Songs for Thanksgiving (Updated)

About five years ago, I compiled a list of songs for Thanksgiving that brought together a bunch of kids music themed for Thanksgiving either overtly or somewhat more subtly (i.e., songs about gratitude).

It's time for an update.  I've included some stream/video links, along with a Spotify playlist for those songs on the service.

And if I've missed one, please let me know in the comments or via e-mail and we'll add it in.

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Laurie Berkner - "(I'm Gonna Eat on) Thanksgiving Day" (as close to a kindie Thanksgiving Day anthem as we have)

John McCutcheon - "Thanksgiving Day"

Charity and the JAMband - "Thank You" (close enough, right?, and you can still download it for free or pay what you like)

Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer - "Thank You" (this one's much more Thanksgiving-related)

Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies - "Last Thanksgiving"

Todd McHatton - "Happy Vegan Thanksgiving Song" (listen here)

Bill Harley - "Enough is a Feast" [parents: see note below]

Bill Harley - "Thanksgiving Prayer"

Kindiependent - "Kids' Table"

Jim "Mr. Stinky Feet" Cosgrove - "Gobble Across the USA"

The Harmonica Pocket - "Give Thanks"

Dre Towey - "Turkey Bop"

Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights - "The Tofurkey Song"

Spencer the Gardener - "The Gobble Song"

Kurt Gallagher - "Tommy Turkey" (watch here)

Shine and the Moonbeams - "Soul Food Holiday"

Renee and Friends - "Gather Round"

Aaron Nigel Smith and the One World Chorus feat. Dan Zanes - "Grateful"

Mista Cookie Jar - "Gratitude" [stream]

José-Luis Orozco - "Thanksgiving"

Rocknoceros - "This Thanksgiving"

Justin Roberts - "How Lucky We Are"

Gustafer Yellowgold - "Pumpkin Pied"

Miss Nina - "Grateful" [YouTube]

Kids' Songs for Elections

I do my best to stay apolitical 'round here.  That doesn't mean that there aren't some societal assumptions underlying this entire venture, but you're not going to find anything remotely resembling an endorsement.

Which isn't to say I'm not interested in government and elections -- that's very far from the truth. And so, with an election coming up next week, I thought it was high time that I put together a list of political and civic songs for kids.

I will note that I've tried not to make this a list of history songs.  If I did that, after all, half the songs on the list could be from the Deedle Deedle Dees.  I was as interested in the political process, citizens participating, and the category of Presidents as I was in specific "historic" individuals.

As with all of these types of lists, it's a work in progress, so if I've left your favorite (or, if you're a musician, your own) song off the list, let me know in the comments.  (And if They Might Be Giants ever release Here Comes Political Science, you'll hear about it here first.)

Albums

Schoolhouse Rock - America Rocks [lyrics]

Various Artists - We Stood Up [stream/download]

Songs

Jim Gill - "Vote for Jim Gill" [video]

The Galactic Heroes - "George Washington" [stream/download]

Dan Zanes - "Washington at Valley Forge" [stream]

The Not-Its - "Washington, D.C." [video]

Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies - "Presidents' Day" [stream]

Schoolhouse Rock - "I'm Just a Bill" [video]

The Deedle Deedle Dees - "Si Se Puede!" [stream]

The Deedle Deedle Dees - "Teddy Days" [notes]

They Might Be Giants - "James K. Polk" [stream]

They Might Be Giants - "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too" [stream]

They Might Be Giants - "Vote or Don't" [stream]

Danny Weinkauf - "Cast My Vote" [video]

Radio Playlist: New Music August 2015

We are in the height of summer and as always this time of year, there's lots of new music to give a spin, virtually or otherwise.  If you want to catch my list from July you can see that playlist here.

As always, it's limited in that if an artist hasn't chosen to post a song on Spotify, I can't put it on the list, nor can I feature songs from as-yet-unreleased albums.  But I'm always keeping stuff in reserve for the next Spotify playlist.

Check out the list here.

