The Perfect Playlist for a Peaceful Thanksgiving
The Soundtrack of Gratitude
Thanksgiving is a unique holiday. It doesn't have the specific carols of Christmas or the high-energy party anthems of New Year's Eve. It occupies a special, quiet middle ground. It’s a day centered around warmth, conversation, reflection, and gratitude.
The music you play needs to reflect that. It shouldn't overpower the room; it should fill it with a sense of comfort. It’s the sonic equivalent of the smell of roasting turkey or a crackling fire—it’s there to make everyone feel at home.
As we gather with friends and family this year, I wanted to share a curated playlist of songs that capture that spirit of thankfulness. These are tracks that feel like a warm hug—perfect for cooking in the kitchen, the lull after the meal, or sitting around the dinner table.
The Art of the Dinner Playlist: 3 Rules
Before we get to the songs, a quick note on how to use them. As a musician, I’m often asked how to pick music for a gathering. For Thanksgiving, I follow three simple rules:
Keep the Tempo Moderate: You want music that encourages digestion and conversation, not dancing on the tables (at least, not yet). Look for mid-tempo grooves and acoustic instrumentation.
Watch the Dynamics: Avoid songs with jarring, loud drum solos or aggressive vocals. You don't want your guests shouting over the music to pass the cranberry sauce.
Nostalgia Wins: Thanksgiving is a time of memory. Playing classic songs that span generations ensures that everyone, from your niece to your grandfather, feels included.
Songs for a Grateful Heart
Here are a few essential tracks that I believe belong on every Thanksgiving playlist.
1. "Home" - Michael Bublé It’s a modern classic for a reason. The sentiment of just wanting to be home with the people you love is the very essence of the holiday. Bublé's warm, crooning vocal style is non-intrusive but deeply comforting.
2. "You've Got a Friend" - James Taylor Acoustic, gentle, and reassuring. This song is the musical equivalent of comfort food. It reminds everyone at the table that they are supported and loved. Taylor’s guitar work is intricate enough to be interesting, but soft enough to be background music.
3. "Harvest Moon" - Neil Young There is something about this song that feels like autumn. The brush drums, the harmonica, the gentle sway of the rhythm—it captures the romance of the season perfectly. It’s a song about enduring love, which fits the theme of long-standing family traditions.
4. "Kind & Generous" - Natalie Merchant If you want to say "thank you" without giving a speech, play this song. It’s a pure, joyful expression of gratitude for the people who have been kind to you. The chorus is infectious and lifts the energy of the room without becoming chaotic.
5. "What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong As I mentioned in my Anniversary Playlist, this song is a masterpiece of simple joy. It invites everyone to pause and appreciate the small, beautiful things in life—the "trees of green" and "clouds of white." It grounds us in the present moment.
6. "Lovely Day" - Bill Withers Sometimes, gratitude just feels like a good groove. This song is impossible to listen to without smiling. It brings a light, happy energy to the room. The sustained note at the end is a fun moment that always gets people listening.
7. "Landslide" - Fleetwood Mac Thanksgiving is also a time for reflection on how much we've grown. Stevie Nicks' meditation on time, changes, and getting older ("children get older, and I'm getting older, too") is bittersweet, beautiful, and perfect for the end of the evening.
A Look Ahead: Bridging the Seasons
As the dinner winds down and we look toward the rest of the holiday season, the mood often shifts from reflection to anticipation. Thanksgiving is the opening chapter of a season defined by togetherness.
To bridge that gap, I wanted to share my new single, "Christmas In Our Hearts."
While it's a holiday song by name, its message of unity, compassion, and hope is universal. It was written to be a reminder that the spirit of giving thanks and the spirit of giving to others are two sides of the same coin. Whether you play it as a "sneak peek" of the season to come or save it for your drive home, I hope it adds a little extra light to your celebration.
A Note on Thanksgiving
Whether you're celebrating with a huge family gathering or a quiet dinner for two, I hope your day is filled with good food, great music, and a lot of love.
What song are you most thankful for this year? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.