It’s that time of year again when we pack up the station wagon and return to the nest. Well, not anymore. These days we jam ourselves into tiny airline seats after being treated like criminals by the TSA, but the impulse remains the same: Go home. Visit family. Eat too much.

There are two competing Thanksgiving cliches battling for superiority. One is the Rockwellian Thanksgiving that we see in movies–the beautiful dining room with seating for 20 and a handcrafted runner draped the length of the polished walnut table. Dad carves the 30 pound turkey from his place of honor at the end of that table while everyone smiles lovingly at each other.

The other is the Thanksgiving that we see in sitcoms–the drunk uncle, the ruined turkey, cousin Randy’s unexpected coming out.

Which one is more accurate? I guess it depends on your family. My Thanksgivings never resemble either, so I guess maybe I land somewhere in the middle. It doesn’t really matter, anyway. I’m just in it for the pie.

Regardless of what your homecoming looks like, I hope at the very least you get a good story out of it. Here’s a few songs for your travels:

“Coming Home,” Elmore James.

“I’m Coming Home,” Michael Hedges.

“Wondering (When My Love Is Coming Home),” The Drapels.

“Mama, I’m Coming Home,” Ozzy Osbourne.

“Major Tom (Coming Home),” Peter Schilling.

“I’m Coming Home,” The Deviants.

“I’m Going Home,” Prince Conley.

“Cheryl’s Going Home,” John Otway.

There you have it: Eight songs for your homecoming. What did I miss? I’m listening.

***SUPER DELUXE ANTICI-PATION BONUS TRACK***