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Ho Hum, De Dum

I’ve never been a huge fan of Christmas music, some it’s ok, and there are a few songs I really like, but I usually have to be careful to avoid it until the few weeks right around Christmas or I risk getting burned out.

I’m borrowing (was inspired by) something from a blog I read pretty regularly called Planet Dan. In fact he just came out with his 2010 christmas playlist.

Me and Dan don’t exactly have the same musical tastes but there were some really good songs he found. So, between the stuff Dan has picked and a few Christmas albums/LPs I’ve collected that I like I figure I’ve got enough material to make my own Christmas music playlist this year.

So here you go:

1. The Killers – A Great Big Sled. A fun song about remembering Christmas when one was young.
2. Elvis Costello – (What’s so Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love and Understanding. Maybe not really a traditional Christmas song, but it was the big number in A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!, so I figure it is on its way to becoming a classic. It feels Christmasy too because the song is asking the questions that get to the heart of what I think Christmas is all about.
3. Haley Bonar – Rabbit in the Skate. I will take almost any opportunity to listen to Haley Bonar.
4. Sufjan Stevens – Holy, Holy, Holy. Maybe my favorite version of this old classic. Also, I’m studying the book of Isaiah this year so the words have new significance for me.
5. Haley Bonar – Only Xmas. Again, any excuse to listen to Haley Bonar.
6. Sarah McLachlan – River. This is a sad sounding song, and it feels like it is more about winter then Christmas, but it sounds so good, and that kinda the point of this list. Also, even though it is sad, it makes me feel grateful for the good relationships in my life.
7. Sara Barielles and Ingrid Michaelson – Winter Song. Two good singers, singing together and they sound great.
8. Sufjan Stevens – Joy To The World. One of my favorite Christmas Carols and this is probably my favorite version of it. Sure, it’s fun to hear it really belted out in church but I prefer the slower quieter take on it.
9. Rogue Wave – Christmas. One of the many songs about “what christmas is all about”. I kinda get tired of that theme, but this song is cool enough so I don’t mind.
10. Krista Detor – Christmas in London. Not sure what the meaning of this song is, I’ve only listened to in a few times, but it seems to fit well with everything else on the list.
11. The Be Good Tanyas – Rudy. A sad and beautiful song about a homeless guy on Christmas. A good reminder not to ignore people who may need help.
12. Sufjan Stevens – Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. One of my all time favorite hymns. I did not really know it was a Christmas song, but it was on a Christmas album and that’s good enough for me.
13. Haley Bonar – Orphan Song. More Haley Bonar, and it still does not feel like enough. I’m not really sure how this qualifies as a Christmas song, but ever time I hear it I think of The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen which I remember my parent’s reading to us kids around Christmas time. Plus it’s on Haley’s Christmas LP, so I’ll just take her word for it.
14. Regina Spektor – My Dear Acquaintance. Just finishing things up with a new years song.