Your soundtrack for cooking, greeting guests, and getting through Turkey Day.

Photograph of a contemporary outdoor thanksgiving table by Spencer Davis. https://unsplash.com/@spencerdavis

Yes, Virginia, there is music for Thanksgiving.

When my parents bought their dining room furniture in the 1960s, the store gave them a framed print of The First Thanksgiving 1621 by American painter, Jean Leon Gerome Ferris. It hung proudly in my home and I studied it often over the years, especially on Thanksgiving. Art historians consider it an idealized alternative version of history. Still, as a little boy, I saw the generosity to and thankfulness for the Wampanoag and the release from the brutality of the first winters on the shores of the New World.

I quickly came to love Thanksgiving, and thanks to—pun intended—my church’s effervescent and inspiring organist and choirmaster, Stephen J. Ortlip, I quickly grew to love music, including Thanksgiving hymns, songs, and music of all kinds.

That’s why in 1998, I was so excited to be a minuscule part of the record, “Grateful Hearts,” created by CCM superstar songwriter Tony Wood and producer Kevin Stokes. I created a version for FamilyLife to be the accompaniment to our product, ThanksLiving Treasures. I finally had a soundtrack for the truly American holiday featuring musical styles and artists I loved. Since then, I’ve been adding songs to the ten on “Grateful Hearts” to make a playlist for the season.

So before the onslaught of the thousands of recordings and the countless hours of radio airplay of Christmas favorites, let us cue up these 70+ songs to help us celebrate our day of giving thanks. Trust me, these tracks are great for the heart, remind us of the object of our thankfulness, and help us obey the Pauline admonition:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–19 ESV

I’ve grouped my favorite Thanksgiving Music into categories. You can add the entire playlist to your favorite music app. Just choose Apple Music or Spotify. (And UTR has created their own playlist with not-so-familiar tracks. It’s full of new jewels.)

Thanksgiving Bangers

You’ve got to get up and get moving on Thanksgiving morning to make sure that all of the food preparations come to their tasty conclusions and are hot (or appropriately cold) when everyone gathers around your table. These tracks are guaranteed to have your toes tapping, your apron dancing, and your hands closing cabinet doors to the beat.

“Good Morning (feat. TobyMac),” by Mandisa

This infectious tune will sound familiar to “Today” viewers. The morning news and infotainment program featured the song for months thanks to Robin Roberts’ friendship with Mandisa. You’ll find yourself smiling as you turn on the lights, preheat the oven, and start putting your ingredients and utensils mise en place. “Good Morning” also works for those who get up early for a Turkey Trot Road Race.

“Good God Almighty,” recorded by Crowder

Wooly bearded and gravelly voiced Crowder shows up twice in our list. “Good God Almighty” was a #1 hit on Christian Radio and peaked at #17 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 2021. He turned a quasi-violation of the third commandment into a God-glorifying foot-stomper.

“Gratitude,” by Earth, Wind & Fire

The guys who made September 21st part of the cultural zeitgeist find an honored place on this list for the third Thursday of November. While I wish the guys had added more horns and Hammond B3 organ, you’ll feel this bass line of this “holy sound” all the way into your gizzards.

“G.O.O.D. (feat. Zachardi Cortez & Cory Henry)”, by Anthony Hall

Speaking of Hammond B3 organ and keyboards in general, funk maestro Cory Henry makes a wonderful and rich guest appearance on this great jazz-meets-R&B track he co-wrote with emerging New Orleans’ artist Anthony Hall (who leads worship in Houston when he’s not performing his own work.

“Big House,” by Audio Adrenaline

While a song about the New Heaven and the New Earth, Mark Stuart and company may very well have had a Thanksgiving celebration in mind when they wrote, “Big, big house with lots and lots of food. A big, big yard where we can play football.” Take a moment around your table and allow your meal to foreshadow what heaven will be like. For some of you, it will be a foretaste. For others, you will long for a much different heaven than your table. Remember, God loves you and is working in your life.

The Essentials

“From Shore to Shore,” by Guy Penrod

Iconic Christian music songwriter Tony Wood birthed the 1998 album “Grateful Hearts” with his friend and producer Kevin Stokes. Like me, they bemoaned the lack of Thanksgiving music. This playlist is full of their work. Inspired by the faith-filled and heavily documented research of Peter Marshall and David Manuel in The Light and the Glory, “From Shore to Shore” opens with the Mayflower and then shifts to the map of the U.S. You’ll hit repeat on this moving anthem of thankfulness.

“The Thanksgiving Song,” by Ben Rector

I’ll let Ben introduce his own work: “It’s weird to me that there’s an entire genre that is just Christmas music, and you can bring up an entire palette of sounds around this one holiday. I love Christmas, but everybody in America, for the most part, celebrates Thanksgiving, and there’s no music around that.”

“The Thanksgiving Song,” by Adam Sandler

What started as a skit 30 years ago on “Saturday Night Live” is now a must-listen-to ditty for November. Caution: If you’ve got small ears around, you might want to hit skip. If not, you might have to explain that V.D. doesn’t stand for “variety of desserts.”

