Thankful 🙏🎶 No. 3 | 5ive Songs

1. 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.

Also appears on 🔽:

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2. 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.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Thankful Songs 🙏🎶 No. 12

3. 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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4. 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.

Also appears on 🔽:

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5. Sly and the Family Stone, “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”

💿 Greatest Hits • 🏷 Epic • 🗓 1970

“I want to thank you falettinme / Be mice elf agin.” One of the most memorable lyrics and song titles of all time 🎙 Sly and the Family Stone.  First and foremost, we, the audience should be thankful that the iconic funk/soul collective recorded this no. 1 hit.  It’s existence alone is worth giving gratitude.  Musically, one of the biggest innovations cited when mentioning this song is the bass technique by 🎙 Larry Graham, which would go on to influence numerous musicians in various genres. Beyond that, the vocals by 🎙 Sly Stone are nothing short of awesome, infused with ample personality and oozing with soul.

Beyond the famed lyrics of the chorus (aforementioned), the lyrics of the verses are quite colorful.

“Lookin’ at the devil
Grinnin’ at his gun
Fingers start shakin’
I begin to run...”

Per a song fact from Songfacts, “Sly Stone wrote…the [song because he] as upset that people were not listening to the messages in his songs… They were an integrated band and tried to spread the message of racial harmony, but Stone thought that message was getting lost. The lyrics are scathing and mostly directed at Sly himself…” Interesting.  One part of song that listeners can’t miss (and should be thankful for too) are the references made to other Sly and the Family Stone hits:

“Dance to the music
All nite long
Everyday people
Sing a simple song.” 

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🔗 🎧 Thankful Songs 🙏🎶 No. 15