Gratitude: 20 Gracious, Thankful Songs | Playlist 🎧

2. Rina Sawayama, “Chosen Family”

💿 SAWAYAMA • 🏷 Dirty Hit • 📅 2020

“We don’t need to be related to relate / We don’t need to share genes or a surname / You are, you are / My chosen, chosen family.” Gorgeous, meaningful lyrics, 🎙 Rina Sawayama! The awesome 🎵 “Chosen Family” hails from her 2020 full-length debut, 💿 SAWAYAMA. Rina, a member of the LGBTQ+ community 🌈, is thankful for her community – her ‘chosen Family’ – on this standout. Sawayama serves up lovely, expressive, and nuanced vocals; you sense her authenticity and sincerity. Furthermore, the production is gorgeous. The sound is balanced yet quite colorful and ear catching. The best moment is undoubtedly the catchy chorus, the centerpiece of this standout record. You don’t have to be queer to relate to “Chosen Family”; the messaging is applicable to any number of situations.

“...So what if we don’t look the same?
We been going through the same thing, yeah
You are, you are
My chosen, chosen family.”

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3. Angie Stone, “I Wanna Thank Ya”

Ft. Snoop Dogg

💿 Stone Love • 🏷 J • 🗓 2004

🎙 Angie Stone was a force in the neo-soul era, period. Even so, Stone never got her just due for contributions and incredible talent. Of course, when her debut solo album arrived in 1999 (💿 Black Diamond), Stone was closer to 40 as opposed to, say, 20. Nonetheless, here at the Musical Hype, we’re incredibly thankful for Angie.

On 🎵 “I Wanna Thank Ya,” a highlight from her third studio album, 💿 Stone Love (2004), she is thankful to her man. “And I’m feelin’ everything you do / Your love is gangsta, I wanna thank ya.” Clearly, this dude totally does it Angie, checking off all the boxes. Vocally, she sounds buttery smooth and quite soulful without needless gospel histrionics. Furthermore, she gets a lift from sweet production work courtesy of 🎙 Jazze Pha. Also, can’t leave out that “Drop It Like It’s Hot” rapper 🎙 Snoop Dogg joins her, and is thankful for his love too: “I thank God above that you were sent to me.” Praises!

4. Marvin Sapp, “Thank You for It All”

💿 Chosen Vessel • 🏷 Sony • 📅 2020

“I thank you for it all / The good, bad, the ugly, great and small / The times of victory when I fall / I’m so grateful that I’m still standing tall.” Amen, 🎙 Marvin Sapp! 🎵 “Thank You for It All,” The opener from 💿 Chosen Vessel just feels totally right. Sapp emphasizes giving God gratitude for all situations, including those that are the most difficult and uncomfortable. Why, you ask, would you ever be thankful for the bad? Well, per Sapp, it is because God has blessed us with life itself, as well as surviving the storms, turbulence, and tribulations that come with it. The songwriting is simple, yet, perfectly executed. Sapp’s choir amplifies his emotional highs, taking “Thank You for It All,” to the next level. Whether you’re religious or not, you should appreciate the spirit exhibited – the deference Marvin shows to The Most High.

“All that I am is because
All that You brought me through
And everything I survived
It’s all because of you.”

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5. Andy Grammer, “Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)”

💿 Magazines or Novels [Deluxe] • 🏷 S-Curve • 📅 2015

“I’ve been grinding so long, been trying this shit for years / And I got nothing to show, just climbing this rope right here…” Okay, 🎙 Andy Grammer – dropping that s-bomb on us! What exactly is the shit that Grammer has been ‘trying’ on 🎵 “Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah),” from his 2015 album, 💿 Magazines or Novels [Deluxe]? How about a little background first before answering!

Prior to issuing the deluxe edition of Magazines or Novels, Andy Grammer had a surefire gem on his hands with “Honey, I’m Good.” which clearly elevated his profile. He would earn another hit, though less successful, with “Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah).” On “Good to Be Alive,” the production work is gimmicky though Grammer sounds utterly ebullient – cool word if I do say so myself! Anyways, he has good reason to sound ebullient. Basically, he’s thankful for the success he’s achieved, asserting, “Feels good to be alive right about now.” So, connecting it all together, that ‘shit he’d been trying’ – finding and carving out success. Now that he’s finally achieved some, he’s thankful and it feels pretty sweet.

