All Songs Considered
Episode Summary: A Thanksgiving Playlist—Songs of Joy and Gratitude
NPR | Host: Robin Hilton | Guest: Stephen Thompson | Date: November 25, 2025
Episode Overview
This special Thanksgiving episode of All Songs Considered explores the music that brings listeners joy, gratitude, comfort, and connection. Hosts Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson share song selections and stories submitted by listeners detailing the songs for which they are most thankful. The discussion traces the role of music in marking significant life moments, fostering togetherness, and reminding us of hope, resilience, and kindness—making it the perfect soundtrack for Thanksgiving.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Thanksgiving and Musical Traditions
- [00:15] Robin Hilton opens with a humorous observation about the lack of Thanksgiving songs compared to Christmas:
"When you think of music written for specific holidays, nothing really... comes even remotely close to Christmas, right? No, I mean, that's where all the money is."
- The hosts riff on the absence of “Thanksgiving caroling” but note the holiday’s natural tie to reflection and gratitude.
2. Listener Song Picks—Stories and Emotions
a. “Simple Gifts” (Yo-Yo Ma & Alison Krauss)
- [01:36] Listener Tracy (West Hartford, CT): Picks this Shaker hymn for its beauty and message about finding yourself "in the place just right."
- Tracy reflects:
"It's spiritual, it's artistic... everybody turns, turns and lands in the place that they need to be." [02:20]
- Robin emphasizes the power of simplicity:
"To keep life simple is to be unburdened by the baloney of it all in some ways." [05:14]
b. “Lean On Me” (Bill Withers)
- [06:36] Listener Heather (Seattle): Shares how “Lean On Me” became the emotional centerpiece of a Friendsgiving after her battle with breast cancer.
"There wasn't a dry eye in the room. And as we all sing the song together..."
- Stephen reflects on found family and community:
"It's such a tribute to found family. It's such a tribute to community and surrounding yourself with people who nourish you." [07:50]
c. “This Year” (The Mountain Goats)
- [08:48] Listener Grace (Colorado Springs): Finds resilience in the song’s mantra,
"I am going to make it through this year if it kills me." [09:41]
- The hosts praise its cathartic power, with Stephen sharing:
"This song has really given people a mantra, a way of pushing through some hardship in their life." [11:59]
d. “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” (Crosby, Stills & Nash)
- [13:56] Listener Shannon (Arizona): Recalls car rides with her father, tapping along to the beat change—a cherished memory.
“He would wait for this one part... And I'll always have that part, even when he’s gone.” [14:08]
- Robin shares his own association:
“My mom's name was Judy and she had blue eyes. It’s the unofficial anthem for her.” [16:03]
e. “What a Wonderful World” (Louis Armstrong)
- [18:56] Listener Adrienne (Holtsville, NY):
"I love the imagery of the beautiful colors in a rainbow… I am thankful for this wonderful world and pray for peace and love." [19:21]
- Stephen notes its eternal optimism:
"We spend all day... thinking about the many things that are wrong with the world... but there is also beauty everywhere you look." [21:09]
- Robin draws a parallel to Ben Folds’ “Christine from the Seventh Grade.” [21:35]
f. Robin’s Own Pick: The Works of John Williams (“End Credits” from E.T.)
