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The Fast Food Song

The Fast Food Song is a popular action song used in Scouting programs. It is simple, fun, and easy for Scouts of all ages to learn. It is often used to energize a group, create excitement, or bring Scouts together during meetings or campouts. The song’s repetitive lyrics and motions make it ideal for large groups.

This song fits well into Scouting activities because it gets Scouts moving. The actions that go along with the song involve simple hand and arm motions. These motions make the song interactive and engaging for everyone. It is a good way to include Scouts who might not feel comfortable singing but are happy to join in the movements.

Leaders often use the Fast Food Song as an icebreaker or to fill time between activities. It helps bring energy to a group, especially if Scouts are feeling tired or restless. The song works well because it does not need any special equipment or preparation. Leaders can teach it quickly and start singing right away.

The Fast Food Song is also a great way to encourage group participation. Everyone can sing and do the actions together, which helps build a sense of teamwork. This fits with the goals of Scouting, which include helping Scouts work together and have fun in a group setting.

Does the Fast Food Song Promote Junk Food?

The Fast Food Song is a favorite at Scout meetings and campfires. Its catchy tune and silly actions get everyone moving. Some might wonder if the song encourages unhealthy eating, but it can actually be used to teach Scouts about good nutrition. With the right approach, leaders can turn the fun into a learning moment.

The song mentions fast food chains like Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and McDonald’s. These are popular places, but they don’t always serve the healthiest meals. After singing, leaders can talk to Scouts about how these foods fit into a balanced diet. This helps Scouts learn that fast food is fine once in a while, but healthy choices are better for everyday meals.

As Scouts flap their arms like chickens and build roofs with their hands, leaders can use the moment to discuss alternatives. They might ask Scouts to think about foods that fuel their bodies for hiking, camping, and other activities. It’s a good chance to talk about eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. These foods help Scouts stay strong and active.

The song doesn’t criticize fast food, and it shouldn’t feel like a lecture. Instead, it’s a fun way to bring up healthy eating in a positive way. By focusing on balance and moderation, leaders can encourage Scouts to make thoughtful food choices. Singing the Fast Food Song can be the start of a healthy conversation.

From Fun Tune to Scout Tradition

The Fast Food Song became popular in the early 2000s. It was originally recorded by a British group called the Fast Food Rockers. The song was a hit in Europe because of its catchy rhythm and simple lyrics. Over time, the song made its way into Scouting programs, where leaders added motions to make it more interactive.

Scouts around the world now enjoy singing the Fast Food Song. The hand motions—like making a roof for “Pizza Hut” or flapping arms for “Kentucky Fried Chicken”—are a big part of the tradition. These movements help make the song more fun and engaging during campfires, meetings, and other group activities.

No one knows exactly when Scouts started using the song, but it spread quickly. Leaders found it was a good way to get groups involved and energized. Its repetitive nature makes it easy for everyone to join in, even if they’re hearing it for the first time. It’s become a regular part of many Scouting events.

Though it started as a silly pop song, the Fast Food Song has taken on new life in Scouting. It is now part of a tradition that brings Scouts together and encourages them to have fun while learning teamwork and participation.

The Song

Actions

Go through the actions before you sing the song. When you say “Pizza Hut” make a roof over your head with your hands. When you say “Kentucky Fried Chicken”, flap your arms like a chicken. And when you say “McDonalds”, make an M in front of you with your arms.

Tune

If you don’t know the tune, listen to the original song. The link includes the whole song. When we do it with scouts, we only sing the refrain.

Lyrics

A Pizza Hut a Pizza Hut
Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut
A Pizza Hut a Pizza Hut
Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut
McDonalds McDonalds
Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut
McDonalds McDonalds
Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut

Harmony of Scouting: The Power of Songs

More Resources

The Star Wars Song

The Star Wars song is a cosmic remix of the “Fast Food Song.” With Star Wars-themed lyrics and actions, Scouts can swing imaginary lightsabers for Luke Skywalker, mimic C-3PO’s robot motions, and engage in peekaboo hands for Darth Vader. The lyrics maintain the original rhythm but swap in iconic characters for a fun twist. This adaptation adds interstellar excitement to the mix while keeping the focus on the “Fast Food Song.” So, consider adding the “Star Wars Song” as a celestial bonus to keep Scouts engaged and entertained.

