What Alvin & the Chipmunks Taught Me

Let's all put on our slatted sunshades and do the time warp all the way back to the 80s, a time when the phrase ALLLLLVIIIIN rang through the television set in the midst of the lineup of cable cartoons. Originally debuting in 1958, created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. and later continued by his son, Ross Bagdasarian Jr., and daughter-in-law, Janice Karmin. Over time, they have shown us how to be ourselves, fall in love, and listen to some awesome music. Still not convinced? Well, let me take you into my world, where Alvin, Simon, and Theodore taught me more than you'd think. Without them, I might not have even become a writer.

80's The Chipmunks & The Chipettes

Who's Alvin and The Chipmunks?

Alvin and the Chipmunks is, at its core, a story that follows a man named Dave and his adopted chipmunk children; Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. Depending on if you have watched the 80s TV Show, the movie, or the latest show, the origin story of the chipmunks goes something like this.

"Alvin, Simon, and Theodore lived in the forest with their mom. One harsh winter, she was forced to give them to Dave for protection. Dave, a man who just happened to be kind to animals and write songs, ends up becoming a father and producer to three chipmunk boys, who inevitably become rockstars."

Throw in their female counterparts, Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanore, and you have content to span over 30 years' worth of stories, music, and fun times for many families. Most that have seen or heard of the show are familiar with Alvin, the loveable bad boy dressed in red. Though a pain on the surface, he was one of the top characters that taught me some well-deserved lessons.

Lesson #1: Be Who You Are

Alvin was unapologetically himself no matter which era you see his mischievous face. I used to roll my eyes towards his immature outlook on life in favor of his more knowledgeable (and hotter) brother, Simon. If it wasn't for Alvin, half of the adventures that the Chipmunks and Chipettes go on would've never happened. If you've followed the journey over the years, Alvin has the confidence of steel. He's never afraid to step into the unknown and shout his name into the void, even if the unknown leads him and his siblings on wild adventures. It's important to stand up straight and tall and own who we are, even if it's not the same way Alvin might go about it.

Looking back to when I was a peak Chipmunk geek mid middle school, I resonated with these characters so much because, in truth, we all fall into one of these categories growing up. You were either sweet n chunky like Theodore, smart and nerdy like Simon, or athletic and a bit of a showoff like Alvin.

The same goes for the Chipettes. I was drawn to Jeanette as a character, and it was through those moments when Jeanette would break out of her shell that I would feel compelled to break out of mine. Each Chipmunk and Chipette owns who they are as a person and that is what makes them shine as both individuals and as a group.

Lesson #2: Love, at first sight, is real and worth waiting for

The Chipmunks fall in love with the Chipettes on sight in every version they make. The boys see the girls and automatically fall head over heels, desperately trying to find out who these girls are. The dynamics between each couple are unique to each pair and mirror their overall vibe and personalities. Where Theodore and Simon take a more shy and gentle approach, Alvin will literally argue with Brittany over every trivial thing. No matter how you see it, these two groups of siblings were meant for each other. Of course, that doesn't mean we can't try and mix up the pairs and create chaos in fanfiction for shiggles.

Middle school me was a hopeless romantic through and through. As a practical individual that eventually realized that love advice from animation wasn't always accurate, my heart would swoon at the simple love between the Chipmunks and the Chipettes. It gave me hope that there was someone out there as wacky and amazing as me that I can love and be with forever. They taught me not to give up on the ever-crazy notion of being in love, and, honestly, I'm glad I listened.

Lesson #3: Music is powerful and universal

If you have lived life so far and have not heard at least one Alvin and the Chipmunks song, you must live under a rock at Christmas time. I think Alvin and his brothers have done a version of most of the most popular songs in the last 30+ years and have even danced with Michael Jackson. They are the last thing you think of when you talk about music history, but as someone who was trying to collect all their albums, there are A LOT! Don't believe me?

I present (in no particular order) every single Chipmunk album (except "road chip"):

Listening to their songs on youtube (and right now on Spotify), I was exposed to songs I would have never listened to on my own. They neutralize whoever is actually singing the original and add a lightheartedness that takes the serious blah of regular life right away.

I don't think that the joy that I feel from these six chipmunks can ever be put into words. For those that physically lived through my obsession, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. These were the first characters that I wrote stories for in the middle of the night. If you would like to see some early (rough and unedited) work, I leave you with this link to the past Fanfiction.

I mean I think it's inspiring as both an impressionable pre-teen and a mid-twenties girl typing in her snoopy robe to hear this at the start of a movie:

Alvin Seville: That's it! I can't take this anymore. I can't! I give up! I am sick of struggling for survival, competing with gophers and earthworms and that loser sparrow who always takes my nuts. And I'm especially sick of this stupid, stupid tree!!

A mood fam, a mood.

The Alvin and the Chipmunks movies can be found in a variety of places. I know that clips, as well as whole movies, can be found on youtube, but you didn't hear it from me. If you are feeling inspired, check out my FAVORITE Chipmunk/Chipette song here.

I hope to see you soon in whatever form I appear. Until next time!

About the Author

Crystal Cabrae is a storyteller who specializes in writing dystopian, romantic, and adventurous worlds for animation and fantastical fiction. She is a proud graduate of Full Sail University, AMDA, and New World School of the Arts. Her six years of acting training in both New York and Miami gives her a unique perspective when approaching her characters. She has a passion for sharing how to create stories with the world and inspiring the storyteller that lives within all of us. Follow her on IG or Pinterest to know the latest.