COLUMN: Music to put you in the Thanksgiving mood

A lot of us are heading home for Thanksgiving break. Some of us will fly across the country, and others will drive only a few miles. No matter the length of travel, adventure music makes the time go by quickly and makes the trip more enjoyable.

To get pumped for the iconic American holiday, here is a playlist of some of America’s most iconic songs to listen to on your journey home.

“Truckin” by Grateful Dead is a great American song about road tripping across the country. This song is perfect for long hours the road.

“Me and Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin is another great American road song with her raspy voice singing lyrics about “freedom.”

“Proud Mary” by Creedence Clearwater Revival is another classic that has been covered by people from the famous Tina Turner to the cast of “Glee.” It easily gets people singing on a long trip home.

“On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson, of course, is a road trip staple that works to get you singing on the way home or save you from your random family members who only show up twice a year.

“Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley is a great choice because there is nothing more American than the King of Rock and Roll, and this song’s catchy rhythm’s are great to get amped up to when the road gets stale. If you turn your stereo up loud enough, you may even be able to picture Elvis singing along in the passenger seat.

“Papa was a Rollin’ Stone” by The Temptations has some of the most iconic funky bass lines with soulful lyrics that help move along the long drive.

“Home” by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros is not a classic, yet. But this song is the new generation when it comes to nostalgic songs about going home in America. Its whistles, harmonizing and horns will keep good vibes flowing on the trip home. The lyrics “home is wherever I’m with you” brings to mind a sense of family, whether it’s traditional family, friends or pets this break. As long as you’re with people you care about, you will be “Home” this break.

There are many more iconic American songs that will get us where we are going this week, but also a sprinkling of personal, nostalgic songs will make the drive or flight feel more special in preparation for Thanksgiving break.

Westlee Parsons is an English literature senior.

Westlee Parsons

Westlee is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as Life & Arts Reporter and Assistant Life & Arts Editor.