!
I first heard this song in the late 60s. Knew every word by heart back then. To this day not a month goes by without me working 27 8 x10 color glossy pictures with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one explaining what each one was and how it would be used as evidence against us into a normal conversation. Just as well quoted is the shovels and rakes and implements of destruction. Up until about 20 years ago everybody knew what I was talking about. Now days I mostly get blank stares. Good stuff!!!
I love when lyrics from this song are worked into a conversation- my nearest and dearest always know :) My most common is probably, Obie didja think i was going to hang myself for litterin
I still tend to add "...and implements of destruction" to any list of tools. Some get it (people close to my age) and some don't ("kids", though some are in their early 30s).
My 11 yo daughter is a big fan, we are currently driving to our in-laws for Thanksgiving and listening to Alice's restaurant masacree. The classics live on.
its not thanksgiving until you’ve listened to this. I even put it on my answering machine....when we had them. thanks for the lyrics...but I knew them anyway. I’m 67.
Every year on Thanksgiving, my dad puts this on. Its tradition. He and my brother would always sing the chorus together. This is our first Thanksgiving without my brother. I cant listen to this without crying anymore, I miss him so much.
i'M SO SORRY, it is a beautiful story though. During those years the RULING CLASS rushed their kiddies off to college while everyone else was drafted or rounded up and sent to fight THEIR WAR (people like Billy Clinton, or ones like Kerry - where the military became the babysitter for the rich kids in hopes of future politics, or spoiled maverick hot-dog pos like McCain
I'm 40 years old and just listened to this song for the very first time at 2am on a Sunday morning during the Corona virus Pandemic of 2020. Sent to me by my 20+ year older friend and neighbor Pat who was telling me about this gem the other day after he broke out in song completely out of the blue, when he started singing "At Alice's Restaurant..." Lol. I gotta say, I listened to all 18 minutes and enjoyed the heck out of it!!!
I learned this lyrics by heart in the 80's. That was tough. Especially when you are not a native English speaker and when there are no written lyrics anywhere. Great stuff, thanks!
Seriously, if you ever get a chance to see Arlo in concert, by all means do so. It's better if you break out an old tie-dye shirt so you'll fit it with the crowd. You'll see one hell of a show. I've caught him a couple of times. Never heard him play Alice live just because he almost never plays it anymore, but there's enough good stuff in the show you'll walk out feeling better about life.
I have seen his concerts twice, once at the Brichmear in VA in DC area, he found out it was my Bday and signed my CD and the case with a Sharpie on of my most cherished possessions. He is a real nice guy and I told him how much his songs cheer me up, and make me laugh a lot, his response was " Thank you for telling me that"
Wonderful: those were times of '68 protest against a senseless autoritharian U.S. system - Vietnam and so on. This song seemes to be only comical, however it is also highly meaningful! Arlo Guthrie is great
Kids, onthispieceofpaperwegot47words47sentances58wordswewannaknowdetailsaboutthecrimetimeofthecrimeandanythingelseyouwannasayarrestingofficersandanythingelseyouwannaputdownonthatpaper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He went on for 45 minutes and nobody understood a word he said...
The local rock/not rock station was playing this as I was driving to families house for Thanksgiving yesterday. I missed the end of it and haven't heard for a very long time. (First time I heard was in 1969, yes, 50 years ago. So I came to RUclips today to find it. Just such a great story and great presentation!
Still my favorite song to kick off Thanksgiving and the Christmas holiday season and has been since I was a senior in high school..Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Thx for helping me recall a very old story I had forgotten. Wasn't ALL that funny back then but is now hilarious to an old man. Aaaaiiiee !!! Soooo glad I ain't still young & fighting things I don't know about ... .... Still ignorant as Shinola but not fighting much of anything anymore.
My mom passed away in 2015. Growing up, it was her tradition to listen to this every Thanksgiving. She's been gone 4 years now and now it's been my own Thanksgiving tradition ever since she left us. Love and miss you mom and hope you are having a great time up there.
I found an index card with a link to a RUclips video written on it and my old things at my mom's house while I was going through them. It was a link to this exact video and I'm honestly just grateful to past me for having great taste in music
I recently met a guy who is a Marine. I asked him why did he join, he said, "I wanna kill." I was immediately transported to Thanksgiving in my Mom's kitchen listening to this on a record as she sang every word. It's crazy how I had forgotten this song until that moment. I haven't heard it in 20 years! I just love it so much. Fabulous memory. I had to hear it and I sure don't have the vinyl.
