Have Yourself a Merry Little Playlist: Newcomers

Okay, being totally honest, I'm a huuuuge sucker for the classic Christmas carols, in their classic forms. Let's get real, though…there are genuinely only SO many times I can listen to "Holly Jolly Christmas" as sung by Burl Ives before I want to sic the Abominable Snowman on a Claymation elf. Around this time in December, I find myself more drawn to the "new" Christmas classics…twists on old favorites, or even totally new songs. The renditions below are currently spinning on repeat in my Spotify: the perfect mid-December refresher!

--"Run Run Rudolph," Kelly Clarkson. 

Wrapped in Red, Kelly's holiday album, just came out this year and it reminded me why I was so obsessed with old-school American Idols. It's rocking, jazzy, and wistful in turns, all delivered in her powerhouse vocals.  Long live the original American Idol!!

--"Celebrate Me Home," Lady Antebellum

I was "introduced" to this song by The Undertones, Notre Dame's men's a'cappella group…my good friend Hal sang lead on this at their holiday concert my senior year, and since then, it's not really the Christmas season until I've heard it. The Lady Antebellum version is to DIE for with the harmonies. I promise. 

--"River," Lea Michele (yes, from Glee)

No shame. I love this song. It's a good "sort-of-depressing but still beautiful" Christmas song. The Sarah McLachlan version is beautiful, but I fell in love with the Glee version, primarily because Lea Michele has such a stunning, plaintive voice. Combined with the purity of the naked piano, this doesn't sound Glee-esque at all.

--"Maybe This Christmas," Ron Sexsmith

Anyone who can name the original source of this song's popularity will instantly have my heart forever. No takers? THE OC CHRISMUKKAH ALBUM, obviously!! I am a hopeless The OC devotee…and Seth Cohen and Chrismukkah was one of the absolute highlights of the show. 

--"The 12 Days of Christmas," Straight No Chaser

I actually secretly REALLY hate The 12 Days of Christmas. A lot. This song? NOT your grandma's 12 Days. It's a hilarious, madcap, unpredictable and totally irreverent medley performed by one of my faaaavorite a'cappella groups. If you don't chuckle a couple times on the way though, the ending--a Christmas-ized version of Toto's "Africa"--will leave any Notre Dame alum/Backer lover feeling festive!

--"Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays," N*Sync

Yes. I am aware this AUDITORY MAGIC is not exactly a "newcomer." Dare I say, however, that this might actually be the ultimate new holiday classic? My friends, it is ubiquitous, and for good reason. I DARE you not to feel merry after Justin and Co wish you a happy holiday, 90's-boy-band style. 

--"Sleigh Ride," Fun.

This came out before Fun got huge last year, and I kinda really like it. I love "Sleigh Ride" to begin with, but the electro-synth, poppy touches over the old-school strings are charming and quirky and modern. 

--"Little Saint Nick," She & Him

Zooey Deschanel can do no wrong. Take the most saccharinely sweet and adorable Christmas song ever, and add vocals by precious Zooey, and THEN top it off with ukelele, and you have the recorded version of…I don't know, hot chocolate with extra marshmallows. 

--"What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?," The Head and the Heart

I love TH&TH year-round. This song too, has always made me kind of happy in a sort of wishful, romantic way, and their rendition leaves nothing to be desired. Very soulful, very jazzy, very sweet. There's also a French verse in the middle…um, LOVE. 

--"Merry Christmas Baby," Colbie Callait and Brad Paisley

This is a great new-country duet…what a nice update to a sort of offbeat holiday favorite! I really love Colbie and Brad together. Sort of an unexpected combo, but it really works. 

--"Carol of the Bells," Pentatonix

Another a'cappella favorite. The harmonies and scat in between the verses/chorus are amazing. Pentatonix's Christmas album is all great, but this stands out--so different. 

--"We Need a Little Christmas," AgesandAges

This is another Christmas song I just usually really don't like, but this quirky version makes me happy. A little bit of synth, cool harmonies, and slowing it down totally changed the frenetic, irritatingly chirpy tone of the original…for the better.

--"Cold December Night," Michael Bublé

I love Michael Bublé's entire holiday album. I mean, obviously everyone knows he's the best thing to happen to the classics in a long time…which is why it makes perfect sense that his Christmas album has become an instant new classic. I love this original off the album.

