Sometimes I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas or Holiday music. I want to kill all the local radio stations here in Los Angeles because as per usual they play the most mass-produced, typical music during the holidays and even the entire rest of the year, and while I like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” as much as the next person, I always yearn for something more. I find that stores like Banana Republic and Anthropologie play some of the best holiday music there is. It’s strategic really and very subliminal because they want to keep you in the spirit and shopping, while not driving you away with annoying notes and lyrics at the same time. The shopping/music experience has to be balanced. So without further adieu, I present to you my favorite Holiday songs…

• What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? – Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald’s voice is like velvet, even moreso with this song, where she croons about a lover’s plans for New Year’s Eve. “Maybe I’m crazy to suppose/I’d ever be the one you chose/Out of the thousand invitations you receive/Oh, but in case I stand one little chance/Here comes the jackpot question in advance/What are you doing New Year’s, New Year’s Eve? It’s a timely classic that makes you think about the last day of the year and who you’re going to spend it with and it’s slow and seductive – just the way I love my music.

• Ole Santa – Dinah Washington

I will always and forever love Dinah Washington, she’s amazing for me and her voice is just as great. You can either spend time listening to “Here Comes Santa Clause,” or trade in that played out song for “Ole Santa,” a ballad about the man in the red suit that’s unique. A bag full of toys on his shoulder/I’m so sure there’ll be a stampede/But I’m wishing Ole Santa ‘Godspeed’. These lyrics are particularly genius, but it’s the delivery that counts. Dinah Washington, just like Ms. Fitzgerald never gets old.

• Father Christmas – The Kinks

Fun – this is the simplest way I can describe this song from The Kinks, one of my favorite bands. It’s not only upbeat, but funny and a bit sad actually if you listen to the lyrics. But the last time I played father Christmas/I stood outside a department store/ A gang of kids came over and mugged me/And knocked my reindeer to the floor. There’s a short guitar solo and bells in the song and even though the subject matter is a bit disturbing, this song really gets me in the mood for the holidays – don’t ask why.

• Glasgow Love Theme – Craig Armstrong

This song is from the soundtrack of “Love Actually” and though it’s an instrumental, it’s so beautifully done and dripping with melancholy notes, which is why I probably love it. Music that upsets you and makes you mopey is always better in my opinion, because it tends to give you something to reflect on, and this song does just that – it makes you reflect on the year you’ve had, the ones you’ve lost or perhaps the ones you love.

• Christmas – Leona Naess

Every time I think I’m not going to like a Leona Naess song, I end up loving it. “Christmas” is no exception. Her voice is calming and heavy all at the same time. It’s almost a bit haunting as well. This is not an extraordinary song in the least bit and the lyrics aren’t a literary masterpiece, yet her voice combined with the music makes me love this song. It’s also a sad one, which seems to be the running theme of my list so far. Cause I am full of love/I want kisses and dresses/A late night message that cradles, halos me to sleep
Cause I am full of love/ Yes I am full of the above

• Winterlong – The Pixies

Another “fun” one, The Pixies’ “Winterlong” is another depressing one, yet the somewhat upbeat music disguises the lyrics. I waited for you winterlong/You seemed to be where I belong/It’s all illusion anyway. I like the simultaneous male and female voices singing together and what sounds like an electric guitar strumming in the background.

• Bittersweet Eve – Belasana

The lyrics of “Bittersweet Eve” are very well written and part of the reason why I connect with the song so much – however the music is just as excellent. Well it’s bittersweet/To be incomplete/ On New Years Eve
I guess honestly/There’s a part of me/That just wants to go to sleep. I know I’ve felt that way perhaps almost every New Year’s Eve I’ve had. Sometimes, you just want to go to sleep until it’s all over. And there’s nothing wrong with that

• Christmas Time is Here – Vincent Guaraldi

A classic – there’s not much to be said about this that hasn’t been said already, it will always and forever be a staple in my holiday music collection. This makes me want to go watch Charlie Brown right now.

• I’ve Got My Love to Keep me Warm (Stuhr Remix) – Kay Starr

I’m cheating here a bit because this is a remix of a classic, but oh it’s such a great remix. If this doesn’t get you in the Holiday spirit, there is no help for you. This is exactly the kind of music I would listen to while getting ready to go out. It’s fun and cute and airy and Kay Starr has a beautiful voice. It’s what I like to call “Classic meets Modern.” It’s a marriage made in heaven.

• A Change at Christmas (Say It Isn’t So) – The Flaming Lips

Another sad one, I know. I just can’t help myself. “A Change at Christmas” is on my list because not only is the music great, the lyrics are meaningful, they make you contemplate about life – so far from your typical Christmas song. It’s not about bells or Santa or presents and I love that. Oh, if I could stop time/ It would be a frozen moment just around Christmas/When all of mankind reveals its truest potential/ And there is sympathy for the suffering/ Yes, there is sympathy for those who are suffering/And the world embraces peace and love and mercy/Instead of power and fear. Feels appropriate for this year because mankind, well at least America-kind was at its truest potential when they elected Barack Obama to be our next president. Hallelujah.

• Sleigh Ride – Zigo

Another modern twist on a classic, this is great dinner party music without the cheese fest. Great shopping music as well, I might add.

• The Christmas Song – The Raveonettes

This song was featured in the film “Christmas with the Kranks,” and although I never saw the film, this song really explains my feelings about Christmas. All the lights are coming on now/How I wish that it would snow now/ I don’t feel like going home now/ I wish that i could stay. That’s all I want – lights and snow. Los Angeles, why do you hate me? Why can’t you be like the rest of the country and have a normal four season pattern. Ugh. I’ll be singing this song while I’m sitting on the 405, thank you very much.

• Christmas Bells (Northern Elektrix Remix) – Patti Page

Another oldie remixed into a goodie – dinner party music again, but more upbeat. I’d say this is mingling/appetizer music. Either way it’s good, and it puts me in the mood for this time of year.

• Xmas Time is Here Again – My Morning Jacket

I am just so depressing, aren’t i? Oh well, I don’t care. I promise I love the holidays, it’s just that, as I said, melancholy music is so much better than happy music. Trust me on this. It’s the music that stays with you and shapes your life, for better or for worse.

• All I Ever Get for Christmas is Blue – Over the Rhine

Weatherman says it’s miserable/But the snow is so beautiful/All I ever get for Christmas is blue/It would take a miracle/to get me out to a shopping all/ All I really want for Christmas is you/Let them ring the bells/They won’t miss us/ I’ll be drinking down your kisses. Her jazzy voice, the piano in the background and these beautiful lyrics. This song personifies how I’ve felt about Christmas for the last five or so years, because I haven’t had the chance to spend it with the one person I love, but hopefully we’ll change that this coming year.

Honorable Mentions:

Fairytale of New York – The Pogues

Always on my Mind – Pet Shop Boys

Mad World – Gary Jules