A Christmas Antidote
For many people the worst thing about the festive season is the repetitive songs that you cannot get away from, be it in the supermarket or in the local shop. The Christmas season, however, has some of the best songs and pieces of music, you just have to find them. I have compiled an antidote to Mariah Carey and Slade; ten songs that imbue all of the festivity and none of the boredom. (I’ve even included the Spotify Playlist link at the end)
Something Funny- The Season’s Upon Us - Dropkick Murphys
This boozy expletive-laden crack is a flippant assessment of what we all maybe think or do at some point, but aren’t allowed to say in front of Granny. Lyrics like “My nephew’s a horrible, wise little twit/He once gave me a nice gift wrapped box full of shit” ensure that the song will go down a treat after dark.
Something Instrumental- A Christmas Festival - Leroy Anderson
Leroy Anderson was the American master of orchestral music in the early to mid 20th Century. His orchestral arrangements are even with the likes of Copeland and Bernstein, so it is no wonder that his Christmas music is so good. A Christmas Festival is a wonderfully festive journey around many of the best-known traditional Christmas carols. It effortlessly moves between tunes, ending in a climactic counterpoint of Jingle Bells and O Come all ye Faithful.
Something Cheesy- Wrap Myself in Paper - Magnus Carlsson
This is an absolutely cheesy banger that I first heard on Scott Mills’ Radio 1 show. Magnus Carlsson (perhaps unsurprisingly previously of pop group Alcazar) released this cheeseball in 2006. With all of the Swedish pop goodness that you would expect, Wrap Myself in Paper has all of the campiness and feel-good feeling that you would want in a Christmas pop song, but it is so much more listenable than that hideous Shakin’ Stevens song.
Something Classic- Fantasia on Christmas Carols - R. Vaughan Williams
For the religious, traditional Christmas music is often woefully under-performed at Christmas time. This classical slow-burning masterpiece utilises English folk music (as with most of Vaughan-Williams’ works) and builds from a slow wintry start to a full-blown choral/orchestral climax that leaves the warmest of Christmassy sentiment.
Something Downbeat- All I Want for Christmas is New Years Day - Hurts
Arty pop-duo Hurts released this downbeat, almost melancholic lament about the New Year, juxtaposed against Christmas themes and synth beats. It is a really different festive number, that if nothing will make you think about what Christmas means to you.
Something Ballad- Please Come Home for Christmas - James Brown
The Godfather of Soul released several Christmas songs, but this one maintains all of his performance bravado and musicality, as well as being wrapped up in a Christmas story all of its own.
Something Dark- Making Christmas - Danny Elfman
The Tim Burton/Danny Elfman collaboration on The Nightmare before Christmas is a classic kid/non-kid film with a bitingly dark and at times comic score. Making Christmas captures the Halloween/Christmas crossover, and gives a more sinister take on the Christmas season then normally seen.
Something Rock- Merry Christmas Baby - The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album is one of the most successful, era-defining albums, and it is full of Christmas staples like Little Saint Nick and Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. Merry Christmas Baby combines the Christmas message, Wilson sound and 60s rock aesthetic that make it timeless.
Something Festive- Sleigh Ride - Leroy Anderson
Unsurprisingly, Leroy Anderson made another appearance on this list. The original Sleigh Ride is much more theatrical than the vocal versions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6rDA2Czz0E but captures all of the magical power of a good piece of Christmas music.
Something Else- Troika - S. Prokofiev
Prokofiev’s Troika has a distinctive, infectious tune and interplay between the orchestra. Troika came from the Lieutenant Kije Suite, but was never actually written as a Christmas piece. Its popularity as a festive piece has enshrined its place in history, and the orchestrations are now a template for any pastiche composer.
Merry Christmas!
Sam Marshall is a freelance musician, writer and reviewer based in SW UK.