More Songs

Looking for more songs to use with your Scouts? Check out my Songs for Scouts page. You’ll find a variety of songs, including action songs like the Fast Food Song, campfire classics, and silly tunes. Singing is a great way to bring energy to meetings, campouts, and other activities. Whether you need something to get the group moving or a song to end the day, you’ll find ideas to suit your needs. Visit Songs for Scouts for inspiration and bring more music to your Scouting program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Fast Food Song?

The Fast Food Song is a fun, energetic song often used in Scouting programs. It mentions fast food chains like Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and McDonald’s. Scouts sing the song while doing simple hand motions to match the lyrics.

How do you teach the Fast Food Song?

Start by teaching the lyrics a line at a time. Then show the motions: make a roof over your head for “Pizza Hut,” flap your arms like a chicken for “Kentucky Fried Chicken,” and form an “M” with your arms for “McDonald’s.” Practice together until everyone is comfortable.

What age group is the song best for?

The song works well for younger Scouts, like Cub Scouts, but older Scouts can enjoy it too. The actions and simple tune make it easy for all ages to participate.

Does the song encourage unhealthy eating?

Not necessarily. Leaders can use the song as a way to start a conversation about healthy eating and balanced diets. It’s a chance to talk about enjoying fast food in moderation while making good food choices most of the time.

When should you sing the Fast Food Song?

The song works great as an icebreaker, to energize a group, or to fill time between activities. It’s also fun during campfires or meetings when you want everyone to join in.

Why is it so popular in Scouting?

The Fast Food Song is simple, fun, and easy to learn. It brings groups together, encourages participation, and helps Scouts feel included. The motions make it even more engaging for everyone.

Singing and Flapping to Fun

The Fast Food Song is a popular choice for Scout meetings and activities. It is an action song with simple lyrics and motions that mention well-known fast food chains like Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and McDonald’s. Scouts sing the song while doing actions like making a roof for Pizza Hut, flapping their arms like a chicken, and forming an “M” for McDonald’s.

This song is easy to learn and works well with groups of all sizes. Leaders often use it to get Scouts moving and to bring energy to meetings or campfires. The repetitive lyrics and motions help everyone participate, even those who might be shy about singing.

In Scouting, the Fast Food Song can also be used to teach valuable lessons. Leaders can use it as a starting point for a discussion about nutrition and making healthy food choices. The song doesn’t focus on food in a serious way, but it opens the door to talking about balance and moderation.

The Fast Food Song has become a tradition in many Scouting programs. It’s a great way to bring Scouts together, encourage teamwork, and have fun. With its simple actions and catchy tune, it continues to be a favorite for leaders and Scouts alike.

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Comments

15 responses to “The Fast Food Song: Fun Way to Introduce Nutrition in 2024”

  1. Sheila R Avatar
    Sheila R

    I just taught this to my kids over spring break. The girls I learned it from drew a box shape in the air with their hands for Pizza Hut (the pizza box) and for McDonald’s they did an “M” but started in the middle of the middle with their fingers touching and drew arches out.

  2. Healthy Eater Avatar
    Healthy Eater

    Just wondering what in heaven’s name this song has to do with nutrition and healthy choices. Except just to say: “Hey kids, avoid every name on this list if you don’t want to grow obese and get diabetes!”

    1. Scouter Mom Avatar
      Scouter Mom

      As stated above, after you sing the song, talk about fast food and healthy choices. Use the song as an attention grabber.