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6. Ariana Grande, “thank u, next”

💿 thank u, next • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2019

“Look what you taught me / And for that, I say / Thank you, next (Next).” Alright now, 🎙 Ariana Grande, ALRIGHT NOW! 🎵 “thank u, next”, which appears on her critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated album, 💿 thank u, next, created quite a buzz when it arrived as an advance single in late 2018. “Thought I’d end up with Sean / But he wasn’t a match / Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and almost laugh.” Grande reflects on her relationships, including more recent exes like the late Mac Miller and ex-fiancé, Pete Davidson to the mix. She continues to focus on her exes on the first pre-chorus and chorus, profanely proclaiming, “Thank you, next / I’m so fuckin’ grateful for my ex.”

On the second verse, she focuses on herself – her own well-being. She flips the script on the second pre-chorus, focusing on her own excellence. On the bridge, she anticipates marriage, but ultimately plans to “make that shit last.” Ultimately, “thank u, next” is an honest, therapeutic record that finds her reflecting on life, love, and bettering herself. Every relationship taught her a lesson and for that, she’s grateful.

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7. Aloe Blacc, “Family”

💿 All Love Everything • 🏷 BMG Rights Management • 📅 2020

“And on my dark days / My sad and broken heart days / You’re all that I need / And through your worst times / Together we’ll be alright / You’re safe here with me.” Right on, 🎙 Aloe Blacc, RIGHT ON! 🎵 “Family” sets the tone for 💿 All Love Everything, the long-awaited, comeback album from Blacc. It’s an optimal, prime example of a clean-cut, thoughtful R&B record – one that wouldn’t dare offend in the least. Obviously, the title suggests a certain sentiment, one viewed through a positive connotation. Nothing wrong with positivity!

On the chorus, Aloe Blacc asserts, “…I know it’s a long road but all I need / Is right here next to me / My family / My family.” On the verses, the importance of family and life lessons shine like a beacon lyrically, particular Blacc’s own aspirations: “I’m gonna show them [my little ones] how to dream / We’ll plant a seed and watch it grow into a tree.”

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8. T.I., “Thank God”

Ft. 21 Savage

💿 The L.I.B.R.A. • 🏷 Grand Hustle / EMPIRE • 🗓 2020

🎵 “Thank God” appears as the penultimate record and final full-length song on 💿 The L.I.B.R.A., the 11^th studio album by 🏆 Grammy-winning rapper, 🎙 T.I. This ‘thankful’ joint is among the very best on a low-key release. T.I. definitely gets a lift thanks to the backdrop produced by 🎙 Ayo & Keyz and 🎙 Hitmaka, as well as a guest verse by fellow 🏆 Grammy winner, 🎙 21 Savage.

“Have a good time, the whole town show up
Money coming fast, hope it never slow up
I done came a long way to make it here
Gotta thank God that I made it here
Respected by every hood, nigga, throw up
Stood solid, never let niggas ho us
I done came a long way to make it here
Gotta thank God that I made it here.”

As you can read on the memorable chorus, T.I. thanks God for making it. He goes on to rap the first and third verses, where he’s in reflective mode. Notably, he remembers lost rap soldiers on the third verse (“Dolla, Lil Snupe, Triple X, and Mac Dre”). 21 Savage shines on the second verse, bring his usual toughness even with his low energy, deadpan approach. Worth noting, both rappers effectively serve up a mix of un-pitched and melodic rhymes.

9. Ryan Beatty, “Flowers at the Door”

💿 Dreaming of David • 🏷 Boy in Jeans / Mad Love / Interscope • 🗓 2020

“Draw on the pages, I won’t erase it / I want your mark on me, eternal.” Clearly, 🎙 Ryan Beatty is totally feeling ‘some type of way’ about him! Cutting straight to the chase, while the aforementioned lyrical excerpt also suggests a deep connection with a partner, 🎵 “Flowers at the Door” (💿 Dreaming of David) seems to be most thankful about a hot, freaky sexual experience. The sexual experience is artfully executed sans profanity. That said, lyrically, it’s clear that Beatty isn’t the least bit ‘innocent.’

