STAFF PICKS: Spread holiday cheer with these songs
The holiday season is full of stress. Event planning, gift shopping and ensuring safety at family gatherings are stressful processes in an already difficult year. Despite this, the holiday season is also a time for celebrations, traditions and joy. The Signal staff has picked their favorite holiday songs to celebrate and share joy in these difficult times in the hopes that it can ease stress and bring joy to you and your loved ones.
“As Long As There’s Christmas” from Beauty and the Beast: Enchanted Christmas
It’s a tradition in my family to watch “Beauty and the Beast: Enchanted Christmas” every Christmas Eve and this is the only truly “Christmas-y” song in the film. It features people like Bernadette Peters, Jerry Orbach and (my favorite) Angela Lansbury. It’s just so happy and hopeful and Disney-y. It’s just all my feelings of Christmas in a song.
-Emily Nichelle Wolfe, Editor-In-Chief
“Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber
I love holiday songs because they always put me in a good mood and I always have this song on replay during this time of the year. It probably has to do with the fact that the song brings back some good memories of when I was a Justin Bieber-obsessed-teenager.
-Stephanie Perez, Managing Editor – Outreach
“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Mariah Carey
I know it is cliche to say All I want For Christmas Is You, and so I think its best people listen to this underrated gem. As a song that has been covered by so many, it makes sense that a Mariah Carey rendition would be great. Why? Because it’s Mariah Carey!
-Troylon Griffin II, Managing Editor – Content & Operations
“Last Christmas” by Wham!
When temperatures drop in November and I hear ‘Last Christmas” by Wham! play in stores and other public spaces, it gets me in the mood for their greatest hits album. Wham! is a year-round affair, but I listen to them more around the holidays. My favorites being “Last Christmas” and “Wake Me Up Before you Go-Go!”
-Alyssa Shotwell, Online Editor
“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid
There are many reasons why this song is one of my favorites. This song has a positive message and I love the fact that there are many famous people incorporated into the song. To name a few: Bono (U2), Phil Collins (Genesis), George Michael (Wham!), Sting (The Police) and Roger Taylor (Queen) are all in this song. This song is playing in my car the entire holiday season.
-Jenna Schaub, reporter
“All I Want For Christmas Is You” by My Chemical Romance
This pop-punk spin on the Mariah Carey classic is a must-listen for fans of alternative music. Plus, this version doesn’t get overplayed at retailers for the whole holiday season!
-Miles Shellshear, Executive Editor
“Someday at Christmas” by Stevie Wonder and Andra Day
One of my favorite holiday songs is “Someday at Christmas” by Stevie Wonder and Andra Day! I love this song because it’s incredibly soulful and it sends a very intentional message beyond Christmas about peace and equality.
-Jessica Kunzat, Audience Engagement Editor
“River” by Joni Mitchell
First, Joni Mitchell is a genius lyricist. Second, I love when an artist creates their own holiday song and it’s not just a cash grab. “River” was never released as a single, but it’s become a kind of standard now with people like Sarah McLachlan and Barry Manilow covering the song. It’s even been covered on shows like “Glee” and “The Politician” by Lea Michele and Ben Platt, respective.
-Emily Nichelle Wolfe, Editor-In-Chief
“Sleigh Ride” by TLC
I love the energy from the song, it is very different from many other holiday songs. It’s also a fun song that I could listen to no matter what time of the year.
-Stephanie Perez, Managing Editor – Outreach
“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by U2
While this song has been covered so many times, as a big U2 fan, I love their rendition of this song. With Bono’s great vocals and The Edge’s great ringing guitar notes, this is a wonderful 80’s Christmas Rock jam that will have you rocking over the course of its 2 minutes.
-Troylon Griffin II, Managing Editor – Content & Operations
“Progressive Christmas Carol” by Jon Cozart
I have listened to this mish-mash of songs so much that sometimes when listening to the original, I sing the Jon’s version of the lyrics instead. Jon’s song covers nine classic Christmas tunes in four minutes. Not only are they as catchy as the originals, but they are very tongue-in-cheek and thoughtful-provoking. I also had to make sure at least one Texan made this list!
-Alyssa Shotwell, Online Editor
“Where are you Christmas” by Faith Hill
This song is by far one of my favorite Christmas songs. This song portrays a lot of emotions which makes it all the more beautiful. Christmas is a time of sorrow for many people, but this song says that the joy of Christmas is still inside each and every one of us. I love this song because it sends a touching message to its listeners.
-Jenna Schaub, reporter
“Christmas Treat (I Wish It Was Christmas today)” by Julian Casablancas
This adrenaline-filled holiday indie rock jam is sure to have listeners demanding Christmas long before the day comes!
-Miles Shellshear, Executive Editor
