Thanksgiving, Vol. 7

It's absolutely wild that Thanksgiving is already here again. I'm ready for a plate full of mashed potatoes, a football game on the TV that my team will probably lose (IYKYK), and getting to watch my daughter actually take in the parade for the first time. 2025 will have ended before we know it, so let's really take this week to slow down a little and breathe before the marathon that is December.

Here is the 2025 Thanksgiving Playlist. As always, my full Thanksgiving "master" playlist can be found on Apple Music @audioaesthetics.

Shelter from the Storm by Bob Dylan (written by R. Zimmerman)

Featured on Dylan's 1975 album Blood On the Tracks, this song sounds perfect either on a movie soundtrack or in the background of your Thanksgiving dinner. Dylan's master storytelling is forefront here, and the song is both introspective and cozy.

’Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood/When blackness was a virtuue and the road was full of mud/I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form/"Come in," she said, "I’ll give you shelter from the storm"/And if I pass this way again, you can rest assured/I’ll always do my best for her, on that I give my word/In a world of steel-eyed death and men who are fighting to be warm/"Come in," she said, "I’ll give you shelter from the storm"

Something for the Cat by Henry Mancini (written by H. Mancini)

Featured on the soundtrack to the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's, this instrumental track will work as well at your dinner party as it did for Holly Golightly. It's jazzy, jovial, and upbeat without being distracting.

You've Got a Friend by James Taylor (written by C. King)

Originally featured on Taylor's 1971 album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon, this classic penned by Carole King is such a sweet reminder of the importance of true friendship. The friends that make up our villages are such blessings, and it's so great to be thankful for them not just on Thanksgiving, but year round.

When you’re down and troubled and you need a helping hand/And nothing, whoa, nothing is going right/Close your eyes and think of me, and soon, I will be there/To brighten up even your darkest night/You just call my name and you know wherever I am/I‘ll come running, oh yeah, baby, to see you again/Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you’ve got to do is call/And I’ll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah, you’ve got a friend

Kill the Turkey by John Roberts, H. Jon Benjamin, & Bob's Burgers (written by J. Roberts, W. Molyneux, E. Molyneux, Nora)

Featured on the 2017 soundtrack for the show Bob's Burgers, this is truly the perfect anthem for Thanksgiving if there's ever been one. Linda Belcher is an icon, you can't change my mind.

Pass the cranberry sauce, we’re having mashed potatoes/Ooh, the turkey looks great/Thank you for loving me, thank you for being there/Thank you for loving me/Everyone’s thanking, the whole world’s thanking you/Thanking us for thanking you/Kill the turkey

Thank God by Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown (written by K. Fishman, J. Free, J. Hoge, J. Mullins, C. Stalnecker)

Featured on Brown's 2022 album Different Man, this husband/wife duet is such a sweet declaration of love and thankfulness for a partner. I know I for one can relate, because I'm beyond thankful for my husband every day.

I was lost, you found a way to bring me back/Needed forgiveness, you always gave me that/Girl, I’m a witness of your love ‘cause you don’t be giving up/And it’s crazy how you saved me/Hand on the Bible, don’t know how I got you, but I couldn’t ask for more/Girl, what we got’s worth thanking God for/So thank God I get to wake up by your side/And thank God your hand fits perfectly in mine/And thank God you loved me when you didn’t have to/But you did, and you do, and He knew, thank God for giving me you/Oh yeah, thank God/Thank God for giving me you/Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah

Sweet Potato Pie by Ray Charles & James Taylor (written by J. Taylor)

Featured on Charles's 2004 album Genius Loves Company, this fun duet is perfect for Thanksgiving. From its fun lyrics to its on the nose title, it's an ideal song for this playlist.

Oh Lord, I feel fine today, walking on cloud nine today/I’m over that line today, happiness is finally mine today/I guess I’m just a lucky guy, and here I’m ‘bout to tell you why/It’s strictly on account of my sweet potato pie/I’m the fella that she loves the most, the main reason why she left the coast/She’s my little girl, niña, so much hotter than a jalapeño/As tender as a night in June, sweeter than a honeymoon/Brighter than a silver spoon, just about as crazy as a loon/Softer than a lullaby, deeper than the midnight sky/Soulful as a baby’s cry, that’s my sweet potato pie

The Selfish Song by VeggieTales (written by K. Heinecke, P. Vischer)

Featured on the 2024 compilation album VeggieTales Thanksgiving Songs after being in the episode King George and the Ducky, this song comes about when King George (aka Larry) learns that being selfish isn't a good way to live. The Veggies put it perfectly when they say selfishness is a way to make "a really yucky world."

Today, I learned that being selfish doesn’t pay/I tried it just the other day/I wanted to be happy, I thought it was the way/But it weren’t/Well, now I know just what to do/Before I think about me, I better think about you/So send the message out to every boy and girl/There’s no better way to make a really yucky world/Than being selfish

For everyone celebrating Thursday, I hope you have a lovely, safe Thanksgiving. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!