I sort of enjoy holiday music, not so much because it gets me in the holiday spirit, but rather because I work at a place that plays the same essential mix, year-round. No matter what time I get to work I’m practically guaranteed to hear either Indigo Girls or John Mayer within 15 minutes of arriving.
But right around Thanksgiving those kind folks at Muzak begin to mix in some holiday songs. It’s pleasant, not only because it’s an influx of songs my coworkers and I aren’t sick of, but also because it’s not uncommon for us to start singing along. But that’s not enough.
I really think that we’ve got to start creating some Thanksgiving songs. Personally, I think that there should be festive songs from November all the way though to the new year. And if you include Halloween songs, you could even start at the end of October. I know that it’s a lofty goal, but I really do think that it’s feasible. And I’ve got an idea of how you could create an amazing Thanksgiving album.
First off you put the call out to the singers and songwriters. Obviously you recruit Sufjan Stevens, M. Ward and even Bright Eyes for a few songs, as they’ve more than proven themselves. You can even try and give Pete Yorn a call; he’s full of that earnestness that you think of when you think of Thanksgiving. And I’m pretty sure that Jenny Lewis would do a bang-up job on a Thanksgiving tune.
Next up, you’ve got to get the country artists involved. Not only are they pretty prolific, but they can churn a heartfelt tune out of anything. Seriously. Plus, they’ve got an incredibly loyal fanbase who will not only purchase anything they put out, but will make sure that it becomes a tradition.
I’d also recruit some R&B singers, though I’d rather utilize neo-soul folks. I think that Bilal, Anthony Hamilton and D’Angelo could really capture the coziness that’s present during that time of year. And I’d also throw Res in for good measure. To me their contribution would be what you listen to while you curl up by the fireplace.
The last piece of the puzzle would be the foreigner element. I honestly think that people who aren’t American could provide some interesting perspectives on the holiday, or even just perspective. I’d be very interested in what Bloc Party, Badly Drawn Boy and Doves would do if they were commissioned to create a song about Thanksgiving.
I know that it’s a crazy wacky dream, but it’s one that I really do think could be realized. Thanksgiving has all of the closeness, family and bonding that Christmas has, and none of the songs. We’re about to enter a new decade in the new millennium and we’ve got a black President of the United States, don’t you think that it’s time we rectified this incredible oversight?
I think that we should all band together and make this dream a reality. We deserve an entire new crop of songs to get sick of on an annual basis. Who’s with me?
