Everyone’s got a favorite Christmas mix CD. Then there are the good old-fashioned standbys: Nat King Cole’s Christmas Album, Christmas Time With The Judds, Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Maria Carey’s classic Merry Christmas. But while it’s great to spark those nostalgic fires, you need to mix it up here and there. Here are seven to get you started!
1. JD McDonald - “Boogaloo Santa Claus” [more info]
This track is taken off Strut Records’ In The Christmas Groove compilation, which you should purchase immediately. With respect, everyone’s heard the Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews version of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and Nat King Coles’ “The Christmas Song” a bajillion times. Switch it up. Make it funky.
2. fun - “Believe In Me” [more info]
They are as their name implies, and this track is a cute little ditty you’ll definitely be singing along to. Nice of the fun boys to drop a little holiday offering on us, especially after releasing such a great full length in Aim & Ignite.
3. Brett Dennen - “The Holidays Are Here (We’re Still At War)” [more info]
The sad thing about this song? It’s not new. It came out in November of 2006, back when we were at war...just like we are now. Brett has some great pipes, and his subject matter is nothing if not poignant. Definitely not a holly jolly tune for your party mix, but a good one to play every once in a while.
4-6. Orba Squara [more info]
“What I Want For Christmas”
“Blue Christmas”
“Very Very (Snow In June)”
Orba Squara is the stage name of New York singer/songwriter Mitch Davis, whose music you’ve undoubtedly heard before. Fun (and pretty astonishing) fact: not since Moby’s Play has an album been licensed as much from top to bottom in film and TV projects as Davis’ Sunshyness. Merry Christmas to him.
7. Jer Coons - “White Snow” [more info]
I know what you’re thinking, and no this song isn’t about that. Choons is a 20-year-old singer/songwriter with a pretty big funny bone. (Just read the bio on his site.) His self-confessed similarity to Damien Rice? They’ve both a bit Irish. The difference? “You don’t need Zoloft to listen to Jer.”
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