Thursday: A far cry from Monday but not quite Friday. This is when we all try to get some real work done so that we can enjoy the day after and the weekend. Here are some songs about this day of the week to get you in the Thursday mood:
1. (Thursday) Here’s Why I Did Not Go to Work Today – Harry Nilsson
If you’re trying to cram in some work to prepare for an easy Friday, save this song for the end of the day. Co-written by Harry Nilsson and John Lennon, it’ll inspire you to play hooky and kick off a four-day weekend.
2. Thursday – The Weeknd
A little twisted, this title track from The Weeknd’s 2011 album tells the tale of a player who only has time for the girl on Thursdays—not exactly a love song. On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, he’s got better things to do, but on Thursday, he’s ready to party.
Next: The best songs about Tuesday
3. On a Thursday Morning – Leonard Herron
In 2017, Leonard Herron released this track that bemoans a lost love. Most of us can relate to the feeling of struggling to forget the one who got away. When going through a breakup, some days are just harder than others, and those bad days can hit you out of the blue. For Herron, Thursday was one of those days.
4. Thursday – Pet Shop Boys Feat. Example
Apparently, Thursday is a bad day for love because, in 2013, the Pet Shop Boys also sang about a woman they love but can’t have. In this case, the woman is already taken, so the singer has no choice but to look on from afar. That’s a tough spot to be in any day of the week, but Thursday once again gets the blame for unrequited love.
5. I Lost Thursday – They Might Be Giants
A dark, poetic take on the fifth day of the week comes to us from They Might Be Giants in the song, I Lost Thursday. The tune speaks to the confusion and disillusionment we can all face from time to time. It describes the melancholy feeling that comes with losing track of the things that used to make you happy and fulfilled and striving to feel grounded again.
6. Thursday At The Blue Note – White Town
Likely named after a real club in the artist’s hometown of Derby, England, Thursday At The Blue Note by White Town is the story of the artist’s trip to the club on that day. He’s trying to get into the spirit of the night even though he doesn’t love the music. But the night turns sour when he asks a girl to dance only to get threatened by her boyfriend. Hopefully, the narrator didn’t have to go to work the next day and add insult to injury.
Next: Greatest musicians from the UK (our picks)
7. Jersey Thursday – Donovan
A classic 1960s song by Donovan, Jersey Thursday shares an idyllic scene presumably on the British island of Jersey. The experience described in the track is likely a combination of the beautiful scenery, a romantic interlude, and a reaction to the drugs Donovan was known to use. Regardless of the exact meaning, the tune captures a serene, indescribable moment. What more could you ask for on a Thursday?
8. Like a Summer Thursday – Townes Van Zandt
From Townes Van Zandt’s album Our Mother The Mountain, Like A Summer Thursday is a nostalgic 1970s song that finds the artist pining for a love lost. He remembers her beautiful face, lips, and eyes and regrets that she can’t hear him or feel the pain he feels. Those blissful summer days they spent together haunt him and make him wish for the gloom of a rainy day. This melancholy, listless track is perfect for a rainy day when you’re also pining for sunny summer weekends.
9. Thursday’s Child – David Bowie
David Bowie’s hit song is titled after the autobiography of actress Eartha Kitt, a woman who inspired him during his childhood. It also references an old nursery rhyme that states “Thursday’s child has far to go” and gives the feeling of a person on a journey that is never quite fulfilled or satisfied.
10. Sweet Thursday – Johnny Mathis
Unlike many songs on this list, Johnny Mathis‘ track features a couple who is blissfully happy and fulfilled in love. The artist remembers the day he first met the love of his life, which was a Thursday, of course. This sweet, romantic tune speaks to the divine, pre-ordained nature of their love, which is perfect and full of joy. There’s no way this one won’t put a smile on your face.
11. For Thursday – Will Joseph Cook
Sweet Thursday by Will Joseph Cook is all about being content where you are and coasting through life, not sweating the small stuff. It’s the perfect track to put on when life starts to stress you out.