“Thanksgiving Theme,” by Vince Guaraldi Trio

Thanksgiving hasn’t been the same since Charlie Brown celebrated the first “Friendsgiving” with Snoopy, Linus, Franklin, Peppermint Patty, and the rest of the Peanuts in 1973. This is Vince Guaraldi’s contribution to our collective Novembers. While not as iconic as “Linus and Lucy,” it will perk up the cranberry sauce. I’ve included George Winston’s tribute to Guaraldi in the playlist.

Songs about the Food

The bounty of the flock, heard, field, and vine have been central to our Thanksgiving celebrations since the first Thanksgiving. Some of these songs stretch the boundaries of this playlist, but I think you’ll agree they deserve a spin and will contribute to your celebration. And it’s okay. You can sing along with your mouth full of your, um, recipe testing.

“U Name It Holiday Anthem (feat. Shirley Caeser & DJ Battlecat),” by Snoop Dogg

Snoop’s anthem samples Shirley Caeser’s musical sermon. You’ve got to watch the entire thing and not give up because she serves dessert at 5:30. That few seconds inspired this track. If Shirley doesn’t preheat your oven, your natural gas is disconnected. And Snoop’s reflection on the holiday will hit home. And it’s a banger of its own.

“Mashed Potatoes,” by James Brown

The Godfather of Soul grew up in South Carolina and Georgia where they know that mashed potatoes don’t come from a box. This 12-bar blues instrumental will get you shufflin’ through your kitchen.

“Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie,” by Jay & The Techniques

This fruity snack hit the #6 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1968 making the debut single for this pop group who went on to have a few hits that sold more than a million.

“Cowboy Ham and Eggs,” by The Sweetback Sisters

“Turkey Chase,” by Bob Dylan

My friend Gregg and I have talked about Bob Dylan much over the years, but this will be the first track that has ever made one of my playlists… and it’s an instrumental. If you know, you know. This is an instrumental from his first movie soundtrack. It’s fantastic music, but I’ll admit I’ve never seen the movie.

“What’s Inside,” Sara Bareilles

Sara’s first foray on Broadway brings us this reflection. As you bake your pies this holiday, remember that there is more than “sugar, butter, and flour” inside them… and more inside you than others may know. You are loved beyond belief.

The Hymns

The traditional American hymnal has an entire section of ancient and more contemporary texts dedicated to giving thanks. If you grew up in a hymn-singing church, these were broken out once a year. I’ve chosen my favorite versions. Feel free to substitute yours.

“We Gather Together to Ask the Lord’s Blessing,” recorded by Celtic Spirits (orr. 1626)

A hymn with a Dutch text set to a Dutch folk tune translated to English by Theodore Baker, this beloved hymn celebrates freedom by The Netherlands from Spanish oppression. For years, the Dutch had been embracing Calvanism and were ever at odds with the Catholicism of Spain. The struggled for political—and religious—independence and finally reached a truce in 1609. The hymn emerges from the rich soil of the Reformed tradition at the high period of Dutch art… Rembrandt, Vermeer, and others.

“Come Ye Thankful People Come,” recorded by Babbie Mason (orr. 1868)

Babbie’s arrangement on “Grateful Hearts” is as soulful as the lyrics are profound. You’ll want this version on repeat.

Hymnwriter Henry Alford grew up in troubled times to study at Trinity College and became an Anglican priest. He drew his inspiration from Matthew 12 where Jesus presents the parable of the sower and drew visual inspiration from harvest festivals in England called “Harvest Home.” He set his poem to the tune and meter of St. George’s Windson.

“Great is Thy Faithfulness,” recorded by Steven Curtis Chapman with his brother and father

This American hymn by Thomas Chisholm, a Methodist ministry from Kentucky, grew not out of a joy and abundance but out of trials. Intelligent, good looking, successful Chisholm married the woman of his dreams and became a Methodist minister. Then his health declined. He couldn’t pastor anymore. Without his income, his medical bills piled up and he faced a life unlike anything he’d ever dreamed. He began writing hymns. He clung to Jesus and found a new career as a life insurance salesman.

Since the hymn was born in Kentucky, I selected three good ole Kentucky boys to sing it for us. Feel free to add your favorite arrangement. For me, it wouldn’t be a playlist without a Steven Curtis Chapman contribution.

“How Great Thou Art (feat. Jennifer Hudson),” by Pentatonix (orr. 1885)

In 1885, Carl Boberg, a Swedish editor and future politician, got caught in a thunder and lightning storm. After riding out the storm in shelter wherever he could find it, he made it home as the world was refreshing itself. He opened the windows of his home and was greeted by the vision of a clear sky, the birds’ song, the peal of church bells, and a stirring in his soul. He pee=nned the words to a poem, “O Store Gud,” which was published in a newspaper. Someone set it to a Swedish folk tune. It was translated to German, Russian, other languages, and then finally made it to American shores in 1925.