  3. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    Here’s the 2nd verse to this song:

    A Burger King, A Burger King (make crown on head)
    Long John Silvers and a Burger King. (hand on forehead looking far across the sea for LJS)
    A Burger King, A Burger King.
    Long John Silvers and a Burger King.
    Red Robin, Red Robin. (Make chicken wings and shake your tail feathers)
    Long John Silvers and a Burger King.
    Red Robin, Red Robin.
    Long John Silvers and a Burger King!

    (We talk about all of the bad choices we have out there for unhealthy food. Enough to make a song out of them! We then talk about how we can make healthier choices on a daily basis.)

    For the first verse we make a triangle with our arms outstretched and touch our fingertips to make a piece of pizza, Make the M arch with our hands overhead, make chicken wings and strut or shake our tail feathers for KFC (which is now Kitchen Fried, no longer Kentucky Fried), crown on our heads for Burger King, and the same chicken wings and tail feather shaking for Red Robin. It’s a fun song!!!

  4. ken c Avatar
    ken c

    That is the sickest thing I have ever seen – and I mean sick as in a bad way – what a travesty for this site to promote fake unhealthy food – I would never show that to kids – GROSS SO VERY GROSS!!

    1. Jason Avatar
      Jason

      Calm down. This is to teach what NOT to eat in a silly way.

      1. Donne Strong Avatar
        Donne Strong

        Thank you for a reasonable response.

  5. Kris Avatar
    Kris

    This is awful and bizarre, it almost seems like some sort of sneaky advertising / branding – this is just the absolute worst

  6. Bolton Avatar
    Bolton

    I can understand what the people are trying to do with this song. It is NOT to promote these eating places. We are to teach healthy choices and to help the boys understand UNhealthy choices. This is a song that will get their attention and as said above, you can then talk about all the reasons fast food is unhealthy and what healthy choices you can make if you need to eat there, such as the salads, fruit with meal instead of fries, grilled chicken instead of deep fat fried and so on.

  7. Carinna Avatar
    Carinna

    Over 20 years ago I sang this song in scouts. When lots of girls eat nothing but scout food in the woods for weeks on end they like to sing about fast food during their very long hikes. Don’t make more of it then that. All this “promoting healthy choice” parnoia is going to make your children neurotic

  8. David Avatar
    David

    Just a little thing about this though – if you actually look at the words to the verse you’ll see it’s actually quite suggestive, using double entendres a lot and the chorus serves the purpose of stopping it being utter filth…
    Obviously if you only use the chorus then it’s not a problem.

  9. Paula Avatar
    Paula

    I took my daughter to a Girl Scout informational meeting. When they started singing this song, I wanted to grab my daughter and leave. How offensive, in a country in which kids are developing heart disease and diabetes, to be promoting and giving free advertising to corporate monsters who wish our children to become hooked on their horrible “food”!!! INSANE!!!

  10. john thomson Avatar
    john thomson

    I know I wont be believed but me and 4 friends wrote it around 1990. we wrote it in our music class.

  11. C. Sammy Avatar
    C. Sammy

    Very cool John Thompson, I believe you. Everything starts from something…

    Smaller scale, however similar, my brothers were part of a small crew of teenagers who identified a really awesome skateboarding area in the early 90’s, acres of an abandoned concrete jungle, no one (local skate boarders at least) knew about it or went there at the time. Over time, their crew grew, the word spread and it was packed daily on good weather days. Today, the same location, is one of the most notorious underground skate parks in the United States. In recent visits when I’ve said, “my brother’s were part of the crew who originally found this place and developed it”, essentially unrecognized founders, most were like, “yeah OK, sure”.

    John, you may have grounds for litigation, if you can prove what you’re saying, one way or another, and you can prove someone made financial compensation from it, might be worth looking into. At the least, you should look into having your names receive the official recognition as the creators. This is only if you’re wanting to be associated, it appears many are offended, might be best if you aren’t affiliated… Good luck either way and thanks for sharing.

    1. C Sammy Avatar
      C Sammy

      Want to correct my typo on spelling your name, John Thomson, not Thompson. My apologies

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