Why are there no Thanksgiving songs? There might be one: Over the River and Through the Woods. I am not so sure about that one. That one seems a bit…uh, generic. Here are my guesses why this holiday is missing theme songs or any others for that matter.
Let’s face it. This is a busy time of year with all of the holidays coming one after another. There is a lot going on. The reason could simply be that we are all too pressed for time to squeeze in a little tune. We just got finished with Halloween and Christmas is right around the corner. Cram in Hanukkah and other celebrations and where did the time go?
Wait a minute, though. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on and Open Fire) was actually written during the summer. The writer, Mel Torme, was trying to think cool thoughts during a hot season when air conditioning was a very expensive luxury, at best. This started as a list of those thoughts. That song is huge and it wasn’t even written during the holidays! Not to mention, preparations for holiday shows and pageants start long before even autumn. My band, The Regeneration Jazz Band, starts working on selections for Christmas in the summer. Maybe that’s not it.
Thanksgiving is a Uniquely American Holiday
It could be the worldwide appeal of something like Christmas just created a critical mass of writers. One of the most popular Christmas songs is Silent Night and that was written in Germany – Stille Nacht. But there are a zillion songs for holidays like July 4th – Independence Day. Many countries have their own versions of this holiday, as well.
Nationalism is a strong motivator for music to express pride but to also motivate citizens to action. Entire movies have been made with the nationalism theme that have spawned many of our favorites – Holiday Inn, Yankee Doodle Dandy, for example. It does not seem to be an American thing.
Too Much Sports?
One thing that is associated with the holiday that does have music of a sort is football. Many of us put together pick-up games while we wait for the big meal. Others wait breathlessly for the college games that fill the day and let them play in the background of our gatherings.
There is a great song by Adrain Belew poking some fun at the sports obsession that might be fun to learn for the day – Adidas in Heat. The fretless bass and guitar work are stellar but it may be a challenge 1) to get others to sing along and 2) learn all of the lyrics. If you have never heard the song, you will know what I mean when you do 😉
I once made the mistake of playing this one at a party of a heavy metal band I was in years ago. We all took turns being DJ’s for the party playing our favorites and I ended my set with this song – funny, right? They didn’t think so |-(
Maybe singing your favorite team’s fight song is not a good idea. Could start a riot with visiting relatives from a rival college town.
Sleepy?
Turkey can do that to a person – sleep inducing food. I may be inspired but I am too sleepy to act on it! There is also the games mentioned above. I was never a sports aficionado and it seemed like an excuse to take a nap for one of my younger brothers. As soon as I would turn off the TV he would wake up and say, “Hey! I was watching that!” Sure you were 😉
Meanwhile, it seems everyone finds a comfortable seat and slouches into a slumber after eating only to wake up later and do it all again. Add to that Aunt Gertrude and Uncle Jim regaling us with stories of their last camping trip near a national monument…zzz… Oh! Sorry!
Opportunity in the Making: Write Your Own Thanksgiving Songs!
So, no one has a decent song for Thanksgiving. Maybe it is time to write one! Think of it. You could be famous as the one person who came up with THE song for the holiday. That would be one way to get noticed. Now we just need a mega famous person to make it popular. Easy!
Coming up with a way to get the word “Thanksgiving” to roll out of a song in an attractive way may be the biggest challenge. Kind of like rhyming with Orange. Not sure how that’s going to work…
Anyway, I hope you had a wonderful holiday! Happy Thanksgiving!
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Thanksgiving Songs: Missing in Action
Why are there no Thanksgiving songs? There might be one: Over the River and Through the Woods. I am not so sure about that one. That one seems a bit…uh, generic. Here are my guesses why this holiday is missing theme songs or any others for that matter.
Not Enough Time to Write One
Let’s face it. This is a busy time of year with all of the holidays coming one after another. There is a lot going on. The reason could simply be that we are all too pressed for time to squeeze in a little tune. We just got finished with Halloween and Christmas is right around the corner. Cram in Hanukkah and other celebrations and where did the time go?
Wait a minute, though. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on and Open Fire) was actually written during the summer. The writer, Mel Torme, was trying to think cool thoughts during a hot season when air conditioning was a very expensive luxury, at best. This started as a list of those thoughts. That song is huge and it wasn’t even written during the holidays! Not to mention, preparations for holiday shows and pageants start long before even autumn. My band, The Regeneration Jazz Band, starts working on selections for Christmas in the summer. Maybe that’s not it.
Thanksgiving is a Uniquely American Holiday
It could be the worldwide appeal of something like Christmas just created a critical mass of writers. One of the most popular Christmas songs is Silent Night and that was written in Germany – Stille Nacht. But there are a zillion songs for holidays like July 4th – Independence Day. Many countries have their own versions of this holiday, as well.
Nationalism is a strong motivator for music to express pride but to also motivate citizens to action. Entire movies have been made with the nationalism theme that have spawned many of our favorites – Holiday Inn, Yankee Doodle Dandy, for example. It does not seem to be an American thing.
Too Much Sports?
One thing that is associated with the holiday that does have music of a sort is football. Many of us put together pick-up games while we wait for the big meal. Others wait breathlessly for the college games that fill the day and let them play in the background of our gatherings.
There is a great song by Adrain Belew poking some fun at the sports obsession that might be fun to learn for the day – Adidas in Heat. The fretless bass and guitar work are stellar but it may be a challenge 1) to get others to sing along and 2) learn all of the lyrics. If you have never heard the song, you will know what I mean when you do 😉
I once made the mistake of playing this one at a party of a heavy metal band I was in years ago. We all took turns being DJ’s for the party playing our favorites and I ended my set with this song – funny, right? They didn’t think so |-(
Maybe singing your favorite team’s fight song is not a good idea. Could start a riot with visiting relatives from a rival college town.
Sleepy?
Turkey can do that to a person – sleep inducing food. I may be inspired but I am too sleepy to act on it! There is also the games mentioned above. I was never a sports aficionado and it seemed like an excuse to take a nap for one of my younger brothers. As soon as I would turn off the TV he would wake up and say, “Hey! I was watching that!” Sure you were 😉
Meanwhile, it seems everyone finds a comfortable seat and slouches into a slumber after eating only to wake up later and do it all again. Add to that Aunt Gertrude and Uncle Jim regaling us with stories of their last camping trip near a national monument…zzz… Oh! Sorry!
Opportunity in the Making: Write Your Own Thanksgiving Songs!
So, no one has a decent song for Thanksgiving. Maybe it is time to write one! Think of it. You could be famous as the one person who came up with THE song for the holiday. That would be one way to get noticed. Now we just need a mega famous person to make it popular. Easy!
Coming up with a way to get the word “Thanksgiving” to roll out of a song in an attractive way may be the biggest challenge. Kind of like rhyming with Orange. Not sure how that’s going to work…
Anyway, I hope you had a wonderful holiday! Happy Thanksgiving!
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