Celebrate This Holiday Season With a Diverse New Sound
Written by Jordyn Ward
Music platforms and the source of all our eccentric playlists have given us the gift of holiday cheer this year with their collection of holiday-inspired singles by such a wide variety of artists that there is no way one of your favorites is not in there. Here are our top 10 from the collection!
10. “Christmas” - The Lumineers
This reimagining of a Christmas classic completely matches the somber and longing lyrics to the instrumentation. We all know the classic version by Mariah Carey by the cheerful repetition of the word Christmas that we will sing for the entirety of the holiday season due to its extreme catchiness. This one right here is certainly not that, if you are spending December alone without love this year, just got out of a tragic breakup, a long-distance relationship making it tough to spread some cheer. This is the song for you so grab your eggnog, sit by the fireplace, and put this on to put a cherry on your beautifully miserable night.
9. “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” - Betty Who
This funky take on the NSYNC Christmas hit will certainly get your feet moving and butt grooving all throughout December. The Australian-American pop singer and LGBTQ+ ICON Betty Who gave us the wonderful present of this remix this year. From the bassline and drum pattern that seamlessly drives us through the entire song and rhythmic electric guitar and of course, Betty’s almost magical voice blessing the melody you will not regret playing this when you’re handed the aux at the gift exchange.
8. “Prende el Arbolito” - El Alfa
At number 8 we have a DEMBOW banger that will have everyone out of their seat and up from the food at la noche buena functions across the world. Dominican artist and proclaimed king of DEMBOW El Alfa had a mission with this one and whether you are an espanol speaker or not give this song im guaranteed that the mission was accomplished
7. “Christmas will really be Christmas” - Black Pumas
Bluesy and without lack of purpose, this song hits on the depravity of joy and presentness of hatred in the world and how the true ideology of Christmas is not being fulfilled until we solve these major issues in society. The duo from Austin, TX is not new to using their voice to spread needed messages with a lot of their music having undertones of the struggle embedded in the lyrics and melody.
6. “Give love on Christmas Day” - John Legend
Soulful legend (no pun intended) John legend gave everything that was needed in this rendition of this classic popularized by the Jackson 5. Led by a beautifully simple piano composition John Legend gives us the perfect song to sit around the fireplace and reminisce about the love shared on Christmas throughout the years.
5. Little drummer boy” Joan Jett & the blackhearts
The old timey story of the boy who had nothing to give but his heart and his music but this time as an alt rock head banging work of art. Alt-rock legend Joan Jett and her band The Blackhearts have been making music for those with a little more grunge in their hearts for more than 2 decades. And since the 80s they have not disappointed so get some friends together in a garage put this on and get to raging in the spirit of the holidays.
4. “Blackout Christmas” - Vérité
This needs to be an addition to any and every vibey Christmas playlist. The sound composition of this song will take you to an entirely different dimension. With hints of R&B and Lofi, this song is the perfect backing track to a snowy car ride home after a long day. And artist Vérité is one to follow because her music is amazing.
3. “Winter Wonderland” - Laufey
No surprise but any Christmas song by this incredible Norwegian- Chinese queen Laufey will make the top three of any list. As the Cover star of this playlist of Spotify singles, it was nothing but expected that she would bring her A game on this tune and deliver she did. This will certainly go down alongside the great versions of this timeless track.
2. “It’s not Christmas 'til you come home” - Norah Jones
jazz musician icon did it again and made another track that absolutely needs to be in every single household during the holidays. The composition of this song was so tasteful yet complex and to top it off the warmth we all need in the winter was given by the warm embrace of her voice. It will for sure be on repeat.
1. “Linus and Lucy” - Anderson Paak
And to top off this list is the one and only Anderson Paaks version of Linus and Lucy a track that is a staple in everyone’s Christmas party playlist. This Stand out song from A Charlie Brown Christmas composed by the ever eternal Vince Guaraldi trio was remade and reimagined by the funk master himself. One half of Silk Sonic and a member of the Free Nationals, Anderson has been known for years now for making certified hood classics and bringing back the soul we’ve all been needing and he continued that trend with this special edition of a song we hold near and dear to our hearts
Have a Happy Holidays and New Year from all of us here at Fresh Off the Scene, share and tag us in your favorite song from this playlist!
