Thanksgiving Soul Music to Get You Through the Holiday

From Mahalia Jackson to Mavis Staples, Otis Redding to Nina Simone, here are some Thanksgiving soul music favorites to get you through the holiday.

Thanksgiving Music to Get You Through the Holiday

The holidays can be a tough time for many of us. We are bombarded with images of happy families, perfect turkey dinners, and joyful gatherings. It can be hard to escape the feeling that we are somehow failing if our holiday doesn’t look like that. If you’re feeling a little down this Thanksgiving, put on some of this soulful music and remember that you are not alone.

What is soul music?

Soul music is a genre that arose out of the African American experience in the United States. It is a blend of gospel, R&B, and sometimes jazz. The term “soul” can be used to describe a style of music, but it is also used as a term to describe the feeling or emotionally charged quality of the music.

Soul music often has themes of suffering and struggle, but it also has an element of hopefulness and resilience. The genre became popular in the 1960s with artists like Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, and Otis Redding.

Today, soul music is enjoying a resurgence in popularity thanks to artists like Adele, John Legend, and Bruno Mars. If you’re looking for some soulful Thanksgiving tunes to get you through the holiday, look no further than this playlist.

The history of soul music

The origins of soul music can be traced back to the early 1950s and the work of African American artists such as Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and James Brown. These artists blended elements of gospel, blues, and jazz to create a new style of music that was designed to appeal to a wider audience than traditional black music.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, soul music underwent a transformation thanks to the work of artists like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Aretha Franklin. These artists expanded the sound of soul music by incorporating elements of pop, rock, and funk into their work. As a result, soul music became even more popular with both black and white audiences.

Today, soul music continues to evolve as new artists add their own unique spin on the genre. However, the core elements of soul remains the same: smooth vocals, catchy melodies, and a focus on emotions and personal expression.

The influence of soul music

While its origins are often traced back to the church, soul music has come to be much more than just gospel music with a different name. Over the years, soul music has taken on many different forms, but at its core, soul music is all about emotion. This is what sets it apart from other genres of music and why it continues to be so popular today.

Whether you’re looking for something to get you through a tough holiday or just want to relax and enjoy some great tunes, soul music is the perfect choice. Here are just a few of the many artists who have helped to shape this genre and make it what it is today.

The Best Thanksgiving Soul Music

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, and what better way to do that than with soulful music? There are plenty of great soul songs that capture the spirit of giving thanks. Here are some of the best Thanksgiving soul songs to get you through the holiday.

Marvin Gaye – “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”

There are few songs that capture the feeling of Thanksgiving quite like Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.” The song was originally released in 1968, but it reached its peak in popularity in 1970, when it became a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is about gossip and rumor, but it also captures the feeling of being betrayed by someone you love. It’s a song that can be both wrenching and celebratory, depending on how you hear it. And it’s a perfect song to play on Thanksgiving, when you’re surrounded by family and friends, and thinking about all the things that you’re thankful for.

Otis Redding – “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”

Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” is the perfect Thanksgiving soul music to get you through the holiday. The song was released in 1968, just a few months after Redding’s untimely death, and it quickly became a hit. The song is about Redding’s experiences while living in Sausalito, California, and its lyrics perfectly capture the feeling of longing for home.

Aretha Franklin – “Respect”

The Queen of Soul always reminds us what’s important – R-E-S-P-E-C-T. This song topped the charts in 1967 and has been covered by everyone from Whitney Houston to Christina Aguilera. But, there’s only one Aretha and this song is an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt disrespected. When she sings “all I’m askin’ is for a little respect” – we all feel that.

Sam Cooke – “A Change Is Gonna Come”

Originally released in December 1963, “A Change is Gonna Come” is a song full of hope and optimism in the face of struggle and adversity. Cooke was inspired to write the song after hearing Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” and seeing the civil rights movement firsthand. The lyrics reflect on the difficulties faced by African Americans, but ultimately offer a message of hope that change will come.

This song has become an anthem for the civil rights movement and has been covered by many artists over the years, including Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, and Nina Simone. If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving soul song that will inspire you and fill you with hope, look no further than “A Change Is Gonna Come.”

Why Soul Music is the Best Music for Thanksgiving

The best music for Thanksgiving is soul music. There’s something about the genre that just gets you in the holiday spirit. The music is upbeat and perfect for dancing around the kitchen while you cook or for enjoying a meal with family and friends. Plus, there are plenty of soul tracks that are Thanksgiving-themed. So, if you’re looking for some music to get you through the holiday, soul music is the way to go.

The feeling of soul music

One of the great things about soul music is that it can make you feel a certain way. It can make you feel happy, it can make you feel sad, it can make you feel nostalgic, it can make you feel hopeful. And, on Thanksgiving, when we are surrounded by family and friends and are reflecting on all that we are thankful for, soul music has a way of making us feel grateful.

Soul music is the perfect soundtrack for Thanksgiving because it reminds us of what is important in life: family, friends, love, and happiness. So, while you are cooking the turkey and gathering around the table this Thanksgiving, be sure to listen to some soulful tunes to get you in the holiday spirit!

The message of soul music

Soul music is music that is about the human experience. It’s about love, pain, loss, hope, and joy. It’s about the good times and the bad times. It’s about life.

And what could be more appropriate for Thanksgiving than music that is about life? Thanksgiving is a time when we come together to celebrate the good things in our lives. We remember the hard times we’ve overcome and we give thanks for the people and things that make our lives worth living.

Soul music is the perfect soundtrack for Thanksgiving because it captures the essence of what Thanksgiving is all about. It’s about being grateful for what we have, even in the midst of challenges and hardships. It’s about celebrating life, even when things are tough.

So if you’re looking for music to set the tone for your Thanksgiving gathering, look no further than soul music. It will help you remember what this holiday is all about and it will get you through any tough moments that might come up. So put on your favorite soul album, sit back, and enjoy your Thanksgiving feast!

The connection of soul music

Soul music is a genre that is often overlooked when it comes to Thanksgiving music. However, there are a few reasons why soul music is the best type of music to get you through the holiday.

First, soul music is all about connecting with your emotions. The best soul songs are the ones that make you feel something, whether it’s happiness, sadness, love, or anger. This is important during Thanksgiving, when you may be feeling a range of emotions as you spend time with family and friends.

Second, soul music is perfect for dancing. Thanksgiving can be a stressful time, and sometimes the best way to relieve stress is to let loose and have some fun. What better way to do that than by dancing to your favorite soul songs?

Finally, soul music is great for creating memories. Thanksgivings can be chaotic, and it can be hard to remember everything that happens during the day. But if you have a few great soul songs playing in the background, you’ll be sure to remember the good times you had with your loved ones.

So next Thanksgiving, make sure to put on some soul music and enjoy the holiday!