Christmas carols are an important part of many holiday celebrations. But after hearing “Silent Night” and “Little Drummer Boy” 500 times over a lifetime, sometimes we need a break from the traditional. The CU Independent has compiled a list of secular holiday songs so you can musically prepare to celebrate without overloading on “Deck the Halls” and “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
Check out some of the CUI's favorite holiday songs. (CU Independent Illustration/Josh Shettler)
“All I Want for Christmas is You,” Mariah Carey: After being featured in Love Actually, “All I Want for Christmas is You” quickly became a holiday staple. It was even the most played holiday song last year in the United Kingdom. Carey’s upbeat rhythm and crystal-clear vocals have made this song a modern holiday classic.
“Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” She & Him: Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward switch gender roles in this duet, leaving Deschanel to beg Ward to stay with her rather than the other, “traditional” way around. She & Him keep a faster tempo than most other versions, such as Deschanel’s performance with Leon Redbone in the film Elf. With the change of pace and Deschanel’s sultry voice, this version is refreshingly indie pop.
“It’s Christmas Time All Over the World,” Sammy Davis, Jr.: Children back-up singers always make a Christmas song better. Whether it’s their infantile charm or nearly-flat tone, Davis’ children’s choir is endearing and heart-warming. His smooth vocals and jazzy instrumentation make for an up-tempo, bouncy number that is sure to get holiday party guests dancing.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” Frank Sinatra: Most versions of this song have a hopeful tone, but Sinatra’s is nearly heartbreaking. The slow tempo and swelling background orchestration make Sinatra’s version more melancholic than celebratory. Though this aspect isn’t necessarily what listeners are looking for in a Christmas song, Sinatra’s suave vocals add undeniable beauty to the lyrics, making this song a must listen to this holiday season.
“I Won’t be Home for Christmas,” Blink-182: With finals in full swing, it may be hard for some of us to get into the Christmas spirit. The fact that we’ll have to soon deal with crazy Walmart shoppers, weird Uncle Larry and annoying carolers just adds to that stress. Mark Hoppus of blink-182 knows how you feel. If you’re feeling like the Grinch this holiday season, then “I Won’t be Home for Christmas” is the song for you.
“Kissin’ by the Mistletoe,” Aretha Franklin: Although hearing the Queen of Soul making kissing sounds may be a little on the awkward side, her powerhouse vocals make up for that weirdness. She wraps up the song on a strong note and her vocals aren’t overwhelming. Franklin keeps the tone light through most of the song, but she peppers in her dynamo vocals when necessary.
“Last Christmas,” Jimmy Eat World: Many critics of Jimmy Eat World’s version of “Last Christmas” claim that the song is “bad” because they don’t sing all of the lyrics. Jimmy Eat World maintains the upbeat tempo of the original while also making the song their own even though the only original parts of the song are the chorus and the bridge. They focus heavily on instrumentation rather than vocals, and that is what sets this cover apart from others.
“Santa Baby,” Everclear: There’s something magical about a male punk band covering an overtly sexual song originally sung by Eartha Kitt and later, Madonna. Everclear’s version has a harder sound than previous pop versions, but the band still keeps the “Santa Baby” original swing. Grungy vocals add even more to the hilarity of this cover.
“Song for a Winter’s Night,” Sarah McLachlan: McLachlan perfectly shows how it feels to be without family and friends during the holidays. Her bittersweet vocals and lyrics convey the heartache of celebrating the holidays alone. “Song for a Winter’s Night” is enough to make you grateful that you have to spend time with your odd family.
“That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!” Sufjan Stevens: If you think that your family Christmas celebrations are bad, try going to the Stevens house for yuletide. Though Stevens doesn’t sound angry in his retelling of Christmas Past, anyone who has family holiday drama can relate to this song. The light guitar and vocals makes “That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!” a beautiful addition to a party playlist. Maybe it will subliminally tell Dad to not freak out this year.
Contact CU Independent Entertainment Editor Avalon Jacka at avalon.jacka@colorado.edu.