To those who "object" to the use of the word "faggot" in this song: I'd say it was more of an observation and comment on the institutionalised homophobia that existed at that time, than a display of actual homophobia. In fact, I'd go so far as to suggest that Arlo and his peers were probably more likely than the average American of that era to have been "cool" with homosexuality, and that the term "faggot" was (to them) simply a convenient term which (to them) held absolutely no malice. That was just the accepted parlance of the day Granted, since then, homophobes have increasingly used the term as an insult, which is why it's become taboo and (quite rightly) socially unacceptable. But remember, this was 1967! It wasn't uncommon in those days, for instance, for someone who cared for (and about) mentally ill people to state, "I work with `retards' and they are some of the nicest people I know!" Nobody in their right mind would even suggest that they were using "that word" to denigrate those in their care, would they? Of course not. Language is fluid, so you must consider the context before you leap to taking offense... both personally and by proxy! But, if you're the type of person who really needs something to get offended at... Might I suggest you aim your ire at those who see homophobia, sexism, racism and all kinds of political incorrectness where, clearly, none was intended?
I believe that the use of the term faggots in this song is moreso as a way to stay out of the war - hence the draft mentioned - as it were "don't ask, don't tell" and homosexuals weren't very welcomed in the armed forces during that time period ^°^ but I totally hadn't thought about it your way before man ^-^
QuartuvLarry Louis CK was born in 1967. Arlo Guthrie first recorded Alice's Restaurant in 1967. What experience does Louis CK have living with social norms that existed in 1967? Clearly, not even as much experience as I have.
QuartuvLarry uuuhhhh... derr. . ...golly gee The fact is, genius, that Louis CK has absolutely no conscious memory, at all, of anything that happened in 1967--none, at all, zero, the only numeral that is neither positive, nor negative. Are you really that fucking stupid, QLarry? Is anybody, at all, really as fucking stupid as you appear? Thinking must cause you terrible pain.
Dave N Didn't really make a point there, Emotional Little One. Looked more like some petulant attempt at snarkiness. Waah, and boo hoo. You won't actually dismiss the fact that the ebb and flow of cultural change is nothing short of glacial over the years with something so asinine as, "Well, YORE stoo-puhd!"
OMG! Arlo has been my main man since the first day he performed! Tells you how old I am! He'll be at the State Theatre in Ithaca again this winter of course and of course I'll be there. I also insisted my kids listen to the song and watch the movie. My oldest son actually did find himself in a situation like Arlo's so it was perfect timing! Been to the restaurant and church twice taking 8x10 glossies! It was amazing because he was at the church and I got to see what AWESOME work he does and the programs he has for kids are amazing. I love Arlo as you can see!
I remembered I liked the film and song a lot then, the adventure of a simple happy-go-lucky guy with a guitar. And there was a garage and air blower scene, I think, which was kinda 'hot' back in the day. And young men were being drafted for a war that was as foolish as the ones that are happening today Thanks, uploader. .
CdrChaos: Alice's Restaurant (1969) - Arlo Guthrie plays himself in this movie based on his song of the same name. Look for it and watch. It's a fun film.
I Listen to this song every thanksgiving (I actually make my whole family listen to it too) and I JUST found this excellent copy with lyrics big enough for my old uncle Gus to read them. Thank you for the white on black. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
I heard this whole long song on KLOS at like 2am one morning seven or so years ago. Haven't heard it since. All I remember was somethin' about "near the railroad track","implements of destruction" and "You can get anything you want...". I've been wanting to look it up for quite some time. Hearing it, AAHH this is too cool!
Was driving back after a nice hike through an unfamiliar area with unfamiliar radio stations. Was scrolling through and this came up just a minute into the song. Was absolutely mesmerizing. Fortunately the station didn't blur out before the song ended
Last Thursday we're going to Thanksgiving dinner. 11 AM we're listening to WXRT, Chicago, and this song comes on. My 12 yo son never heard it, so I insisted he listen to it, in its entirety. He loved it, but kept asking me "Is this story for real?" What can I say. YES.
