We are in the full swing of Christmas music. Some holiday classics we could listen to year-round, while there are others we wish we'd never have to hear while shopping for presents at The Grove (or any time or place, for that matter) again. So we went through the best, worst, and most thought-provoking songs of the holiday season. Check it out, and be sure to tell us what your favorite (and least favorite) Christmas songs are!
Favorite Christmas Song
LINDSEY: Part of me wants to say “All I Want For Christmas Is You” but the nostalgic part of me has to go with “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole. Mariah’s iconic anthem is the triumphant announcement of the holiday season, but “The Christmas Song” makes me feel that warm, cozy feeling that only comes at Christmastime, and it never gets old.Runners up: “Last Christmas” by WHAM! and “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love.
STEPH: Well in that case, I’ll be basic and go for “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by the Christmas Queen herself, Mariah Carey. I wish I could remember when I first heard this song, but then again, it’s almost as if this song has always been a part of every Christmas for me. We actually had the wonderful opportunity of seeing Mariah Carey perform this song live recently and honestly, it’s truly the season’s greeting. And just to show how in sync Lindsey and I are, we actually share the same runner-ups for favorite Christmas songs.
Least Favorite Christmas Song
LINDSEY: The Chipmunks one for sure. I am no fan of obnoxiously high-pitched voices in children’s content or otherwise (ex: Minions) and every time I hear this grating song on the radio during the holidays, I die a little, then change the station as fast as I can.STEPH: It’s easily a skip for me on “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” Recent times have essentially cancelled this song, but I’m really not quite sure what we were thinking in the first place. I hope we’ll be adding another wonderful duet, but for now, this song ain’t it, chief.
Favorite Cover
LINDSEY: I really love She & Him’s whole Christmas album, A Very She & Him Christmas, and I especially like their cover of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”. If you couldn’t already tell, I much prefer the sweet and simple Christmas songs for the most part, and this album perfectly captures that cozy, laid back vibe.STEPH: There’s got to be at least one mention of the dulcet tones of Michael Bublé, right? His version of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” is all time!
Most Overrated
LINDSEY: I’ve never loved Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime”. It’s just not the most exciting of songs, and the weird wobbly noise reminds me of laminated art projects in the first grade.STEPH: Is it possible to say “Jingle Bells” cause that song is annoying? Though I did just have a chuckle to myself singing the words, “Batman smells, Robin laid an egg.” Why did we think that was funny?
Most Underrated
LINDSEY: There are some great hits that are more recent that don’t get enough love, like Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree”, and I do love a good alt-rock Christmas song thanks to years of The OC and Gossip Girl holiday specials, like The Raveonettes’ “The Christmas Song” and “All That I Want” by The Weepies. And while “All I Want For Christmas Is You” gets all the love, I think “Oh Santa” is just as much of a Mariah Carey Christmas bop!STEPH: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” just brings such warmth to my heart. It’s not poppy but I think it really captures that essence of sitting by the fireplace with hot cocoa in a mug. Also because it’s such a big song that it’s really fun trying to sing it in your best sultry voice.
Could Be A Year-Round Bop
LINDSEY: “Last Christmas” is narratively centered around Christmastime, but I don’t think the music makes it overly-holiday-y, and it’s such a jam that they made a (bad) movie based on it!STEPH: Echoing Lindsey, I hope it’s not sacrilegious to mention Ariana Grande’s spin on “Last Christmas”, cause that’s truly a bop as well. It also kind of captures the anger a little better? I mean yo, I gave you my heart and the very next day, you gave it away! As a Californian through and through that’s never experienced snow at home, “Let It Snow” is a wishful thinking bop!
When is it appropriate to start listening to Christmas music?
LINDSEY: I’d say the week of Thanksgiving, although nowadays it’s almost impossible to avoid Christmas music past November 1st. But for me, I try to wait until the Thanksgiving holiday to really kick it into high gear.STEPH: Big fan of waiting till after Thanksgiving. But sometimes I’ll cheat. Sometimes a little Christmas cheer doesn’t hurt throughout the year!
Which Peanuts kid put in the most work while singing “Hark The Herald Angels Sing”?
LINDSEY: Isn’t the better question who had the best dance during Schroder’s piano number? Because my answer is the twins.STEPH: Schroder’s piano number is a classic always and the kid in orange or the kid in the green are by far the ones bringing it on the dance floor. I will say at 1:14 in “Hark,” someone really goes ham and I love that. But I’d say Pig Pen is my favorite.
Did Grandma really deserve to be run over by a reindeer?
LINDSEY: Yes. She was drunk and left the party to walk home in the snow! That’s dangerous stuff. Call an Uber next time, Grandma!STEPH: I vividly remember one time in the car in Vegas with my whole family, this song came on and my grandma was horrified. That moment has stayed with me for years. But nevertheless, I really don’t see why Grandma had to be run over. She could’ve been avoided don’t you think?
Is Santa a hoe?
LINDSEY: Absolutely. He visits all the houses in the world in ONE night, and sneaks in and out in the middle of the night to leave gifts and eat sweets? Scandalous.STEPH: For sure, he a certified ho ho ho!
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What are your favorite and least favorite Christmas songs? Let us know!