My mother flew into Flagstaff airport Monday night for her first visit ever to Arizona. Our daughter and son-in-law (and their cats) and my sister and brother-in-law are arriving this afternoon, by car from Las Vegas in the first pairs’ case, by air from Asheville in the latter. I always adjust the family playlist that spins pretty much continually while we’re awake hereabouts before guests arrive (there’s some things we like that we know they don’t like, so I’m respectful on that front), and as I was sitting here at the computer this morning tweaking that list, I decided I’d share ten favorite Songs of Thanks (as I see it) with you here. (Note: Yeah, Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant” may be the most definitive Thanksgiving Song ever, but knowing that you likely know that, I acknowledge it here as preamble, and pick other songs to supplement it). I wish you and yours a most happy and healthy holiday weekend, with a boss soundtrack, and if any of these tunes creep from our house to yours as a result of this post, this I’ll be a most happy music nerd indeed. Holla in the comment section if that’s the case!

#10. “Give Thanks,” by The Platters

#9. “Grateful,” by Art Garkunkel

#8. “Thanks,” by The James Gang

#7. “Thanksgiving Prayer,” by Johnny Cash

#6. “Thank You Friends,” by Big Star

#5. “I Thank You,” by ZZ Top

#4. “Gratitude,” by Earth, Wind and Fire

#3. “Now Be Thankful,” by Fairport Convention

#2. “Grateful and Thankful,” by Francis Dunnery

#1. “Be Thankful For What You Got,” by William DeVaughn