Key lyrics from the first verse include the brilliant “Our heads connected, I got the message / You had your hands around my skull,” and “I look up to you when I’m below.” Ponder it, and you realize it’s poetically portraying oral ‘pleasure.’ The chorus extends upon the ‘happening,’ as Beatty sensually asks, “Why don’t you turn me around?” (aka hit it from the back to quote the rappers). The bridge also sheds some light: “What’s so wrong with wanting more? / Rollin’ on the hardwood floor.” Clearly, Ryan is thankful for the ‘bouquet of flowers received at the door,’ and can’t wait for more…

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10. Alicia Keys, “Good Job”

💿 Alicia • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2020

“You’re the engine that makes all things go / And you’re always in disguise, my hero / I see your light in the dark / Smile in my face when we all know it’s hard.” Say that, 🎙 Alicia Keys, SAY THAT! There are lots of things to like about 🎵 “Good Job”, the fourth single from Keys’ long awaited 2020 album, 💿 Alicia. First and foremost, it is incredibly thoughtful, giving thanks to everyone affected and helping to combat the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. Alicia Keys is being encouraging and uplifting, providing that positive reinforcement that educators seek to give their students.

“Good job, you’re doin’ a good job, a good job,” she sings on the chorus, continuing, “Don’t get too down / The world needs you now / Know that you matter, matter, yeah.” Essentially, lyrically, she says all of the right things. Also, as she sings, she infuses her soul into it, given it that next level of authenticity. While the production eschews a bunch of bells and whistles, it suits the tone of this record.

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11. The Script, “Run Through Walls”

💿 Sunsets & Full Moons • 🏷 Sony • 📅 2019

“I’ve got friends that will run through walls / I’ve got friends that will fly once called / When I’ve got nowhere left to go / And I need my heroes / I’ve got friends that will run through walls.” Sigh, that’s a beautifully penned, thoughtful chorus if I do say so myself! 🎵 “Run Through Walls” appears as the third track from 💿 Sunsets & Full Moons, the sixth studio album by Irish pop/rock collective, 🎙 The Script. The Script are best known for hits like “Hall of Fame”, “Breakeven”, and “Superheroes”. Sunsets & Full Moons didn’t ignite the US charts, but at least we were blessed with “Run Through Walls,” which is quite personal and reflective throughout its course.

🎙 Danny O’Donoghue speaks to the power of true friendship. On the first verse, while he asserts, “There’s no one born with X-Ray eyes.” He goes on to say, “But you always say the words that save my life.” On the second, he cites a specific event – “And that day my mother died” – to reference the power of real friends. “And you held me up and you wiped my eyes,” he sings, continuing, “It was in that moment when I realized.” Walls, indeed, have been broken down.

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12. Avril Lavigne, “Head Above Water”

💿 Head Above Water • 🏷 BMG Rights Management • 🗓 2019

“And I can’t see in the stormy weather / I can’t seem to keep it all together / And I, I can’t swim the ocean like this forever / And I can’t breathe.” 🎙 Avril Lavigne definitely looks to hills, from whence cometh her help. 🎵 “Head Above Water” appears as the title track of her 2019 💿 comeback album. Lavigne shines on the title track and album opener, “Head Above Water.” On this powerful ballad that dips into CCM and religious music, Lavigne is thankful for surviving a scare with Lyme Disease. Faith is key on this inspirational record. On the first verse, she references being safe – surviving and weathering the storm. The second verse, shorter than the first, remains meaningful and thoughtful: “Come dry me off and hold me close / I need you now, I need you most.” On the bridge (excerpted at the top), she continues to confirm her fight to live despite adversity.

She delivers powerful vocals on the chorus, summarizing the deep emotions she’s been experiencing and petitioning God to help her persevere through.

“God, keep my head above water
Don’t let me drown, it gets harder
I’ll meet you there at the altar
As I fall down to my knees
Don’t let me drown, drown, drown
Don’t let me, don’t let me, don’t let me drown.”

