Archives from 2002-2006

Nov

28

Holiday mixtape

First: I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, if you were celebrating.

wishbone

Second: I’m currently obsessed with making an epically awesome holiday mix of festive ass-kickery. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

No Christmas for Me, Zee Avi • This Warm December: Brushfire Holiday’s, Vol. 1
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Joshua James • Fields & Floods
Winter Song, Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson • The Hotel Café Presents Winter Songs
Little Drummer Boy, Pink Martini • Joy to the World
Holy, Holy, Holy, Sufjan Stevens • Songs for Christmas
We Three Kings, The Roches • We Three Kings
Ave Maria + Intro, Chris Cornell & Eleven • A Very Special Christmas, Vol. 3
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, Mason Jennings • This Warm December: Brushfire Holiday’s, Vol. 1
O Come All Ye Faithful, Weezer • Christmas With Weezer
God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan • A Winter’s Night
Frosty the Snowman, Fiona Apple • The Hotel Café Presents Winter Songs
Christmas in Prison (Live), John Prine • A John Prine Christmas
Happy Xmas (War Is Over), Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters • My Dreams of Christmas – Single
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Over the Rhine • The Darkest Night of the Year
Winter Wonderland (Single Version), The Andrews Sisters • Christmas
Blue Christmas, Elvis Presley • Elvis Christmas
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix), Johnny Mercer & The Pied Pipers • Merry Mixmas: Christmas Classics Remix (Digital Version)
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Ella Fitzgerald • Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas
Please Come Home for Christmas, Willie Nelson • A Very Special Acoustic Christmas
A Holly Jolly Christmas, Burl Ives • Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Weezer • Christmas With Weezer
I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Stuhr Remix), Kay Starr • Christmas Remixed – Holiday Classics Re-Grooved
Christmas Canon, Trans-Siberian Orchestra • The Christmas Attic
We Three Kings, The Reverend Horton Heat • We Three Kings
Calling On Mary, Aimee Mann • One More Drifter In the Snow
Oiche Chiun (Silent Night) Enya • A Very Special Christmas, Vol. 3
Gabriel’s Message, Sting • A Very Special Christmas, Vol. 1
Carol of the Bells, Mormon Tabernacle Choir • Joy to the World
Wizards In Winter (Instrumental), Trans-Siberian Orchestra • The Lost Christmas Eve

Link to the iMix of all these songs.

Some kind of widget exported by iTunes that may or may not work in your browser:

Aaaaaand a bunch of mostly-crappy YouTube videos of the songs:

“No Christmas For Me” — Zee Avi

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” — Joshua James

“Winter Song” — Sara Bareilles/Ingrid Michaelson

“Little Drummer Boy” — Pink Martini

“Holy, Holy, Holy” — Sufjan Stevens

“Ave Maria” — Chris Cornell

“Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town” — Mason Jennings

“O Come All Ye Faithful” — Weezer

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” — Barenaked Ladies

“Frosty the Snowman” — Fiona Apple

“Christmas in Prison” — John Prine

“Hallelujah” — Over the Rhine

“Winter Wonderland” — The Andrews Sisters

“Blue Christmas” — Elvis

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” — Ella Fitzgerald

“Please Come Home for Christmas” — Willie Nelson

“Holly Jolly Christmas” — Burl Ives

“I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” — Kay Starr

“Christmas Canon” — Trans-Siberian Orchestra

“Calling on Mary” — Aimee Mann

“Gabriel’s Message” — Sting

“Carol of the Bells” — Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Hope you enjoy these as much as I have been. Got any additional song suggestions?

Comments

68 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Denise

14 years ago

Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses.

Bridget

14 years ago

The last few years, I’ve been loving Dada’s I Ain’t Gonna Sit on Santa’s Lap – which might be especially fun for you since Dylan is at that “scared of the big stranger in bright red velvet” stage.

And you can’t go wrong with Santa Baby, of course.

Melinda

14 years ago

Great mix Linda! I have long been partial to the Eurythmics version of Winter Wonderland. It sounds a little extra 80s synthesizer to my ears now but I still love it so.

Bridget

14 years ago

Oops, sorry, it isn’t Dada; the album is only by their guitarist, Michael Gurley.

14 years ago

Two amazing Australian Christmas songs:

White Wine in the Sun by Tim Minchin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNvZqpa-7Q

How to Make Gravy by Paul Kelly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aESRsWltqtA

And my favourite Christmas song:

Fairytale of New York by The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwHyuraau4Q

heather

14 years ago

This is awesome. So glad that you included Sufjan in your mix, too.

