With Thanksgiving coming up, whether you’re celebrating or not YEM went over a bunch of songs all about being thankful,. This weeks New Music Friday list includes songs from the opening number to Disney’s Moana (2016), to Queen’s ‘You’re My Best Friend’ belting out that “Oh, you’re the best friend that I ever had/Been with you such a long time”, and even some sensational bits from more up-and-coming singers like alt-pop rising star BoyWithUke singing about appreciating those who love us flaws and all . Please enjoy and let us know if we’re missing anything in the comments!
1. ‘Die 4 You’ by Perfume Genius
In this adorable song from the indie pop artist, he muses about supporting his great love through their hard times. He never rushes them to get better, and just lets them know he’s there when they need him.
2. ‘Someone Like You’ by Adele
One of Adele’s most hauntingly beautiful songs, this is often used as an expression of gratitude for loved ones who’ve passed on. No matter who you’re mourning, it’s a perfect way of conveying how thankful you are that they were in your life.
3. ‘Nothing Matters When We’re Dancing’ by The Magnetic Fields
A striking romantic ode, this piece by The Magnetic Fields is a glorious rumination on how, when it’s just you and that special someone you can’t do without, nothing else matters. Everything just fades away, and you’re just so happy you’re together.
4. ‘You’re My Best Friend’ by Queen
This classic from the famed rock band Queen just had to be on the list. It purely just emphasizes what the title says, which is how much lead singer Freddie Mercury appreciates his best friend, and why.
5. ‘True Love’ by Hovvdy
This is another achingly romantic work, expressing a man’s adoration towards his significant other, and what she means to him.
6. ‘Back to Life’ by Hailee Steinfeld
This electric tune from the soundtrack to Bumblebee (2018) is, like ‘Someone Like You’, a conveyance of thanks to a deceased loved one. However, it is also a wonderful exploration of how the memories you have of them brings you back to being your old self when you’re feeling down.
7. ‘Lovely’ by BoyWithUke
If you have a boyfriend or girlfriend who can’t see how great they were, you might want to play them this song. It’s a perfect way to show that person that, despite their imperfections, you love them just for being themselves, warts and all.
8. ‘If I Didn’t Have You’/Written and composed by Randy Newman/Performed by Billy Crystal and John Goodman
We’ve all had those moments where we don’t know what we would do without our best friend. This Oscar-winning original track from the Pixar film Monsters, Inc. (2001) is a flawless emphasis of that sentiment.
9. ‘I Like’ by Arlo Parks
A more surface-level, but no less infectious, expression of love and thankfulness, this piece by Arlo Parks sings about how much she appreciates the nice things her other half does for her on a regular basis.
10. ‘Thankful’ by Kelly Clarkson
Oftentimes, when you find someone who truly understands you, it takes a lot of trial and error to get to that point. They deserve to know how much it means that you have them as a partner. This Kelly Clarkson song perfectly acknowledges that unique kind of gratitude.
11. ‘Die with My Friends’ by Lindsey Lomis
When we eventually get ready to pass through the pearly gates, it’s vital to remember those who were by our side through thick and thin. Lindsey Lomis’ ‘Die with My Friends’ is a direct declaration of that attitude towards her own friends, and it’s a beauty to listen to.
12. ‘Grateful’ by Rita Ora
Less about just appreciating the people in your life, this Rita Ora single speaks more to being able to look back on both your good times and hardships, and appreciate both in equal measure. Because if it wasn’t for all those experiences, who would you be nowadays?
13. ‘Love You Like a Love Song’ by Selena Gomez
Now THIS is a real banger, right here. The modern classic tune from Selena Gomez is all about just loving your boyfriend or girlfriend as much as they deserve, and doing your part to make the relationship like a love song, but in real life.
14. ‘Your Song’ by Elton John
A breathtaking ballad that can be applied to just any loved one in your life, this memorable piece, one of Elton John’s best, is a melodic triumph, an instrumental wonder with lyrics that you will have in your head long after the song is over.
15. ‘Smile’ by Katy Perry
The creator of ‘Firework’ and ‘Roar’ delivers an intimate exaltation of how her exceptional partner makes her feel. However, the song is just as suitable for your bff, sibling, parent, etc.
16. ‘Nothing More’ by Andrew Simple
We all need compassion and love to get through life and, as this song indicates, nothing more. It’s totally bare-bones in the simplicity of its lyrics and instrumentals, but that’s what makes it so good.
17. ‘Best Day of My Life’ by American Authors
Life is a precious gift, and the American Authors certainly embody that notion in this hit single of theirs. Even if the world has you down, listen to this single to remember that you’re still here, and maybe it will give you the strength to carry on.
18. ‘Where You Are’, from the Moana soundtrack
When we have big dreams, we sometimes forget to be grateful for where we are in the present. The introductory musical number from Moana (2016) captures that notion masterfully, as the title character’s community encourage staying in the village instead of following her dreams of oceanic voyage.
19. ‘We’re All in This Together’, from the High School Musical soundtrack
If you’ve been digging High School Musical: The Musical- The Series, definitely revisit the 2006 TV movie that started it all. You won’t be able to stop dancing and singing along when it reaches this showstopper.
20. ‘I’m Only Me When I’m With You’ by Taylor Swift