Flash Back: Sam Houston Induction Ctr. on San Jacinto St. in USPO Bldg. CBD/HOUTX 77252, Random Sequence #13. 'went there three times voluntarily: Sak Cong.
I guess I am old when I was in High School, Everyone knew all the lyrics to this song and smelled like burnt hemp rope. A tradition started then to listen to it every Thanksgiving and sing along. I wonder how many out of my school still do it.
Brittany Starry same here. My dad taught us the historical significance of the lyrics and we'd listen to his old record of it. Then he'd play it on the guitar. Great memories.
I use to play it back in High School and do the lyrics. I really wonder what the draft induction center means to most young people today, I remember when I had to register I was terrified of the 1A Classification.
Ihategiggle gigglesucks it meant nothing to me in 93. just had to register for selective service at post office or no Student Loan. which was cheap with super low interest back in a time when prime rate was much higher.
My Thanksgving tradition is to listen to Alices Restaurant every year. This tradition has become even more meaningful now that my family has passed on but for 25 minutes every Thanksgiving we are all together again. Much thanks Arlo.
First of all, I'm 42 years old. I have been listening to this song every year since I was like 18 years old. There is a radio station in Philadelphia Pennsylvania called 933 WMMR. The DJ who plays it is named Pierre Robert. Today is Thanksgiving 2020. Happy Thanksgiving folks. Today marked the 39th year that Pierre played it. I love this song. I was reading some of the comments, never knew that this was an anti Vietnam War song. I guess I never realized that this song was older than 39 years old. Sorry to all the people that lost loved ones during nd after the War. May they rest in peace.
Every time I hear this song! I think about PBS Network Public Television during The Children's Program called "It Figures".lol With those "Once upon a time" Tales.Especially The one called "Tom Thumb".I actually use to like this song as a kid.
my hometown radio station plays this song, about the restaurant, every thanksgiving day at noon, i like to thank Alice for giving Arlo the muse to wright this tune
I'm glad my dad wasn't the only to memorize this song.... Every year I listen to this on the radio.... This year in honor of my Dad..... I can sing it word for word just like he did. Love you dad rest in peace ✌️
My dad told me this as a story. He memorized the entire damn thing. I think that's pretty impressive.
+Pillow Talk We all memorized it #LOL Seriously. .I knew all this, and saved a little head-room for Rappers' Delight ;)
Pillow Talk most people can't remember it go driver😎 ,!!!!
Speak for yourself. I certainly do.
Pillow Talk that's absolutely amazing this is our family anthem after 40 years I still leave out half the lyrics xxxx
I memorized this song when I was a kid. For 35 years I made the song a part of my Thanksgiving day radio show.
I'm not in radio anymore, but Alices Restaurant is still a part of my Thanksgiving celebration.
Queen: We can't make Bohemian Rhapsody onto the radio,it's too long!
Arlo Guthrie: Hold my beer
Yeah, I’m listening to it right now on the radio
Best Thanksgiving tune ever to be made!!
Alice's restuarant!! 👍🧡🦃🎵✌🎸
Where I live theres a radio station that plays it every year for Thanksgiving im pretty sure is so the radio dj can have a 20min break
@@rockerchris82 same, it's in Washington. 102.5 KZOK
Just listened in Indianapolis
A tradition we had for years
I sure miss my Mamaw and the family gathering there
It's an anti-Viet Nam War song. It is a spoof on local law enforcement and US Service recruitment practices back in the '60's. Back then you could get arrested for littering and sentenced to either jail or the Army over stupid stuff because they needed fresh bodies in the war machine. But the Army wouldn't take you if they thought you were gay or morally twisted. This is one of the greatest anti-war songs ever written in the history of music!
Taxi Jax
Doug Montgomery on top of that, from what I found out, the story that is within this song... It's all real. Every bit of it happened for real.
To be fair to Obi, he was a good sport and when he found out they were making a film he said
"If anybody gonna be making a fool of me it may aswell be me." So whenever you see that bumbling officer in the film, it's the real life Obi.
