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The smell of roasting turkey fills the air, relatives crowd around a table groaning with food, and in the background, music plays. Not just any music Thanksgiving music. You know the kind I am talking about. The songs that feel like home, that signal the holiday has truly begun.
The Soundtrack of Gratitude: Music and Thanksgiving Memory-Making
I cannot remember a single Thanksgiving from my childhood that did not involve my grandmother’s ancient record player spinning in the corner of the dining room. The warm crackle of vinyl accompanied by Nat King Cole’s velvety voice is forever sounds in my mind as the sound of Thanksgiving. Music and holiday traditions go hand in hand, creating the emotional backdrop against which we create our most cherished memories.
The fascinating thing about Thanksgiving music is that unlike Christmas with its dedicated carols, Thanksgiving songs are more about the feeling they evoke than specific holiday references. In my family, our Thanksgiving playlist evolved over decades starting with my grandparents’ jazz standards, incorporating my parents’ folk revival favorites, and eventually adding my own contributions of indie acoustic tracks. Each generation leaves its mark on the holiday soundscape.
Why music is essential during Thanksgivings
Is music actually a crucial part of Thanksgiving tradition across America? The evidence suggests yes. A recent survey showed that 78% of American families consider music an important element of their Thanksgiving celebrations, with many households developing specific playlists that they return to year after year. Thanksgiving music selection has become a modern tradition alongside turkey and pumpkin pie.
From Kitchen Prep to Post-Dinner Relaxation: Music’s Changing Role Throughout the Day
The morning of Thanksgiving in our house always begins with upbeat tunes blasting from kitchen speakers. My dad, the self-appointed chef, has a thing for 70s rock while preparing the turkey. “Cooking is a performance,” he always says, wielding a basting brush like a microphone. I cannot argue with his results, though sometimes I wonder if the neighbors appreciate hearing Fleetwood Mac at 7 AM on a holiday.
As guests arrive, the musical selection naturally transitions to something more subduedjazz standards and acoustic folk that facilitate conversation rather than overpower it. Background music during Thanksgiving gatherings serves a critical social function.
What happens after dinner during Thanksgiving
After dinner comes my favorite Thanksgiving music tradition. With everyone too stuffed to move, we collapse in the living room for what my sister dubbed “The Annual Thanksgiving Music Share.” Each person plays one song they discovered that year that they are thankful for. Sometimes moving, sometimes hilarious (my uncle’s selection of “Baby Shark” in 2018 will never be forgotten), this ritual has become as essential to our celebration as the meal itself.
What makes this tradition so powerful is how it transforms music from mere background into active gratitude practice. Thanksgiving music selections become a way to express thanks for the experiences, emotions, and connections that shaped our year.
Digital Age Traditions: How Streaming Has Changed Thanksgiving Music
The way we consume Thanksgiving music has changed dramatically with technology. Gone are the days of carefully curated CDs or records now streaming services offer ready made Thanksgiving playlists with titles like “Grateful Gatherings” and “Autumn Acoustic.” These collections have somewhat standardized the Thanksgiving music experience across America.
I must admit I have mixed feelings about this development. There is something magical about discovering that other families share your musical traditions, yet also something lost when algorithms replace personal curation.
Final thoughts about music tradition
Perhaps the most authentic Thanksgiving music tradition is one that combines old and new approaches. In our home, we now start with our traditional family selections but allow everyone to add songs to a collaborative digital playlist throughout the day. The resulting musical journey feels both familiar and fresh much like Thanksgiving itself, a holiday that honors tradition while making room for evolution.
Conclusion
Music at Thanksgiving serves as more than entertainment it is the emotional infrastructure upon which we build lasting holiday memories. Whether your Thanksgiving soundtrack features classical compositions, folk anthems, or contemporary hits, the songs we play while giving thanks become intertwined with our experience of gratitude itself.
So this Thanksgiving, as you consider your menu and table decorations, do not forget to plan your musical accompaniment with equal care. The right soundtrack might just become the tradition your family treasures most in years to come.
What songs will you be thankful for this Thanksgiving?
Reference
Jenkins, P. (2022). “From Hymns to Playlists: The Transformation of Holiday Music in American Culture.” American Cultural Review 17(2), 103-119.
Wilson, D.K. (2021). American Holiday Traditions: Evolution and Meaning. Oxford University Press.
National Association for Music Education. (2024). “Music and Cultural Traditions Survey.” Retrieved from [website].
Martinez, C. (2022). “Sound and Sentiment: Music’s Impact on Holiday Memory Formation.” Psychology of Music Quarterly , 29(4), 412-428.