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13. Byron Cage, “Gratitude”

Ft. Mumen Ngenge

💿 Memoirs of a Worshipper • 🏷 Verity Gospel Music Group • 📅 2012

🎙 Byron Cage commences his 2012 album, 💿 Memoirs of a Worshipper, with the moving ballad, 🎵 “Gratitude.” He delivers fine lead vocals, accompanied by piano primarily, expressing his gratitude towards God (“[Lord], you’ve sustained my path, kept me through it all / Even when I felt like I would fall”). On the second verse, the lead shifts to 🎙 Mumen Ngenge. The arrangement kicks things up a notch yet Ngenge retains a certain level of poise before things ascend to that next level. “If it were not for your loving hands that helped me find my way,” she sings, “I would be so lost and drifted like a ship / A ship without a sail.” Both trade a few lines and duet together, leading into the most powerful section, the chorus, where they totally let the gratitude rip’ (“Thank you, Lord / For everything that you have done in my life I say”). During this section, we get a key change that brings the full choir in, excellent vocal harmonies between Cage and Ngenge, and the most epic parts of the thankful “Gratitude” overall.

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14. India.Arie, “Give Thanks”

💿 SongVersation: Medicine • 🏷 BMG Rights Management • 📅 2017

“Give thanks / …Give thanks, for all that is.” Indeed, 🎙 India.Arie, indeed! “Give Thanks” is a perfect example of depth in spite of a lack of depth. Arie approaches “Give Thanks” more like a Contemporary Christian (CCM) song, with repeated lyrics on the verse. Yes, Arie is a R&B artist but “Give Thanks” doesn’t necessarily feel like a R&B record. Worth noting, 💿 SongVersation: Medicine was nominated for a Grammy in the New Age Album category. This record specifically certainly has such a vibe. There are few lyrics throughout “Give Thanks,” yet, her messaging is prudent and ultimately, transcendent. In addition to giving thanks, Arie also “gives praise” and repeats the words “selah,” “ase”, “hallelujah,” and “namaste” on the repetitive verses. At the end, she brings together those spare lyrics, successfully capping things off.

“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.”

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15. Pentatonix, “Thank You”

💿 We Need a Little Christmas • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2020

Aww, prepare to get those feels! 🎵 “Thank You” appears as the sixth track on 💿 We Need a Little Christmas, the 2020 Christmas album by 🏆 Grammy-winning vocal quintet, Pentatonix. Here, led by the vocals of 🎵 Scott Hoying, Pentatonix gives us a heartwarming, love-centric ballad. In addition to vocals, PTX is accompanied by cello and piano, which add to the incredibly warm nature of this thankful gem.

Hoying wrote “Thank You” alongside his boyfriend, Mark Manio. Clearly, it’s an incredibly special, thoughtful record – one intended to make you feel some type of way. True love is definitely something to be thankful for, evidenced by lyrics on the verses, and summed up perfectly on the centerpiece, the chorus:

“Thank you for your smile
It’s warmer than the fire
Your gentle laughter
Is sweeter than a choir
I’ll never know
The right words to choose
So, all I can say
Is thank you.”

16. Sia, “Saved My Life”

🎵 “Saved My Life” • 🏷 Monkey Puzzle / RCA • 🗓 2020

“I know that in darkness, I have found my light / I know that in darkness, I’ve been given sight.” Clearly, 🎙 Sia feels totally indebted to her lifesaver on her 2020 single, 🎵 “Saved My Life”, born out of the coronavirus pandemic. It was debuted during Americares’ COVID is NO Joke livestream fundraiser, according to Rolling Stone. 🎙 Dua Lipa, and 🎙 Greg Kurstin wrote “Save My Life” with her, with Kurstin unleashing his magic on the production. The record commences with a lovely piano introduction. One of the selling points is how the song establishes itself and percolates. Sia begins singing with the memorable lyric, “Boom, boom, boom / Beats my heart,” signaling the first verse. From the start, she delivers excellent vocals; her performance is authentic, beautiful, and expressive.

As far as the songwriting, there’s lots of repetition on the verses. Even so, they effectively convey the point. Following the enigmatic first verse, the second is more established, with a full complement of instrumentation. The crowning achievement is the soaring, empowering, memorable, and thoughtful chorus:

“Well, someone must have sent you here to save my life
Someone must have sent you to save me tonight
I know that in darkness, I have found my light
I know that in darkness, I’ve been given sight
In your loving arms, I feel delight
In your loving arms, I’ll be alright
Someone must have sent you to save me tonight
Someone must have sent you here to save my life.”

