Recommended music: Hank Williams – Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
It’s #TurtleTuesday, and since my action figures are still packed, waiting for a new display, archive posts will come into play. After 1100+ posts on the blog, we’ll continue to revisit some toys for now.
At first, I thought I had found the perfect song for the NECA Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Leatherhead figure, but it turned out the connection was mostly just in the song title.
Hank Williams’ 1952 song “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” fits the cartoon alligator well because both embrace the wild, colorful charm of Louisiana swamp folklore. The 1987 animated series reimagined Leatherhead as a loud, fun-loving Cajun alligator with a strong accent and a passion for swamp life. Williams’ cheerful song celebrates this culture and brings out the character’s southern swagger.
NECA’s figure design strengthens this connection, as Leatherhead is sculpted with his slouched hat, vest, and rolled-up pants, and he comes with bayou-themed accessories like crawfish traps, lobsters, and rope lines. Posing the figure with those accessories reflects the lyrics of “Jambalaya,” bringing its call for crawfish and swamp festivities to life on the toy shelf. This pairing works because “Jambalaya” is a fun song about having a good time, matching the upbeat, silly mood of the 1987 TMNT cartoon. Playing Williams’ catchy tune brings out the character’s playful side and makes the figure feel like it belongs in a classic Saturday morning cartoon.
#TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles
#TMNT
#ToyPhotography
