Thanksgiving

It’s that time again - time for family and friends to get together in whatever numbers and whatever style - that time to sit down and laugh, cry, yell and everything in between. It’s Thanksgiving!

We’ll host our family at our house this year. Turkey, sides (too many to mention) and the most fantastic desserts. But of course, it’s always about more than just the food. It’s a time to connect, a time to remember those who aren’t with us anymore and a time to look ahead. And despite days and weeks that may have been difficult, a time to be thankful for what we have. That also includes music.

So however you celebrate, you need some tasty tunes to go with the tasty food! That’s where I come in - Here’s 20 songs to help you celebrate this year. It's the Thanksgiving Mixtape!

“The Thanksgiving Song” by Ben Rector - Rector didn’t understand why there was so much original Christmas music, but nothing specific about Thanksgiving. So he wrote this fantastic, nostalgic song.

“Family” by Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors - Whatever your family looks like, this is a song to celebrate everything about it. So like the song says, “take off your shoes and dance”.

“Almost Thanksgiving Day” by Graham Parker - Picture Parker sitting on a porch singing this with an acoustic guitar. Looking back/looking forward, but you’re also not sure he’s looking forward to the day.

“Sweet Potato Pie” by Ray Charles and James Taylor - You gotta have pie on Thanksgiving, right?

“Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - A simple message that defines Thanksgiving: “Home is wherever I’m with you”

“Crowded Table” by The Highwomen - A fantastic song that warms my heart. “I want a house with a crowded table. And a place by the fire for everyone.”

“Cooking Up Something Good” by Mac DeMarco - An up-tempo track that will have your head bobbing and feet tapping as you’re putting the final touches of the meal.

“Thanksgiving Prayer” by Joanne Cash - Johnny’s sister keeps it simple and beautiful.

“Pass the Peas” by The J.B.’s - James Brown’s funky band serves up a funky, polite reminder to keep the food moving at the table, even while your feet are moving under the table.

“All That Meat and No Potatoes” by Fats Waller - Because for so many, meat and potatoes are the most important part of a Thanksgiving meal.

“Thankful n’ Thoughtful” by Sly & the Family Stone - Another funky ditty the help remind us to be thankful for those things we have and the people that are still in our lives.

“Kind & Generous” by Natalie Merchant - As feel-good as they come on the list. And any time I can listen to Merchant’s beautiful voice - well, I’m thankful.

“All Around The Kitchen” by Dan Zanes - Zanes, the pied piper of kid music created fantastic folk music that not only connected with kids but their parents as well.

“(Do The) Mashed Potatoes” by James Brown - Pour a little gravy on this tasty number and then make sure your dancing shoes are on.

“Everybody Eats When They Come To My House” by John Lithgow - We had this CD back when the kids were little and hearing the track again brought back fantastic memories. Lithgow owns this classic. And the song is a true sentiment of how I feel…

“Family Is Family” by Kacey Musgraves - Family isn’t perfect, but they’re family - and that's just right.

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver - The perfect song to start your road trip home. You know the lyrics, don’t be shy, sing along!

“Gratitude” by Earth, Wind & Fire - A funky way of saying what the season means.

“I Want To Thank You” by Otis Redding - One of the greatest singers of all time is thankful, so shouldn’t you be too?

“Thanksgiving Theme” by Vince Guardaldi Trio - A classic closes our playlist. A song from my childhood that goes so well with some dessert and coffee.

I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, wherever you are, whatever you do. I’m truly thankful for each and every one of you.