“Saved My Life” keeps things relatively simple, but it’s definitely filled with gratitude – a winner through and through.

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17. Dido, “Thank You”

💿 No Angel • 🏷 Arista • 🗓 1999

“But your picture on my wall / It reminds me that it’s not so bad…” Good to know! When you hear the name 🎙 Dido, one particular song comes to mind: 🎵 “Thank You”. Oh, the gratitude! “Thank You” marks one of the English singer’s biggest hits. How big? Well, it peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Pretty sweet. Besides being pretty sweet on its own, rap fans will likely remember the song as fueling an 🎙 Eminem classic. That’s right, “Thank You” was sampled on one of the rapper’s most important singles, 🎵 “Stan”, from The Marshall Mathers LP.

While the significance of “Stan” is definitely worth acknowledging, let’s keep the focus on Dido, shall we? What exactly is she thankful for on this highlight from her 1999 album, 💿 No Angel?

“I want to thank you for giving me the best days of my life
Oh, just to be with you is having the best day of my life.”

Sounds like she’s found the man of her dreams (at the time, she had IRL).

18. Walter Hawkins, “Thank You”

💿 Love Alive IV • 🏷 Malaco • 📅 1990

“Economy’s down, people can’t get enough pay / As for me, all I can say is / Thank you Lord, for all you’ve done for me.” The late, great black gospel musician 🎙 Walter Hawkins is renowned for the classic, 🎵 “Thank You,” which appears on one of his best, most renowned albums, 💿 Love Alive IV. The closing track is the centerpiece, running nearly 11 minutes in duration. It’s well worth it, of course.

To whom does Hawkins and his choir give thanks? That would be G-O-D – who else did you expect? Throughout the course of this energetic, spiritually refreshing joint, both gratitude and praise is mighty high. If the original runs a bit too long for your tastes, not to mention the live video, check out the stirring rendition by 🎙 The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, which appears on their 2018 album, 💿 I Am Redeemed (Live).

19. Mariah Carey, Joe & 98º, “Thank God I Found You”

💿 Rainbow • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 1999

“Thank God I found you / I was lost without you / My every wish and every dream / Somehow became reality.” Sing that, 🎙 Mariah Carey, SING THAT! The premise of 🎵 “Thank God I Found You,” a collaboration with R&B standout 🎙 Joe and boy band, 🎙 98º is really simple; they’re all thankful for their respective relationships. Specifically, on this standout from Carey’s 1999 album, 💿 Rainbow, they ‘thank God’ for finding true love. On the first verse, Carey asserts, “I would give up everything / Before I’d separate myself from you,” going on to say, “I felt like dying / Until you saved my life.” Joe and 98º sing, on the second verse, “I will give you everything / There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do /… I’ll cherish every part of you.” Deeper into the song is a key change, which only amplifies the gratitude and superbness of “Thank God I Found You.”

They all ‘bring it on home’ no the chorus, excerpted above and continued as follows:

“When you brought the sunlight
Completed my whole life
I’m overwhelmed with gratitude
‘Cause baby, I’m so thankful I found you.”

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20. Andrae Crouch, “My Tribute”

💿 Keep on Singin’ • 🏷 Light • 🗓 1975

“How can I say thanks / For the things You have done for me?” Amen, 🎙 Andrae Crouch – AMEN! 🎵 “My Tribute” from Crouch’s 1975 album, 💿 Keep on Singin’, is one of his most beloved songs. There’s a strong argument it’s his most acclaimed. From the start, Andrae highlights the sheer awesomeness and mercifulness of The Most High. “All that I am and ever hope to be / I owe it all to Thee,” he sings at the conclusion of the sole verse. Of course, it’s the chorus(es) that are most memorable on the song oft referred to as “To God be the Glory.” That’s for good reason. The first chorus features those laudatory key lyrics, concluding with the statement, “…For the things he has done.”

The second chorus is also quite moving, with the gratitude continuing quite ‘powerfully’:

“With His blood He has saved me
With His power He has raised me;
To God be the glory
For the things He has done.”

There’s even an awesome bridge, continuing the gratitude Crouch has toward a truly awesome God.

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