By Aaron Calvin
The holidays are just around the bend and soon we’ll all be at home setting up our Christmas trees or Chanukah menorah or what have you. So while you’re drinking your eggnog or hot chocolate and setting up for all sorts of festivities, you’ll need an equally festive soundtrack. Here are a few suggestions from my personal catalog of holiday favorites:
1. “Christmas Time Is Here”- A classic tune off of the Vince Guaraldi Trio soundtrack for A Charlie Brown Christmas, this song is classic Christmas. For a more modern version, look for song as done by Belle and Sebastian or Gatsby’s American Dream.
2. “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”- Full of spirit of the season with a touch of John Lennon, this applies the whole “and good will to men” theme in a broad sense.
3. “Merry Christmas Baby” – A great song to play for the one you’re happy to spending Christmas with (or sad to be missing). You can go with Charles Brown ballad or the upbeat take from Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band.
4. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – Nothing wrong with a little bit of lament to break up the seasonal cheer. U2 does a heartfelt rendition of the song, but my personal favorite is Death Cab for Cutie’s take.
5. “Blue Christmas” – Low and crooning, it’s hard to beat this heartfelt song. The Elvis Presley version is classic stand by, but if you’re in the market for something a little bit more yearning, the band Bright Eyes does an admirable remake.
6. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” – A fun duet remind us that everyone needs a little warmth during the holidays. The adaptation involving Ray Charles is both playful and musically well done. Another version worth looking into is a new interpretation from Norah Jones and Willie Nelson.
7. “I’ll Be Home For Christmas (If Only In My Dreams) ” – It’s hard to beat Old Blue Eyes for the holidays. This Frank Sinatra classic never seems to get too old.
8. “It’s Christmas! Let’s Be Glad!” – A distillation of what Christmas should mean in today’s culture. Sufjan Stevens has penned a short and simple song about being glad, even if the year has been bad.
9. “Christmas of Love” – This jaunty song from Little Isidore & The Inquisitors is perfect for dancing around the Christmas tree or just having a good time in general.
10. “River” – Originally penned by Joni Mitchell, my favorite version comes from Herbie Hancock featuring Corinne Bailey Rae on vocals. Rae’s voice brings out the beauty in this somber tune, while Hancock’s playing gives this delicate song a tender treatment.