Yeah it’s a true story. I guess the chief was a real environmentalist before that was even a thing so he lost his shit when the trash was there and that’s why they got arrested for littering in the first place. Massachusetts was popular area for those hippy folk singers and shit in the 60s because the people were a bit more progressive and wouldn’t break balls for just being a hippy or smoking weed. James Taylor, arlo Guthrie, Paul Simon, Carly Simon, and a whole bunch of others, I think bob Dylan at one point as well, though I’m not 100% on Dylan.
Taxi Jax no shit !!!!
Thanksgiving would not be the same without it.... 'incident' was 50 yrs ago... still a good yarn told well. AND the perfect length for pie baking. Better than a timer. When it is over, my apple pie will be done
+nancy rhodes Mmmmmm ... apple pie. Bake a very large one 'cause I might drop by (if invited) for some. I'll bring the milk!
Lv this song! I play it tevery Thanksgiving & in between, too!
I agree with that. I just finished up my Thanksgiving listing to this. I've finished this day like that for several years now.
omg its 18 mins long.....
This is played every thanksgiving at noon on KSHE 95 in st louis 😄 it's not thanksgiving until this song is played
Harper Race Media Found the other person from St Louis!
Im from St louis also
Ayyye, St Louis represent
I was 17 when "Alice's" came out. And my boyfriend and I (husband now) actually WENT to the dump on Thanksgiving weekend, with a plastic bag of garbage, and was met, with a chain, saying..."dump closed". We left the bag, by the chain and came home. I remember worrying for weeks......was there a envelope in there? I HAVE to listen to this every Thanksgiving, I`m 66 yrs. now...;)
I listen evry thanksgiving too. Usually it gets played on the radio too. N.p.r. I think
Shelley Collins I’m 66 and listened to it with my girlfriend (now wife) then too. Sounds like we’ve lived through a lot of the same things. Now, I just had “a thanksgiving dinner that couldn’t be beat,” and we’re sitting by the fire playing with grandkids and dogs. Peace.
Shelley Collins You got lucky
Love it Shelley too funny
Lost my dad sept 2020 and this song is one of those songs that brings memories back. Dad every thanksgiving would listen to this song and knew the words.
A few years ago, my wife and I were at a Thanksgiving dinner with friends, a few of whom were younger. "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" came on the radio, and some of us older folk talked about "the old days" and how everybody our age knew it. One of the younger people said, "My parents don't know that song -- they've never played it around the house . . ."
We all laughed at his naivety, so he pulled out his phone and called his mom just to prove himself right.
The look of horror that crossed his face as she sang him a bar of "Alice's Restaurant" was priceless! After he hung up, he asked, "How'd you know my parents better than I do?" There were notes of disbelief and despair to his voice.
"We were the same age as your parents," we replied. "Everybody knew 'Alice's Restaurant' back then."
Then we had dessert and helped clean up the kitchen. No drives to the dump needed.
Or you could have smoked a spliff while the kids did the dishes. Just sayin'.
I’M 69 now...just finished listening to the whole thing....it never gets old. Thankyou for the lyrics.
I memorized the entire song, can still remember it, but can't remember where I left my keys.
I know the feeling perhaps it was one hit of acid too many at Woodstock! I guess I should speak for myself
Did you look near the group w bench??!!
I resemble that remark
@@ENDERTON2000 is that group W?
Hope the keys aint at the bottom of the half ton of garbage. Lol
My Father was a lifer in the Army. Two tours in Nam. He left on his second tour11/08/69. my fifth birthday. He was a gunner in a huey. I can't imagine how that felt. When He came back , he hated guns. never touched one again.
james Scudder He’s a hero.
@@Uncletoast52 What for killing hundreds of "evil" people in a pointless war?
Along with the Turkey, dressing & mashed potatoes...this is a tradition in our family for over 40 years. Yes, we say Grace but You can bet this is playing in the background at every Thanksgiving Feast. My Mom is 97 this year & the youngest family member is 2... We will all listen & sing along... Happy Thanksgiving! Traditions are important!
Who came here on Thanksgiving Day in 2020 to hear this Thanksgiving tradition..??
I surely did!
Oh yes
And again in 2022?
I first heard this song in the late 60s. Knew every word by heart back then. To this day not a month goes by without me working 27 8 x10 color glossy pictures with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one explaining what each one was and how it would be used as evidence against us into a normal conversation. Just as well quoted is the shovels and rakes and implements of destruction. Up until about 20 years ago everybody knew what I was talking about. Now days I mostly get blank stares. Good stuff!!!
