So here we are — fully into what I like to call the Thanksgiving Season.
About thirty years ago, I started something small that’s turned into one of my favorite traditions: a Thanksgiving Playlist. At the time, my only goal was to make sure Christmas music didn’t completely take over November. It felt like Thanksgiving deserved its own soundtrack — something that carried the mood of gratitude and calm before the rush of December.
That simple idea has stuck with me ever since. Over the years, the playlist has grown and changed. I’ve added songs, removed others, rearranged tracks, and found new ones that perfectly fill in the spaces left behind. It’s become a kind of musical journal — a reflection of seasons, memories, and moods that somehow all tie back to thankfulness.
And I have to say, it’s now my favorite holiday playlist of all time.
Yes, I love my October music. And yes, Christmas music is magical. But there’s something about this Thanksgiving list that just hits differently.
Every year when I press play, it’s like the air shifts a little. Something in me slows down. After a few days of having it on repeat, my spirit feels lighter — refreshed, even. It still surprises me how music can do that.
So here’s my little challenge to you:
Try it. Set aside your usual playlists for five to seven days and listen to this one only. Let it fill your home, your commute, your mornings. See how it changes your mood, your pace, maybe even your perspective.
I don’t always listen straight through — usually I restart it after the “It’s Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown” section (though I still love the songs that follow). But however you choose to listen, I think you’ll feel what I mean.
Anyway, here it is — my Thanksgiving Playlist — and an iTunes link that updates every time I make changes.
Enjoy!
Grace and Peace!
Itunes Playlist – https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/thanksgiving/pl.u-WaNxAUMvevK
And here is the full list as a pdf to download and print.
phillipbrande.com 