Holiday playlist

I've been collecting a list of favorite not-necessarily-traditional holiday tunes over the past several years.  I was first inspired by a former lab-mate who made an amazing mix CD (that was before everyone had an iPod and an iPod dock) that I "borrowed".

So, in no particular order, allow me to provide you with my current Christmas/holiday playlist.  YouTube or other links are provided.  Some songs are traditional Christmas carols, some are less-than-traditional, some are just wintery songs that I like to listen to at this time of year.

Song For A Winter's Night - Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Lightfoot's songs take me back to my earliest memories of childhood.  This Christmas, I received Gord's Gold on vinyl... along with a photo of a new turntable set up in my living room back in St. John's!  Guess I'll be listening to this song all winter long.

Fairytale of New York - The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl
Oh how I love this song.  Maybe my favorite of the season.  See my previous blog post regarding the Jenn Grant and In Flight Safety version of the same.

At Last, I'm Ready For Christmas - Stan Rogers (link to a cover version)
Oh Stan.  He sings the truth.  This song captures the reality of Christmas for young families.  Another Stan favorite of mine is First Christmas... but it always jerks tears so I have left it off my official playlist.  Especially since this WAS my first Christmas away from home.

I Believe In Santa Claus - Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
Dolly and Kenny are a staple at my house over the holidays.

Christmas Must Be Tonight - The Band
Shockingly, I just discovered this song this year.  Very catchy. 

O Holy Night - Weezer
I'm surprised that Weezer's whole Christmas album is religious, with the exception of We Wish You a Merry Christmas.  Anyway, I think it's a fun update from the usual version I hear at church every year.

White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes
This is one of the non-Christmas songs... but I love it.  Just love these guys.  When My Morning Jacket zigged with Evil Urges, these guys zagged in.

Christmas In Killarney - The Irish Rovers
I think I sang this in my grade four Christmas concert.

Merry Christmas Everyone - Séan McCann (song download link)
This is a new release out this year from a Great Big Sea member going out on his own.  I downloaded it because it was free, and it grew on me.

Christmastime - The Smashing Pumpkins
This is one of the songs from my lab-mate I mentioned earlier.  Definitely a new classic.

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon & Yoko Ono
Self-explanatory.

Seven Joys Of Mary - Great Big Sea
Wow.  Traditional, but not classic Christmas.  This song really gets my foot tapping.

I Saw Three Ships - Sting
Short and sweet.  Sting's sound really goes well with this traditional song.

Snoopy's Christmas - The Royal Guardsmen
I have always loved this one.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan
BNL is one of the few bands whose Christmas albums/specials I just adore.

Wintertime Love - The Doors
SO not a Christmas song.  This is maybe my favorite Doors album (Waiting for the Sun).  If you like the Doors at all, I would check it out.

Come And I Will Sing You (The Twelve Apostles) - Great Big Sea
Another traditional song from GBS.  I know it's not a Christmas song, but it somehow feels right at this time of year.  Maybe it's because I first heard this album over a Christmas break; maybe because it's church-y and this time of year church-y songs are kosher.

Little Drummer Boy - Bob Dylan
Most new Bob Dylan songs freak me out a little.  His holiday album is no exception.  This video is quite entertaining though... nothing like the Must Be Santa video.

Happy listening!