Today's holiday related post is all about my favorite songs of the season. I LOVE Christmas music and start listening to it as early as possible each year. My Spotify playlist for the season is over 8 hours long, with the full Nutcracker Suite and other entire albums sprinkled with the best of the best Christmas music, and Hanukkah songs too.
My biggest pet peeve about listening to holiday music on the radio is when you hear the same song over and over again, just sung by different people. SO! What did I do? I compiled only the OG version of each song for this list (no repeats) with a few exceptions. Because of course, you need the original and the Mean Girls version of Jingle Bell Rock. Without further ado, here are my Top 10 picks in case you don't want to listen to all 8 hours of the playlist.
Believe By Josh Groban | This song is from the 2004 movie release of The Polar Express, which made this both one of my favorite Christmas films and my #1 favorite Christmas song for a long period of time, too. Though it's much newer than many classic Christmas songs, it is beautifully written and sung (as is anything Groban sings) and it without second thought ranks on my Top 10 list.
Adeste Fideles By Nat King Cole | I always liked the song O Come All Ye Faithful, but in recent years I have a newfound appreciation for the Latin version of the song. The Nat King Cole version mixes both Latin and English, but I really love hearing the more religious Christmas songs sung in the traditional language of the church. (*BONUS* The acapella group, Voctave, just released a YouTube video with their arrangement of this song, and it might take the #1 spot for my favorite Christmas song.)
Do They Know It's Christmas? By Band Aid 1984 | There are a few more 'jammy' songs on this playlist, and this is one of them. Band Aid 1984 is actually a consortium of different musicians who recorded this song together to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. It has a much more rock-based sound than many other Christmas songs, but I love the message of the song.
The Christmas Waltz By Frank Sinatra | This one makes me want to get up and do a waltz! As the name might suggest, this song has a fun melody and lyrics that make me think of sugarplums. Anything Frank Sinatra is also a huge hit in my book, so this is such a fun addition to a list of more basic holiday tunes.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by the Vince Guaraldi Trio | The final song from A Charlie Brown Christmas gives me all the warm fuzzies. This is both instrumental and sung, which makes for a unique twist on the song. It also reminds me of the childlike wonder that surrounds Christmas at an early age, while still appreciating the religious root of the holiday.
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas by Bing Crosby | This song has the best imagery! From the massive decorated trees in the hotel to the silver lanes aglow with snow and twinkling lights, this reminds me of an old-school Christmas in New York City. Any Bing Crosby songs are must-haves for the holidays and this one can be sung leading up to the big day since it's about how the world seems to change with the season. (Fun fact: My 6th-grade history class had a version of this song called It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Isthmus, which taught us how to define the narrow strip of land.)
Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson | Another instrumental favorite! Aside from the Nutcracker, this is my favorite piece of music for the season. The sounds of sleigh bells and horses neighing are so accurately portrayed and make this piece a lot of fun. For years I have wanted to choreograph a winter pointe piece to this song, and I have to start dancing as soon as I hear it.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Bruce Springsteen | It would NOT be Christmas in New Jersey without this song. This funny live performance featuring Bruce and his band brings together the spirit of the season and the spirit of my hometown. Every year I get excited the first time this one comes on the radio and I have to take a minute to stop and document the occasion. This song feels like being home for the holidays, so it, of course, earned its spot in my Top 10.
Step into Christmas by Elton John | Elton is another fun artist with his own unique spin on the holidays and I love that he isn't just redoing older songs, but really putting his own spin on it. This is another tune that makes me want to get up and dance with a Christmosa in hand.
Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus by the Great Northern Union Chorus | This is not a song, but my playlist includes many of the shorter Christmas stories since they are such a big part of the season. Yes, Virginia is by far my favorite! I love how the short tale neither outright accepts nor denies Santa, but really explains his place in the world and how we can continue to relish in Santa Claus even as adults.
The Christmas Waltz By Frank Sinatra | This one makes me want to get up and do a waltz! As the name might suggest, this song has a fun melody and lyrics that make me think of sugarplums. Anything Frank Sinatra is also a huge hit in my book, so this is such a fun addition to a list of more basic holiday tunes.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by the Vince Guaraldi Trio | The final song from A Charlie Brown Christmas gives me all the warm fuzzies. This is both instrumental and sung, which makes for a unique twist on the song. It also reminds me of the childlike wonder that surrounds Christmas at an early age, while still appreciating the religious root of the holiday.
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas by Bing Crosby | This song has the best imagery! From the massive decorated trees in the hotel to the silver lanes aglow with snow and twinkling lights, this reminds me of an old-school Christmas in New York City. Any Bing Crosby songs are must-haves for the holidays and this one can be sung leading up to the big day since it's about how the world seems to change with the season. (Fun fact: My 6th-grade history class had a version of this song called It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Isthmus, which taught us how to define the narrow strip of land.)
Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson | Another instrumental favorite! Aside from the Nutcracker, this is my favorite piece of music for the season. The sounds of sleigh bells and horses neighing are so accurately portrayed and make this piece a lot of fun. For years I have wanted to choreograph a winter pointe piece to this song, and I have to start dancing as soon as I hear it.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Bruce Springsteen | It would NOT be Christmas in New Jersey without this song. This funny live performance featuring Bruce and his band brings together the spirit of the season and the spirit of my hometown. Every year I get excited the first time this one comes on the radio and I have to take a minute to stop and document the occasion. This song feels like being home for the holidays, so it, of course, earned its spot in my Top 10.
Step into Christmas by Elton John | Elton is another fun artist with his own unique spin on the holidays and I love that he isn't just redoing older songs, but really putting his own spin on it. This is another tune that makes me want to get up and dance with a Christmosa in hand.
Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus by the Great Northern Union Chorus | This is not a song, but my playlist includes many of the shorter Christmas stories since they are such a big part of the season. Yes, Virginia is by far my favorite! I love how the short tale neither outright accepts nor denies Santa, but really explains his place in the world and how we can continue to relish in Santa Claus even as adults.
I've never heard Bruce Springsteen's version, but Santa Claus is Coming to Town is a classic in any form, so it must be good!
ReplyDeleteGirl, click that link and give it a listen! It's a classic ;)
Delete