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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!
To me, Thanksgiving is 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 my Thanksgiving Mixtape - 20 songs to help you celebrate this year.
“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 yours.
“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.