Behind The Song Episode 55: Arlo Guthrie "Alice's Restaurant Massacree"

In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, host Janda Lane digs into the lyrics of Arlo Guthrie's classic, "Alice's Restaurant Massacree." It's a song about a real-life experience that happened to him one Thanksgiving Day, a talking blues monologue that hilariously lampoons the catch-22 of bureaucratic process.
Music: Matt Cartsonis
Sound Design: Christian Lane
Video Director: Michael Collier
About Janda:
Behind The Song podcast host and creator Janda Lane is a radio DJ at WDRV-FM in Chicago, the city she now calls home with her husband and podcast partner, Christian Lane, and their two cats, Ollie and Liam. She is a transplant from Los Angeles, where she was a video director at Fender, Executive Producer at Yahoo Music, playlist curator for ITunes, worked in rock management with artists like the Foo Fighters and Beck, was on the radio at KCRW, and she was a DJ at online radio pioneer site Soundbreak. She has not worked a day in her life.

[@RCullis47]

Alice's Restaurant has been a Thanksgiving tradition in my home since I was a child. A uniquely talented artist with a unique sense of humor. I had the privilege of working with his daughter, Sara Lee Guthrie doing live sound for one of her shows about ten years ago. The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree. Between songs, she talks and tells stories to the audience, talking about events in the world and her upbring and she has inherited the Guthrie gift of gab and humor. I liken the Guthrie family to the traveling minstrels and story tellers of days long ago. Another marvelous selection to study, Janda. I enjoy your work very much.

[@danwaldie4661]

Fabulous song from the 69s. Arlo is a very intelligent songwriter and musician. Great to hear this song again.

[@mikeinnj4424]

I laughed and sang along at times as I gained a little knowledge. Thank you very much! The best 21:29 minutes of my day.😊

[@behindthesongpodcast]

So glad to hear that! Thanks for watching!!

[@gregoryleewalker]

I send this out to all my friends on Thanksgiving Day every year. His best song is, City of New Orleans.

[@MrJohnisthename]

One other notable tune by Arlo Guthrie is City of New Orleans . One of my all time favorites

[@beatlesfansam]

That's a fantastic song!

[@escapefelicity2913]

please do 'dead flowers'

[@colinsprings3909]

I have a file - more than likely -- a great song that tells the story of a time - I have a history !! - I signed up Mickey Mouse lol

[@behindthesongpodcast]

Cool thanks!