18 Songs About Gratitude (Saying Thank You In A Creative Way)

Are you thankful to someone for something, but you can’t figure out how to adequately express your thanks?

Music always works well!

Especially in conjunction with a heartfelt gift or gesture of some kind.

That combination is sure to convey your feelings.

But what music would work well? Are there any good songs about gratitude out there?

There are some great ones!

Keep reading for a list of the best songs about saying thank you. Any one of these tunes is sure to let the object of your gratitude know how you feel.

 

Songs About Gratitude

I tried to include songs in as many different genres as possible, so that there are at least a few songs for anyone to enjoy.

 

Thankful by Rumer

In Thankful, Rumer (Sarah Joyce) says she is thankful to be alive. Rumer wrote the song after going through a very trying period in her life.

She had been looking after her cancer-stricken mother. After her mother passed, Rumer felt lost and depressed, but she soon met the love of her life, who pulled her out of that depression.

Thankful describes the four seasons, starting with spring and how each season comes with its pros and cons. The song’s chorus talks about how each of us simply wants to be loved.

Rumer reiterates that she is grateful for the love she has received in her life. Toward the end of the song, she pays tribute to her mom while telling us that we should all be grateful for the time we have.

 

The Ones That Got Me Here by Cole Swindell

Cole Swindell penned this song as a tribute to his lovers and haters. He thanks all the people in his life, including the naysayers and doubters, for bringing him to this point. He says that even his doubters helped shape him into the successful songwriter he is today.

The video of The Ones That Got Me Here shows Swindell walking through his school and reminiscing about everything and everyone that led directly, or indirectly, to the accomplishment of his dreams.

 

Thankful by Kelly Clarkson

That I’m thankful For the blessing
And the lessons that I’ve learned with you by my side
That I’m thankful, so thankful for the love
That you keep bringing in my life In my life Thankful, so thankful

American Idol and Grammy Award winner Kelly Clarkson needs no introduction. The 40-year-old is one of the few artists to top each of Billboard’s pop, adult contemporary, adult pop, country, and dance charts.

In Thankful, this beautiful singer with a soulful voice thanks God for always being in her life and by her side. She also conveys her gratitude for all the love and lessons she has had in her life.

 

Thank You For Loving Me by Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora wrote this beautiful song in 2000. The character portrayed by Brad Pitt in the 1998 film Meet Joe Black served as the inspiration for this song.

Bon Jovi conveys his gratitude for a lover and thanks her for being “his eyes when he couldn’t see”. Thank you For Loving Me went on to reach the 57th spot on the US Billboard 100 and hit Number 12 in the UK.

 

Thank You by Dido

Dido was inspired to write Thank You after she met her boyfriend, Bob Page, in 1995. She thanks him for giving her the best day of her life when they first met in a bar.

Thank You is narrated by a depressed girl who doesn’t want to get out of bed and start her day. However, she has bills to pay and no options left. The only thing that is helping her get through things is her lover’s picture on her wall.

Then she gets a phone call from him that makes her day. She conveys her gratitude for that call and realizes that it has made her feel more optimistic and that things aren’t so bad after all.

 

Thank You Mom by Good Charlotte

Thank You Mom is a beautiful hidden track from the 2000 album Good Charlotte. Benji and Joel Madden pay a sweet tribute to their mom through this beautiful, nostalgic song. Through the lyrics, they thank their mom, who they say also had to play the role of their dad, since he had left them.

 

Thank You Mama by Mitch Ryder

While we are on the topic of thanking moms, here is another song expressing gratitude to a mother. Ryder wrote Thank you, Mama, to express gratitude to his mom and dad, whose funerals he could not attend.

A promoter even threatened to sue him if he attended his dad’s funeral. “I needed to get my feelings out of my system, and this song was the best way to do so”, said Ryder. This could have also been included in our list of songs about losing a mother or father.

 

Thank You by Keith Urban

Keith Urban’s Thank You expresses gratitude for his wife, actress Nicole Kidman. Keith had gone through a very bad time in the early days of his marriage, which even included some time in rehab.

Urban said in an interview that the song came out more “confessional” than he had intended it to be. However, it was very instinctual and he poured his heart out into the words. He even went home and played it for Nicole, who was also deeply moved by it.

 

Thanks For Listening by Colt Ford Ft. Daniel Lee

Rapper and singer Colt Ford wanted to thank his fans for listening to his music, and what better way than by writing a song for them?

Ford said in an interview that he doesn’t write music to win awards, and maybe he won’t ever win awards, but the only reason he would like to win one is to thank his fans. That is why he came up with the idea of credits, as his fans had been so good to him.

