In Popular Culture
For many years, a portion of this tune was used as the opening theme for the CBS News television documentary series, CBS Reports.
In the movie A Time for Dancing a version of Simple Gifts is played as the opening song. It is sung by Anastasia Breeze, the "Simple Gift" choir and Táta Vega.
The TV series Little House on the Prairie had the Ingalls family singing this song.
The then-10-year-old Jodie Foster sang this song in the 1973 episode "Alethea" of Kung Fu.
Hannibal Heyes (Pete Duel) sang the song on Alias Smith and Jones in the 1971 (second season) episode "The Posse That Wouldn’t Quit", mere months before the actor took his own life.
The tune was incorporated into Air and Simple Gifts arranged by John Williams for the 2009 inauguration of United States President Barack Obama.
"Simple Gifts" in such pieces as "Chorale and Shaker Dance" and the Appalachian Spring have been popular music repertoire for drum corps and marching bands. Among them are 1987 Garfield Cadets, 1992 Blue Knights and 2009 Santa Clara Vanguard. The Appalachian State University marching band also performs a rendition of "Simple Gifts" as part of a pre-game tradition, prior to football games. The West Virginia University Mountaineer Marching Band, known as the Pride of West Virginia, has performed an arrangement of the song during Mountaineer football games since 1973.
"Simple Gifts" is the corp song for Revolution Drum & Bugle Corps
"Simple Gifts" was sung by the cast of Shining Time Station, along with guest actress Rachel Miner, in the 1990 Christmas Special 'Tis a Gift.
"Simple Gifts" was used as the theme song for the syndicated newsmagazine American Journal, originally starting as a majestic arrangement in early seasons and promos, and then upgrading to a rock format in later seasons and promos.
From 1993 through 1998, an instrumental arrangement of the song was used as the theme song for the syndicated news magazine TV program American Journal.
In 2009, electronic artist Scooter, sampled the tune in their single, "The Sound Above My Hair".
In 2009, singer Jewel, released a version on her album "Lullaby".
On the November 23, 2009 edition of WWE Raw, "Simple Gifts" was used as the entrance theme for a team of "Pilgrims" composed of Jillian Hall, Layla and Michelle McCool for a "Mayflower Melee" Match.
On January 12, 2011 "Simple Gifts," in an arrangement by Grant Cochran, was sung at the Memorial for the victims of the 2011 Tucson shooting at the McKale Center at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
In Aug Sept 2012 "Simple Gifts" was used as the melody in the background, of TV spot ads for both Whirlpool, Simple Designs, Washer Dryers, and also Arborday com .
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