By Flora Rowe
While revision may be bogging you down and the few hours of daylight draining your energy, the best thing about December exams is that the Christmas playlists can be brought out. Whether it’s an old school classic, love song or new number, these Christmas tunes should be able to bring a spring to your snow trodden step.
The Old School Classic’s:
Bing Crosby – I’ll be home for Christmas
This song was originally recorded in 1943 when many service men and women were separated from their families for Christmas. While it has been covered in pretty much every Christmas album, we can relate to it as exams are keeping us from getting home. Get nostalgic and curl up by the fire with this old time melody.
Everyone either hates to love this or loves to hate it. Whenever it’s playing in the shops, it is impossible to not theatrically roll your eyes as this embodies everything that is wrong with Christmas. However much you hate the many covers of this, Kitt’s original is electric. She brings earthy soulful vocals that hadn’t previously featured in Christmas songs. Let’s listen to Eartha’s advice and be a little cheeky this Christmas.
Ella Fitzgerald –White Christmas
This is the perfect jazzy Christmas number; it swings while also containing copious amounts of charm. Who isn’t dreaming of a white Christmas? It would be the perfect distraction from revision and along with Fitzgerald’s silky vocals, this tracks helps us slip into the holiday spirit.
The Jackson 5 – I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Kissing and Santa Claus are two of my favourite elements of Christmas. Roll back the clocks to when MJ was innocent; he introduces this Motown Christmas collaboration and the best part is that it’s a family affair, just how Christmas should be.
Nat King Cole – The Christmas song
This is crammed with Christmas cheer while also being sentimental and smoothly sung. With a voice as warm as an open fire, it is understandable why this is one of the best selling Christmas songs of all time.
If you are bored of the same old same old Classics, why not dip into some of the newer contributions to the festive tunes.
AURORA – Half The World Around
19-Year Old Norwegian Singer, Aurora takes on this year’s highly anticipated John Lewis Christmas Advert song. Her hauntingly delicate voice chimes out the charming lyrics of Oasis’ hit. Not only does this tune get you in the mood for Christmas shopping, the proceeds go to Age UK… perfect for festive giving.
Idina Menzel & Michael Bublé – Baby It’s Cold Outside
While Let It Go didn’t quite make it onto the list, here we find the singer Idina Menzel accompanied by Michael Bublé taking on this classic. His tones are rich and compliment her sultry sweet words and the best bit of this? The music video is perfectly delightful, nothing more charming than young love at Christmas.
Coldplay – Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Coldplay takes on the Christmas classic; it twins down-tempo jazzy piano with Christ Martin’s rustic vocals, which results in the most endearing of Christmas covers. This is not their only contribution to Christmas music, Christmas lights is equally as magical.
Steve Shimchick – Christmas Lights (cover)
What playlist would be complete without a home filmed cover? Shimchick is the pianist from the New Jersey-based, independent alternative folk band Cold Weather Company. Their covers are always flawless and this is no exception. Although his voice is musky but he gives a fresh performance of this Coldplay Christmas ballad yet it’s filled with raw emotion. The group also commented on my instagram once so I am a little biased.
Bob Dylan – Hark The Herald Angel Sing
This is another charitable cause, all the profits of the album went to Homeless charities but prepare yourself for typical Dylan’s phlegmy croaks. He was 68 when he recorded this number but it is filled with character as he even gives old chestnuts a sense of menace. By the end of the tune, Dylan’s huffing and puffing becomes meditative despite it sounding like he’s trying to dislodge some tinsel from his throat.
The Progues – Fairy-tale of New York
This is the least Christmassy Christmas song of all time. While it escapes the topic of snow and mistletoe kisses, it talks of a wasted youth and broken dreams among the limp melody and slurred lyrics. While this set out to be an anti-Christmas anthem, its feel good sing a long quality even gets scrooge dancing!
Christmas is a time to spend with your loved ones so it is no surprise that the charts around December are filled with love songs such as these hand picked tunes.
Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You
The spine tingling harmonies, jubilant bells and a sleigh-ride pace make up one of the best selling Christmas anthems of all time. Everyone tries to wail along to this and it is no surprise as who doesn’t want their crush to say these exact words to them? Make this year the year, find some mistletoe and that lucky person and get what you want this year.
This may be seen as the darkest holiday love song ever released, Mitchell mentions innocent elements of Christmas from ice-skating to Christmas tree’s but they have pieces of loss and heartbreak hanging over them. River is an honest confession of emotions but non-the less is still movingly beautiful.
This heartbreak song is perfect for keeping warm on cold winter nights 30 years after it was released. Embrace the synthesisers and energetic tempo as they will persuade you this is a jolly song.
Whether you’re more of a scrooge than a Christmas angel, I challenge you not to sing your heart out and shimmy along to at least one of these festive melodies.
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