The other day I alluded to discussing more about Christmas music today and that’s just what I’m going to do. True confession: I start listening to Christmas music on November 1st. Yep. And I have no shame about that because it makes me happy and I don’t force it on anyone else. (Well, except for Dale but I don’t think he really minds.)
Here’s the thing, though. I’m not talking about . . . mainstream . . . Christmas music. I’m not over here listening to Jingle Bells and Deck the Halls, I’m listening to songs that are far less traditional. And sometimes (okay often) sort of sad. (Dale says no wonder people are depressed during the holidays if they listen to the stuff I listen to but his favorite Christmas song is Holly Jolly Christmas so what does he know about being sad at Christmas anyway?)
Here are my 3 favorites right now:
Coldplay, Christmas Lights.
Brandi Carlile, The Heartache Can Wait.
Van Morrison, Celtic New Year.
What kind of Christmas music do you enjoy?
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I’ll admit that I get a little sick of Christmas music, but maybe that’s because I don’t celebrate Christmas. If I have to listen to it, though, I really like classic tunes played on a piano.
Messiah is my favorite Christmas listening. We (the choir) practiced for over a year and sang it in my senior year of high school; ever since then it’s been stuck in my head. I can’t resist an oratorio that begins with “Comfort ye”!
Your writing this morning made me smile, as I remembered my favorite Christmastime hymn from my childhood: In the Bleak Midwinter. So depressing! And I LOVED it! Now I steer clear of sad music. These days I love Christmas classics crooned by Frank Sinatra or performed by the Boston Pops; the sound of Burl Ives transports me to the TV set eating popcorn next to my brother. My LEAST favorites are Rudolph, Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls….pretty much anything we sang in elementary music class!
I’ll admit it . . . a little bit of Christmas music goes a long way for me. But I do like to listen to it as we get closer to the Big Day. I tend to like instrumental versions (symphony, piano, classical guitar, banjo, brass, flute, you name it . . . ) of classical Christmas music. Or jazzy versions. Or old crooner versions. I love The Messiah. Sometimes I like updated versions of “old standards” by artists I like. But I rarely like “newer” Christmas music. (Tom barely tolerates most Christmas music UNLESS it is classical. He adores The Messiah.) I
Enjoy your holiday music, Carole! ‘Tis the season! XO
I am with Bonny… Handel’s Messiah is so wonderful, especially having sung it in choirs. I love the classics of my childhood best!
I’m a bit of a traditionalist… but I also love Van Morrison. I had no idea he had Christmas music.
I’ve always loved Celtic New Year, and never really considered it a holiday song but duh!
I love all your selections, especially the Coldplay song. Never heard it before. I do like some traditional music but most of all I love music that makes me feel, and even makes me cry. Enjoy the season!
No Christmas music here, but I do love Brandi Carlile! Have you heard her new project the Highwomen. It’s top notch! Van the Man is also a favorite here. We’ll add a little Christmas mix in the days before Christmas.
oh I love the bleak mid-winter songs, all things classical (Luciano Pavarotti recorded a version of Ave Maria that still makes me tear up) and I also love Kenny G and the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas 🙂
I still enjoy Mannheim Steamroller’s Christmas albums. Otherwise I like instrumental renditions of the traditional carols.
There are several that make me sad, so I stick with the upbeat ones that make me want to dance.