Sick of the same old holiday songs? Here are some fresh choices
Listening to Christmas songs is one of the joys of the holiday season, but even yuletide die-hards can morph into bitter Grinches after hearing “Holly Jolly Christmas” for the billionth time.
It often seems like the radio stations that play holiday music this time of year have a library of about 100 songs, max. By the time Dec. 25 rolls around, it's hard to stomach a single one of them.
It's too bad, because there are all kinds of great holiday tunes out there, including new takes on old songs, just waiting to brighten someone's season.
Your intrepid Daily Herald entertainment writer decided to do something about it. After a few short searches online (and some help from Wheeling resident and Christmas-music fanatic Kerry Brennan), a playlist of fresh, obscure or simply underrated Christmas songs came to life.
The songs represent different eras and styles, from mid-20th-century acoustic blues to shimmery 2010 indie rock. Some express traditional holiday sentiments, while others offer a darker take on the season.
Consider this playlist just a beginning. Do your own song-hunting this year, so you're not left singing “Bah, Humbug!” when it's time to open presents.
Here we go:
“Riu Chiu,” the Monkees: The Monkees, a stellar pop band that deserves way more respect than it gets, recorded a haunting version of this Spanish Christmas carol in the mid-1960s. Check out the beautiful harmonies here from Mickey Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Davy Jones and Peter Tork.
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” Barenaked Ladies with Sarah McLachlan: I'm generally not a fan of the Barenaked Ladies, whose smug, irony-laced pop rarely rises above the level of generic. But the band hits a home run with this respectful rendition of a Christmas classic, which features an ethereal guest vocal from McLachlan.
“It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” BR549: These alt-country heroes put a twangy and lovely Southern-fried twist on this hymn, which for my money is one of the prettier Christmas songs out there.
“Away in a Manger,” Paul Westerberg: Westerberg, former leader of indie rock legends the Replacements, has always alternated between cutting sarcasm and open sincerity in his songs. This Christmas tune, which appeared as part of Westerberg's recent bursts of online releases, might be a joke, or it might not. All I know is that it rocks.
“Christmas Wrapping,” the Waitresses: Ohio New Wave band the Waitresses deliver a quirky, punky tale about a single woman fed up with the craziness of the holiday season. It was a big hit in the 1980s and deserves many listens during this season. (Please avoid the Spice Girls' version!)
“Time of the Season,” Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan: Scottish beauty Campbell (formerly of the orchestral pop group Belle & Sebastian) and gravelly voiced singer Lanegan (former leader of the Screaming Trees) evoke the collaborations of Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood on this smoky original tune from their 2010 album “Hawk.” It's a gem.
“Soulful Christmas,” Faith Evans: Evans combines old-school soul and contemporary hip-hop on this celebration of the holidays. A great dose of funk for the season.
“Christmas Boogie,” Sugar Chile Robinson: A child prodigy from Detroit, Frankie “Sugar Chile” Robinson wowed blues fans with his singing and piano playing in the 1940s and 1950s. It's hard not to dance along with this traditional blues stomp.
“Winter Wonderland,” Bob Dylan: Critics gnashed their teeth trying to figure out Dylan's 2008 holiday album, “Christmas in the Heart”: Is it a put-on? Is it sincere? What is it? I wouldn't presume to suggest that I understand Dylan's motives, but I will say that he does a fine job on this classic song, despite his froggy croak of a voice.
“The Little Drum Machine Boy,” Beck: Here, for the more adventurous listener, is Beck's bizarre, surreal riff on “The Little Drummer Boy.” It goes on for more than seven minutes and includes plenty of Beck's opaque lyrics, infectious beats and sonic surprises.