If you’ve heard the song with the lyrics “go you chicken fat go” in ads for iPhones, you may have stopped and wondered what the heck a song about chicken fat has to do with Apple and its telecommunications products. I can’t answer that question, but here’s why you are reading about it on an education blog.

The song, titled “The Youth Fitness Song”, was composed in the 1960’s for President John F. Kennedy’s physical fitness program in public schools. The JFK Library’s website has an audio version of the song, written by the writer of “The Music Man” and sung by actor Robert Preston, who was “The Music Man.” Along with the audio is this description:

Description: Chicken Fat, also known as “The Youth Fitness Song.” Composed for President Kennedy’s Physical Fitness Program. Recordings of this song were sent to school districts throughout the United States to accompany the official U.S. Physical Fitness program of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness Composer: Meredith Willson Performer: Robert Preston Conductor: Bernie Green Issued by Capitol Records (CF-1000) Running time 6:25 minutes.

The JFK Library website further explains that the president was extremely interested in promoting physical fitness: