Christmas music is a tradition in most households, but in mine, we take it a step further. Once Thanksgiving ends, we crank the music up, and the game begins.
Once everyone is in the car, we turn the display off in front and hit shuffle on our Christmas music playlist. The only sound is the car driving down the road until a note plays, and we scream to be the first one to answer correctly.
We have gotten so competitive that I can even name Christmas songs in one or two notes. Having this knowledge means that I have heard many Christmas songs and renditions throughout the years.
So, here is a guide of five outstanding Christmas songs to add to your playlists.
1. We Need a Little Christmas by Johnny Mathis
This one is a timeless classic released in 1986. The message of this song can be relatable to everyone year after year because, by the time December rolls around, the average person is burnt out and wants something to look forward to. Christmas time is seen as a symbol of a time when life is happier, spirits are up, and people are nicer.
Specifically, the verse, “For I’ve grown a little leaner, grown a little colder, grown a little sadder, grown a little older,” is very realistic. After a whole year of growing, the cold starts to set in, and most people look forward to a reason for celebration. If celebrating Christmas is a sudden way to bring happiness back into people’s lives, then, of course, the world needs a little Christmas now.
2. Do They Know It’s Christmas by BandAid
This song was released in 1984 to raise funds and awareness of the massive famine happening in Ethiopia. It was composed of artists such as Bono, Boy George, George Michael, Sting, and many more. This year marks the 40-year anniversary of the song and its success. I think it’s important to have it on your playlist because of what it stands for.
We are all lucky in our own ways, and instead of getting wrapped up in the consumerism of the holiday, we should take time to be thankful for the people and blessings we already have. Even though it is not as happy and peppy as other songs, Christmas is about giving to others. That aspect is often forgotten and needs to be brought back.
3. Last Christmas by Wham!
Speaking of 1984, the popular Christmas song from Wham! also made this list. Most people already know this one, but if you happen to live under a rock, I recommend giving it a listen. If you listen to the lyrics, they are not spirit-raising, but it has a fun track and is very catchy.
George Michael was an amazing talent, and he always wanted this song to reach number one. Unfortunately, he died on Christmas Day in 2016, only seven years before Last Christmas would reach that number-one spot.
4. O Holy Night by Bing Crosby
Of all the songs on this short list, O Holy Night is the most important to me, Bing Crosby’s version specifically. This song was released in the 1960s, and the song itself talks about the birth of Jesus.
Bing’s deep voice adds a divine effect that no other artist has come close to recreating. I like to listen to this song after midnight mass because then it really is the “Holy Night” the song is talking about. The lyrics, “the thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,” and “fall on your knees,” express the importance of that night. This is one of the major holidays from a Christian aspect.
When listening to the song, I like to focus on the last repetition of “O night divine. O night when Christ was born,” because I feel like you can form a real connection. Other than the song itself, the choir singing and accompanying Bing sounds beautiful; it all just sounds so perfect and reverent. The song isn’t watered down with secular pop; it truly feels so respectful and authentic. The most important aspect of Christmas for me is that it is the night that Christ was born. Catholicism is a direct result of Jesus. The first five letters of Christmas are Christ, so I highly recommend this one.
5. We Wish You the Merriest by Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby
Lastly, we end with the kings of Christmas music. Not many people can do it better than Frank and Bing, and then putting them together in one song is just magical. This song is the cutest Christmas song to ever exist. Granted, it is not as well known as Bing’s “White Christmas” or Frank’s “Let it Snow,” but I can assure you it is the perfect song to play on Christmas Day when the family is all together and you want to create that movie-like scene of a cozy house. It is an upbeat duet between two legends. This song will bridge generation gaps that exist because what better to bring people together than music?
