Song Spotlight: “Thank You For The Music”

• Mood: Reflective, Happy

• Themes: Thankfulness, Music

• Tempo: Moderate

• Genre/Style: Pop

When examining our gratitude, we often try to think of the larger things in life or the people who we are thankful for. In addition to the large things, there are so many hidden gems – the things that bring you joy in your day to day.* 

“Thank You for the Music” comes from writers Benny Andersson and  Björn Ulvaeus of the Swedish pop group, ABBA. It was featured in the ABBA mockumentary Film, ABBA:The Movie, and was used as an encore song to Andersson and Ulvaeus’s mini musical, The Girl With the Golden Hair. This song itself starts out with statements from the singer, critically noting the things that don’t make them stand out or qualify them as special. But when it comes to music, they express that it is their talent and is something special and unique to them.

The tune expresses gratitude for music that brings joy, dancing, and ways to express ourselves. We can take it a step further and continue to notice the way other art forms make us feel connected and seen. There are also other small things in our daily life that make the moment special and acknowledge our gratitude for them, too, from morning tea or coffee, the crunch of dry fall leaves, or the sun lighting the room in a way that makes us feel cozy.

Here are some of the lyrics:

So I say

Thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing

Thanks for all the joy they’re bringing

Who can live without it? I ask in all honesty

What would life be?

Without a song or a dance, what are we?

So I say thank you for the music

For giving it to me

This is a great song to use in a 1:1 setting or group and would go well with a collection of songs about reminiscing. It can be used as a transition into group discussion, an opportunity for musical engagement, movement and more. 

Try This:

Theme: This song would fit well into a collection of songs about gratitude or a music theme.  Other complementary songs may include “Thank You for Being a Friend,” “Listen to the Music,” and “Piano Man.”

Encourage the group to consider some of the little things that they love when it happens in their day. Consider things that happen on a day to day basis or favorite surprises that can help make a great day. 

Discuss some of the traits or talents that your group have or were known for in the past. 

Movement: Try out seated expressive dance along to the gentle intro and first verse. Then, transition into rhythmic movement on the chorus.

Sing along to the chorus of this tune.

Add instruments like shakers, or body percussion like tapping toes and clapping hands.

*It is important to acknowledge that sometimes we are in spaces in life in which we find practicing gratitude to be challenging. We can have moments where we feel resistant to gratitude practices due to our current circumstances. That is okay.