For many of us, Thanksgiving means a journey home, lengthy cooking, or both. And how better to pass long car rides or embark on marathon baking sessions than with the perfect playlist? The classic rock genre, in particular, offers a number of songs that are perfect for the season, whether you’re leaning into the spirit of gratitude or reminiscing about holidays past. But with so much packing, planning, and preheating to do, it’s hard to find time to make a playlist. For that reason, we’ve compiled a few starter tracks that range from nostalgic to joyful, from ballads to bangers. Read on for three classic rock hits that are sure to enhance your Thanksgiving week.
“Whole Lotta Love” (1969)
Artist: Led Zeppelin
Thanksgiving’s general sentiment may feel a bit corny for those who aren’t especially demonstrative or affectionate. Still, giving and gratitude are important for living a happy life, and that’s why it’s essential to find ways of opening up—without inducing eye rolls. Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” just might do the trick, with its blues rock feel and otherworldly echoes. While its lyrics promise the listener endless love, the song is far from a cheesy serenade. In fact, it’s one of the band’s most famous hard rock songs, topping charts in its time and ranking “best song” lists even today.
The opening track of Led Zeppelin II, “Whole Lotta Love” has consistently been ranked among the greatest songs of all time by the likes of Rolling Stone, VH1, and Q. BBC Radio 2 also voted its distinctive guitar riff as the greatest of all time. Balancing a headbang-worthy rhythm with sweet, sentimental lyrics, “Whole Lotta Love” is the perfect holiday anthem for the most ardent of rock fans.
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“Forever Young” (1974)
Artist: Bob Dylan
In addition to encouraging gratitude, the holidays also inspire recollections of years past, rife with meditations on how young we all used to be and on who can no longer join our festivities. When moods like this strike amid Thanksgiving weekend, consider indulging your feelings with a gentle ballad that both acknowledges and soothes your complex emotions. Bob Dylan, king of heart-rending lyrics, is the perfect artist for such an occasion, and his 1974 track “Forever Young” is just the ticket.
The title “Forever Young is more often associated with a 1984 synth-pop song by the German synth-pop band Alphaville, but Dylan’s version is famous in its own right. It was even reworked by a number of equally iconic artists like Joan Baez, Rod Stewart, and The Pretenders, and has been hailed by fans and critics for its emotional lyrics and raw vocal delivery. Throughout the song, Dylan mournfully wishes for the object of his affection to be blessed, to have all their wishes come true, and, of course, to remain forever young. Tender and sweet, it’s the perfect tribute to relatives passed. The song’s gentle beauty is also ideal for channeling nostalgia in general, particularly as Thanksgiving opens emotional doors to the past.
“The Weight” (1968)
Artist: The Band
The Band is, perhaps, one of the most underappreciated groups in classic rock. Responsible for a number of folk and Americana hits like “Up on Cripple Creek” and “Ophelia,” they gained recognition during their tenure backing Bob Dylan. However, their impact on classic rock extends beyond Dylan, with musicians such as Roger Waters, George Harrison, The Grateful Dead, and Elton John citing The Band as a primary influence. In terms of lyrical legacy, “The Weight” is perhaps the most well-known song performed by the group, with lyrics that any American knows, loves, and associates with nostalgic visions of home.
“The Weight” is all about laying down one’s burdens. The chorus, after all, is, “Take a load off, Fanny/ take a load for free/ take a load off, Fanny/ and you put the load right on me.” In line with the song’s message, Thanksgiving can be a valuable opportunity to forget the stressors of everyday life and immerse oneself in connection, metaphorically taking a load off. Thus, “The Weight” is truly the ultimate Thanksgiving song, filled with valuable advice and a nostalgic Americana sound to boot.
