Okay, people. The thing is…hmm…how do I put this gently? Most Christmas music is terrible. At least that’s what we’re led to believe after hearing Mariah Carey 60 times in 30 days.
Well, Rob and I refuse to go through our joyous Christmas season without being able to properly celebrate with some good and groovy tunes. That’s why we’ve been collecting little musical gems for a few years now. I thought I’d post a bunch of our favorites so that those of you who are also fed up with the same Sleigh Ride arrangement that’s been overloading your peripheral hearing your entire life…can finally catch a break.
Check these out and you’ll find yourself enjoying Christmas music once again.
Jazzy: Christmas music played by some of the greats is perfect for celebratory background sound or for parties where you want your guests to think you’re actually kinda cool.
- Jingle Bells by Diana Krall & The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
- Carol of the Bells by Wynton Marsalis
- The Christmas Song by Dexter Gordon
- Medley: We Three Kings of Orient Are / The Holly and the Ivy / La Peregrinacion by The Swingle Singers
- The Nutcracker Suite by The Brian Setzer Orchestra
- O Christmas Tree by Russell Malone
- Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town by Bill Evans
- Toot, Toot, Tootie, Toot (Dance of the Reed Pipes) by Duke Ellington
- Mr. Heatmiser by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Punk Style: This music may be termed irreverent by some, but if you want your kids to think you’re actually kinda cool, these will win them over (and you might be surprised how much you enjoy rocking out, too).
- Coventry Carol by Deas Vail
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Weezer
- 12 Days of Christmas by Straight No Chaser
- Angels We Have Heard On High by Relient K
- Deck the Halls by Relient K
- I’m Getting Nuttin’ For Christmas by Relient K
- Sleigh Ride by Relient K
- Snow Globe by Matt Wertz
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Relient K
- 12 Days of Christmas by Relient K
- Do You Hear What I Hear? by Deas Vail
Modernized Versions of the Classics: It’s not that the classics aren’t wonderful in their own right, they’re just SO overplayed. Try these to make the originals feel original again.