You know the one. You’re standing in the kitchen, probably wrestling with a bag of giblets or trying to figure out if the mashed potatoes are actually lumpy or "rustic," and suddenly it hits you. It starts as a low hum. "Pass the cranberry sauce..." Before you know it, you're shouting about killing turkeys in front of your confused in-laws.
The Linda Belcher Thanksgiving song—officially titled "Thanksgiving Song" or colloquially known as "Kill the Turkey"—isn't just a bit of TV filler. It's a genuine cultural phenomenon that has somehow become the unofficial anthem for a holiday that, let's be honest, is severely lacking in the department of bangers. While Christmas has thousands of carols and Halloween has "Monster Mash," Thanksgiving usually just has football and awkward political debates. Then came Linda.
The Wild Origin of "Kill the Turkey"
Most people assume a team of highly paid comedy writers sat in a room for hours to craft those lyrics. Nope. Not even close. According to show lore and interviews with the cast, the song was almost entirely improvised by John Roberts, the voice behind Linda.
During the recording of the Season 3 episode "An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal," the script originally just called for Linda to mention she had a song. But Roberts, channeling his own mother (the real-life inspiration for Linda’s iconic voice), just started riffing. He began with the mundane items on the table and spiraled into a weirdly dark, repetitive chant about poultry execution.
The producers loved it. They kept it. They even put it over the end credits. It’s that raw, off-the-cuff energy that makes it feel so real. It sounds like something a real mom would sing while three glasses deep into the "mommy juice."
👉 See also: Album Hopes and Fears: Why We Obsess Over Music That Doesn't Exist Yet
Why the Lyrics Actually Hit Different
If you look at the lyrics on paper, they're absolute chaos.
"Pass the cranberry sauce, we're having mashed potatoes!
Ooh, the turkey looks great.
Thank you for loving me! Thank you for being there!
Everyone's thanking! The whole world's thanking you!
Thanking us! For thanking you!
Kill the turkey!"
It’s a perfect three-act play. First, the polite observation of side dishes. Second, an uncomfortably earnest expression of emotional gratitude that makes everyone at the table look at their shoes. Finally? Pure, unadulterated violence.
It captures the exact emotional arc of Thanksgiving Day:
✨ Don't miss: The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads: Why This Live Album Still Beats the Studio Records
- The Preparation: "The food looks nice!"
- The Sentimentality: "I love you guys so much it hurts."
- The Collapse: "I have been in this kitchen for twelve hours and I am ready to snap."
The National and the Indie-Rock Legacy
You know a song has "made it" when a melancholic indie-rock band decides to cover it. The National—the kings of "sad dad" music—have a long-running tradition of covering Bob's Burgers songs, but their rendition of the Linda Belcher Thanksgiving song is arguably their most famous.
Matt Berninger’s baritone makes the line "Kill the turkey" sound like a haunting Shakespearean soliloquy. It’s weirdly beautiful. It proved that the melody Roberts improvised actually had legs. Since then, the show has leaned into the musical side of the holiday, giving us other gems like "The Quirk-ducers" and Gene's "Diarrhea of a Poopy Kid" fantasies, but nothing quite touches the simple, rhythmic perfection of the original.
It’s About the "Anti-Holiday" Vibe
Honestly, the reason this song sticks in our brains is that it's honest. Holiday media usually tries to sell us a version of Thanksgiving that involves matching sweaters and perfect lighting. Bob's Burgers gives us a family that is basically one minor inconvenience away from a total meltdown.
Linda sings because she wants the holiday to be magical. She’s forcing the joy through sheer vocal volume. We’ve all been there. Whether you’re the one cooking or the one hiding in the living room to avoid helping with the dishes, that frantic energy is relatable.
🔗 Read more: Wrong Address: Why This Nigerian Drama Is Still Sparking Conversations
How to Properly Use the Song This Year
If you want to lean into the Belcher spirit this November, there are a few ways to do it right. Don't just play the YouTube clip.
- The Kitchen Solo: Sing it while you’re actually making the cranberry sauce. It’s scientifically proven to make the sauce taste 10% more like Linda’s.
- The Instagram Caption: It’s the law. If you post a photo of your plate, you have to use "Pass the cranberry sauce" as the lead-in.
- The Family Singalong: If the conversation turns to something uncomfortable—like your cousin's new pyramid scheme—just start singing. It’s a great tactical distraction.
The Linda Belcher Thanksgiving song works because it isn't polished. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s a little bit aggressive. Just like family.
To make the most of your Belcher-themed holiday, try pairing your singalong with a "Burger of the Day" style side dish. Think "The Pea-ple’s Choice" (peas and carrots) or "I Yam What I Yam" (sweet potato mash). Just make sure you have the wine ready before you hit the "Kill the turkey" part of the bridge.
Next Steps for Your Thanksgiving Playlist:
- Add The National's cover of the song to your "Dinner Prep" playlist on Spotify to set a moody yet hilarious vibe.
- Watch Season 3, Episode 5 ("An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal") right before you start cooking to get into the proper headspace.
- Memorize the "Sailors in Your Mouth" lyrics from the Season 4 episode "Turkey in a Can" if you really want to level up your obscure Belcher references.