ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:
And now we get to hear from you. Yesterday, we asked you to pick a musician you are grateful for this year and explain why.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "JOYFUL NOISE")
SHAINA TAUB: (Singing) I've never been to church, but I am saved. I've never read a holy book, but I am saved.
SHAPIRO: Michael Joseph Mitchell told us about singer Shaina Taub. He writes, (reading) she is a brilliant composer, singer and actress. Her soulful, searching, hilarious and loving music has floated me through some very tough times.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "JOYFUL NOISE")
TAUB: (Singing) I've never had communion, but I am saved. Had me no bat mitzvah, but I am saved.
SHAPIRO: Many of you expressed gratitude for three artists who died this year - music legend Prince.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "I WANNA BE YOUR LOVER")
PRINCE: (Singing) I want to be your lover. I want to turn you on, turn you out, all night long, make you shout. Oh, lover.
SHAPIRO: Soul singer and powerhouse Sharon Jones.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "100 DAYS, 100 NIGHTS")
SHARON JONES: (Singing) One hundred days, 100 nights to know a man's heart.
SHAPIRO: And the artist and poet Leonard Cohen.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "SO LONG, MARIANNE")
LEONARD COHEN: (Singing) Now so long, Marianne. It's time that we began to laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again.
SHAPIRO: Amanda Battaglia had this to say about Cohen. (Reading) His personality and humor in his lyrics always made me smile. Your messages made us smile, too. We are so grateful for you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.