Happy 10 Days to Christmas! As I mentioned in my book, Christmas music is the only kind of music I really enjoy, besides film music. Because it feels like it is creating a mood, like it is part of a bigger story, not just isolated art. But this also means I spend all of December listening to Christmas songs and I can get pretty sick of the same old-same old. Just in case you are in the same boat, here are some of the best not-standard songs I have run across. (for my favorite standards, check out my earlier Christmas post)
Dolly Parton is just the best, and this song is lovely. Even though it comes from a musical with a not-the-greatest title.
I just recently found this song, thanks to a friend who took pity on my frustration with same-old same-old and gave me a classic Christmas Motown album
This super catchy song was on a random library CD we listened to when we were kids, and we got super addicted to it.
If your Christmas is less happy-swinging times and a little bit rougher this year, here’s a song that will make you feel like someone is writing what you are feeling.
And then, when you are done feeling sad, here’s a good one to pump you up again for all the million things that need to be done.
Speaking of powerful women, you know Kate Smith? Amazingly powerful voice, big deal back in the 40s and 50s, but you don’t hear much about her today.
And finally, if you need something laid back and sunny and California, here’s the Beach Boys!
dontcallitbollywood 
Another thing we have in common! I am also a Christmas music fan (and own about 200 CDs to date…my dad and I add a couple every year to our joint collection). Too many favorites to mention…but here are two you probably know but are probably top 25 for me.
Fairytale of New York – The Pogues (feat. Kirsty MacColl) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8
definitely alternative
Mary Did You Know is one of my favorites and this is the first version I heard and my favorite
I tend to like the religious songs more (I’m one of those terrible holiday/cultural Catholics) and other favorites are Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant and most versions of Do You Hear What I Hear?
Favorite overall Christmas albums are Alabama Christmas, The Temptations Christmas, Moody Blues – December (one of the best ever!), and Linda Eder’s first Christmas album.
LikeLike
The Pogues one was a new one to me! Thanks!
I like “Mary Did You Know” too, to me, it is more about how the mother of a newborn always tries to imagine what will happen in their life, and can they ever really know?
and I also love The Temptations Christmas! Although I think my favorite albums are “Capital Christmas” (where I heard “Christmas Kisses”) and Love Actually, which isn’t entirely a Christmas album, but I only watch the movie at Christmas, so it feels like it.
LikeLike
I realized I didn’t have a copy of Hard Candy Christmas last night so had to get it. Meant to mention the new to me artist Christy Nockel’s holiday album The Thrill of Hope. She’s a Christian Contemporary artist and the song “Amaryllis” is so beautiful.
LikeLike
I’ll have to check it out! Normally I don’t listen to contemporary Christian stuff, but Pandora’s been mixing in a few bands on my Christmas channel, and it’s not bad! At least, not for Christmas, I don’t know how I would feel about it the rest of the year.
wrote:
>
LikeLike
Same here. Definitely only open to Christian Contemporary stuff during the holidays (because there are some beautiful original songs out there), but I’m a progressive liberal Democrat, so…yeah, no.
LikeLike