A Thanksgiving Playlist

We gather together to stuff ourselves silly, watch a few floating balloons parade down the streets of NYC, take in a ballgame or two, and maybe get out for a round of family-friendly touch football. But where's the music? You've got the MP3 player… now share! You can find these great tunes of thanks available for download at iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, or Yahoo! Music.

Here's my Thanksgiving playlist. What have I missed?

Song: Thanksgiving Song

Album: They're All Gonna Laugh at You

Artist: Adam Sandler

There are a few explicit lines you might want to pre-screen for younger guests, but this is a classic that dates back to a Saturday Night Live skit.

Song: Thanksgiving Day

Album: Thanksgiving Day

Artist: Ray Davies

Never mind me, here's what Ray (former Kinks leader) says about the song: "I had been invited to several Thanksgiving dinners… one of which was with a family in New England. What struck me was that it was more like the family Christmas I enjoyed as a child growing up in London. Thanksgiving is a time for sharing and even though they throw up their eyes as though it were a chore, family members traditionally gather for a reunion at the house of the oldest relative."

Song: Kind and Generous

Album: Retrospective

Artist: Natalie Merchant

Natalie's earthy thank you for all the world's kindnesses; it's warm, resonant, and unadorned.

Song: Thanksgiving

Album: Career Moves

Artist: Loudon Wainwright

Capturing that sense of overindulgence and satiety that's so much a part of this day.

Song: The Gathering

Album: Thanksgiving: A Windham Hill Collection

Artist: William Ackerman

A haunting autumn-evoking instrumental.

Song: Amazing Grace

Album: Amazing Grace

Artist: Aretha Franklin

The song is a classic, and Aretha's version makes you believe.

Song: I've Got Plenty to Be Thankful For

From: Holiday Inn

Artist: Bing Crosby

The man knows what he has to be thankful for.

Song: Stories We Could Tell

Album: The Best of John Sebastian

Artist: John Sebastian

What's a family for but the memories, good and bad?

Song: Homeward Bound

Album: Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits

Artist: Simon and Garfunkel

Talk about the relatives all you want, but home is where the heart wants to be on this day.

Song: Harvest Home

Album: The Harvest Home Suite Album

Artist: Jay and Molly Unger

A sweet fiddle, the tune to "We Gather Together"; just supply cracklin' fire and serve.

Song: We Gather Together

Album: Thanksgiving: A Windham Hill Collection

Artist: Paul McCandless

You know this one like the back of your hand, so sing out.

Song: Shine On Harvest Moon

Album: Round Midnight

Artist: Betty Carter

The phrasing on this one will rock your socks off.

Song: Sweet Potato Pie

Album: Genius Loves Company

Artist: James Taylor and Ray Charles

Not my favorite ditty, but what a duo!

Song: Hungry Heart

Album: Live 1975-1985

Artist: Bruce Springsteen

For everyone whose belly's full, but is hungry.

Song: Thanksgiving, or Pass the Indian Please

Album: All Things Firesign

Artist: Firesign Theatre

The first Thanksgiving for all of you who still believe we're all bozos on the bus.

Song: Thank You

Album: Crucify

Artist: Tori Amos

My father leaves for a walk as soon as he hears her voice, but you've got to please a lot of different tastes on Thanksgiving. Plaintive enough for you?

P.S. Apologies to my brother and sister for this picture. Honest, it was the tryptophan!