Lyn

14 years ago

“Santa Baby” with Eartha Kit is my all time fave! Makes me smile every time I hear it. Thanks for this mix!! I’ve not heard some of these and they are great!!

nomes

14 years ago

nice one!

how to make gravy by paul kelly is a great one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh79619xxk8

Erin

14 years ago

Sweet list. My suggestion is Donde Esta Santa Claus by Guster. It’s a good one to decorate the tree to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOganSDZyLM

jenn

14 years ago

“Merry Christmas from the Family” by Robert Earl Keen (LOVE IT!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P37xPiRz1sg

Aubrey

14 years ago

My own obsession with making the epic Christmas playlist has forced me out of the lurker-friendly shadows!

Three favorites:
~O Holy Night, by musicians for the Tipitina Foundation (a group of New Orleans artists). This song was performed on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and was just amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ0RI_Iv4WM
~The Christmas Song, by the Dave Matthews Band. I absolutely love how it takes religious subject matter (which I don’t necessarily believe in or agree with) and makes it oh-so-humanistic and easy to relate to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbdylEE-0e4
~Baby, It’s Cold Outside by Zooey Deschanel and Leon Redbone. It’s just so fun and slightly naughty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjYUzpdKMZs

Meagan

14 years ago

You need “Merry Christmas from Chiron Beta Prime” by Jonathan Coulton, free for download on his website. Because what Christmas is complete without evil robot overlords?

Amy Beth

14 years ago

A bunch of those are on my list! You might also consider
The Weepies: All That I Want
Priscilla Ahn: Silent Night
Low: Just Like Christmas
Aimee Mann: Whatever Happened to Christmas, Fleet Foxes: White Winter Hymnal
The Rescues: All That I Want For Christmas (Is To Give My Love Away)

They’re all great!

Mama Ritchie

14 years ago

Great mix. I have to admit, I loathe traditional Christmas music (I’m a big Scrooge) but I do love when non-traditional artists put a new spin on classics. For instance, this version of Winter Wonderland by Cocteau Twins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vm9_mXmtKo

susan

14 years ago

Thanks for the list, I always adding to my Christmas Playlist
Here are a few:
Oi to the world No Doubt
Mr Heat Mister Brian Setzor Orchestra
fairy Tale of New York KT Tunstall
I wont be home for Christmas Blink 182

I have lots more!

rachel m.

14 years ago

I Wish it was Christmas Today by Julian Casablancas. very kick-assery. Originally seen on Jimmy Fallon.

Donna

14 years ago

Well THAT cost me some cash, lol!

Author

Linda

14 years ago

Donna: I know, I think I blew my yearly mad money budget on music this week! I wish I could have just posted a file of all these songs for any interested party to download, but JB convinced me that would be a Bad Idea.

Donna

14 years ago

Probably! LOL, and what ever happened with dog? Is he/she okay?

Author

Linda

14 years ago

Dog lives to fight another day! She’s doing much better.

Rebecca

14 years ago

Thank you for the appreciation of Chris Cornell’s “Ave Maria”! That’s one I look forward to listening to every year.

Kelley O

14 years ago

Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 (Instrumental) by Trans Siberian Orchestra.

Terasa

14 years ago

I really enjoy the band Straight No Chaser. Their Christmas stuff is great! My favorite is Carol of the Bells, but everyone else seems to enjoy The Christmas Can-Can and 12 Days of Christmas.

Christine

14 years ago

Glad to hear Dog is better (via comments! but hey). It just ain’t Christmas without Fairytale of New York (the Pogues.) Any Christmas song with the lyrics, “you’re an old slut on junk” is A-okay in my book.

Angharad

14 years ago

Tim Minchin – White Wine in the Sun

Claire

14 years ago

I like a lot of traditional songs so here’s a Frank Sinatra one that rocks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGaPDWMzYGw

I also like Three Ships by Sting.

Amy M.

14 years ago

I second Kelley O’s suggestion of TSO’s “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo”. Being a Gleek, I also have to plug “Baby it’s Cold Outside” performed by Chris Colfer & Darren Criss. Cute.

Liz

14 years ago

AHH! I’ve been OBSESSED with Winter Song by Sara & Ingrid. Obsessed. I found it on YouTube just randomly searching for new music the other day so I love that you posted it. Also? Winter Winds by Mumford and Sons. Maybe not so much Christmas-y, but an awesome song.

