Music helps set the mood, and I’ve always found it puts my family in an even better and more festive mood. You don’t have to play songs about turkeys to celebrate Thanksgiving (but I did throw in some oldies about mashed potatoes). My best tip is to curate a playlist that is tailored to everyone’s tastes and has mini playlists within the overall playlist for the different parts of Thanksgiving, like cooking and eating. Mix genres and artists and time periods of music for the best mix of Thanksgiving music your family (and your feet) aren’t soon to forget.
The Thanksgiving Music Playlist for Everyone
Cooking
Songs about food are perfect to listen (and dance) to when cooking up a major storm of Thanksgiving treats.
LOVE this new track by my brother. This song just gets you in the zone!
Mashed Potato Time – Dee Dee Sharp
https://open.spotify.com/track/51Fy2Y20yZjaL3ffarnW2M
Sweet Potato Pie – Ray Charles & James Taylor
https://open.spotify.com/track/7FORSqVeo5krjnVjDmxbU6
Mashed Potatoes U.S.A. – James Brown & The Famous Flames
https://open.spotify.com/track/7mrq6peRDGoATeJMqwEBg2
Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie – Jay & The Techniques
https://open.spotify.com/track/065BxAyaQ7G5jkGHGE77PH
Be Our Guest – From “Beauty and the Beast”/Soundtrack/ Angela Lansbury
https://open.spotify.com/track/2zKMZc3x4rgVLmzECzIUI3
Eating
Always remember to be grateful for the food and family around you. Being thankful is the reason for the season, after all.
My playlist is always packed with songs by my soul sister, Alicia. Her music sets the perfect ambiance.
HUMBLE. – Kendrick Lamar
https://open.spotify.com/album/745wm87LGZxRYeyGM0z96J
93 Million Miles – Jason Mraz
https://open.spotify.com/track/1s8tP3jP4GZcyHDsjvw218
Thankful – Kelly Clarkson
https://open.spotify.com/track/51Fy2Y20yZjaL3ffarnW2M
Thank You – Dido
https://open.spotify.com/track/751gBcu62kORDelX7FV0mM
Thankful – Josh Groban
https://open.spotify.com/track/7FORSqVeo5krjnVjDmxbU6
Dancing
Some of your family members may want to take a nap after the food coma sets in, which is perfectly understandable. But later in the day, burn off some of that pumpkin pie and whipped cream with a little living room dance party. When ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” comes on, I am the first one on the dance floor. Dancing, singing, and just having a fun time being silly with your family is such a unique way to make memories.
A timeless classic from my ride or die – how can you not dance to this song?
Just Dance – Lady Gaga
https://open.spotify.com/track/6HkjpGIOHv4y0IBAxUbE5z
I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) – Whitney Houston
https://open.spotify.com/track/2tUBqZG2AbRi7Q0BIrVrEj
Dancing Queen – ABBA
https://open.spotify.com/track/01iyCAUm8EvOFqVWYJ3dVX
Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
https://open.spotify.com/track/57n3qOwXcoRMyGFjeqC1Rh
Hot in Herre – Nelly
https://open.spotify.com/track/04KTF78FFg8sOHC1BADqbY
Another oldie but goldie from my brother, Fat Joe.
What’s your go-to song on Thanksgiving? Tweet me @lorenridinger. I’m always looking to add new songs to my playlist.