I love when lyrics from this song are worked into a conversation- my nearest and dearest always know :) My most common is probably, Obie didja think i was going to hang myself for litterin
rwashman : that's ashame.
This song is great. And if you lived back then you just (get it) Kids today are missing out! Poor kids!!!
I still tend to add "...and implements of destruction" to any list of tools. Some get it (people close to my age) and some don't ("kids", though some are in their early 30s).
I would know! I do the same thing. Also, I have been known to interject, "Kid... have you rehabilitated yourself? " onto occasional conversations.
Who's still listening in 2019???? Happy Thanksgiving!
My first time hearing. I’m listening to it on the radio right now.
My 11 yo daughter is a big fan, we are currently driving to our in-laws for Thanksgiving and listening to Alice's restaurant masacree.
The classics live on.
Every year on Thanksgiving for the last 45 years its tradition ❤
Yo, My family play it every Thanksgiving, best anti-war song of the 60's. And I'm 75
it"s a tradition
My late lil brother and I listened to this every Thanksgiving Day since 1974 til 2012. I listen and play along, remembering good times.
its not thanksgiving until you’ve listened to this. I even put it on my answering machine....when we had them.
thanks for the lyrics...but I knew them anyway. I’m 67.
Wow, that would be a LONG message!
@@ENDERTON2000 just listened again...love it. Tradition.
Yes. Thanks for the lyrics. I knoww 'em all too - but just in case I forget them as the years advance ....
Every year on Thanksgiving, my dad puts this on. Its tradition. He and my brother would always sing the chorus together. This is our first Thanksgiving without my brother. I cant listen to this without crying anymore, I miss him so much.
i'M SO SORRY, it is a beautiful story though. During those years the RULING CLASS rushed their kiddies off to college while everyone else was drafted or rounded up and sent to fight THEIR WAR (people like Billy Clinton, or ones like Kerry - where the military became the babysitter for the rich kids in hopes of future politics, or spoiled maverick hot-dog pos like McCain
❤
When WWIII starts ya’ll better be singing this during the draft.
Prophetic mmg.
@@BastardX13 YEP
I'm 40 years old and just listened to this song for the very first time at 2am on a Sunday morning during the Corona virus Pandemic of 2020. Sent to me by my 20+ year older friend and neighbor Pat who was telling me about this gem the other day after he broke out in song completely out of the blue, when he started singing "At Alice's Restaurant..." Lol. I gotta say, I listened to all 18 minutes and enjoyed the heck out of it!!!
The original thanksgiving song! I can't believe it took another three decades for someone to pay lyrical homage to thanksgiving.
I learned this lyrics by heart in the 80's. That was tough. Especially when you are not a native English speaker and when there are no written lyrics anywhere. Great stuff, thanks!
Who's listening Covid-19 Thanksgiving 2020!
I am
Christmas 2020
listening to this brings back memories of one of my most favorite Thanksgivings ever. Lord knows I needed that smile today.
Seriously, if you ever get a chance to see Arlo in concert, by all means do so. It's better if you break out an old tie-dye shirt so you'll fit it with the crowd. You'll see one hell of a show. I've caught him a couple of times. Never heard him play Alice live just because he almost never plays it anymore, but there's enough good stuff in the show you'll walk out feeling better about life.
I saw him on the 20th year anniversary tour..!
I have seen his concerts twice, once at the Brichmear in VA in DC area, he found out it was my Bday and signed my CD and the case with a Sharpie on of my most cherished possessions. He is a real nice guy and I told him how much his songs cheer me up, and make me laugh a lot, his response was " Thank you for telling me that"
I saw him in Italy and got his signature because this song was stained in my memory. He was touring with his son
Edward Farrell a year later but I'm seeing him tomorrow and I'm so excited
he's 70.....i can't imagine he is still on the concert trail. I did see im in concert in detroit maybe 53 years ago.
Wonderful: those were times of '68 protest against a senseless autoritharian U.S. system - Vietnam and so on. This song seemes to be only comical, however it is also highly meaningful! Arlo Guthrie is great
I have listened to this every thanksgiving for 20 years now. my father and I tune in to tk 99 in Syracuse every year for this
What a beautiful time to be young . This song brings back so many good memories.
