For those of you who only have positive feelings about Thanksgiving, congratulations on having a totally healthy family dynamic. I’m so thrilled for you. You really won the lottery. I am a normal person, so I have very mixed feelings about the holiday — eating is my passion and the side dishes at Thanksgiving are basically crack, but also, there are a couple invasive interviewers and conservative bitches I gotta deal with every year on the holiday. I fear this post-election Thanksgiving is gonna be particularly rocky, which is why I’ve prepared for the day with an epic playlist. Whether you’re feeling anxious, grateful, furious, or just really damn full, these tunes are for you. I invite you to lean on my official Thanksgiving playlist for emotional support this Turkey Day.

A Thanksgiving Day Playlist To Help You Embrace Gratitude And Stay Sane

“Motivation” Normani

You’re gonna need it! You got a lot of annoying personal questions and excruciating political debates in your immediate future.

“HOT TO GO!” Chappell Roan

There’s simply nothing like jumping around and doing the “HOT TO GO!” dance in your mirror to get you hyped up for a stressful event.

“Thank u, next” Ariana Grande

This is the most profound gratitude song out there, I think. Coincidentally, “thank u, next” is also gonna be my response when relatives ask if I’m dating anyone.

“thanK you aIMee” Taylor Swift

Gratitude, but make it cunty, 100 percent fake, and aimed at your opp.

“Thankful” DJ Khaled feat. Lil Wayne & Jeremih

No one does gratitude like DJ Khaled. I personally will carry these lyrics with me on Thanksgiving: “Sit down, be thankful / Big smile although it’s painful.”

“Let’s Have a Kiki/Turkey Lurkey Time” (Glee Cast, Sarah Jessica Parker)

It’s not a holiday (girls and gays edition) without a contribution from the Glee cast, and this joint, unspeakably powerful effort by Carrie Bradshaw, Lea Michele, and Chris Colfer snaps me right into the turkey lurkey time mindset.

“Whatcha say” Jason Derulo

15 years ago, the cast of ‘gossip girl’ exposed each other at thanksgiving dinner while whatcha say by jason derulo played pic.twitter.com/eTPlH7jlQr

— Pop & Hot Culture (@notgwendalupe) November 26, 2024

In my head, this song is synonymous with the Gossip Girl Thanksgiving episode, which is my favorite piece of high art ever made. (Play this if and when a family member makes a dramatic exit.)

“brutal” Olivia Rodrigo

“GOD. IT’S BRUTAL OUT HERE” usually describes exactly how I feel after interactions with my extended family. This is your first “let out the rage” moment of the playlist.

“Fuck You” Lily Allen