Songs About Appreciation: The Most Underrated Hits in Your Playlist
If there is one thing the world needs more of, besides more Swedish pop bands and better Wi-Fi at family reunions, it’s appreciation—and songs that celebrate appreciation! Whether you’ve ever felt the warm glow when someone sang “thank you,” or just grumbled “nobody appreciates my Spotify playlist mastery,” songs of gratitude and recognition are the timeless glue holding together generations, relationships, and, let’s be honest, the last five minutes of Thanksgiving dinner before the mashed potatoes hit the fan.
Musicians have been writing odes to gratitude, love, and thankfulness since the dawn of time—or at least since the first relative handed out directions to the outhouse at a Pilgrim feast. But what makes songs about appreciation so special, yet so criminally underrated? Let’s dive into the toe-tapping, heart-thumping world of thank-you tunes.
Anthem for the Appreciative: The Case for Thankful Tunes
Adam Sandler once joked about the lack of Thanksgiving songs (amid many jokes about deli meats), but a deep dive into music history reveals a veritable cornucopia of tracks about appreciation. From Ray Davies’ bittersweet “Thanksgiving Day” and Alanis Morissette’s soul-searching “Thank U” to Bob Marley’s “Give Thanks and Praises,” these songs run the gamut from swelling ballads to funk-infused jams.
These tracks are not just seasonal; they work year-round. Ever said a silent thanks for your neighbor watering your lawn while on vacation? Cue James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You).” Still thankful your ex ran off with your dog instead of your Netflix password? Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” is your new anthem. Whether it’s Kelly Clarkson’s “Thankful” or Bon Jovi’s “Thank You for Loving Me,” there’s something for everyone and every occasion. Even the Beatles got in on the act with “Thank You Girl”—no, it’s not about Yoko, don’t panic.
But why do appreciation songs matter so much? Simple: they remind us to say thank you, to cherish our connections, and occasionally, to let our freak flag fly during the mashed potato dance routine.
Family, Friends, and Fluffy Support Systems: Songs That Say Thanks
Many modern appreciation anthems are family-friendly, evoking warm memories of growing up or gathering around the table. They’re the musical equivalent of a group hug (minus Aunt Sharon pinching your cheek). Nat King Cole’s “Autumn Leaves” and Andrew Gold’s “Thank You for Being a Friend” serve up nostalgia and gentle gratitude, reminding us that, even after too many helpings of pie, family bonds are strong.
It goes beyond family, too. The Beatles, Otis Redding, and Sam & Dave all have tracks celebrating the love and support of friends, partners, and communities. Even Mariah Carey and Celine Dion have “thankful” tracks that would melt the iciest of hearts—ideal when you need a musical pick-me-up or a subtle reminder to love your loudest supporters (and tolerate your family’s worst puns).
Rare Gems and Jam Bands: Underground Appreciation
Appreciation doesn’t only appear in heartfelt ballads or pop chart-toppers. Sometimes, it hides in the groovy realms of jam bands and the secret vaults of rare vinyl collectors. Take, for example, the deep cuts from O.A.R.’s “I Feel Home”—a tune that’s basically nostalgia in musical form, celebrating friendship like the world’s grooviest group hug. Then there’s Guster’s “Airport Song,” which feels like an acoustic spell to summon togetherness.
Collecting, preserving, and sharing these tracks is its own form of appreciation. Reference reports highlight individuals who digitize rare records for the public good—rescuing amazing songs from the oblivion of dusty cellars and proving that music appreciation transcends genre, geography, and generation. In other words: thank a record collector today. Without them, your cool grandpa playlist would be three polka tracks and an off-key kazoo solo.
Music in Community: Live Shows and Local Tributes
Songs of appreciation don’t just live in the studio—they thrive in live music settings and holiday celebrations. Community events honoring veterans, for instance, feature moving renditions of “God Bless America” or “America the Beautiful,” uniting crowds in collective gratitude and making uncles across the country reach for a tissue (or, you know, another hotdog).
These local tributes show that appreciation music isn’t just a soundtrack—it’s a communal ritual. On Veterans Day, bands play aged classics and military anthems, expressing the sort of thanks that can’t be captured in a greeting card but can raise goosebumps and flags alike. Sammy Davis, a Motown veteran, said it best: the right song can reach the soul of those who “can’t get out anymore”—which makes every note a little hug sent through the speakers.
Musicians and Legacy: Lessons in Gratitude
We can’t talk about appreciation in music without mentioning the artists who shape these messages. Vanessa Williams spoke of the role music played in connecting her with her father, and Musiq Soulchild built a career on lyrics of love, learning, and appreciation—his catalog is basically the Spotify version of a beautifully-written thank-you note.
Legendary performers, from Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” to Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings,” create universally relatable expressions of gratitude. These tunes endure across decades, making appreciation not just a musical theme but a lasting legacy.
Why Not Make Every Day Thanksgiving?
It’s tempting to keep the best appreciation tracks locked away for special occasions—Thanksgiving, anniversaries, epic battles for the remote. But why wait? Appreciation should be a daily celebration, and the perfect playlist is your ticket.
So next time your favorite barista nails your extra-foam order, your dog brings you another mysterious object, or you discover a hidden live jam band gem, spin a song of gratitude. Whether it’s “Thank U” by Alanis or “Thankful n’ Thoughtful” by Sly and the Family Stone, let music help you share the love, say thanks, and boogie like you just got an extra scoop of mashed potatoes.
And remember: you don’t need a Grammy-winning ballad to let someone know you appreciate them. Sometimes a Spotify playlist, a vinyl record, or just singing off-key in the kitchen does the trick. As long as you’re spreading appreciation (and not dropping the stuffing), you’re hitting all the right notes.
The Soundtrack to Gratitude: Not Just Background Noise
In a world where music can be disposable, appreciation songs stubbornly refuse to fade away. They’re the backbone of our emotional playlists, the unsung heroes in the Spotify shuffle, and the reason why mashed potatoes will always deserve a funky tune.
So add a few to your playlist, crank up the volume, and celebrate the simple act of saying thank you. Because if the world had a few more songs about appreciation, maybe it’d run a little smoother—and dance a lot more often.