Kids, onthispieceofpaperwegot47words47sentances58wordswewannaknowdetailsaboutthecrimetimeofthecrimeandanythingelseyouwannasayarrestingofficersandanythingelseyouwannaputdownonthatpaper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He went on for 45 minutes and nobody understood a word he said...
On the lyrics it reads 47 sentences but he actually says,(correct me if I am wrong) "37 sentences ". Just saying
@@jimmiecisco Yep- it IS 37! (know it by heart).
But we had fun filling out the forms and playing with the pencils
Every Thanksgiving growing up EVERY THANKSGIVING I listened to this on KOME 98.5 FM. I don't think I ever missed it one year...
What a classic ,,, great storytelling
First time I found WTUL New Orleans on the dial, this was playing.
we used to hear this one often!
This song made me a fan of Arlo Guthrie, I was already a fan of his Dad, Woody Guthrie.
I cannot tell a lie...i put that envelope under that garbage...
I love this tune and can listen to it over and over . There is a radio station where I live which plays it twice on Thanksgiving every year.
I listened to this song every year its been a tradition in my family rip Brenda Lucas I love you
The local rock/not rock station was playing this as I was driving to families house for Thanksgiving yesterday. I missed the end of it and haven't heard for a very long time. (First time I heard was in 1969, yes, 50 years ago.
So I came to RUclips today to find it. Just such a great story and great presentation!
you can find anything you want on the youtube
thank you ! haven't ever gotten thru , without tears, from childhood, back in the 70"s to sing it all the way thru, still to now!
Still my favorite song to kick off Thanksgiving and the Christmas holiday season and has been since I was a senior in high school..Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Memorized the entire thing from the record back in 91 been listening to it every Thanksgiving and singing along ever sense. 29 years and going strong
Family tradition on thanksgiving. Big turkey feast, football and listen to Alice's Restaurant. Thank you Arlo Guthrie
Thx for helping me recall a very old story I had forgotten. Wasn't ALL that funny back then but is now hilarious to an old man.
Aaaaiiiee !!! Soooo glad I ain't still young & fighting things I don't know about ...
.... Still ignorant as Shinola but not fighting much of anything anymore.
Still listernin' to this fine song in 2021.
I love that song. I remember my dad and I singing it when I was a kid.
My mom passed away in 2015. Growing up, it was her tradition to listen to this every Thanksgiving. She's been gone 4 years now and now it's been my own Thanksgiving tradition ever since she left us. Love and miss you mom and hope you are having a great time up there.
I found an index card with a link to a RUclips video written on it and my old things at my mom's house while I was going through them. It was a link to this exact video and I'm honestly just grateful to past me for having great taste in music
I recently met a guy who is a Marine. I asked him why did he join, he said, "I wanna kill." I was immediately transported to Thanksgiving in my Mom's kitchen listening to this on a record as she sang every word. It's crazy how I had forgotten this song until that moment. I haven't heard it in 20 years! I just love it so much. Fabulous memory. I had to hear it and I sure don't have the vinyl.
To those who "object" to the use of the word "faggot" in this song:
I'd say it was more of an observation and comment on the institutionalised homophobia that existed at that time, than a display of actual homophobia.
In fact, I'd go so far as to suggest that Arlo and his peers were probably more likely than the average American of that era to have been "cool" with homosexuality, and that the term "faggot" was (to them) simply a convenient term which (to them) held absolutely no malice. That was just the accepted parlance of the day
Granted, since then, homophobes have increasingly used the term as an insult, which is why it's become taboo and (quite rightly) socially unacceptable.
But remember, this was 1967!
It wasn't uncommon in those days, for instance, for someone who cared for (and about) mentally ill people to state, "I work with `retards' and they are some of the nicest people I know!"
Nobody in their right mind would even suggest that they were using "that word" to denigrate those in their care, would they? Of course not.
Language is fluid, so you must consider the context before you leap to taking offense... both personally and by proxy!
But, if you're the type of person who really needs something to get offended at...
Might I suggest you aim your ire at those who see homophobia, sexism, racism and all kinds of political incorrectness where, clearly, none was intended?
