When words fall short while describing your innermost feelings of gratitude, you turn to the next best thing―music. We’ve brought you a compilation of the best ‘thank you’ songs to express exactly what’s on your mind.
“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.”
―Meister Eckhart
Being thankful is the most natural emotion, however, more often than not, we do experience trouble expressing it. The journey towards expression of gratitude begins with a steady resolve to thank the person in question. It is then followed by awkwardness regarding the ‘correct’ manner of expressing oneself. This in turn is followed by a whole lot of dilly-dallying, which culminates into regret for the moment that has passed.
Yes, although we may feel grateful for a lot of things in our life, we don’t always say it. It’s a pity, isn’t it? If only we were as expressive about gratitude as we are with frustrations.
So, for all those of you who wish to thank their someone special―be it a friend, parent, teacher, colleague, boss, child, pet, or anyone―here’s an amazing list of songs to play, which is bound to make the listener feel special.
Thank You
My tea’s gone cold, I’m wondering why
I got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window
and I can’t see at all
And even if I could it’d all be gray,
but your picture on my wall
It reminds me that it’s not so bad, it’s not so bad…
-By Dido
Dido’s lilting vocals add soul to the touching lyrics which describe our mundane lives to the T. This song is perfect in so many ways, because it describes feelings of gratitude in the simplest of ways.
The song says that no matter what troubles befall you throughout the course of the day, everyday, you always have that one person’s presence in your life to be thankful for. The number may not wax lyrical about the big things, but its relevance to life’s everyday little things does strike a chord. Play it for those closest to you―parent, sibling, significant other, or even your BFF.
Thank You for Loving Me
Thank you for loving me
For being my eyes
When I couldn’t see
For parting my lips
When I couldn’t breathe
Thank you for loving me
-By Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi’s love ballad came in 2000, and manages to express feelings of gratitude with the right amount of mush. Add to that, the video is shot at the Trevi Fountain in Rome―one of the most romantic cities in the world.
The lyrics are a bit banal, bordering on sappy, but are a refreshing change from the usual playlist used on Valentine’s Day. Keep this one to say thanks to your beloved.
Thank You
And so today, my world it smiles,
your hand in mine, we walk the miles,
Thanks to you it will be done,
for you to me are the only one.
-By Led Zeppelin
When a man in love writes a song for his ladylove, it’s bound to come straight from the heart. The featured number was written by Led Zepplin’s frontman, Robert Plant as an ode to the love he shared with his wife, Maureen.
Their feelings didn’t last long, but the song lives on as a go-to number to play for someone you love deeply.
Thanks for the Memory
Thanks for the memory
Of faults that you forgave,
Of rainbows on a wave,
And stockings in the basin
When a fellow needs a shave,
Thank you so much.
-Bob Hope and Shirley Ross
So, who says that a vote of thanks always needs to be politically correct? This Bob Hope and Shirley Ross duet featured in the 1938 film, The Big Broadcast of 1938. The song chronicles the ups and downs faced by every married couple, and the lyrics are altered to suit every situation. From touchingly romantic to cheekily sarcastic, it covers the full spectrum of emotions that define a marriage.
And things work out in the end when you’re thankful for everything―just like they did in the song and in the movie.
Thank You for Being a Friend
And when we both get older
With walking canes and hair of gray
Have no fear even though it’s hard to hear
I will stand real close and say
Thank you for being a friend
-Andrew Gold
Cynthia Fee’s version of the same song became the theme of the super-smashing sitcom, The Golden Girls. The number encapsulates all there is to being friends―the one relationship that is just right in everyone’s life.
The song is completely honest and downright funny in places, quite like the relationship one shares with not just any friend, but only with a BFF.
Thank You
Cause even though when times got rough
You never turned away
You were right there
And I thank you
-Boyz II Men
This R&B gem is a classic “thank you” song, and lives up to the obvious title. It’s happy and upbeat, and manages to put the message across without going over the top. The best part about the song is its ambiguity―it’s neither back-slapping friendly, nor cloyingly mushy.
Play it for anyone you wish to thank, especially those who have stood by you and roughed it alongside you through it all.
Gratitude
I’m so grateful for everything you’ve ever given me
How can I explain, oh, what it means
To be loved by you, by you
Loved by you, loved by you?
-Paul McCartney
Former Beatle, Paul McCartney had written this song with his ex-wife, Heather Mills in mind.
Keeping their rather acrimonious split aside, the song does remind us to focus on the good part, and always be thankful to those who were there for us during our worst. It doesn’t matter if the relationship fades out eventually―you always have the good times to thank for.
Thank You Baby!
Yeah, thank you baby!
For makin’ someday come so soon
Yeah, thank you baby!
For lovin’ me the way you do
-Shania Twain
Our favorite country singer, Shania Twain says it like it is, expressing an utter sense of relief for having found that someone special.
Dating can take its toll on anyone, and this song clearly depicts the joy encountered when you finally realize that this one is for keeps.
Thanks to You
Thank you for teaching me how to love
Showing me what the world means
What I’ve been dreamin’ of
And now I know, there is nothing that I could not do
Thanks to you
-Tyler Collins
This lovely number was the theme song for the film Andre, a story of a little girl and her pet seal. The song is sweet and endearing, and as such, can be played for anyone you love.
However, keeping the song’s original association in mind, do play it for your pet, if you have one, because let’s face it―we hardly ever thank them enough for their gracious presence in our life.
Wind Beneath My Wings
Did you ever know that you’re my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
’cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
-Bette Midler
This song is not a conventional “Thank You” song, but it does portray feelings of gratitude in a manner most effective.
Play this song for absolutely anyone you adore―be it your parents, teachers, grandparents, or any inspirational figure―and just see them getting all misty-eyed in return.
Can you think of any other “thank you” songs we’ve missed in this list? Do let us know about them, and rest assured that we’ll be very thankful to you in return.