Sometimes, the best songs aren’t the ones heard all year round; rather, they are the songs that truly emphasize the time of year and bring joy to holiday occasions. During December, many people enjoy listening to songs that celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, and the winter season. So, here are a few of my personal favorites to add to the playlist this holiday season.
Image copyright by Phillies Records.
10. “Sleigh Ride” by The Ronettes
“Sleigh Ride” was originally an instrumental piece composed by Leroy Anderson in 1948 when he was wishing for a cool day in the middle of July. There are numerous versions of the song; an extremely popular and widely recognized version is by The Ronettes, an American girl group formed in 1959. While listening to the music, one will be whisked away into a wonderful winter experience of bells ringing and horse hooves clicking during an adventure through the snow.
Image copyright by Haven Gillespie, Leo Feist Inc.
9. “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” by Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen’s cover of “Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town,” specifically his live performance, offers an entertaining and enjoyable listen to one of the most classic holiday songs. This version adds a vibrant, modern rock and roll sound to a memorable tune. The live performance is especially captivating as Springsteen tells jokes and shares humorous comments, while also encouraging the crowd to sing along, putting them in the festive holiday spirit.
Cover copyright Decca Records, 1947.
8. “Mele Kalikimaka” by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters
It’s nice to hear something other than the typical snowy and wintery themes in holiday songs, which makes “Mele Kalikimaka” the perfect song for those who celebrate their Christmas surrounded by sea turtles and sandy beaches, or for those who dream of being toasted on the coasts of Hawaii. As the song reminds us, Mele Kalikimaka is the Hawaiian way to say Merry Christmas and is the island greeting sent to the listener “from a land where palm trees sway.”
Cover copyright Epic Records.
7. “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” by Elmo & Patsy
If one doesn’t believe in Santa Claus or his magical sleigh and reindeer, then they should listen to the story of how they hit and killed a grandmother, and no better way to do that than through song. The dark humor of this song, narrated by the grandson, describes the reaction of a family after they found their grandmother trampled by Santa’s sleigh. After listening, don’t be surprised if everybody starts keeping a closer eye on Grandma this Christmas season.
Image copyright Warner Bros.
6. “Christmas Vacation” by Mavis Staples
“Christmas Vacation” is the opening song for the 1989 film of the same name. The song focuses on the themes of a joyous and festive Christmas season, highlighting the importance of having the family home and together for the holidays. To fully experience the song, consider watching the movie for which it was written. The film is laughable and witty, as it shows a family's disastrous attempt at having a perfect family Christmas.
5. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by The Jackson 5
This song depicts a surprising scene unfolding beneath the mistletoe on Christmas Eve as a little boy sneaks out of his room and is startled by what he sees. The little boy is Michael Jackson from the 1970s American pop band The Jackson 5. In this song, Michael has set out to convince his brothers of the sights he saw concerning their mother on Christmas night through this charming and humorous song.
Image copyright Warner Bros. Records.
4. “The Chanukah Song” by Adam Sandler
Many people know of Adam Sandler, who is a comedian, actor, and singer/songwriter. But was it known that he is Jewish too? In his song, Sandler uses his witty and comical attitude to relate and compare Chanukkah to Christmas. Throughout the song, he gives examples of actors and actresses who are also Jewish while tying in his crude but funny rhyming. Hopefully, when listeners hear this tune, they can have a broader sense of the fun brought with Chanukkah.
Image copyright Columbia Records.
3. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey
Finally, IT’S TIME!! For the Christmas-themed love song by Mariah Carey, who is widely known as the Queen of Christmas. Good luck with singing along to this tune, as Carey exhibits her extraordinary vocals and reaches impressively high notes with every melody. Even though it was released over thirty years ago, this track never fails to address the modern, loving feeling of Christmas. In the lyrics, she explores the love versus materialism theme, which emphasizes the value of being together during the holidays over the exchange of gifts. So maybe next time this hit starts playing, the modern classic will bring to mind the importance of presence over presents.
Image copyright Decca Records.
2. “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee
A fun fact for this song is that Brenda Lee recorded the hit when she was only 13, and it has since become the perfect holiday song for a Christmas party hop. This classic was written in 1958 and later sung by Lee at a surprisingly young age. The tune has a timeless and appealing catch to it, with the spirited voice that portrays it. Instrumental background is always crucial, and this song does not lack it, with the feature of a rockabilly band that consists of guitars, a saxophone, a piano, and a few percussion instruments. When tuning in to this merry melody, feel free to start rockin’ around the Christmas tree or deck the hall with boughs of holly.
Image copyright Epic Records / CBS Records Inc. (Public Domain).
1. “Last Christmas” by Wham!
Last but not least is the bittersweet but beloved holiday classic by the English pop duo from the 1980s: Wham! Consisting of the childhood friends George Michael and Andrew Ridgely, the band is widely known for its holiday heartbreak tune describing a failed romance that occurs at Christmas. This melancholic melody is known for its depressing yet upbeat pop arrangement that helps describe the story of a past love. The song explains the feeling of joy during the holiday season, being replaced with the pain of a heartbreak, as the singer reminds himself to give his heart to someone special, so that he can save himself from tears. A theme of giving love but receiving pain, paired with a bouncy beat, makes this song a relatable and classic favorite. This Christmas, let this sappy song mixed with the sad reality of unrequited love be a reminder to not get fooled by romance this season.
I hope this list has been an inspiration to discover a few new holiday favorites and has been a reminder of the meaning behind each song. No matter the celebration, let the music of the season resonate and bring the joy and cheer of the holidays with every new note and beat.
