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Thankful Songs: Our 10 Favorite Musical Thank Yous

By the time they achieve stardom, most artists have plenty of people to thank -- which becomes painfully obvious during those long award acceptance speeches. But relatively few actually express gratitude through their music. Their thankful songs usually praise loved ones, deities or the "little people" -- those loyal fans whom the artists hope will express their loyalty one more time by buying the "thank you" song. But these are just our preferences. Tell us your own favorite "Thank You" songs in the comments below, with our thanks.
'Thank You'
Dido
Dido is said to have written this 2000 song as a tribute to a boyfriend, but she probably owes more gratitude to Eminem. The London-born singer had worked in a series of low-paying clerical jobs when Eminem asked if he could sample this song -- which Dido wrote on soggy paper while taking a bath -- for his tune 'Stan.' Both 'Stan' and 'Thank You' would become hits, and clerical work would become a thing of the past.
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Dido
Roberta Parkin., Redferns
'I Thank You'
Sam & Dave
We assume the soulful Stax duo thanked Issac Hayes and David Porter for writing this appreciative love song with a not-so-lovey ending, which became a US Top 10 hit in 1968. ZZ Top fans were thankful when the Texas trio put a bearded spin on the tune in 1980.
Sam & Dave
Redferns
'Thank U'
Alanis Morissette
After the huge success of her album 'Jagged Little Pill,' the former Canadian TV child star was having difficulty dealing with the sudden onslaught of fame. So Alanis did what we all do to cope with stress -- she went to India. In this 1998 song, she actually thanks the entire country, which she said provided her with balance and-- ommmmm -- spiritual calm.
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Alanis Morissette
Diana Scrimgeour, Redferns
'Thank You'
Led Zeppelin
When Zep singer Robert Plant was a struggling musician, his wife, Maureen, helped him through tough times. Financially strapped, Plant even worked for Maureen's father in a steel factory. But once he got on with Zep, he quickly paid tribute to his wife with this 1969 song, the first Zeppelin tune for which he wrote all the lyrics. The marriage didn't last, but they're thankful for their ongoing friendship.
Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin
Chris Walter, WireImage
'Gratitude'
Paul McCartney
After his marriage to Heather Mills crumbled, McCartney released this 2007 song, with lines that include 'I should stop loving you/Think what you put me through/But I don't." While that seems to fit the Mills tabloid story line, some fans assumed it might be for his first wife, the late Linda McCartney. But then Sir Paul himself told the New York Times it was for neither: "'Gratitude' is just me being grateful for the good stuff in my life, past and present." Thanks for the clarification.
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Paul McCartney
Kevin Mazur, WireImage
'Thank You for Hearing Me'
Sinéad O'Connor
After O'Connor ripped up a photo of the pope during a performance on 'Saturday Night Live' in 1992, many people weren't especially thankful for the controversy-courting Irish singer. Madonna publicly criticized her. Joe Pesci said she needed a smack. And Frank Sinatra suggested he might "kick her ass." A nervous breakdown and a suicide attempt would follow. And in 1994, she released this song offering thanks to -- well, we're not really sure. But probably not Joe Pesci.
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Sinead O'Connor
Patrick Ford, Redferns
'Kind and Generous'
Natalie Merchant
Merchant considers this track from her 1998 album 'Ophelia' to be her most important song. It's also her most-licensed song. Numerous nonprofit organizations use the tune -- which concludes with six mentions of "thank you" -- in commercials to show appreciation to supporters. It has also been played at the Women's Soccer Championship, Major League Baseball's World Series and pro hockey's Stanley Cup, even though Merchant has never expressed any thankfulness for sports.
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Natalie Merchant
Nicky J. Sims, Redferns
'Thank You'
Jay-Z
Throughout his 2009 'Blueprint 3' album, the hip-hop megastar was rather -- how shall we say -- fond of his achievements, which garnered him expensive cars and a place on the Forbes.com Celebrity 100 list of highest-paid entertainers. But material rewards can only go so far. Jay-Z, who credits hip-hop with saving his life, offers thanks in this song, though he also uses the 9/11 plane crashes as a metaphor for his foes' careers, which causes us to question his sincerity.
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Jay-Z
Lester Cohen, WireImage
'Thank You for Loving Me'
Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi can thank Brad Pitt for this one. The New Jersey singer was watching 'Meet Joe Black,' when he heard Pitt's character tell his lover, "Thank you for loving me." Bon Jovi immediately left the theater, went straight home and wrote the chorus. It makes us wonder, though: What if he'd seen 'Fight Club' that day?
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Jon Bon Jovi
Dave Hogan, Getty Images
'Give Thanks and Praises'
Bob Marley
The reggae legend was never one to shy away from his belief in Rastafari. In fact, Marley's music -- with its Jah-heavy lyrics -- is credited with moving Rastafari from obscurity to becoming an internationally recognized religious movement. Here he gives Jah thanks and praises -- and never once mentions weed.
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Bob Marley
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

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ewholesalekey.com

Like this song

November 26 2010 at 10:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mary

Sunshine on Leith, The Proclaimers

While The Chief puts sunshine on Leith
I'll thank him for his work
And your birth and my birth.

November 26 2010 at 5:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dave

how about thank you very much by the scaffolds

November 25 2010 at 10:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to dave's comment
Lee

The ZZ Top song you're referring to is a remake of I Thank You by Sam & Dave which is in the list already.

November 26 2010 at 3:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cindie

Oops, missed Alanis - sorry!

November 25 2010 at 9:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cindie

Oops, missed Alanis - sorry!

November 25 2010 at 9:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ricktigers

AOL really, really pushes shitty chick music.

November 25 2010 at 5:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steve B

ZZ TOP----I WANT TO THANK YOU ?????

November 25 2010 at 3:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ed

My 43 year old son still cannot belive his "old Man" loves Alanis Morissette`s "Thank You",,,,go figure?

November 25 2010 at 3:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kitty

How about Bob Hope's theme song, Thanks For the Memories.

November 25 2010 at 8:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
doug frederich

my old neighbor and stand up guy:.........andrew gold # 1 ALL TIME THANK YOU SONG !!!!....

" THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND "

November 23 2010 at 10:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply