Thunderbird (wine)
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Thunderbird (The American Classic) is an inexpensive fortified wine brand of E. & J. Gallo Winery in the United States. The wine is sold at between 13 and 18% ABV and first became popular in the 1950s. Its popularity led to the introduction of Thunderbird ESQ.
An early radio jingle for the wine included the following lyrics:
- What's the word? Thunderbird! / How's it sold? Good and cold. / What's the jive? Bird's alive! / What's the price? Thirty twice.
[edit] In popular culture
Comedian Lewis Black in 2002, on the topic of health, commented about a 115 year old man living in the Bronx whose diet consisted of "Bread fried in fatback, and three gallons of Thunderbird wine a week."
Comedian Pete Barbutti makes a number of references to Thunderbird on his "In the Sahara/The Hotel, not the Desert" album, in particular suggesting that it's particularly effective for seducing women.
Thunderbird, like other brands of cheap alcohol, has been featured in songs.
One song by the punk/garage band The Gories includes the lyrics:
- I said "Baby,/Whats wrong with you?/You look like you drank/Too much ESQ"/
- I took her home/Left her layin' by the door/Got back in my car/And drank some more/
- Thunderbird ESQ... I love it more than I love you/Thunderbird ESQ... I love it more than I love you
The American alternative band They Might Be Giants also recorded a song called "Thunderbird," about a man with a drinking problem. The song makes comparisons to the powerful feeling he gets from the fortified wine (as if he by drinking it, he became a mythical Thunderbird):
- I remember now why they call it Thunderbird.
Texas/Country singer Townes Van Zandt recorded the song "Talking Thunderbird Blues" which tells of an unfortunate introduction to the product. The song concludes with a decision to avoid Thunderbird in favor of a "superior" yet readily accessible alcohol source, communion wine.
- So I saw the light and heard the word
- and I'm staying away from that dirty old Thunderbird.
- The message came from Heaven radiant and fine
- and now all I drink is communion wine
- ...6 days a week!
One of Van Zandt's contemporaries, Texas songwriter Billy Joe Shaver, also immortalized Thunderbird wine in song. The original studio recording appears on Shaver's 2005 Compadre Records release, "The Real Deal." Shaver, remarking prior to performing the song to a crowd of fans during a taped April 1999 concert event in Meridian, Mississippi, commented: "That's still the cheapest high there is -- that ol' Thunderbird wine." Below is the chorus of Shaver's tribute to the infamous fortified wine.
- When the word was Thunderbird
- And the price was forty twice
- Drinkin' wine and lovin' you was fun
ZZ Top sang about Thunderbird in a song of the same name, off of their 1975 album Fandango.
In the musical Grease one of the Pink Ladies mentions during the pajama party scene that she prefers the taste of Thunderbird to that of Champagne, prompting looks of mild disgust from the other girls.
Outlaw Country singer Jessi Colter sang about Thunderbird in her song "Why You Been Gone So Long".
- Nothin' I wanna do oh I guess I could get stoned
- And let that past paint pictures on my head
- I could kill a fifth of Thunderbird, write myself a sad song
- Tell me baby why you been gone so long
Ian Dury and the Blockheads song 'Sweet Gene Vincent' has the line:
- Shall I mourn your decline with some Thunderbird wine?
Clutch, a hard rock band from Germantown, Maryland, pays homage to Thunderbird and University of Maryland in their song "Worm Drink" from the album "Blast Tyrant."
- University Boulevard
- New Hampshire Avenue
- Tick-Tock Liquor
- THUNDERBIRD!
Thunderbird is featured in the song "Hold it Now - Hit it!" by the Beastie Boys.
Alabama 3 sing about Thunderbird on their Aslan cover "How Can I Protect You".
In some versions of the song "My Gal" as performed by Yonder Mountain String Band, the wine is mentioned:
- The rich gal, she's drinkin' straight whiskey
- Poor gal would love to drink the same.
- My gal, she gets drunk on nasty ol' Thunderbird wine
- and she gets real twisted just the same"
Tom Robinson recorded the track "Rum Thunderbird" on the 1996 album "Having it Both Ways" which has the chorus:
- Rum, thunderbird wine and coke
- Snakebite and skunk, a snort and a smoke
- I wanna get legless and fly like a bird -
- That's the most natural thing in the world
Alternatively, an episode of the cult TV show Mystery Science Theater 3000 features a reference to the wine. During the movie "The Unearthly" the evil doctor (John Carradine) and his collaborator have a toast. During the toast host Joel Robinson shouts out
- What's the word?
- Thunderbird
- What's the price?
- 40 twice
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
| Wine styles: | Red/White • Rosé/Blush • Sparkling • Dessert • Fortified • Fruit • Ice Wine | |
| Notable varietals: |
White Albariño • Chardonnay • Chenin blanc • Gewürztraminer • Muscat • Pinot blanc • Pinot gris • Riesling • Sauvignon blanc • Sémillon • Viognier |
Red Cabernet Franc • Cabernet Sauvignon • Carmenère • Durif • Gamay • Grenache • Malbec • Merlot • Petit Verdot • Pinotage • Pinot noir • Sangiovese • Syrah/Shiraz • Tempranillo • Zinfandel |
| Notable regionals: |
Amarone • Asti • Barolo • Barossa • Beaujolais • Bordeaux • Burgundy • Chablis • Champagne • Chianti • Commandaria • Dão • Egri Bikavér • Madeira • Marsala • Port • Retsina • Rhône • Rioja • Sancerre • Sauternes • Sherry • Tokaji • Valpolicella • Vermouth • Vinho Verde • Vouvray | |
| See also: | Glossary of wine terms • List of grape varieties • List of wine-producing regions • List of wine producing countries • Winemaking | |
