[nextpage title=”1-5″ ]

“10 Songs Incorporating Thanksgiving Words” features songs by Chris Young, India.Arie, Red Hot Chili Peppers & Russ.

The title of our latest, greatest playlist is self-explanatory.  This playlist features 10 songs that incorporate Thanksgiving vocabulary words.  While this list isn’t exactly taking adults back to school, it is a way to at least acknowledge Thanksgiving musically.  Sure, not all of the songs are exactly wholesome and thankful, but isn’t hat part of the allure of a random playlist? Of course, it is!  Without further ado, 10 Songs Incorporating Thanksgiving Words, featuring songs by Chris Young, India.Arie, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Russ among others.

---

1. Wale, “Thank God”

Shine • 2017 • Atlantic

Vocabulary word: Thanks

“Thank God” opens Shine with a ‘shine’ indeed. Wale is all about positive vibes and thankful for his success.  While he is thankful, he also flexes like his contemporaries. “Thank God” still possess some signature characteristics of the rapper, but also signals his willingness to try different things throughout Shine.

---

2. Chris Young, “Holiday”

Losing Sleep • RCA • 2017

Vocabulary word: Holiday

“Holiday” commences with a soulful, country groove. It feels warm and inviting from the jump, exhibiting throwback vibes.  As always, Chris Young nails the vocal performance.  He showcases poise, but also adds ample flavor with twang and nuance.  The production is balanced, neither under- nor over-produced.  Throughout the course of “Holiday,” the instrumental touches – guitar, pedal steel, etc. – are thoughtful.  The chorus is catchy and well-sung.  Young doesn’t integrate anything ‘brand-new’ per se, but all in all, “Holiday” is pleasant; well-rounded. 

---

3. India. Arie, “Give Thanks”

SongVersation: Medicine • BMG Rights Management • 2017

Vocabulary word: Thanks

 

“Give Thanks” is a perfect example of depth in spite of a lack of depth.  Huh? India. Arie approaches “Give Thanks,” a highlight from SongVersation: Medicine (2017), like a Contemporary Christian (CCM) song, with repeated lyrics on the verse.  There are few lyrics, yet, her messaging is prudent and ultimately, transcendent.

At the end of the song, she brings together the few lyrics, successfully closing one of the set’s highlights:

“There will never be another day just like this
So, let’s give praise now
We give praise, and ase
Say love, namaste
We give praise, for all that is.”

---

4. Russ, “Family & Friends”

There’s Really a Wolf • Columbia • 2017

Vocabulary word: Family

The respectable, somewhat simple “Family & Friends” (There’s Really a Wolf ) is all about the inner circle. This is Russ’ showcasing his ‘Drake mentality’ – think “Keep the Family Close,” “Fake Friends,” or “No New Friends.” All in all, it goes without a hitch. It’s well-produced and balances singing and pop-rapping.

---

5. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Feasting on the Flowers”

The Getaway • Warner Bros. • 2016

Vocabulary word: Feast

“Feasting on the Flowers” is in memoriam, evidenced by select lyrics throughout its course.  Lyrical examples include “Lasting I remember there were tears of blood and just not mine,” and, “Feasting on the flowers so fast and young / it’s a light so bright that I bite my tongue.”  Despite being morbid, “Feasting on the Flowers” finds Red Hot Chili Peppers exhibiting the utmost consistency in the context of their 2016 album, The Getaway.

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”6-10″ ]

6. Wale, “Running Back”

Ft. Lil Wayne

Shine • 2017 • Atlantic

Vocabulary word: Football

Wale didn’t play a great game this year.  Shine was one of the year’s flops.  However, the album had its moments, including a nod to football on “Running Back”, featuring Lil Wayne.  While “Running Back” is atypical of what we hear from Folarin, it’s slick AF and ends up working out well.

Essentially, this standout is a hard-hitting, flex-fest for both rappers.  Wale is on autopilot, using football-speak to his advantage:

“Bitches want money stacks, I just want my percent
She told me to hit the hole, I used to play running back
You niggas be fumbling, don’t give ‘em no gun again
These bitches be flying out, yeah, ‘cause money be coming in.”

