Give Thanks: Toppa Top 10 Reggae Thanksgiving Songs

Words by Eddie STATS Houghton, Martei Korley, Sherman Escoffery and Jesse Serwer.

Let’s face it, there is probably a top 10 reggae songs for every theme and every day of the calendar year but no occasion lends itself to unexpectedly perfect reggae-terpretation quite like Turkey Day. If you shoveled up all the reggae 45s that incorporate the words ‘give thanks’ or ‘thanks & praise’ in their title into a single pile, you would amass enough vinyl to put siding on every home in suburban America. Giving thanks, in fact, is such a central theme in reggae that we could have done a “Give Thanks” top 10 of Sizzla tunes alone (see #4). So read on for 10 recipes to add new flavor to your Thanksgiving festivities–or as we like to think of it, that day when even the lion shall lie down with the turkey.

10. Assassin, “Give Thanks”

The most recent entry in our countdown, Assassin puts a deejay spin on what is usually a singer’s theme with this tune on Di Genius’ New Chapter riddim. Also makes for good nyam-ing music as the opening couplet goes: “Mi haffi give thanks for the one dumpling inna mi plate because…one better dan none.” Amen to that shit, let’s eat!

9. Beres Hammond, “Giving Thanks”

‘Giving Thanks” is an up-tempo song from the album Control and was eventually released on his album The Ultimate Collection/ Can’t Stop A man From Trying. A moving song of thanks for life and health, it doesn’t sound religious but still makes you reflect on life in a grateful way. Often the closing song in his performances, “Giving Thanks” has become a sort of a safe-passage/send-home song that his fans always look forward to hearing, no matter how many times they have seen or heard him perform it. We had a great live version in this post but thanks to youtube’s new policies it was taken down, but we’re still thankful!

8. Bad Brains, “Give Thanks & Praise/Jah Love”

Employing their usual formula of blistering hardcore punk rock followed by the mellowest, vibes-iest reggae coolout, HR and company combine those two impulses into one thought on this two-part track from their Adam Yauch-produced 2007 reunion album Build a Nation. The historically promo-averse punk luminaries even made one of their only music videos for the tune.

7. Frankie Paul, “Thanks & Praises”

Frankie Paul is mostly known for his stinging dancehall hits, even if he is unparalleled in dropping lovers rock on Jammy’s riddims. “Worries in the Dance,”–whether the extra dark, original Channel One production or the more dancehall-friendly reworking on Yellowman’s “I’m Getting Married in the Morning” riddim–is normally what Frankie Paul’s name conjures up. However “Give Thanks and Praise” from his somewhat overlooked Come Back Again album is a true gem. Kick, snare, bass AND lead organ instantaneously kicks into the Lord’s Prayer with astonishing rewindability. Give Thanks, FP!

6. Fantan Mojah, “Thanks & Praise” (AKA “Only Jah Love”)

A big tune on any day, this 45 on Don Corleone’s Seasons riddim (holiday seasons, that is) is often rendered as “Only Jah Love” and therefore unfairly overlooked for Turkey Day selection. It also happens to be maybe the best song on one of the great new roots riddims–and maybe Fantan’s best tune ever.

5. Jimmy Riley, “Give Thanks and Praise”

BIG ROOTS TUNE! Jimmy Riley hit the nail squarely on the head with “Give Thanks”–a traditional roots reggae song. The earth is Jah Love and the the fullness thereof is, etc. Rather than cliché it’s just true to form. And built on a foundation of some pretty tasty rockers to boot…

4. Sizzla, “Give Thanks for Life”

As mentioned above, Sizzla has a wealth of “give thanks”-themed songs in his catalogue but in the category of fun-for-the-whole-fam, this one wins with its Europop synth intro and trademark falsetto. However “Give Jah Thanks & Praise” on the immortal Truth & Rights riddim, is not to be slept on–even with a belly full of triptophan. Or maybe you’d prefer “Give Thanks to Jah” ? Or maybe “Thanks & Praise” on the Cry Baby riddim? Or maybe just “Give Thanks“? Or maybe…

3. Sugar Minott, “Give Thanks”

Pure vibes. You can’t really go wrong with this tune, in many ways this 1983 classic is the Sugar Minott song nonpareil–and the blueprint for an entire era of dancehall. Better yet, just like Thanksgiving dinner, it comes with ‘lots of extra’. See also “Thank You Jah.”

2. Shaggy, “Give Thanks and Praise”

“Nowadays yuh drivin Benz an’ Jaguar / You drivin Integra an’ yuh Maxima / Give thanks & praises to the Almighty ’cause he is the alpha and the omega!” This one might be #1 in terms of catchiness, with its studio one “My Conversation” lick and Shaggy’s Brooklyn synthesis of Jamaica’s most infectious deejay styles–most noticabley the influence of Super Cat and Tiger, giving it just the right “Wanga Gut” mood for posting up on the couch post-gluttony, with belly big like a washpan.

1. Bob Marley “Give Thanks & Praises”

Yes, as in so many other catty-gerries Bob takes the crown–and the drumstick–on Thanksgiving as well. Besides getting extra points for being Bob, he gets extra points for the double selection with his early-early reggae classic “Thank You Lord” which makes a nice alternate to grace before Thanksgiving dinner. Chronologically, though, you will want to count down to “Give Thanks & Praises” to achieve that quiet moment of reflection on family, friends–and sincere thanks–somewhere amid the dirty dishes and turkey bones. Happy Thanksgiving, y’all.

Honorebel Mentions

Little John, “Give Thanks & Praise”; Roy Rayon, “Give Thanks & Praises“; I Octane, “Give Thanks” (on the Give Thanks riddim!); Junior Brown and Jah Shaka, “Give Thanks & Praises Dubwise”; Willi Williams, “Give Jah Praise”; Bushman, “Give Jah the Praise”; The Abyssinians, “Satta Massagana.”