I love the holidays and after getting inches of snow in Boulder and everyone hanging their lights, it feels as though I’m walking in Whoville. For many people, now that it’s snowed it’s appropriate to begin listening to Christmas music. Personally, I’m a Christmas in July girl. I listen to Christmas music year round because it’s too good to wait until December to listen to it. Over the years I’ve gone through many Spotify created Christmas lists: Christmas Hits, Christmas Classics, and Cozy Christmas Jazz to name a few. I’ve created my own Christmas playlist, both with songs from these playlist and songs that I believe are essential to a holiday playlist. Here are my top picks for what you need to add to your holiday playlist this season.
Last Christmas – Wham
Last Christmas is a Christmas classic. This is one of those songs that no matter how many times I hear it, I’m listening to it all the way through. The ad-libs and intro are the best way to jump start your holiday listening.
Linus And Lucy – Vince Guaraldi Trio
I loved the A Charlie Brown Christmas album so much, I had to buy the vinyl. There’s something special about seeing the little characters spinning around as my record player goes through the album. Everything about this album is nostalgic, and whether you need a little Christmas magic while studying or are just trying to welcome the holiday season into your life, this is the album for you.
Main Title “Somewhere in My Memory” (From Home Alone Soundtrack)” – John Williams
I love the Home Alone movies — although I think Home Alone 2: Lost in New York may be the better one. They really give power to a child during the holiday season, where so often the child is relying on Santa to bring them something. These songs are so beautiful and when they play, the scenes from the music appear from somewhere in my memory.
Happy Holiday/ The Holiday Season – Andy Williams
Andy Williams is another voice of Christmas. The songs that are really Christmassy to me are ones that have choral backgrounds. This song is so 60s in the same way Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree is. Although new renditions of Christmas songs are great, there’s no beating the originals.
Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Single Version – Brenda Lee
Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree has been in my top 10 favorite Christmas songs since middle school. You can feel the vibes of the 60s even within this Christmas song, making it so unique. Featured in the first Home Alone, as I listen I feel the same joy Kevin feels as he’s tricking Marv and Harry into believing people are at his house.
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love
This is one of those songs you sing — scream out of key — in a car or shower. The instrumental pauses and the choral background are everything. Singing this song at the kitchen counter with my roommate, it’s one of those songs that brings everyone together — in the spirit of the holidays.
coney island (feat. The National) – Taylor Swift, The National
While not a traditional holiday, coney island feels like winter to me. The instrumentals and The National’s strong vocals make this song feel cozy. Taylor Swift has a number of great songs, but my favorite album of hers is evermore.
Please Come Home for Christmas – 2013 Remastered – Eagles
This song is a MUST HAVE. Originally, Please Come Home for Christmas was written by Charles Brown, whose blues sound incorporates bells into this christmas classic. However, The Eagles rock version feels like the Christmas equivalent of Nickelback covering Dirty Laundry — ironically written by Don Henley, the co-lead vocalist of the Eagles. It’s a rock and roll Christmas song where the singer is hoping that they won’t be alone this Christmas.
Mistletoe – Justin Bieber
A 2011 holiday classic was born when Justin Bieber released Mistletoe. There’s literally no other way to describe this song other than fabulous.
White Christmas (with Shania Twain) – Michael Bublé, Shania Twain
Michael Bublé arguably is one the voices of Christmas. His Christmas (Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition) is such a way to get into the Christmas spirit. This song with Shania Twain is just one of the great collaborations featured on this album.
Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas) – Bing Crosby, The Andrews Sisters
This song is for those spending Christmas in Hawaii — or wishing they were. Released in the 1940s, this song has the original sound of holiday songs. Mele Kalikimaka is the wise way to say a Merry Christmas to you.
Do They Know It’s Christmas? – 2014 – Band Aid 30
Every year in middle school we had a Christmas concert. One year we performed Do They Know It’s Christmas? Imagine 30 middle schoolers all trying to sing the individual parts of this song. It was beautiful… well it definitely was something at least. It was one of my favorite memories from middle school and I love the different versions of this song.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Phoebe Bridgers
On this list I included threeHave Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’s. One of my favorite things about the Christmas genre is that the same song gets covered by many different artists. Phoebe Bridgers offers a melodic and reflective version of the song that matches the rest of her discography.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Christina Aguilera
Contrastingly to Bridgers’s version, Christina Aguilera has crescendos throughout her peaceful version of the song. Aguilera is so incredibly talented, and this is one of my favorite Christmas songs that is on my playlist.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Remastered 1999 – Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra is one of the most talented singers to ever live. I feel like every Christmas movie in some capacity includes him, and for good reason. The choral introduction and background vocals in this song make it so magical. His way of singing truly makes you feel as though you are moving through a winter wonderland.
Carol of the Bells / Sing We Now of Christmas – BarlowGirl
This song really carries the nostalgia of Christmas. I grew up with my mom playing this song in the house. This mash up of two songs and the voices of the three vocalists creates a beautiful blend of sound.
River – Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell has appeared on a number of my music playlists. This song is from her album Blue, and the first time I was introduced to this song was Sam Smith’s Spotify Singles cover. The piano is so beautiful and this sad song is a great addition to people who are looking for a sad song for their holiday playlist.
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – Remastered 2010 – John Lennon, Yoko Ono
This is MY Christmas song. Although there are some positive Beatles songs that could mark the end of something, those aren’t the songs I reach for. After finishing some challenging classes, this has been my exit song. I love The Beatles and John Lennon is great in this song. This is just one of the songs that proves to me — ignoring all the lyrics about Christmas — that makes Christmas songs a year-round listen.
These are just a few of the songs I’m going to have on repeat this holiday season — and the rest of the year. I hope that a few of these songs from past and present can put you too in the Christmas spirit.