Peanuts by Charles Schulz for December 16, 2022

Happy Beethoven’s Birthday, everyone!

at least it’s not a rocket…man!

The windshield wiper pair was always my favorite.

Say Lucy, for Beethoven’s birthday, you should have gifted him Beethoven Glasses, not Elton John ones.;-D

Roll over Beethoven

Does Schroder have blue eyes? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CiyKeSnSxk

Lucy, now you’ll never have him.

At the time this strip was published, “Island Girl” was on the charts.

That’s why they call it the blues.

Does a rhinestone costume come with the glasses? And a candelabra for the piano?

And some web sites say Beethoven was actually born on December 17, not on the 16th! I guess Schulz liked to be a day earlier rather than be too late.

It’s a good look… For Elton.

An unusual strip in that Schroeder is happy to accept a gift from Lucy – look at his body language in the second panel. This makes me wonder whether Schroeder and Lucy mostly interact in a normal, amicable way off-camera (i.e. when Schulz’s pen isn’t turned on them).

Captain Fantastic.

Weren’t they both gay?

I read Elton John’s autobiography, “Me”. He’s amazingly modest for being ELTON FREAKING JOHN. It was an enjoyable read, if you can get over the fact that he sometimes forgets that not everyone knows some of the more obscure British slang. But seriously, Reggie Dwight definitely had a hand in the writing, if you know what I mean.

He wishes she’d just go out, like a candle in the wind.

Goodbye yellow brick Road !!!!

That was still a few years before Elton John was married to his wife.

The implications are staggering.

That’s SIR Elton John to you.

Now play Elton’s “Step Into Christmas”, Schroeder!

It’s a rare instance of a pop culture reference in the Peanuts canon.

Well, Elton is Classically trained.

Don’t Go Breaking His Heart, Lucy!

Inspirational props…

Nice gift for Schroder. Elton John is gay, too.

In Bloom County, Oliver Wendell Jones’ mother got him a Michael Jackson glove – which, of course, the young computer hacker had no use for. But he was polite to Mom: “Like it?” “I’m in paradise – where’s the other one?”

It’s odd that Beethoven’s birthdate is Dec.17 when birth records show a baptismal on the 16th. This suggests his birth could’ve been earlier still, at least the 15th. Ah, Ludwig, you were always a bit mysterious.

nice gift

Was Sparky an Elton John fan?

Hey, it made the Terminator look cool…

Lucy, being thoughtful?

Given how most of the time Schroeder barely even pretends to tolerate Lucy, I’m surprised he’s faking enthusiasm for her inappropriate gift. Unless maybe he’s just glad that she’s gotten into the spirit of his favorite holiday?

Ohhhh, so THAT’s the Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Next year’s present will be a gold lame’ jACKET

Awesome.

Totally awesome.

For your birthday she’s buying you Liberace’s garb.

Doubt Mr. Shultz would’ve done this cartoon if he had known then what we all know now.

PLAY FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND/LOVE LIES BLEEDING!!!!

Schulz was quite judicious with the contemporary pop culture references. Schroeder should hope Lucy doesn’t ask him to learn ‘Benny and the Jets’.

It’s the thought that counts.. and he Schroeder, you look kinda sexy there. .. Haha

This wasn’t the first time Elton John was mentioned by Schulz. Here is one from earlier in 1975 (republished on 4/3/2022): https://www.gocomics.com/peanuts/2022/04/03

I bet Elton has this framed on his wall somewhere in his mansion.