--"White Christmas--Live," Lady Gaga

Um, yes. I put Lady Gaga on a Christmas playlist. This song is sacred to many Christmas lovers, which is why I was kind of shocked when I loved Lady Gaga's version. She adds a verse, and there's some great commentary from her between the chorus and verses. Plus, it sounds kind of awesomely jazzy. You go, Gaga.

--"The Nutcracker Suite," Les Brown and His Band of Renown

This is the Nutcracker as you've never heard it before. For starters, it condenses the highlights of the looong album into a great 6:33 capsule. For seconders…it's AWESOMELY jazzy and swinging. Even if you're not an instrumental music lover…you have to give it a listen!

Yikes. By the time you made it this far, it's probably already New Year's. Go reward yourself with a candy cane or two…and some sweet new tunes to match. Happy holidays, ladies and gents!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Playlist: Movie Magic

Maybe I'm secretly still seven…but I have a thiiiiiing for holiday movies. The cheesier and more Claymation-ized they are, the more I love them. Bonus points for adorable children, implausible and heartwarming situations, and, most importantly, a GREAT soundtrack. 

I guarantee that EVERYONE has a holiday song they irrevocably associate to some movie. Maybe it's a childhood favorite. Maybe it's a Christmas rom-com (aka, "Love Actually," because that's basically the only memorable Christmas rom-com). Maaaaaybe it's a song that's not originally from a movie at all but has gotten so wound up in it that the association is there. Whatever the link, it always makes me a bit extra-happy inside when these songs come on shuffle in my massive Christmas playlist. 

--"You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch", Thurl Ravenscroft; How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Let's not even start on this one. It instantly conjures the image of the Grinch sliding around on his belly all slinkily under the tree, and stealing the star. So nasty, so coldhearted, so perfect. 

--"Silver and Gold," Bing Crosby, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Who doesn't love the sweet grandfatherly snowman? His vest alone makes him an enduring favorite. 

--"Christmastime is Here," Vince Guaraldi, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Angelic children singing a sweet song about the holidays? Even better in the jazzy, piano and strings instrumental version. 

--"Gimme All Your Lovin," ZZ Top, The Santa Clause. Yes, I am aware this is not a Christmas song. No, I do not care. The image of Tim Allen as Scott Calden/Reluctant Santa on his way to fight the extinction of Christmas…marching down the hallway of the North Pole and doing that sweeeeet dance synchronized to the song is FOREVER associated to the holiday season for me. Gotta love it. 

--"All I Want For Christmas is You," Mariah Carey, Love Actually. Because duh. It's the most ubiquitous "new holiday classic song," and the most ubiquitous "new holiday classic movie." And I am obsessed with both. 

--"White Christmas," The Drifters, Home Alone. The beginning of this song, with the "ba dooo ba DOO (wop wop)" just makes me feel jazzy and rebellious and festive…kind of like Kevin McAllister. (Newsflash: This song's also prominently featured in The Santa Clause!)

--"Believe," Josh Groban, The Polar Express. I am a totally unashamed Grobanite and have been since the moderately embarrassing age of like…12. I also happen to adore the book "The Polar Express," and thought the movie was charming (unlike many book purists). The song is also super pretty and I love the melody/excessive use of jingle bells throughout.

--"Holiday Road," The Frank & Todd Show, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I actually didn't see this movie until shamefully late in life…like, college. This catchy, fun, swingy tune at the intro credits, and the hilarious and oh-so-relatable opening scene fit so perfectly together. 

--"Where Are You Christmas?," Faith Hill, How The Grinch Stole Christmas (live action). I may have no taste, but I actually really loved the live action version of The Grinch…partly due to this song. The Faith Hill version is deeeeelightful. Totally saves flagging mid-December holiday spirits. 

--"Frosty The Snowman," Gene Autry, Frosty the Snowman. So I didn't actually know this, but the movie "Frosty the Snowman" was created after the song hit airwaves…it was intended to keep the popularity of the song from flagging. That said, great holiday classic. 

If planning to listen to this playlist, I recommend cozy jammies, a bowl of popcorn (or other movie treat of choice), and a kid or kid-at-heart to keep you company. Enjoy!

Have yourself a Merry Little Playlist: Classics

Apologies for the radio silence over here, folks…I took a Thanksgiving hiatus to celebrate the season with my family! My siblings were both home from Ohio and it's been a jam-packed week. Onto the good stuff...

