Songs Of Thanks(giving)
Unlike Christmas or Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving hasn't inspired much in the way of great music. That's hardly surprising--cranberry sauce and pilgrims in funny hats don't exactly scream out as being good songwriting subjects. But just because Turkey day doesn't stir the passions of musicians doesn't mean you can't put together a killer Thanksgiving-related playlist. My song choices are listed below. Make sure to share your suggestions in the comments section.
1. "Harvest Moon,"
Neil Young--Yes, Young is Canadian (which means he celebrates Thanksgiving
in October), but even Yanks can appreciate how his keening voice and the warm
acoustic strumming girding this gentle track goes down like a cup of mulled
cider on a chilly evening in late Autumn.
2. "Thank You (Falletinme
Be Mice Elf Agin)," Sly And The Family Stone--Who says Thanksgiving
can't be funky? Listen, and dance, as Sly spins a web of socially-informed
lyrics, fat bass, and brittle guitar.
3. "Give Thanks
And Praise," Bad Brains--Giving thanks doesn't come any more
ass-kicking than on this reggae-punk-metal hybrid by the hardcore pioneers.
4. "Cold Turkey,"
John Lennon--Eric Clapton's nasty lead guitar playing and Lennon's coarse,
anguished vocal are clues that this song is definitely not about post-holiday
leftovers.
5. "Jive Turkey," Ohio Players--Slow, greasy funk from a
band that deserves to be remembered for more than the soft-porn album covers of
their '70s heyday. Lascivious.
6. "Dream Police," Cheap Trick--For
when the tryptophan kicks in.
7. "Pilgrim,"
Sam Roberts--Moody verses give way to crashing choruses on this track from Love At The End Of The World, the most recent
album by one of the more talented heartland rockers to appear in recent years.
8. "Sweet Potato,"
Cracker--During Cracker's mid-'90s popularity peak, main man David Lowery could
come off as a little too snide for his own good. But a decade later, his band's
best songs just sound like really good Stones--and Grateful Dead--influenced
guitar rock. This gritty stomper is one of their best.
9. "Zombie,"
The Cranberries--Depending on your mood, Dolores O'Riordan's voice might
register as haunting or nails-on-a-chalkboard irritating. Either way,
zombie-like is as good a description as any for how many of us feel after our
annual Thanksgiving gorging.
10. "Thanksgiving
Day," Ray Davies--Do they even have Thanksgiving in England? No
matter. Classic rock's foremost chronicler of British social mores is his usual
melodic, perceptive self on "Thanksgiving Day," which was inspired by
the time the former Kinks frontman spent living in New Orleans.
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Plus, you could have included Led Zep's "Thank You." The Time's "The Bird" and Freddie Hubbard's version of "Cold Turkey" would fill the bill as well. I'd even accept Bob Dorough's "I Get The Neck Of The Chicken" and guzzle a little of Primus' "Pork Soda."