I believe that the use of the term faggots in this song is moreso as a way to stay out of the war - hence the draft mentioned - as it were "don't ask, don't tell" and homosexuals weren't very welcomed in the armed forces during that time period ^°^ but I totally hadn't thought about it your way before man ^-^
QuartuvLarry Louis CK was born in 1967.
Arlo Guthrie first recorded Alice's Restaurant in 1967.
What experience does Louis CK have living with social norms that existed in 1967? Clearly, not even as much experience as I have.
Dave N
Did those social norms just...die a quick death since then? Golly!
QuartuvLarry
uuuhhhh... derr. . ...golly gee
The fact is, genius, that Louis CK has absolutely no conscious memory, at all, of anything that happened in 1967--none, at all, zero, the only numeral that is neither positive, nor negative.
Are you really that fucking stupid, QLarry? Is anybody, at all, really as fucking stupid as you appear?
Thinking must cause you terrible pain.
Dave N
Didn't really make a point there, Emotional Little One. Looked more like some petulant attempt at snarkiness. Waah, and boo hoo. You won't actually dismiss the fact that the ebb and flow of cultural change is nothing short of glacial over the years with something so asinine as, "Well, YORE stoo-puhd!"
When I was around six, my parents would play this song on thanks giving, I loved it. I had to check it out on youtube!
alice's resturaut true classics thankgiving song
This song has been a Thanksgiving tradition for my family and it wouldn't be the same without it💗 happy Thanksgiving to everyone!🍁🦃🍽🎉
OMG! Arlo has been my main man since the first day he performed! Tells you how old I am! He'll be at the State Theatre in Ithaca again this winter of course and of course I'll be there. I also insisted my kids listen to the song and watch the movie. My oldest son actually did find himself in a situation like Arlo's so it was perfect timing! Been to the restaurant and church twice taking 8x10 glossies! It was amazing because he was at the church and I got to see what AWESOME work he does and the programs he has for kids are amazing. I love Arlo as you can see!
This is a true story.
I remembered I liked the film and song a lot then, the adventure of a simple happy-go-lucky guy with a guitar. And there was a garage and air blower scene, I think, which was kinda 'hot' back in the day. And young men were being drafted for a war that was as foolish as the ones that are happening today
Thanks, uploader.
.
jaec45 Which movie?
CdrChaos: Alice's Restaurant (1969) -
Arlo Guthrie plays himself in this movie based on his song of the same name. Look for it and watch. It's a fun film.
I'll ask Google. Thanks!
CdrChaos: I found a copy here on RUclips. Have fun.
I Listen to this song every thanksgiving (I actually make my whole family listen to it too) and I JUST found this excellent copy with lyrics big enough for my old uncle Gus to read them. Thank you for the white on black.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
I heard this whole long song on KLOS at like 2am one morning seven or so years ago. Haven't heard it since. All I remember was somethin' about "near the railroad track","implements of destruction" and "You can get anything you want...". I've been wanting to look it up for quite some time. Hearing it, AAHH this is too cool!
Ah, KLOS. Brings back memories! Do you happen to remember KMET? Or Dr. Demento on Sunday nights?
@@socalinia iheard it on WLS
Thanks for the lyric... Was fun reading along. It's been a few years since I'd listened to Arlo. Alone tonight and this was comforting. Good memories.
Was driving back after a nice hike through an unfamiliar area with unfamiliar radio stations. Was scrolling through and this came up just a minute into the song. Was absolutely mesmerizing. Fortunately the station didn't blur out before the song ended
Last Thursday we're going to Thanksgiving dinner. 11 AM we're listening to WXRT, Chicago, and this song comes on. My 12 yo son never heard it, so I insisted he listen to it, in its entirety. He loved it, but kept asking me "Is this story for real?" What can I say. YES.
It is that time of year again - Happy Thanksgiving!!!! And happy 50th anniversary to Alice's Restaurant - Arlo's special on PBS tonight......Enjoy!
Amen to that! I laughed my ass off when I first heard this album and his recitation of Alice and her restaurant! LOL
This is me and my family's Thanksgiving song.
This is also my first Thanksgiving without my grandpa.
I love this song. Thank you!
Been a long, LONG time...
thanks for the memories. 😁
It's close enough to thanksgiving to start listening to this here song
Ah man ...... been many moons. Thank you for this xx
I remember sitting on the group W bench at the Fort Wayne induction center in Detroit Michigan 1967...Scary times.
