I have to level with you guys here. I am not a big fan of Christmas music. This is probably an side effect of working retail for the past three years, but somehow holiday music does not get me in the appropriate festive spirit. Unfortunately, as the 25th edges closer and closer, it becomes more and more difficult to avoid listening to it altogether. So for those of you who like me do not enjoy this particular subsection of music, I hereby present Laura Hillsman’s Christmas playlist for people who don’t like Christmas music.
I know. I need to come up with a pithier title.
1) Fairytale of New York by the Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl
Does this song talk about Christmas? Technically yes. Does it ooze sentimentality? Absolutely not. It starts off sweet, but quickly disintegrates into a venue for both parties to vent about the other before finally resolving on a sweet note. If you’re a fan of Walk off the Earth, they also have a really great cover of this song.
2) Just for Now by Kelly Clarkson
Okay, so technically this is an Imogen Heap song. Also, it never actually mentions anything to do with the holiday season. In the lyrics she sings “it’s that time of year, leave all our hopelessnesses aside”, but honestly that could refer to any time of the year. That being said, she did throw it onto her Christmas album Wrapped in Red, so I like to believe that I can consider it to be Christmas music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvop20BtRcM
3) Baby It’s Cold Outside by Zach Braff and Donald Faison
Now, this one is in fact traditionally Christmas-y. What makes it great though, is the dynamic between Donald Faison and Zach Braff. If you’ve ever seen Scrubs, or anything else that these two have been in, then you know that they make a great duo and this cover is no exception. Check out the video for added hilarity.
4) Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) by Leighton Meester
So this song is actually covered by a lot of different people, but I chose Leighton Meester for two main reasons. First, I didn’t think many people had heard this version although I could be very wrong about that. Secondly, I still can’t get over the fact that this Blair from Gossip Girl is a singer. Somehow I find it just endlessly fascinating. Also, I love how she combines upbeat instrumentals to counteract the mildly depressing lyrics. Just because I don’t love Christmas music doesn’t mean that I don’t still want my Christmas music to make me feel happy and upbeat. It’s just my personal preference. Feel free to check out the other covers though. A quick Google search should give you a lot of options to choose from.
5) Yule Shoot Your Eye Out by Fall Out Boy
To be honest, this song is mostly on here due to my inexplicable current obsession with Fall Out Boy. What can I say? I love their lyrics. I also love how they tend to be unintelligible to the listener the first time you hear them. Now this song just gives it to you straight, but it’s still pretty good. Most importantly, there is no overabundance of sentimentality in it, and isn’t that what you’re here for?
Those are just the five top “Christmas” songs I could come up with off of the top of my head, but if you have any other suggestions that you think should have made the list, just leave a comment down below.
Happy holidays everyone!
P.S. Why are there no songs for other holidays? Honestly, they’re not in here because I don’t know any. However, I would also love to hear those suggestions down below.