Macy’s Parade Outrage: Performer Slammed for Controversial Song Choice!

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade proceeded smoothly this past Thursday, although one act during the NBC live coverage did stir some controversy.

Shaggy, a popular music artist, entertained from atop one of the floats, choosing to perform his well-known song “It Wasn’t Me” as part of his lineup.

Despite the song being edited for explicit content, its theme — involving a man caught cheating by his partner — seemed ill-suited for a family event that featured Sesame Street characters and a massive Snoopy balloon overhead.

Public reaction on social media platform X was quick to follow as Shaggy’s performance aired:

• “Seriously, no one at the Thanksgiving parade wants to listen to Shaggy’s ‘It Wasn’t Me’ about infidelity… Imagine a kid catching onto the tune and singing it all day long.” (source)
• “Hmm… ‘It Wasn’t Me’ by Shaggy doesn’t really scream family-friendly. Hopefully, the kids aren’t paying too much attention to the lyrics.” (source)
• “It’s somewhat ironic to see Shaggy perform ‘It Wasn’t Me’ for all the young kids watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2025.” (source)
• “Choosing ‘It Wasn’t Me’ by Shaggy for the Macy’s parade is certainly a decision. Not necessarily a bad one, but definitely a decision.” (source)

• “LOL, why were Shaggy and Rayvon performing ‘It Wasn’t Me’ at a THANKSGIVING PARADE?!” (source)
• “I’m not a stick-in-the-mud, but ‘It Wasn’t Me’ by Shaggy might not have been the best pick for the Thanksgiving parade.” (source)
• “The Thanksgiving Parade went from Mickey Mouse to Shaggy performing ‘It Wasn’t Me.’ What? LOL” (source)
• “Not sure if ‘Wasn’t Me’ by Shaggy was the most suitable song for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.” (source)

Nonetheless, many Gen-Xers and millennials felt a mix of nostalgia and surprise at seeing Shaggy perform on a Macy’s parade float.

One viewer commented, “Seeing Shaggy sing ‘It Wasn’t Me’ on a giant turkey float is exactly the surreal start to Thanksgiving I always imagined.”

Watching the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

If you missed the live broadcast of the parade on NBC, you can still watch it via NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock.

For those who prefer not to subscribe to Peacock, alternative free livestreams of the parade are available on YouTube. While these streams might lack the polish and special features like Broadway performances or celebrity appearances, they do offer a good view of all the parade floats and balloons.

We suggest checking out the streams from CNBC-TV18 and The Associated Press for a comprehensive viewing experience.