I am a huge proponent of the holiday song classics — the first few notes of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” and I instantly channel my inner Buddy the Elf. Holiday music is an integral part of any merry season, yet there is no denying that come New Year's, Bing Crosby begins to lose his appeal — fast. Now, don’t take this the wrong way, but one can only take so many different versions of the same songs before their ready to pull their hair out, just like eggnog and ginger bread.
Lucky for us though, there is hope. After probing the inner confines of my holiday psyche, I have compiled a short list of five original holiday songs sure to bring anyone a refreshing respite from the humdrum of the holiday monotony.
“Christmas Wrapping”- The Waitresses
Most of my life I thought of “Christmas Wrapping” as a classic, which is why it’s relative obscurity surprises me. Possibly the most fun and catchy holiday song around, “Christmas Wrapping” is dripping in 80’s new wave pop, with a saxophone solo to boot. Not only is the song completely original, but the Christmas message is too. The Waitresses hit calls to mind the chaotic rush of the season, a message that can never be understated. In a world filled with music convincing you of the pleasant wonders of Christmas, it's a refreshing take.
“Christmas in Hollis” - Run DMC
“Christmas in Hollis” is just about as funky as Christmas gets. Produced in 1987 in the midst of the “golden age of hip hop," “Christmas in Hollis” tells the compelling tale of young man’s dealings with Santa Claus. The fable is set in Hollis, Queens and is told through fresh rhymes, layered over Christmas tunes and flow as cold as the North Pole itself. Rap music is certainly underrepresented in the holiday genre, so “Christmas in Hollis” is sure to freshen up any holiday playlist.
“My Christmas List”- Simple Plan
"I want a car, and I want a life and I want a first class trip to... Hawaii!" Nobody can deny the allure of gift getting so embedded in the holiday season — especially broke college students. “My Christmas List” found me when I was tasked to complete my family’s annual Christmas party holiday playlist back in the days of the iPod Nano. “My Christmas List” is now a refreshing reminder of the early 2000s pop punk, we all have to admit we loved.
“The Chanukah Song” - Adam Sandler
No holiday playlist is complete without covering the season’s other biggest holiday, Chanukah, yet “Spin the Dreidel” and “Light the Menorah” only go so far. Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukah Song” will always get a sing-a-long going with classic lines like, “Chanukah is the festival of lights/ Instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights.” Adam Sandler produces one of the funniest holiday songs with “The Chanukah Song," and it is always a smart idea to cycle it into the sea of holiday music.
"Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight)" - The Ramones
Leave it to the forebears of punk rock to bring a Christmas song with the word “fight” in the title. Yet, by mixing the chaos of the season, big families, cramped quarters and the rest of the jolly mess that is the season — fights are bound to occur. Maybe the Ramones’ message of peace is just what every playlist needs, not only for it’s originality, but its reminder of tranquility.
