With Thanksgiving behind us, we have entered upon the time for holiday music without shame. Holiday music is a bit of a g
uilty pleasure for yours truly, and so it’s not uncommon for me to burn a number of different variations on the holiday mix over the course of December.This first incarnation features the more melancholy side of the holiday season. There are two main reasons why I appreciate sad winter songs. First, there’s a feeling of nostalgia for childhood—this isn’t to say that more recent holidays haven’t been good, but they’re certainly different from those past, and this season has a unique way of harkening back to family, friends, lovers and whatnot long past. The other big thing is that with the December holidays comes the end of the year. If it was a bad year, what better way to cap it off than with comparably downtrodden music? If it was a good year, this is the music that can facilitate a wistful look back at what was.
That’s not to say that this mix is all sad, but I do want to reassure you that some more jovial holiday mixing will be on its way. For now, though, I give you the first iteration for 2009:
01. “Winter Song” by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson
02. “Pretty Good Year” by Tori Amos
03. “Winter” by Tori Amos
04. “December” by Weezer
05. “A Long December” by Counting Crows
06. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” cover by U2
07. “Snowed Under” by Keane
08. “All Alone on Christmas” by Darlene Love
09. “River” cover by Sarah McLachlan
10. “Christmas Day” by Dido
11. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” performed by Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan
12. “The Christians and the Pagans” by Dar Williams
13. “Silent Night” performed by Lifehouse
14. “Hating You for Christmas” by Everclear
15. “Lonely Christmas Eve” by Ben Folds
16. “Wintersong” by Sarah McLachlan
17. “Happy X-Mas (War is Over)” cover by Maroon 5
18. “Put a Little Love In Your Heart” by Annie Lennox
I think a good addition to this mix would be "A Sight For Sore Eyes" by Tom Waits. The music sounds upbeat and it's similar to the music they play around New Year's, but the lyrics are a great contrast. They remind me about coming home at the end of the year, and sitting in a bar catching up with old friends.
ReplyDelete"Hating You for Christmas" is a great pick by the way! I think if I remember right, it's a secret song on one of their albums.