Jillian Augustine, Arts & Tech Editor
@jillaugcourant
Imagine you’re curled up in front of a warm fire, snow falling outside, wearing your comfiest pair of footie pajamas, and holding a mug of hot chocolate. With the holiday season now in full swing, there’s only one thing that could make this scene even better: some festive holiday tunes. Everyone knows that holiday music is what really gets you in the mood for the season of giving, and because of this, we have put together a small playlist to jingle your bells to this holiday season.
1. “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms
Of course, we had to begin this playlist with one of the classics. Everyone knows this song, and can sing along when they hear it on the radio or at a Christmas party. While, like all classic holiday songs, there are many covers of it and there are bound to be more, when it comes to “Jingle Bell Rock”, you just can’t beat the original. “Jingle Bell Rock” was first released by Bobby Helms in 1957. That same year, it quickly reached the number 13 spot on the Billboard’s Top Played chart, and the album became the 6th best seller in stores. Overall, there’s no better way to “make your spirits bright” than with this catchy jingle.
2. “Sleigh Ride” by TLC
A complete 180 from Jingle Bell Rock, “Sleigh Ride” is a more modern take on holiday music that you’ve
probably never heard before. Three-woman band TLC combines their soulful, R&B/hip h op sound with classic holiday ideas such as “sleigh bells jingling”, a “winter wonderland”, and wishing us listeners a “very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.” With some killer holiday-related verses, this is definitely the perfect song for (w)rapping presents. The girl group may have fizzled out in the late 1990’s, but their holiday spirit is eternal.
3. “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” By Glenn Miller Orchestra
If you’re looking for a more jazzy, “big band” feel this holiday season, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is a must. Released in 1988, “In the Christmas Mood” pays homage to the holiday season with full sounds and smooth vocals that bring back nostalgia for seasons past. The orchestra’s take on this classic Christmas song, led by the voice of Marion Hutton, will have you singing along in your best soprano voice and possibly even attempting to swing dance around your house. Just make sure you don’t knock over any decorations with those smooth moves.
4. “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey
A Holiday playlist wouldn’t be complete with at least one song from Mariah’s legendary album titled “Merry Christmas”, which was released in 1994. Despite the 22 years that have passed since the release of this album, the rhythmic merriment of Mariah’s voice and her jazzy tracks still somehow manage to pop back up every December. Mariah will probably be performing this song for the rest of her life. That’s exactly why you need this song on your playlist: you truly can’t have the holiday season without the insane vocal range of Mariah Carey filling your Christmas party.
5. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Michael Bublé
This is the type of perfect holiday song that plays in the background as you and your family, all donning festive sweaters and santa hats, light a fire and decorate your Christmas tree. It literally feels that perfect. Michael absolutely delivers on this 2011 album that combines the classic jazz and easy-listening feels of holiday music with some more recent hints of pop. His smooth vocals will have you melting like a marshmallow in a cup of hot chocolate this winter.
With this unique playlist full of songs of all genres, your holiday season should basically feel like a movie with a perfect soundtrack. So, light that fire, put on those PJs, and warm up that hot cocoa, because winter is HERE and it is finally appropriate to listen to holiday music again.