The part about hit the hole is just what you think it is.

---

7. Machine Gun Kelly, X Ambassadors & Bebe Rexha, “Home”

Album: Bright: The Album, 2017

Atlantic

Vocabulary word: Home

Yes, perhaps the “home” song should’ve actually been “Home” by Phillip Phillips or “Home” by Michael Bublé.  But we went against the grain and incorporated “Home” from the soundtrack to Bright, as performed by Machine Gun Kelly, X Ambassadors, and Bebe Rexha.  X Ambassadors and Bebe Rexha take first blood, singing the thoughtful chorus.

Sam Harris kicks things off, as Rexha joins him on the second half of the chorus.

“Home
A place where I can go
To take this off my shoulders
Someone take me home.”

Machine Gun Kelly follows, rapping the first verse in uplifting fashion.  This isn’t far-removed from his own song, “At My Best.” Interestingly, on the pre-chorus, he switches to a more melodic, sung approach.  Harris and Rexha return on the extended chorus, which seems to arrive in a flash following the incredibly brief, pre-chorus. Kelly drops more ‘fight-through-the-adversity’ bars on the second verse, followed by another melodic pre-chorus, and a shorter chorus. Keeping the form interesting, a collaborative bridge between Harris and Rexha follows.

“I found no cure for the loneliness
I found no cure for the sickness
Nothing here feels like home
Crowded streets, but I'm all alone.”

Ultimately, “Home” is respectable, but not game changing.

---

8. Fifth Harmony, “Sauced Up”

Fifth Harmony • Epic • 2017

Vocabulary word: sauce

“Sauced Up” keeps the energy charged-up, or rather, “sauced up” on Fifth Harmony, the self-titled third album by Fifth Harmony. Similar to the two records that precede it, “Sauced Up” is enjoyable, not groundbreaking.  Sounding like a single, “Sauced Up” is a perfect record for dancing in the club, or a relaxed drive with the top down.  It’s well sung, slicky produced, and ultimately, unobjectionable.

---

9. Lecrae, “Blessings”

Ft. Ty Dolla $ign

All Things Work Together • Reach • 2017

Vocabulary word: blessings

“Blessings”is among the highlights fromAll Things Work Together, the 2017 album by Christian rapper, Lecrae. On “Blessings,” Lecrae enlists one of urban music’s hottest artists for the assist, Ty Dolla $ign.

While Ty Dolla $ign isn’t typically associated with the religious or spiritual, he is responsible for the memorable sung hook:

“If I ever took a loss, I learned a lesson
I won’t ever think I’m better than the next man
I’ve been down before the come up, I ain’t stressin’
Baby I’m too busy countin’ all these blessings.”

Later, Ty gets his chance to shine once again on the second verse.  He doesn’t reference God, but he also avoids the hellish.  As for Lecrae, he spits ferociously.  His approach and appeal are secular for the most part, but he gives the glory to God:

“Won’t take the credit, I know where we get it
Them blessings be comin’ from God above.”

Down the line, Lecrae spits one more verse, spitting about his “losses” and referencing Mary Mary and Anita Baker:

“All I needed was the Mary Mary
But the God in me was havin’ commentary, woo!  I got angels all around like Anita Baker
Blessings fallin’ in line, guess I need a taper…”

An infectious post-hook adds the cherry on top:

“Count it up, count it up, count it up
Blessings.”

---

10. Tyler, the Creator, “November”

Flower Boy • Columbia • 2017

Vocabulary word: November

On the first verse of “November” (Flower Boy), Tyler the Creator asks a number of ‘what if’ questions and seems to be self-conscious at times.  Before his second verse, there’s an interlude which features a number of people describing their November or what occurred in the month of November.  On the second verse, he writes a song to a lover.

---

Photo Credits: Atlantic, RCA, BMG Rights Management, Columbia, Warner Bros., Epic, Reach

---

[/nextpage]