Songs Of Thanksgiving

The holidays and Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching, so I was thinking about songs that reflect this holiday spirit. Here are some of my favorites, both songs of thanksgiving, hope, and the pursuit of happiness. No doubt there are thousands more that I haven’t thought of or included here. You will probably have much better suggestions than these! Anyway, here’s a short list of inspiring songs.

l) Eric Whitacre: “Thank you god for most this amazing day” poem by E.E. Cummings

2) Eric Whitacre: “Three Songs of Faith: Hope Faith Life Love”

3) Mercedes Sosa: “Gracias A La Vida”

4) Mahalia Jackson: “How I Got Over”

5) Aretha Franklin: “Amazing Grace”

6) Israel Kamaka’wi’wi’ole : “Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World”

7) Jimmy Cliff: “Wonderful World, Beautiful People”

8) Pharoah Sanders: “Heart Is A Melody”

9) Nancy Wilson (w. Cannonball Adderley): “Happy Talk”

10) John Coltrane: “Welcome”

11) Baden Powell: “Felicidade”

12) The Dale Warland Singers: “Alf Holcom: The Rune of Hospitality”

13) Yolanda Adams: “Thank You”

14) Letta Mbulu: “Common Ground”

15) Bobby McFerrin: “Don’t Worry Be Happy”

16) Beatles: “Let It Be”

17) Bob Marley: “Is It Love”

18) Joy: “State Of Independence”

19) Shirley Horn: “Here’s to Life”

20) Johnny Mercer: “Accentuate The Positive”

21) Keane: “On the Road”

22) Sly & the Family Stone: “I Wanna Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin” (reader suggestion)

23. Thelonious Monk: “Stuffy Turkey” (from Amoeba’s composer-in-residence Rick Frystack)

24. Beethoven: String Quartet #15 op. 132, third movement “Holy Thanksgiving” (John Colao’s suggestion)

25. William Devaughn (original version) Massive Attack (cover version): “Be Thankful for What You’ve Got”