I'm in a committed relationship with my holiday music, and it's barely actually the real "Christmas" season yet. It's almost embarrassing to admit just how early I think it's acceptable to start listening to Christmas music…let's just say that the "private session" feature on Spotify got a lot of use this October…erm, November, that is. Here's my rationale: if you can spell Tchaikovsky without the help of Autocorrect, then "The Nutcracker" is totally fair game year-round. (I'm not joking. I've been able to do it since second grade. Take THAT, Grinches everywhere!)

Since it's now acceptable by everyone's standards to get on the merry and bright music train, here's the first of (probably) several  Christmas playlists which will be gracing the blog this holiday season. I think it's perfect for trimming the tree, wrapping presents, or sipping cocoa (with a little Bailey's for good measure). Enjoy!

-"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," Michael Bublé

-"O Holy Night," Josh Groban

-"Baby, It's Cold Outside," Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan

-"I'll Be Home For Christmas," Chris Botti

-"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," Harry Connick Jr. 

-"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," Mel Tormé

-"Santa Baby," Eartha Kitt

-"White Christmas," Bing Crosby

-"Winter Wonderland," Frank Sinatra

-"The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire," Nat King Cole

Ahhhh. I'm feeling more festive just thinking about these classics. Happy holidays, campers. I'm off to roast some (imaginary) chestnuts on my (prohibited by my lease, also imaginary) open fire. 

A lovely little Tuesday playlist.

I'm alone at a client site wayyyyy out in the burbs today, and that, my friends, calls for a pretty epic playlist. For those who aren't aware, I currently work for a Big 4 public accounting firm as an auditor. This means, basically, that I rotate through a variety of clients over the course of the year working to validate the accuracy and presentation of financial information. Right up my alley, right?

Anyway, the rooms they stick us external auditors in are always a treat. Let's just say that in my 2 years here, I've worked in 2 total audit rooms that have a window. And I've worked on literally dozens of clients. This particular audit room is in the basement of my client's expansive main building, directly under the escalators. This provides a pleasant background chugging and squeaking all day, which unofficially mandates the use of headphones (or the willing sacrifice of sanity). 

Here's what I'm blasting today:  

 -"Team," Lorde (addicted to this girl's entire album. so different.)

-"It's My Part," Jonquil (Jon got me hooked on these guys last spring.)

-"MoneyGrabber," Fitz and the Tantrums (all of their stuff is divine and soo fun.) 

-"Cough Syrup," Young the Giant  (I first found this through the "Glee" cover. The original? So much better.)

-"Half About Being A Woman," Caroline Smith (this is EVERYTHING a slow, sexy jam should be...iffff you know what I mean.) 

-"Falling," Haim (a Kaitlin discovery. They have several other lovely ones as well.) 

-"Recover," CHVRCHES (just saw these guys at FreeFest in Baltimore. Amazing live!) 

-"Pusher Love Girl," Justin Timberlake (because a little JT makes every day better.) 

-"Little Numbers," BOY (another Jon share from last spring/summer that I'm loving.) 

-"Brand New Kind of Blue," Gold Motel (featuring Greta formerly of The Hush Sound.) 

-"Carried Away," Passion Pit (Target lovers will recognize this from recent commercials.) 

-"Running For Cover," Ivan and Alyosha (Lumineers-esque in all the right ways.) 

-"Live and Die," The Avett Brothers (This is currently Jon's and my sooong, guys.)

-"Primadonna," Marina and the Diamonds (sooo resonates with my inner spoiled brat.) 

-"Where You're Coming From," Matt & Kim (sort of a "fuck it, live life and have fun" jam.) 

-"Send Me on My Way," Rusted Root (yes, this is a car rental commercial song. No shame.) 

Now that you've survived more parenthetical interjections than any human should have to endure on Tuesday, go reward yourself with some ear candy. Bonus: it's 65 minutes--the perfect length (and dare I say, mix/mood) for a 60-minute workout and 5-minute cooldown. Happy jamming, campers.  

off to Chicago + ear candy of the day.

Funny that the day after I start a Minneapolis blog, I jet off to another city...headed to the Windy City('s suburbs) for training for the bulk of this week. Should be a nice change of pace; planning on low productivity and maximum absorption of critical property-casualty insurance concepts. You know you're jealous.  

In the meantime, my best friend who has way better and edgier taste in music than me turned me on to Bastille a few weeks ago on a visit to see her in Baltimore, and, of course, she's proven to be ahead of the curve again. Their first single, "Pompeii," is just starting to hit Cities 97 and I am reveling in that too-cool-for-school "Oh, Bastille? Yeah, I've known about them for a while" thing these days. Take a listen...it's so catchy. 

"Pompeii"

Bastille