Amazing food, quality time with family and friends and reflecting on all you have to be grateful for — Thanksgiving is certainly one occasion for appreciating what you’ve got! Of course, dinner is the main attraction here, but while the turkey’s cooking (check out our favorite turkey recipes!) and the whole family’s waiting around, some folks might wonder what to do with the downtime. Obvious solutions are to watch TV (football, anyone?), play Thanksgiving games and enjoy some tunes. But what songs exactly should you be playing?
Unlike Christmas, Turkey Day doesn’t have any whole list of designated tunes. There are few Thanksgiving songs we return to year after year, however. (It’s the same with movies, too: Christmas movies abound, but Thanksgiving movies are few and far between). But while we feel sorry that Thanksgiving doesn’t get its due from songwriters, we won’t make you sit through a silent holiday. In fact, there are plenty of about family, food and being thankful — and, yes, even a few about Thanksgiving specifically — that will make for a perfect soundtrack to your holiday. No matter what you play, your crew is sure to be thankful for it.
1. “Thanks a Million” —Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
If you can’t find the words to express how thankful you are, this classic song’s for you. And the trumpet in the background makes this song ideal for after dinner drinks.
2. “Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie” —Jay & The Techniques
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
This song is little bit of soul, a hint of R&B, and a smidge of pop. It’s also the best way to hint that you’re ready for dessert.
3. “Home” —Phillip Phillips
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
If you haven’t seen your friends or family for a little while, Phillip Phillips’s folk rock hit will be the perfect welcome home.
4. “Almost Thanksgiving Day” —Graham Parker
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Don’t let this country song’s hint of melancholia deter you from playing it — it’s perfect for a cold November night.
5. “Turkey Chase” —Bob Dylan
This content is imported from Third party. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
This instrumental was meant to be played in the background while you stuff your mouth with turkey.
6. “I’ve Got Plenty to be Thankful For” —Bing Crosby
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Is it really a holiday if Bing Crosby isn’t playing in the background? Most people will remember this jazzy number from the 1942 musical Holiday Inn.
7. “Autumn Leaves” —Nat King Cole
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Your body can’t help but sway to this smooth jazz rhythm and Nat’s incredible voice.
8. “Thank You For The Music” —ABBA
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
This beautiful pop song by Swedish group ABBA serves as a little reminder to be thankful for what brings us joy.
9. “Thankful” —Kelly Clarkson
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
You can add this pop/R&B number to your playlist while food’s cooking, but we think you’ll have way more fun singing it karaoke style.
10. “Everybody Eats When They Come to My House” —Cab Calloway & His Orchestra
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your place this year, then what better song to play than this this jazzy yet humorous one?
11. “Sweet Potato Pie” —Ray Charles
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
A soulful, R&B song like this deserves one of the most coveted spots on your Thanksgiving playlist: the dessert soundtrack.
12. “Thanksgiving Theme” —Vince Guaraldi Trio
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
It may only be two minutes long, but this instrumental (from Charlie Brown!) is perfect for background music while you’re cooking food or washing dishes.
13. “Let’s Turkey Trot” —Little Eva
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
A few seconds in to this upbeat pop song and you’ll want to let loose and dance — or maybe participate in an actual Turkey Trot race.
14. “I Thank You” —Sam & Dave
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
This fun track is the result of mixing a little rock, R&B, and soul together.
15. “Thanksgiving Song” —Mary Chapin Carpenter
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
With hints of country and folk, this acoustic-sounding song’s lyrics are most important. They perfectly describe what Thanksgiving is about — your family and being grateful.
16. “Thank You Friends” —Big Star
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Blast this meaningful rock song while out for drinks with your crew. If you’re looking for the words to thank your friends for everything they do for you, this tune will do.
17. “Thanksgiving Day” —Ray Davies
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Thanksgiving has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to holiday songs, but this soft-rock hit perfectly nails it with those comforting vocals.