Deanna

14 years ago

Every year I make a perky happy mix music cd (quick, easy gift for friends, family and teachers!) complete with labels with the kiddos’ photos on them. Huge Hit!
My list is pretty traditional but with some kids music thrown in (rated G so they can play it at the school).

Beatles- Rockin’ Around the Xmas Tree
BonJovi – Bells WIll Be Ringing
Brenda Lee – Marshmellow World
Hall & Oates – Jingle Bell Rock
Dr Seuss – You’re a Mean One Mr Grinch
Jose Feliciano – Feliz Navidad
Harry Connick Jr – I pray on xmas
Harry Connick – Rudolf
Jackson 5 – Up on the housetop
The Carpenters – Jingle Bells
Dean Martin – Let it snow
Madona – Santa Baby
Then I have 2 secret tracks – the barking Dogs and the Singing cats

Eric's Mommy

14 years ago

It’s not Christmas without “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl. Best Christmas song EVER.

Brenna

14 years ago

Definitely Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and All that I Want by The Weepies. Also:

Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight) – The Ramones

Merry Christmas, Baby – Otis Redding

River (I’m prefer the Sarah MacLachlan version over Joni’s)

Nolita Morgan

14 years ago

Some songs I LIKE to hear this time of year (and my family GETS to hear a lot):
“Pretty Paper” by Willie Nelson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqNFdFbo8cA)
“All I Want for Christmas is You” Vince Vance and the Valiants(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1VkMBi9vvw)
“Please Come Home for Christmas” – The Eagles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stbbEB9O_nc)

marilyn

14 years ago

I don’t know if you’re a Tom Waits fan (maybe not, since I recall a distaste for Bob Dylan…) but Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis is pretty dang nice and goes somewhat well with the badass tone of this collection! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE5NLpZC6r0 There’s a Neko Case cover that’s a little more prettier: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgTPo4zRI2Q

Eliza

14 years ago

This is a super fun post and I LOVE IT. Holiday music is the best because it gives us permission to be as cheesy as we want to be (not that I need permission, but still) …

Suggestions:

Wintersong by Sarah McLachlan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZwI5wXU1z4

In the Bleak Midwinter by Sarah McLachlan:
http://aol.it/e2juaS

(Both of the above make me bawl my face off. Why? I have no idea.)

We Need a Little Christmas by Patrick Wilson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh5N3ysIxt8

(No song puts me in a stupider, sillier holiday mood than the above.)

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Christine Ebersole:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u8rnlFISHw

Silent Night by Lillias White:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5kycJNAUSk

(I like to turn the volume all the way up on Lillias White.)

Ave Maria & What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? by Harry Connick, Jr.

Let it Snow by Michael Buble:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNuZUCpgNeA

White Christmas by Audra McDonald:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVYNA1mQKCw

(Chills, right there.)

Christmastime is Here by Charlie Brown & co.:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPG3zSgm_Qo

So This Is Christmas (War Is Over) by Sarah McLachlan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUOJwDSfMLo

All I Want for Christmas Is You (the Love Actually version):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poFtjW-uGmg

Mandy

14 years ago

Roland Kirk’s title track from We Free Kings.

pilot_e

14 years ago

I’m a traditional music lover… this is one of my all time fav’s
Amy Grant: O Come All Ye Faithful
**the acoustic guitar version.**

Lizerati

14 years ago

Making Christmas from the Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack

and of course this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUELu8o5KJg

Lizerati

14 years ago

Ok I realized I should have identified that link instead of making it look like some weird mystery. It’s Porky Pig singing Blue Christmas

Kari

14 years ago

It sounds completely nutty, but you have to listen to Robert Downey Jr. singing River (a cover of the Joni Mitchell classic).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-z1wS8UbeY

14 years ago

Don’t forget the Tom Waits!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12qBoy2rhVw

thejunebug

14 years ago

“Darcy the Dragon” by Roger Whittaker – his whole Christmas album is a must-have in my house! But your kids will LOVE Darcy the Dragon, I think.

Alicia C

14 years ago

“Christmas Eve/Sarajevo” by TSO is THE BEST Christmas song there is. Ever. Period.

Also, take a listen to Michael Buble’s Christmas album. He definitely has the voice for holiday tunes! :)

Kellie

14 years ago

I am a huge Luther Vandross fan, and I love his Christmas album. Listen to his version of “The Christmas Song”. Other favorite Christmas albums are The Carpenters, Vince Gill, and Amy Grant (I have two of hers). Jim Brickman has some good instrumental/piano versions of Christmas music if you want some relaxing music.