Thanksgiving – For Those who Celebrate
Thanksgiving for better or worse can mean a lot of different things for different people. There are some people who choose not to celebrate it. While for others it’s a day off from work or a day you have to work. Either way, for rest of us, its about dinner with the relatives. Yes, we can hear you taking a deep breath as you reflect back on previous “Thanksgiving” moments.
As a result, it can be quite stressful and sometimes disastrous during this time. Especially if you have someone like an Aunt Gertrude that likes wine and from there, things just unravel. But behold, you have a solution that can help you get through almost anything with your sanity still intact and that’s music! It the perfect elixir to heal the soul and furthermore, a great conversation solution for when you have nothing to say to the guests you don’t know.
Step away from the pumpkin pie and the football game and get your boogie on with John Lee Hooker performing “Boogie Chillin.'” The perfect motivator to get anyone up and dancing!
Have no fear, the music is here!
So, we’re giving you some options to consider while creating your own playlist. If you have time constraints, you can always find a variety of Thanksgiving playlists on many digital platforms. When it came to the songs, we’re a bunch of music geeks and it was tough, but we did it! This list covers a variety of genres in no particular order. They are just suggestions. Feel free to offer up some options as well!
Neil Young – Harvest Moon
We like this song because it’s a beautiful love song and it has a nice calming effect on people! You can shuffle and sway all around the house to this. What a better way to say “thank you” than with Sam & Dave at the helm, funky dance moves and a horn section? Some of the best in classic soul around!
The First Batch:
“Thanks a Million” —Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra, “Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie” —Jay & The Techniques, “Home” —Phillip Phillips, “Almost Thanksgiving Day” —Graham Parker, “Turkey Chase” —Bob Dylan, “Autumn Leaves” — Nat King Cole, “Thank You For The Music” —ABBA, “Thankful” — Kelly Clarkson, “Everybody Eats When They Come to My House” —Cab Calloway & His Orchestra, “Sweet Potato Pie” — Ray Charles, “Thanksgiving Theme” — Vince Guaraldi Trio, “Let’s Turkey Trot” — Little Eva, “I Thank You” — Sam & Dave, “Thanksgiving Song” — Mary Chapin Carpenter, “Thank You Friends” — Big Star, “Thanksgiving Day” — Ray Davies, “Cooking Up Something Good” — Mac DeMarco, “Thanksgiving” — Loudon Wainwright, “The Thanksgiving Song” — Adam Sandler, “Alice’s Restaurant” — Arlo Guthrie, “I Want to Thank You” — Otis Redding, “Do the Mashed Potatoes” — James Brown, “Thanksgiving Prayer” — Johnny Cash, “Thank You” — Dido, “Thank You for Being a Friend” — Andrew Gold/Cynthia Fee.
For instance, this isn’t the original version, Jeff Buckley does a great job of covering the Leonard Cohen version. We suggest either one for your playlist.
The Second Batch:
“Thank You Girl” — The Beatles, “Macy’s Day Parade” — Green Day, “Biscuits” — Kacey Musgraves, “Beans and Cornbread” – Louis Jordan, “Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes)” – Dee Dee Sharp, “Pass the Peas” – The J.B.’s, “Pecan Pie” – Golden Smog, “The Yam” Ginger Rogers, Thanksgiving Song – The National, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving – George Winston, I Am a Pilgrim – The Byrds, Thank You – Sly and The Family Stone, Come On in my Kitchen – Robert Johnson, Let’s Turkey Trot – Jan & Dean, Thank You for a Life – Kris Kristofferson, Harvest Moon – Neil Young, Give Thanks and Praise” by Bob Marley, “Autumn Leaves” by Miles Davis, “I’ll Be Seeing You” by Billie Holiday, “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
Things really get started when you have the “”Chairman of the Board,” Performing live. This is perfect pick me up song to get you moving. It sounds great really loud.
The Last Batch
“How Blue Can You Get”— BB King, “Boogie Chillin”—John Lee Hooker, “Where You Been,” — T Model Ford, “I feel Like Going Home,” — Muddy Waters “Smokestack Lightning,” — Howlin’ Wolf, “Down the Dirt Road Blues,” — Charley Patton, “Grinnin in Your Face,”— Son House, “Cross Road Blues.” — Robert Johnson, “I Hate to See the Sun Go Down,” — Memphis Minnie, “Going Down the River,” —Mississippi Fred McDowell, “Judge Boushay Blues,” — Furry Lewis, “Police Dog Blues,” — Blind Blake, “Done Got Old,” — Junior Kimbrough, “Mojo Hand,” — Lightnin Hopkins, “Long Train Home” — Pat Metheny, “Sleepwalk” — Santo & Johnny , “Hey Baby” — Buckwheat Zydeco, “Revival” — The Allman Brothers, “Hold Tight (Want Some Sea Food Mama)” —The Andrews Sisters, “Letter from Home” —Pat Metheny, “The Home Fire” — Louis Armstrong, “The Nutcracker” — Tchaikovsky, “River” — Leon Bridges, “Hallelujah” — Jeff Buckley, “Put Your Records on” — Corinne Bailey Rae, “Family Affair” —Sly & The Family Stone, “Come Fly With Me” — Frank Sinatra, and “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” — Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.
Holiday Reflections
Like most holidays, it should be about coming together and being with friends or family. A time for remembering those that have passed on, celebrating family members working abroad and in the military. And It’s really about connecting and creating great memories. So, for those of you who are traveling for the holidays, enjoy the ride with great music and just breathe when things don’t go exactly as you planned.
Below is a Spotify playlist that has most of the aformentioned tracks. Be sure to check out the other blog posts we have on https://jbonamassa.com/category/blog/