Before the Christmas and late-winter holiday cheer can begin, November makes space for slower evenings, home-cooked meals and the familiar rituals that anchor the season. Thanksgiving, especially, asks us to pause and take stock, to remind ourselves of the people, memories and places that have carried us through the year. And in this season of reflection, music can be an important companion. Here are a few songs that prompt reflection and gratitude for experiences of many kinds.
“In My Life” by The Beatles, 1965
“In My Life” distills gratitude to its most clear musical form. The track opens with a clean, melodic guitar line that feels gentle in its restraint. Lennon’s delivery is honest, steady and conversational as he sings of all the people he has loved and known. When he sings “Some are dead and some are living / In my life I’ve loved them all,” the line lands, but not because it’s grand. Instead, the production gives it space, above the harpsichord, to evoke nostalgia for all the things, places and people we have known.
Instead of dramatizing nostalgia, “In My Life” lets it unfold naturally, the way memories often do with its gentle instrumentation. Thankfulness often arrives quietly, in memories we are able to revisit fondly, rather than moments we announce grandly.
“I’ve Seen It” by Olivia Dean, 2025
“I’ve Seen It,” released in September of 2025, is a warm and effortlessly charming track from British soul-pop artist Olivia Dean. Built on soft piano, smooth bass and Dean’s emotive vocals, the song creates a comforting atmosphere.
Dean sings, “I’ve seen it dance with friends around the table,” recognizing love in everyday scenes, laughter over shared meals and moments that are ordinary but still full. Repeated utterances of, “Brings out the worst / Brings out the best” capture the complexity of love, acknowledging its messiness while still finding beauty in its presence. The song’s strength lies in its wide view — a gratitude directed towards romantic love, familial love, chosen family, friendship and the warmth we learn to give back to others.
“Heaven by Noon” by Megan Moroney, 2024
“Heaven by Noon” captures a quieter, more intimate side of gratitude — the kind directed at someone who is no longer here. The song’s gentle piano and soft acoustic guitar set a mood that feels almost suspended, giving Moroney’s warm, aching vocals space to breathe with a production left intentionally spare to allow emotion to sit front and center.
Moroney’s delivery makes every line feel personal. When she asks, “Did I tell you enough?” the question lands with a tenderness that goes beyond regret. Later, she confesses, “I’m angry at the sky / None of this feels right,” a moment of honesty that makes the gratitude feel more grounded, more human. Love can be thankful and hurting at the same time. For many, the holiday highlights who’s missing just as much as who’s present. Moroney’s track gently honors that reality, reminding listeners that gratitude for someone’s life doesn’t end when time on earth does.
“Look What You’ve Done” by Drake, 2011
From Drake’s 2011 album “Take Care” comes “Look What You’ve Done,” one of his most sincere and heartfelt tracks. Anchored by a simple musical progression, the song leaves room for Drake’s storytelling as he spotlights the support and love he has received from his female family members, especially his mother.
Lines like “You love me, and I love you, and your heart hurts, mine does too,” reveal a sense of gratitude, looking back, despite teenage angst and other challenging circumstances. Avoiding the bravado and glitz typically associated with his songs, Drake leans into honesty, acknowledging the people who shaped him. It is a fitting reflection for a season centered around appreciating the people who stand behind us.
As Thanksgiving approaches and the days grow colder, these tracks invite us to listen a little more closely to the people and moments that linger with us, reminding us that while Thanksgiving is just a day, gratitude can be practiced year-round. Happy Thanksgiving.
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