Sad news, everyone. I had to cancel my holiday party. I know. Thank you. You're sweet. For those of you who can't offer sympathy because you have no idea what I'm talking about, I was planning on having an old-timey holiday party this week. It was gonna be a throwback affair where we'd all dress up in fancy clothes, stand around and drink egg nog, trim a tree, sing carols from people with names like Bing, and exchange cheap gender-neutral presents as the snow fell. The problem is that I just moved and there's no way I can coordinate the complete head to toe set-up of my apartment and a holiday party. Something had to give, and the holidays will be back next year.
However, this change does mean that once my apartment is done, I can have a small get together that'll be more casual, and instead of going old school, we can listen to some new holiday songs to get us in the spirit.
This got me thinking about modern holiday songs (written and recorded from 1970s and on) and which are my absolute favorites. Then I thought why just list my favorites when I could turn this Interlude post into a Question to the World post and ask you guys:
What's your favorite modern holiday song?
My favorite is Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" (listen above), which the late, great singer released in 1970. I know I barely made my own cutoff. It is by far one of the most joyful things I've ever heard.
Now while that may be my favorite, it's by far not the only modern holiday song I enjoy. There's "Hey Santa" by Wendy & Carnie Wilson, which is criminally underrated; I have a new entry with the only good song on Michael Bublé's new Christmas album "Cold December Night"; the Maccabeats have forever replaced Taio Cruz's "Dynamite" in my mind with "Candlelight," their tale of the story of Hanukkah (I also hate acappella so they really won me over); and no list would be complete without talking about the song that Mariah Carey keeps exhuming "All I Want for Christmas Is You."
But this is just a scrape off the top of the fruitcake, so that's why I want your list! What are some of your favorite (or least-favorite) holiday songs ever?!
7 comments:
I love holiday music, but I rarely hear something newer and love it as much as "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" or "Santa Baby."
I do have a soft spot for Celine Dion's Christmas album and the title track "These Are The Special Times"
As a kid we listened to this gospel singer named Evie's Christmas song "Come On Ring Those Bells" - it's super cheesy but it's fun to sing along to.
And if Joni Mitchell's "River" (another fave) isn't depressing enough to close your Christmas playlist Relient K's "I Hate Christmas Parties" is perfect. "A broken heart in a box, there's teardrops in my stocking" - it's so sad it's hilarious.
I actually think my parent's have the Celine Dion "These are Special Times" CD and I agree, it's not the worst (also, I love to say the title "These are Special Times" in Celine's French Canadian/crazy accent. Try it. It's hours of fun!)
I will have to YouTube the others, but at least it's something to do on a Friday!
I'm so disappointed about your party! I had a red blazer, green turtle neck, and witty conversation starters all ready to go! Ah well, there's always next year. Now, as to Christmas music, I tend to love the old classic music like God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and, like Paul, O Come O Come Emmanuel, and What Child is This (especially when Vanessa sings it). For modern Christmas Music, you can't beat the Carpenters, especially Merry Christmas Darling.
My favorite modern song is Mariah's "All I Want from Christmas is You." :-)
Hi Sam! I was just playing some Carpenters, that's crazy! And yes, the classics are classics for a reason but U have to leave some space for the modern hits...
Hey Kelly! All I Want for Christmas is great! Played it at my get-together last night and it was a big hit!
oh, I have to get in here . . . .
I wait for this time of year to hear Karen's voice singing Christmas. I love her singing most anything, but Christmas has a special place in my heart.
Now I know you won't know this one, but I have a favorite holiday album called "Smokey Mountain Christmas" of all things. You would think having just escaped from the Brushy Mountain State Prison, like I did, that anything with even the hint of 'smokey' would send chills up my spine, but (gasp) I still like it.
And since the secrets are out, I will admit that I have been listening to the very Glee Christmas albums. I think those kids have great voices and the arrangements are stellar.
As for the party, I was going to throw on just any old rag, but Amanda had her heart set on some scanty little gold number. I don't know if she can be consoled.
Tell Amanda that there's always next year or New Year's! A slinky gold number would look great at a New Year's party! I as u imagined Dale, have never heard of a Smokey Mountain Christmas but it sounds like something lumberjacks listen to so I fully support it! Also have u heard the Glee "Baby it's cold outside" (I'm pretty sure that's the one). It's lots of fun!
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