12. Thursday Morning – Giles, Giles & Fripp
If you need help getting out of bed on a Thursday morning, turn on this track by Giles, Giles & Fripp, and you’ll have a spring in your step in no time. It speaks of the beauty of the morning as another day with a new sunrise, birds in the trees, and endless possibilities.
Next: The best morning songs for waking up with good vibes
13. Thursday – Morphine
With darker, more intense lyrics, Morphine’s Thursday is about a man in a relationship with a married woman. They go from meeting on Thursday nights to a more serious, involved affair. They push their limits too far, leading to the woman’s husband catching them. He has to leave town to avoid her husband’s violence.
14. Thursday’s Child – Isobel Campbell
Another song with darker undertones is Thursday’s Child by Isobel Campbell. It’s about a woman who is only twenty-five years old but searches for a fantasy world to escape from her harsh reality.
15. Thursday’s Keeper – The Orb
This upbeat tune by The Orb features a man trying to keep his love at home on Thursday nights rather than going out to paint the town. The beat will keep you bouncing through those boring Thursday chores.
16. Thursday Afternoon – Brian Eno
For a more unique option, check out Brian Eno’s Thursday Afternoon. It’s a 60-minute ambient track with no beat or steady tempo. It’s great for relaxation or to help you get in the zone to crank out some work without distraction.
17. Thursday – Jim Croce
This old-school tune from 1973 bemoans unrequited love. The singer wants a real relationship but the subject of his affection wants a casual fling. He hopes she’ll come around and fall in love but finally realizes she’s not going to change her mind and he needs to move on.
18. Thursday Girl – Mitski
This song by artist Mitski is light on lyrics but tells the desperate tale of a girl who can’t get out of a self-destructive cycle. She tries to find satisfaction in partying but always falls short.
19. Thursday’s Child Has Far to Go – TOMORROW X TOGETHER
Borrowing its title from a popular nursery rhyme, this hopeful song by TOMORROW X TOGETHER explains why Thursday is the perfect day for a breakup. It’s because it gives the pair a day to cry before the weekend when they will need to recover and move on. The overall tone is optimistic and points out that while breakups are painful at that moment, the pain is temporary and we can move on to another day.
20. Thursday – Jess Glynne
Jess Glynne co-wrote her song Thursday with Ed Sheeran and Steve Mac. She described it as one of her favorite tracks because it captures the struggle of a woman trying to feel like who she is is enough, squelching the need to change to satisfy those around her. That’s a struggle many of us can understand.
21. Sweet Thursday – Ben Bostick
Ben Bostick’s song is about a couple sharing a perfectly blissful day, a road trip on a Thursday afternoon. But even in the midst of the perfect experience, the singer is keenly aware that their perfect harmony won’t last. They must enjoy this one day while it lasts knowing that tomorrow they may be pulled their separate ways.
22. Thursday in the Danger Room – Run The Jewels Feat. Kamasi Washington
Recorded by Run The Jewels and featuring Kamasi Washington, this deeply personal song pays tribute to those who die young, leaving devastated loved ones behind. The group wrote the track for two particular people close to them who died unexpectedly but the themes resonate with anyone mourning inexplicable death.
Next: The best songs about the death of friends
23. Thursday Afternoon – Christoph Spendel
Electric jazz musician Christoph Spendel released Thursday Afternoon as part of his Electric Piano Dreams album. It’s an upbeat, fun song that can turn your mood around.
24. Thursday – Steve Cole
Another jazz song referencing the fifth day of the week is Thursday by Steve Cole. Released in 2005, this is another great option for when you’re sitting down for a productive work session that will allow you to relax through the weekend.
25. Outlook for Thursday – DD Smash
New Zealand band DD Smash recorded Outlook For Thursday in 1983. The song describes the struggle of predicting the weather on any given day of the week, implying that we never really know what’s coming next.
Read Next:
Greatest Monday songs for your playlist
Greatest Wednesday songs for your playlist
Greatest Sunday songs for your playlist
As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. He works closely with journalists and other staff to format and publish music content for the Music Grotto website. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers.
Liam’s lifelong love for music makes his role at Music Grotto such a rewarding one. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto.
Thanks for the mention!
Jyoti