Put Some Records On While I Pour

I’m gonna let you in on a little secret.

I. Love. Christmas!

I have loved Christmas since I was a little girl, and I *still* love Christmas like a little girl.

And since – especially since – I had to fight hard to regain my joy in the season after suffering one of the most traumatic events of my life during the Christmas season 11 years ago, I refuse to be ashamed of this facet of my personality.  I love Christmas.  Christmas lights, Christmas cookies, Christmas decorations, Christmas weather (yes, seriously), and I absolutely definitely positively absolutely LOVE Christmas music.

😀

I have been known to listen to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in the middle of July, and I’ll bust out White Christmas in the shower on Easter morning.

There are the Holly Jollies and Winter Wonderlands and Glorias and ‘Round Yon Virgins, but there are also other songs – winter songs, songs of Thanksgiving, prayerful songs, songs of reflection and celebration, of peace and joy and FUN – that, for me, carry more meaning this time of year than any traditional tune ever will.  So I decided to make a Playlist Post, with a mix of music that reflects the best of the winter season, and share some of my favorites with you.  🙂

I would tell you to get yourself a cocktail, but y’all would just take that the wrong way.  Pervs.  (Cum to think of it…  Maybe some aural stimulation will perk up your… Ears.)

😛

‘Kayso…

We begin!

The Raveonettes:  The Christmas Song

I know zilch about this band.  (Duo?)  All I know is that I heard this song on the movie Christmas With The Kranks (NOTE:  Christmas movie post coming soon to a blog near you!), and I fell in like.  Like, serious like.  The kind of like that I was in with Jon Bon Jovi when I was ten years old kind of like.  Heh.  I like it like I like a hair band.  (Which is totally different than a headband.  Duh.)  Perhaps you will like it too.  Give it a listen:

If you like their sound – which has been described by fans as “folky dream-pop” and the exceedingly specific “very cool” – and you dig the indie holiday vibe, you might want to check out Christmas Ghosts and/or Come On Santa as well.

And speaking of the fat man…

One of my favorite Christmas tunes has to do with the Man In Red giving up the cookies and slimming down.

She-Daisy:  Santa’s Got A Brand New Bag

These ladies made a momentary splash on the country music scene in the late ’90s and cut a Christmas album in 2000.  (They’re still around and though their Nashville fame is behind them at this point, they’re still great.)  If you’re in the mood for something a little different – and some original lyrics that will make you laugh – I’d highly recommend taking a listen.  They have great harmonies (because they’re sisters, yo) and in addition to recording original Christmas compositions, they manage to put a fresh perspective on otherwise growing-stale tradition.

And speaking of tradition…

Sting:  Gabriel’s Message

This was originally a Basque carol, and I could bask my ears in it all day.  (I have already hit repeat three times while typing this post.)  Composed circa 1895, it was ‘pop’-ularized by Sting in 1987.

If that type of traditional twist appeals to you, you may also like Instrument of Peace (the prayer of St Francis), as sung by Olivia Newton-John, or even Carol of The Bells as performed by Pentatonix.  (They have a whole album of amazing Christmasness, by the way.  It’s beautiful.  And…  Not quite what you might expect.)

Another thing you might not expect…

She and Him:  Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Let’s just say…  ROLE REVERSAL.

😀

(You’ll have to actually watch the video to understand.)

You know, the thing about that song is, it’s not actually Christmas-y at all.  And yet the holiday season is when it takes to the airwaves.  Odd, that.

Another song that’s not about Christmas at all, but that is definitely wintery, is this one (all proper credit to Simon & Garfunkel, but this is my favorite version of this song):

The Bangles:  Hazy Shade Of Winter

In the same vein, I am a huge fan of The Mamas and The Papas’ California Dreamin’ (I went for a walk on a winter’s day…) and, though the mood is decidedly different, I also gravitate to Counting Crows’ Long December this time of year.

And last, but not least, no proper playlist is complete without a song from my favorite artist.  (If you’re new here, you’ll figure it out.)

Brandi Carlile:  Christmas 1984

LYRICS

When we were young, oh when we were young
We put popcorn on a string and hung it on the sill
Carolers would sing as the night grew still

We were poor back in 1984
There were candles on the fireplace
And tinsel round the wreath
And a foot of snow on top of the street

Well I’ve grown, like we all must do
Found myself a sturdy soul to see me through
And that was the fall of ’92

I was strong and from dust to dawn I worked two jobs just to keep the lights on
I saved up for months just to buy a chain and I gave it to one on Christmas day

And I found myself alone in the winter cold
And my life was filled with things I do not need
And the only thing I want before I’m old
Won’t fit under my Christmas tree

Are we lost to our younger days
No longer are we able to find that place
Strangers to the kids we used to know
And I don’t decorate my house no more

And the only thing I want before I leave
Won’t fit under my Christmas tree
And the only thing I want before I leave
Won’t fit under my Christmas tree

Won’t fit under my Christmas tree

♥

YOUR TURN!  Do you have seasonal selections when it comes to your musical tastes?
What are your favorite go-to songs, holiday-ish or otherwise?