What'd ya get?
Flash Back: Sam Houston Induction Ctr. on San Jacinto St. in USPO Bldg. CBD/HOUTX 77252, Random Sequence #13. 'went there three times voluntarily: Sak Cong.
Preston Wagner What's Sak Cong?
Maybe you were on the right bench.
Shrink, you can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN BOYS
I guess I am old when I was in High School, Everyone knew all the lyrics to this song and smelled like burnt hemp rope. A tradition started then to listen to it every Thanksgiving and sing along. I wonder how many out of my school still do it.
Ihategiggle gigglesucks I'm only 26 and listen to it every Thanksgiving because my parents always did when I was growing up.
Brittany Starry same here. My dad taught us the historical significance of the lyrics and we'd listen to his old record of it. Then he'd play it on the guitar. Great memories.
I use to play it back in High School and do the lyrics. I really wonder what the draft induction center means to most young people today, I remember when I had to register I was terrified of the 1A Classification.
Ihategiggle gigglesucks it meant nothing to me in 93. just had to register for selective service at post office or no Student Loan. which was cheap with super low interest back in a time when prime rate was much higher.
I was born in 72. I do it.
Old times, love it.
2023 and Never been more relevant!!
Happy Thanksgiving🙏
I am thankful for life and love❤
I put this on my Thanksgiving music playlist
Listening in 2020
My Thanksgving tradition is to listen to Alices Restaurant every year. This tradition has become even more meaningful now that my family has passed on but for 25 minutes every Thanksgiving we are all together again. Much thanks Arlo.
First heard this back in the day while living in a hippie house on Thanksgiving. Its become a staple for Thanksgiving ever since.
“You can get anything u want at Alice’s Restaurant (expecting Alice)”
ray ray excepting Alice?
My Ma always used to say "accept In Alice"
My favorite Thanksgiving Holiday Staple !
Happy Thanksgiving daddy miss you but we still listen to this on Thanksgiving.
Brilliant to have the lyrics, thank you!
I'd forgotten about this song from way back when, until I was driving along one Thanksgiving day 2 or 3 yrs ago and heard the whole long version.
It's not Thanksgiving without listening to this song. Happy Thanksgiving, all!
happy thanksgiving ya'll
That was fantastic. 18 minutes well spent.
I remember when WBCN played this every year on Thanksgiving. But, since 'BCN is no more, except online, I am listening to it here.
I just love this movie! And the song. Such great memories! Thanks, youtube! Yes, great story telling.
First of all, I'm 42 years old. I have been listening to this song every year since I was like 18 years old. There is a radio station in Philadelphia Pennsylvania called 933 WMMR. The DJ who plays it is named Pierre Robert. Today is Thanksgiving 2020. Happy Thanksgiving folks. Today marked the 39th year that Pierre played it. I love this song. I was reading some of the comments, never knew that this was an anti Vietnam War song. I guess I never realized that this song was older than 39 years old. Sorry to all the people that lost loved ones during nd after the War. May they rest in peace.
CLASSIC
mom n me use to listen to it at 12:00,,while cooking dinner,,,misss you MOM!!! :(
Good stuff ! Every year turkey day I get a youngster to listen to it. Keep it traditional 😏
This used to be a KY·102 Thanksgiving tradition on Kansas City radio.
🍁Happy Thanksgiving🍁
Every time I hear this song! I think about PBS Network Public Television during The Children's Program called "It Figures".lol With those "Once upon a time" Tales.Especially The one called "Tom Thumb".I actually use to like this song as a kid.
best version right here
Every year the classic rock station I listen to plays this right before Thanksgiving.
The vibe to end all vibes
How many of us over 60 (get) this song and what it's really about? We were smarter back then.
damn right debra
a GREAT FOLK SINGER FROM MY TIME
my hometown radio station plays this song, about the restaurant, every thanksgiving day at noon, i like to thank Alice for giving Arlo the muse to wright this tune
What a legacy this song has, it became a movie then a TV show that said “Kiss my grits!”
A Thanksgiving Day classic.
Me and my son Thomas always listen to this every Thanksgiving day a family tradition
Well done. A classic.