**** New Music August 2015 (August 2015 Kindie Playlist) ****

"Leap Frog" - Jazzy Ash

"Use a Contraction" - The Bazillions

"Please Don't Eat My Guitar" - The Salamanders

"Revolution #8" - Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies

"Sawdust and Spangles" - Ralph's World

"Animal Song" - Kevin Gerzevitz

"Let It Go" - Miss Melodee

"A Mysterious Chamber" - Joe Taylor

Radio Playlist: New Music July 2015

We are in the height of summer and as always this time of year, there's lots of new music to give a spin, virtually or otherwise.  If you want to catch my list from late May you can see that playlist here.

As always, it's limited in that if an artist hasn't chosen to post a song on Spotify, I can't put it on the list, nor can I feature songs from as-yet-unreleased albums.  But I'm always keeping stuff in reserve for the next Spotify playlist.

Check out the list here.

**** New Music July 2015 (July 2015 Kindie Playlist) ****

"Action, Friends, Action" - Funky Mama

"Minnesota" - Rocknoceros

"People (feat. Rani Arbo)" - Alastair Moock and Friends

"Monkey Brain" - Lianne Bassin

"Bubbles Don’t Pop in the Rain" - Music with Emily

"Turkey in the Straw" - Red Yarn

"Mr. Tinkly Pants" - Yellow Whale

"It’s Only Natural" - Sassafrass

"Thunder and Lightning" - Recess Monkey

"Put It in the Compost" - Michael Ryther

"Revolution #8" - Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies

"Wheels on the Bus" - Mr. Jon & Friends

"Vamanos" - Mister G

"Tomorrow Is a Chance to Start Over" - Hilary Grist

Weekly Summary (3/4/13-3/10/13)

​Ever since I changed up my website to feature different areas (the main blog, videos, free music, etc.), the main blog -- the part that most visitors see when they come across the website -- looks more bare than it used to.  And I'm not broadcasting everything on social media, either.  So I'm going to try to post a weekly summary of everything I've posted across the entire website, just so you can see it all at once.

Blog:   Video: "Inspiration" - Cat Doorman / Spring Kids Music Kickstarter Projects / Kindiefest: All Things Kindie (and Pizza) /  Video: "The Shadow Dance" - Tito & Charity / Interview: Jack Forman

Videos:​ "Rock Melon" - Gustafer Yellowgold

Listen to Music:​ "Brilliance" - Underbirds (Todd McHatton & Morgan Taylor) / In Tents - Recess Monkey / Flying! - Recess Monkey / The Final Funktier - Recess Monkey

Free Music:​ Frances England Songbook / Mixtape EP - Recess Monkey

Upcoming Releases: Yes, updated this week with a bunch of new stuff!​

Podcasts:​ Kindie Week in Review #6: Kindie By Another Name Would Smell as Sweet

Spring Kid-Starter, er, Kindie Kickstarter Update

It's been a little while since we've had some kindie artists launch Kickstarter campaigns, but we've got a couple campaigns going on, heading toward the homestretch and seeking your help in pushing their own albums over the finish line.

[Edit: If you're looking for information on kid-friendly Kickstarter projects, I now have a whole podcast dedicated to that.  Check out Bake Sale.] 

The first is from New York's Joanie Leeds, who's trying to raise $15,000 for the full gamut of costs to record her fifth album for kids, Bandwagon .  (Apropos album title, I suppose, given the financing mechanism.)  As of this writing, Leeds has raised more than $10,000, nearly 68% of her goal.  She's got a week to go (the Kickstarter ends March 12).  There's a bunch of crazy (and crazy-expensive) backer levels, but $12 gets you a digital pre-order of the album, which'll be produced by Dean Jones.

The other project is from Seattle's Brian Vogan, who's seeking $5,000 to mix, master, print, and release his fourth album for families, Let's Go .  The rewards here are less elaborate, but $15 gets you a physical pre-order of the album.  As of today, Vogan has raised more than $2,300, just shy of half of his $5,000 goal.  He's got about 10 days to go (his Kickstarter ends on March 15.

In any case, you may now proceed to crowd-source your kindie.