Rachel Sonis

Let’s be frank up front here: there aren’t that many actual Thanksgiving songs in existence. No one’s out here singing about turkey, gravy and pilgrims, and while there’s probably a couple tunes about colonial genocide, that’d only spoil everyone’s appetite. So if you’re looking to put together a playlist for the big family meal, you’re forced to stick to the more figurative meaning of the holiday rather than the literal or historical implications – that is, showing gratitude. And in that case, there are a lot of bangers to choose from. On this list of the best Thanksgiving songs, you’ll find rappers celebrating their mamas, rock’n’roll cult figures raising a glass to their friends and funk legends giving it up to themselves. You have pop divas appreciating their exes and reggae icons praising Jah. And if you just really need a song that at least has some tenuous connection to the most gluttonous day of the year, we’ve dug one of those up, too.  Written by Rachel Sonis, Vivienne van Vliet, Andrew Frisicano, Hank Shteamer, Ro Samarth, Andy Kryza and Matthew Singer Recommended: 🦃 The most festive Thanksgiving songs for kids🎄 The 60 best Christmas songs of all-time👯 The 22 best friendship songs💑 The 60 best best love songs of all-time