You’re about to get in a car and drive many, many miles to see your extended family and eat yourself into a coma — shouldn’t you have some music to accompany you on the journey? Whether you’re excited for the trip or just really, really want to get it over with, this playlist will at least get you through the roughest part — the getting there.
Spotify:
1. Ode to My Family – The Cranberries
This is possibly the greatest Thanksgiving song ever recorded. It’s got a killer hook that you can shout along to, which is necessary for car rides, it reminds you of your family and it’s by a band with a Thanksgiving food name. Perfect. Truly perfect.
2. Jive Turkey – The Ohio Players
Listen, all car rides need funk — it’s a simple truth of life. Why not get down to some seriously dirty funk and think about that delicious bird your mom/grandparent/uncle is cooking right now.
3. 2000 Miles – The Pretenders
Wherever you’re going is far and you probably don’t want to be doing it. We’re sorry and The Pretenders are too.
4. Native North American Child – Buffy Saint-M.
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a little white guilt! Sternly look at everyone in the car and force them to remember our legacy of genocide that we cruelly celebrate every year. You’re welcome!
5. Thankful – Caveman
You also have to have great songs that you like while on the road, and plus, after the white guilt fest, it’s good to remember that the holiday has become much more about taking stock of the good than remembering the awful.
6. Thanksgiving Theme – Vince Guraraldi
The holidays are here. Time for Charlie Brown.
7. Finger Lickin’ Good – The Beastie Boys
Car rides to grandma’s need rapping before they are complete.
8. Another Travelin’ Song – Bright Eyes
Conor Obsert wrote the perfect song for your car rides no matter what the reason.
9. Giblet Gravy – George Benson
Time for an instrumental track to calm you down after all that signing in the car. You wouldn’t want to be horse when you walk in the door at Nana’s, would you!
10. Glory Days – Bruce Springsteen
The best part of going home is reliving all the best parts of your child hood. The boss has something to say about that, and you may not like the tone of sarcasm with which he says it.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