It didn’t find my ears until the 1980s after my Uncle Steve’s tragic death. I was out of the country and returned home to a horror story and the news that his funeral had even taken place. To me as a boy, Steve was big with an even bigger laugh, creative and skilled beyond belief, full of faith, and my “funcle.” I heard that there were two songs sung at his funeral: “How Great Thou Art,” and “It is Well with My Soul.” I’m sure I had heard them, but they weren’t the regulars at our church as they might have been at yours. I learned them on the guitar and borrowed my dad’s car for the day. I drove to the cemetery and worshiped at his graveside singing both hymns. I’ve come to love both of them like so many of you, but I can’t help but think of Uncle Steve every time I hear them or sing them in church.

Pentatonix has become a Christmas music staple and I love Jennifer Hudson’s voice. Again, feel free to choose your favorite recording of this beloved hymn.

“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” Sufjan Stevens

“Count Your Blessings,” by Guy Penrod

“Morning Has Broken,” by Cat Stevens

“This is My Father’s World,” Fernando Ortega

“For the Beauty of the Earth,” by Sara Groves

Songs about Family and Friends

The people around the table are infinitely more important than the food at the center or the football game on in the other room. Here are few songs that celebrate our human connection and the memories surrounding the passage of time.

“Over the River and Through the Woods,” recorded by The Northmen

“Heart of Thanksgiving,” by Kevin Stokes

“Around This Table,” by Charles Billingsley

“Thanks Giver,” by Crowder

“Celebrate Me Home,” by Kenny Loggins

“Twenty Years Ago,” by Kenny Rogers

“Unanswered Prayers,” as recorded by Tonight I’m Garth Brooks

To me, this song is to Thanksgiving what Dan Fogleberg’s “Ole Lang Syne” is to Christmas.

“If These Walls Could Speak,” by Amy Grant

Some have named Amy Grant the queen of Christmas music. While she doesn’t have an outright Thanksgiving song, this beautifully framed cover of Jimmy Webb’s ode to memories feels right among a list about giving thanks for family and friends. I’ve included Webb’s own recorded version for good measure. It’s a song so good you can listen to it twice.

Amy was my favorite artist of my teens and remains among the handful of artists I listen to on a regular basis. I wake up every “Black Friday” and blast her entire first Christmas record—from start to finish—to welcome the Christmas music season which rightfully begins on the day after Thanksgiving.

“For Good,” by Kristin Chenoweth & Idina Menzel

Who is your grain of sand that helped you become a priceless and beautiful pearl? We all have one… or more. Sing along to this amazing song from “Wicked” and give thanks for them today.

“First Family,” by Rich Mullins

This slice of Americana courtesy of the musical ragamuffin makes the list for two reasons: family and food. If you close your eyes, you can see the Indiana farm and barn as Rich sings.

“I Remember,” by Kathy Troccoli

I’m at that age where the list of those who have gone on to their eternal rest continues to grow in size and is stained by tears. While this song is about more than just those who’ve died, the setting, instrumentation, and Kathy’s voice remind me of a cold, but clear, fall day in a cemetery. And like the Teacher, I believe:

It is better to go to a house of mourning / Than to go to a house of feasting, / Because that is the end of every person, / And the living takes it to heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2, NASB

“11:22 P.M. (The Last Goodbye),” by Sandi Patty

I wish I could find the version sung by Brenda Schulte, but it’s not on any of the services. If you’ve run the marathon of family and food and hosted at your home, you know that moment at the end of the day when the sugared-up toddlers are finally asleep, the dishes are done, the house is quiet, and you can finally breathe. This song is a prayer for that moment. And I urge you to listen tonight at whatever time your race is done.

The List of What We’re Thankful For

Whether you hand a Thanksgiving tree on the back of your front door, place five kernels of dried corn on every plate, leave notecards and pens at every setting, or just ask the question, “What are you thankful for this year?”, we all have the lists. These songs remind us of the good, the hard, the funny, and the absurd that we give thanks for every year.

“World of Wonder,” by Bonnie Keen

“Things I’m Thankful For,” by JJ Heller

“What a Wonderful World,” by Louis Armstrong

“The Goodness (featuring Blessing Offer),” by TobyMac

“This Good Day,” by Fernando Ortega

“How Could I Ask for More,” by Cindy Morgan

The Object of Our Thanks

We give thanks to the God of all creation, the Lover of our souls, and our Redeemer. These songs are good year-round, but for me, take on special meaning this time of year.

“Give Thanks,” by Maranatha Praise Band

“Gratitude,” by Brandon Lake

“Goodness of God,” by Jenn Johnson

“My Tribute,” by Andraé Crouch

“Thankful Heart,” by Petra

“Thank You,” by Ben Rector

The Rest of the List

These recordings don’t easily fall into the categories listed above but can’t be left off the list any more than sweet potatoes can be left off the table.

The Best 70 Songs to Get You Ready to Celebrate Thanksgiving Day