 

Grateful by Rita Ora

I’m grateful for the storm, makes me appreciate the sun
I’m grateful for the wrong ones, make me appreciate the right ones

Rita Ora’s Grateful is the perfect ode to someone going through life’s ups and downs. It talks about life’s challenges and how they may make you feel like you’re over.

But you must persist and appreciate those challenges because there is always light at the end of the tunnel, and the sun is sure to shine again.

 

Blessings by Big Sean Ft. Drake and Kanye West

Big Sean gives thanks for all the blessings in his life, including his successful career as a rapper.

The song’s video was shot in London in 2015, entirely in black and white. It features gothic visuals with Sean walking against a dark sky, saying thank you for his blessings. Drake’s part is shot in a dark studio, while West shows off his Adidas Yeezy merchandise in his scenes.

 

Be Thankful by Natalie Cole

Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy composed the lyrics to Be Thankful in 1977 for Cole’s Thankful album. The video above is the remastered version from 2003.

Be Thankful begins with Cole saying that no matter if you live in the city or country, are working two jobs, or living a relaxed life: be thankful for all that you have.

She urges listeners to stop complaining and just soak up the blessings of all that they already have, instead of constantly whining about things they lack.

 

Thank You In Advance by Boyz II Men

You will love the creative lyrics of Thank You in Advance by Boyz II Men. The singer thanks a beautiful girl – in advance – for their first kiss, which will take place a week from now.

He also thanks her for being his wife a few months down the line. It shows his confidence and the fact that his positive thinking will help him manifest the girl of his dreams.

Boyz II Men’s music will never get old. They are true, classy, and they harmonize brilliantly. The fact that they are thanking someone in the future in such an intimate manner is absolutely remarkable.

 

Thank God I Found You by Mariah Carey, Joe, 98 Degrees

Mariah Carey is a rare talent. She writes, produces, and sings all her songs. And let’s not forget that divine voice!

For this song, for the male vocals, she enlisted boy-band 98 Degrees and the result was simply amazing. (The video above is a recording of the video of the performance of Mariah Carey, R&B singer Joe, and 98 Degrees at the Last Chance Summer Dance in Minneapolis in 1999.)

Thank God I Found You is all about being grateful for finding a wonderful relationship, especially after a previous turbulent relationship is over.

 

Thankful by The Juicebox Jukebox

The Juicebox Jukebox is the brainchild of Dallas-based singer/songwriter and father of three Bradley James Skistimas. Juicebox Jukebox’s mission is to educate, inspire, and enrich children’s lives through fun and educational music videos. They have many products for kids from Pre-K to Grade 2.

Thankful is the perfect Thanksgiving song to teach young children. It talks about being grateful even when you don’t have everything you want. You should always be generous and kind, especially to those that have even less than us.

 

Give Thanks by Don Moen

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ His Son
And now let the weak say I am strong
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us

Don Moen’s beautiful worship song is sure to bring tears to your eyes. It is a rendition of Henry Smith’s Give Thanks, which he (Smith) wrote in 1978. Henry Smith was a young seminary graduate struggling to find work. He also had an eye condition that left him blind.

Smith penned this song based on the Bible verse explaining God becoming human and staying poor, so he could save man and give him all the riches. The song portrays Smith’s trust and love for God despite all his hardships.

 

Thank God For Hometowns by Carrie Underwood

As its name suggests, Thank God For Hometowns is all about being grateful for your town, no matter how small or “uncomfortable” it may be.

In an interview, Underwood claimed that, when she was young, she could not wait to leave the little hamlet of Checotah, Oklahoma, where her parents still reside. But, as soon as she actually left, all she wanted was to return home.

So it is with life: people often leave their hometowns in search of something bigger and better, but they end up being disappointed and sad and wish they can go back to the simple comforts that cities lack. The song’s message is all about developing gratitude for your hometown.

 

Thank You Whoever You Are by Marillion

Steve Hogarth, the lead singer of Marillion, wrote Thank You Whoever You Are as a tribute to the band’s unknown fans. He said that the band was forever indebted to them.

He also said in an interview that he would recognize nearly 30% of their fans if they passed him on the street, because he was so used to seeing them over the years.

 

Songs About Saying Thank You: Final Thoughts

As mentioned, I wanted to include as many different genres as I could. Of course, some are not represented well and some are missing completely. I simply did not know of enough songs about gratitude in some genres.

That’s where you can help. If you know any great songs about saying thanks (in any genre, not just underrepresented ones), please let me know in the comments below. I will be happy to add any good suggestions during the next update!