18. “Cooking Up Something Good” —Mac DeMarco
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
The slow melody of this indie track will remind you why we spend hours cooking our food for Thanksgiving.
19. “Thanksgiving” —Loudon Wainwright III
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
This half-rock, half-folk song is pretty relatable because the lyrics are about a family’s Thanksgiving day.
20. “The Thanksgiving Song” —Adam Sandler
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Adam Sandler originally performed this childish and comedic tune on an episode of Saturday Night Live, but it immediately became a favorite Thanksgiving joke.
21. “Alice’s Restaurant” —Arlo Guthrie
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Some radio stations make a point to play Guthrie’s 18-minute-long “talking blues” Vietnam War protest song every Thanksgiving; the song recounts a based-in-fact-story of how Guthrie was rejected from the Draft Board for having a criminal record, which he got by illegal dumping trash on Thanksgiving.
22. “Thank U, Next” —Ariana Grande
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Don’t forget to be grateful for your ex.
23. “I Want to Thank You” —Otis Redding
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
After you listen to Ariana, you can admit that, yeah, Otis Redding did the whole thank-your-ex-thing first, and it sounds even sweeter.
24. “Do the Mashed Potatoes” —James Brown
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Add a little soul to your celebration with some James Brown.
25. “Thanksgiving Prayer” —Johnny Cash
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
As Cash runs down the list of things he’s thankful for, like the laughter of children or the moonrise over the prairies, it’s hard not to feel gratitude along with him. (Fun fact: This was first performed on an episode of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.)
26. “Thank You” —Dido
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Hopefully your Thanksgiving bash will give somebody in your family the best day of their life, worthy of a Dido-style appreciation.
27. “Thank You for Being a Friend” —Andrew Gold/Cynthia Fee
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
For those of you having Friendsgivings, you could all use a dash more Golden Girls in your festivities.
28. “Thank You Girl” —The Beatles
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
What sums up Thanksgiving better than, “Thank you for loving me the way that you do?” It pretty much gets to the heart of everything right there.
29. “Macy’s Day Parade” —Green Day
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
The best song to throw on after you watch the actual parade.
30. “Biscuits” —Kacey Musgraves
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Pretty much any Kacey Musgraves song will do. If you don’t like “Biscuits,” an ode to telling the nosy busybodies to mind their own (a good reminder when dealing with pushy aunts), there’s also “Family Is Family.”
31. “Young Pilgrims” —The Shins
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
After all, we won’t have thanks giving without the pilgrims. The acoustic guitar strumming in this song makes it the perfect autumn folk jam.
32. “Thankful” —Celine Dion
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
There’s nothing like Celine’s stunning range and soulful music to remind you that you too have so much to be thankful for.
33. “A Moment Like This” —Kelly Clarkson
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Surrounded my friends and family, you’ll see exactly what Kelly Clarkson means when she says “some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this.”
34. “Coat of Many Colors” —Dolly Parton
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
In this tune, living country legend recalls a touching story about a patchwork coat her mother made for her as a child. While you’re in the kitchen, play this song for your momma as a thank you for all she’s done for you.
35. “Home for the Holidays” —The Carpenters
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Sure, technically this is a Christmas song — but any holiday you’re spending with the family is reason to celebrate. Plus, it’s never too early to play some Christmas tunes.
36. “We are Family” —Sister Sledge
Every good get together needs at least one at-the-top of your lungs sing-along—and this song is it!
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
37. “Harvest Moon” —Neil Young
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Sweet, sentimental and easy to listen to, this autumn love song is a great after dinner treat.
38. “Wild Honey Pie” —The Beatles
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
39. “Sweet Potato” —Sia
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Not quite the grandiose, pop hits we come to expect Sia now — this early song from the singer is a sweet little ballad (named after everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving side).
40. “Thursday Girl” —Mitski
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
This ethereal ballad is a somber take on Thanksgiving Thursday. But fans of the popular singer-songwriter will appreciate the tune.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io