From covers of the classics, to new beats, to the ones we would love to see disappear forever, Christmas music is everywhere. Some of the more obnoxious shops start playing these tunes on November 1st, others wait until after Thanksgiving (as they should). We all have our favorites. Let’s talk about some of them!
When it comes to “Jingle Bells”, nobody beats Old Blue Eyes, himself, mister Frank Sinatra. Now, understand something— I absolutely hate Sinatra, but his version of this Christmas classic is unmatched. It swings, and makes it impossible to sit still. This is a must for your holiday playlist!
Martina McBride has a cover of “Do You Hear What I Hear” that anyone— country fan or not— will love. The progressions are on point, and her powerful voice brings the meaning, and feeling, of the song to life. Well done, and not too much.
“Up On The Housetop”, covered by Pentatonix, is going to be on repeat for hours! Actually, the whole album is a win. The fabulous a capella group has four holiday albums, but A Pentatonix Christmas (2017) is my personal favorite. If you saw the latest version of Dr Seuss’s “The Grinch (2018)”, you’ll recognize a cover on this album.
If you want a flip on the traditional “Santa Baby”, originally recorded by Eartha Kitt, you’ll want to head straight over to none other than Michael Bublé. Same melody, same sentiment, new lyrics. Michael is like the groundhog of Christmas— he pops up every year to get us dancing through the season.
As for an original holiday tune, N*SYNC (judge me) has a great one. It’s cheesy, a little awkward, but nonetheless a great song. “I Never Knew The Meaning of Christmas” is everything we needed from 90’s boy bands at Christmas.
Not a very common song, “Pat-a-Pan” is catchy, so I probably wouldn’t let kids listen to it. You’ll love it... the first fifty times. Then you’ll want to slap David Archuleta in his stupidly angelic face. An old French tune brought into modern times perfectly.
Two years ago, the hip-hop violinist graced us with a Christmas album that is everything we have come to expect from her, and more. Lindsay Stirling’s album, Warmer in the Winter, has both beloved classics, and new jams. Teaming up with vocal artists, like All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth, this album definitely needs to be in your list! Yes, the whole album.
Christmas is a fun time to be in a band or orchestra. It’s even more fun to listen to them. The Boston Pops, directed by former Utah Symphony conductor Kieth Lockhart, has quite the list of fabulous Christmas tunes. My personal favorites are the purely instrumental “Sleigh Ride”, and “The Twelve Days of Christmas” featuring Tanglewood Festival Chorus. You may want to brush up on your music references before checking out that one, as each of the twelve days is done in a new way.
(Almost) anything by Nat Kong Cole is a sure-fire hit. The man oozed Christmas, but the ones that have been my absolute favorites are his “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Joy to the World”. Call me whatever you like, but I do not now, nor will I ever, like “The Christmas Song”. If I want someone nipping my nose, I’ll find a puppy.
Finishing off this post with Amy Grant’s “Breath Of Heaven”. Known in many circles, but not known enough, in my opinion. An absolutely beautiful song that represents Christmas as CHRISTmas.
What are the must-haves in your holiday playlists?
See you on the B-sides
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