- Robin expresses profound gratitude for John Williams’ film scores, citing their formative role in his life:
“John Williams... cannot even come close to overstating how important... his music has been to me my entire life.” [23:02]
- He describes the “sense of magic and wonder” evoked by the E.T. end credits. [25:13]
- Stephen adds:
“It’s not just a sense of wonder, it’s a sense of mystery… you could talk about some of his more serious scores.” [25:47]
g. Stephen’s Pick: “Make You Feel That Way” (Blackalicious)
- Stephen selects this hip-hop anthem for gratitude and everyday joys:
“It’s just taking stock of all the things that make life worth living… the spirit of Thanksgiving.” [27:58]
- He highlights a memorable lyric:
“Find a hundred-dollar bill. Wow, man, that’s great.” [29:55]
- Robin agrees:
“It’s all those little memories and details of life that are so easy to miss.” [29:18]
h. “Space and Time” (Tyler Childers)
- [31:45] Listener J. Shakespeare English (Texas): Finds comfort and connection in this song amidst feeling displaced and alone:
“Every lonely night, every mistake or misstep led me to this place and the people I’m fortunate to know.” [31:59]
- Robin notes music as a companion and validation, especially in lonely times. [33:56]
- Stephen adds:
“Music has this incredible power to fortify things you didn’t realize you knew. And music is just such an empathetic art.” [34:41]
i. “Isn’t It a Pity” (Nina Simone, written by George Harrison)
- [35:26] Listener Sarah (Philadelphia): Moved by the song’s meditation on regret and human failings:
"No explanation I can give will do it justice. Go listen for yourself." [35:26]
- Robin laments “the self-inflicted pain” the song describes, and Stephen adds:
"There's enough unhappiness in the world. I don’t need to be making my own." [37:44]
j. “Three Little Birds” (Bob Marley)
- [38:41] Listener Willie (Philadelphia): Credits the song’s “positive vibration” for spreading joy over decades:
"Brings instant joy. You can't help but move to it when it's played." [38:41]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On simplicity:
"To keep life simple is to be unburdened by the baloney of it all in some ways." – Robin Hilton [05:14]
- On chosen family:
"It’s such a tribute to found family. It’s such a tribute to community and surrounding yourself with people who nourish you." – Stephen Thompson [07:50]
- On resilience:
"I am going to make it through this year if it kills me." – Listener Grace & The Mountain Goats [09:41]
- On forming memories:
“After their kids were born, they realized that... they were basically there to be memories for their children.” – Paraphrased by Robin Hilton from Interstellar [16:32]
- On shared joy:
"I will be nourished by your list of things that make you happy." – Stephen Thompson [30:13]
- On self-inflicted pain:
"There's enough unhappiness in the world. I don't need to be making my own." – Stephen Thompson [37:44]
- On gratitude:
"Music has this incredible power to fortify things you didn’t realize you knew. And music is just such an empathetic art." – Stephen Thompson [34:41]
Timestamps for Essential Segments
- 00:15–01:10 — Thanksgiving vs. Christmas music
- 01:36–05:14 — “Simple Gifts” (Listener Tracy)
- 06:36–08:32 — “Lean On Me” (Listener Heather)
- 08:48–12:10 — “This Year” (Listener Grace)
- 13:56–18:52 — “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” (Listener Shannon)
- 18:56–22:36 — “What a Wonderful World” (Listener Adrienne)
- 23:02–26:44 — John Williams and E.T. “End Credits” (Robin’s pick)
- 26:47–30:36 — “Make You Feel That Way” (Stephen’s pick)
- 31:45–34:57 — “Space and Time” (Listener J. Shakespeare English)
- 35:26–38:41 — “Isn’t It a Pity” (Listener Sarah)
- 38:41–end — “Three Little Birds” (Listener Willie) & outro
Recurring Themes
- Gratitude and Reflection: Most listener picks center on recognizing simple pleasures, resilience, and emotional connections.
- Music as Memory Keeper: Songs often serve as vessels for powerful personal and familial memories.
- Community & Companionship: Whether through “found family,” friendship, or the universal human experience, music brings people together.
- Resilience and Hope: Listeners and hosts lean on music in difficult times for comfort, inspiration, and reassurance.
Playlist & Further Listening
Robin and Stephen encourage listeners to find the expanded Thanksgiving playlist on Spotify and Apple by searching for NPR Music.
In summary, this episode reminds us of music’s power to connect, heal, inspire, and bring gratitude to even the most challenging of years. A perfect listen for anyone seeking comfort or community this Thanksgiving.