Chicken Fat (song) facts for kids
"Chicken Fat" (also known as "The Youth Fitness Song") is a famous song from 1962. It was written by Broadway composer Meredith Willson, who also created popular musicals like The Music Man. The song was performed by actor and singer Robert Preston.
This special song was created for the President's Council on Physical Fitness. This council was a group set up by the US President to encourage young people to be more active and healthy.
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Why Was This Song Made?
Back in the 1960s, leaders in the United States wanted to make sure young people were fit and healthy. President John F. Kennedy started the President's Council on Physical Fitness to help with this goal. The song "Chicken Fat" was a fun way to get kids moving and exercising. It was designed to be played in schools to encourage physical activity.
Different Versions of the Song
"Chicken Fat" was released in two main versions:
- A shorter "Disc Jockey Version" that was about 2 minutes and 12 seconds long. This version was made for radio stations.
- A longer "School Version" that was about 6 minutes and 30 seconds long. This version was specifically for use in school gyms.
The School Version's Exercises
The longer "School Version" of "Chicken Fat" was very special. It included 11 different floor exercises. These exercises were designed for school children by Bud Wilkinson. He was a famous football coach from the University of Oklahoma. The song would guide kids through each exercise, making fitness fun.
Who Helped Make It?
Many talented people helped create "Chicken Fat" without asking for money.
- Meredith Willson wrote the song.
- Robert Preston sang it.
- Bud Wilkinson designed the exercises.
Capitol Records helped produce and share the song. They paid for the musicians, studio time, and made about three million copies of the record. This meant many schools could get the song.
Spreading the Word
To help promote the idea of physical fitness, the original Physical Fitness Council also used TV commercials. These public service announcements were shown in 1962 and 1963. They featured famous baseball player Stan Musial. The commercials were filmed at Roosevelt Elementary School in Tampa, Florida. They encouraged kids to be active, just like the "Chicken Fat" song did.
