With Christmas fast approaching, it’s officially time to start planning the playlist for your next holiday party. To not distract you from your Christmas shopping, we have taken the task and compiled a list of festive songs for you that will get anyone in the mood to drink coquito and hang Christmas lights in every available space. So, light a Winter Candy Apple or Twisted Peppermint candle, pump your speakers or headphones, and enjoy!
1. “What’s This?” – Danny Elfman (from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas)
Danny Elfman’s theme from the Christmas (or should we say Halloween?) movie provides us with a feeling of peculiarity towards Christmas, which Puerto Rico, still reeling in from hurricane Maria with over 50% of its citizens living without electricity, might be experimenting this holiday season.
2. “Me Gustan las Navidades” – Gilberto Santa Rosa (from Una Navidad con Gilberto)
A Puerto Rican holiday classic, Gilberto Santa Rosa reminiscences about the traditional Christmas activities in Puerto Rico, while also sending an inclusive message to the Puerto Ricans living in New York.
3. “Winter Wonderland” – Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga (from Winter Wonderland)
Pop icon Lady Gaga might have raised some eyebrows after joining jazz icon Tony Bennett as a duo in 2014, but we can’t deny how wonderful their two voices sound together. Here they cover the holiday classic Winter Wonderland, originally released in 1934.
4. “Santa Baby” – Eartha Kitt (from Heavenly Eartha)
Offering a more cheeky approach towards the holidays, late actress Eartha Kitt feels no shame in demanding Santa Claus to bring her a myriad of things. (Fact: Eartha Kitt passed away on Christmas Day in 2008 at the age of 81).
5. “Mis Deseos/Feliz Navidad” – Michael Bublé and Thalia (from Christmas)
Michael Bublé has become a hallmark in Christmas music as of late. Here, he joins singer Thalia in a bilingual duet; for us Spanglish speakers, this duet will come naturally to us.
6. “Verde Luz” – Antonio Cabán Vale (from Verde Luz)
Although not a Christmas song, Verde Luz offers us a moment to reflect on the beauty and value of our Puerto Rico, something that after the crisis gone through due to hurricane Maria, we need to be reminded of.
7. “Last Christmas” – Taylor Swift (from The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection)
Before she made us look at what we made her do, Taylor Swift released a compilation of covers of Christmas classics in 2007. Originally by English duo Wham!, Swift sings about a heartbreak gone through the previous Christmas and promises herself that she won’t go through one again this Christmas. (And with reputation, it seems Miss Taylor really didn’t go through that again)
8. “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” – Frank Sinatra (from A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra)
It seems only fitting to end with a song of who is considered to be one of the most influential musical artists of the 20th century. Frank Sinatra offers a solemn wish for a cheerful Christmas, shared with people we love.