In honor of Thanksgiving, the most gastronomically satisfying of our holidays, some of our favorite musical artists reflect on the songs from the past year that they're most grateful for.
Cary Brothers: "Comes and Goes (In Waves)," Greg Laswell
"Laswell's a good buddy, and damn if he's not a ridiculously talented songwriter too. Out of my gratefulness for friends, I pick this tune because he wrote it right as a bunch of us were having tough transitions in life this year. It reminds me of friends. Oh, and whiskey too ... but mostly friends."
Tom Gabel of Against Me!: "More News from Nowhere," Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
"[My pick is] the closing track off of Cave's Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!, a record which, in my opinion, is the best album of 2008. It's no wonder that Cave did such an incredible job on the movie The Proposition. Instead of using his songs to make soundtracks for movies, you could easily write movies around his songs."
Matt Fazzi of Taking Back Sunday: "Unparallel Rabbits," Gavin Castleton
"'Unparallel Rabbits' is incredibly dense, dark, and haunting, and I love the way he creates such a vivid picture of these two lovers whose relationship has soured by way of complacency."
Dan Nigro of As Tall as Lions: "Starlings," Elbow
"Elbow has always been a band for me that takes pop songs into a new direction, and this was one of the first things that inspired me to begin the ... writing process [for our new record]. The lack of urgency in this song reminded me that patience can be one of the most fulfilling things about listening to music."
John Vesely of Secondhand Serenade: "I'm Yours," Jason Mraz
"It's definitely one of those songs that just makes you feel calm and happy no matter what the environment is when you play it, as if summer weren't going to end."
Al Barr of Dropkick Murphys: "Career Opportunities," The Clash
"It is amazing how this song and this band hold up with music that was recorded [live at Shea Stadium] well over 20 years ago. This is as important today as it was then — maybe even more. Long live the memory of Joe Strummer!"
Taylor Swift: "Best Days of Your Life," Kellie Pickler
"I had so much fun writing this with my best friend, Kellie! The song really helped her get past an old relationship and helped me to get my first cut on another artist's album."
Butch Walker: "Chopped & Skrewed," T-Pain
"I'm grateful for the fact that I can write songs, but I will never be as talented yet at the same time as ridiculous as [T-Pain]. I wish I could allow myself the ability to just let go of being so serious or clever all the time."
