Thanksgiving is right around the corner and people across the country are gearing up for family gatherings, big meals, and celebrations of gratitude. Unlike Christmas, the upcoming holiday doesn’t have a massive catalog of songs to set the mood for the season. Luckily, there are plenty of country songs that capture the thankful spirit of Thanksgiving.
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Whether your gratitude springs from finding “the one,” success, or just having another day above ground, you’ll find something to match your mood in the list of songs below.
“Thanking the Good Lord” by Merle Haggard
This is a great country song full of gratitude that’s perfect for Thanksgiving or any other time of the year. “Thanking the Good Lord” is short and sweet, coming in at just over two minutes. However, Haggard uses his time wisely on this cut. This one sees him thanking the Man Upstairs for a love that has given him a new outlook on life.
“Lucky” by Pat Green
Some folks have had a hard year and may find it hard to find something to be thankful for as they sit down for dinner this Thursday. Pat Green’s “Lucky” is a perfect song for those people this Thanksgiving. Green isn’t singing about all the things his thankful for in this song. Instead, the song sees him reminding listeners how lucky they are.
Most of the song sees Green wishing good things on the listener. Then, he ends the song with a powerful reminder. But if you were just a regular guy / Living beneath this red, white, and big blue sky / With your job, your car, your family, your friends / The love of a girl that you know will never end / Then you’ve already got it made every single day.
“Thank You for a Life” by Kris Kristofferson
This song is going to hit a little harder for many country fans this Thanksgiving. “Thank You for a Life” sees Kris Kristofferson showing his gratitude to his wife, Lisa Meyers. The opening line, Thank you for a life that I’d call happy, is likely to make fans of the late singer/songwriter reach for the tissues. The emotional weight of the song doesn’t lessen as it goes on. It’s a beautiful tribute from one of the best songwriters the world has ever seen.
“Great Day to Be Alive” by Jon Randall
Travis Tritt released a rendition of this song in 200 and it was a hit for him. However, years earlier singer/songwriter and frequent Miranda Lambert collaborator Jon Randall recorded the song and intended to use it as the title track to his album. For whatever reason It’s a Great Day to Be Alive didn’t find an official release until last year.
This isn’t just a good country song to play around Thanksgiving. It’s a reminder that every can be a great day to be alive.
“Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton
When it comes to country songs that are packed with gratitude and grace, it doesn’t get much better than this Dolly Parton classic. This autobiographical song is a reminder to be thankful for everything we have, even when we don’t have much at all.
Featured Image by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns
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