MUSIC: The anatomy of a great holiday mix

By Phil Dzikiy

December 24, 2008 12:42 pm

— Christmas is already here, and you’ve undoubtedly heard your fair share of Christmas music in the past few weeks — or the past few months, considering the holiday’s ability to sprawl into November.
You’ve probably heard all the classics and the traditional songs, often sung by singers who you either don’t know or can’t quite identify. But there’s a better way to listen to your Christmas music.
Yes, you can make your own Christmas mix tape. Well, probably not a mix tape, but at least a mix CD or a Christmas playlist on your mp3 player.
Here’s a sampling of songs that could possibly included on a Christmas mix that’s a little more hip and varied than your usual run-of-the-mill fare.
Traditional Christmas songs
For some folks, the traditional, time-tested songs will always be the best. And plenty of popular musicians have taken their cracks at these classics.
All discussions about renditions of classic Christmas songs must include the 1963 album “A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector.” The talent on the album — Darlene Love, the Crystals, the Ronettes and Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans — was overwhelming, especially when paired with Spector’s legendary “wall of sound”production.
If you can’t get the entire album, the Ronettes’ “Frosty the Snowman” and the Crystals’ “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” are worth grabbing for a mix, but the true jewel is Darlene Love’s take on “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” which probably stands as the definitive version of the song. That being said, the U2 version of the song is no slouch.
Other go-to covers of Christmas classics include nearly anything covered by Elvis Presley, including “Blue Christmas” and “Silent Night.”
And for a rockin’ version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” you can’t go wrong with the live Bruce Springsteen cover, a radio staple that finds Santa flying over the Jersey turnpike.
Christmas originals
The Beach Boys recorded an album full of Christmas songs, and though it included its fair share of standards, the most memorable track is “Little Saint Nick,” about a “real famous cat all dressed up in red.”
Sticking with older originals, you’ve undoubtedly heard Chuck Berry’s cool “Run Rudolph Run” (likely in a movie) and Stevie Wonder’s “What Christmas Means to Me,” which is sweet and upbeat. Skip the Jessica Simpson version.
The Beatles put out Christmas records when they were still together, but after the band members went their separate ways, both John Lennon and Paul McCartney offered up their own holiday songs. You’ll hear Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” in department stores these days, which makes it one of the most-heard Vietnam War protest songs of all time. McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” is a lot simpler, both musically and lyrically.
The Kinks put out a Christmas classic of their own in the late-1970s with “Father Christmas,” which is far from traditional, as Santa gets threatened by poor kids who prefer cash to toys.
Some of the best Christmas songs are the off-kilter types which steer clear of standard themes. For instance, “Santa’s Beard” by They Might Be Giants tells the tale of a jealous husband who doesn’t like it when his wife climbs on the knee of his friend, who’s dressed as Santa.
The Ramones “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)” is a typically bouncy song about real sentiments and true love — not fighting with your significant other, at least for one day.
Authentic Christmas experiences are also found in “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses, which is one of the few songs to comment on the hustle and bustle of the season, and Run DMC’s “Christmas in Hollis.” When it’s “Christmastime in Hollis, Queens, mom’s cooking chicken and collard greens.”
To fill out the collection, pull from the peppy (Elton John’s “Step Into Christmas”), 1980s charities (Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”) and Mariah Carey’s best song, period, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
It’s always nice to finish up a compilation with something touching and thoughtful. The Vince Guaraldi Trio’s “Christmas Time is Here,” known to most as the Charlie Brown Christmas song, is a wise choice, be it the vocal or instrumental version.
If you’re looking for something more modern, anything from Sufjan Stevens’ “Songs for Christmas” collection might be a nice choice. And Badly Drawn Boy’s “Donna and Blitzen” is the newest Christmas classic that most folks have never heard.

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