We have so many Christmas songs, but oddly, there are none about Thanksgiving. That’s why Jimmy Kimmel invited “All About That Bass” singer Meghan Trainor, to announce her brand new album of future Thanksgiving holiday classics. Pssst! Hold out for the after Christmas clearance price of fifty cents. I suspect that Meghan Trainor had her work cut out for her.
Christmas songs tend to contain religious themes, jolly sleigh rides and Santa Claus. They largely hail from a romanticized time long ago. Even the images are beautiful. Jolly carolers in the snow, horses pulling sleighs and the star shining down on the manger.
That said, what possible themes would Meghan Trainor use in her modern Thanksgiving album? Yes, there are thankful songs and hymns, but what other experiences do you associate with Thanksgiving? Did Norman Rockwell paint the very last picturesque Thanksgiving? Travel has become far less jolly than a sleigh ride, and less dependable as well. There’s always the sharing of gluten free, non-‘white’ and peanut exceptional food to celebrate.
Oh, I know! Family and friends are what it’s all about. There are relatives who drink too much, and others who allow no drinking – just when you need it most. And worst of all, there are the relatives you rarely see. You instantly remember why, when you see them wearing matching ‘Sarah Palin for President T-shirts.’ There’s always the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade? We all know this is just the preliminary to – Black Friday – that predawn lineup of goodwill toward no one and bargain grabbing orgy of ‘fun.’ Make a song out of that, little girl!
It is no longer a mystery as to why we have no Thanksgiving Carols, and less of a mystery to those of Native American ancestry. Good luck with the album Meghan, and Happy Thanksgiving to you all!