Musings on...Celebrating Christmas Carols
The Soundtrack of a Soulful Holiday
The gift guide I published a few weeks ago is one of my favorite posts and got some of my most animated responses on Instagram. I had so much fun curating a list of items that don’t make the usual lists. The items were posh, fun, inspirational, educational and silly. When I starting writing the post, I began with a soundtrack of the sounds I most remember from my family holidays, but it became much too long so I moved the playlist to its own post so it could get the attention it deserved.
I created a playlist for you with the spirit of a soulful Christmas. It is a great mix of the classics and modern interpretations from newer artists. I worked retail many Christmases, so I have heard EVERY version of EVERY Christmas song. The playlists with Nat King Cole, Eartha Kitt and Chuck Berry are great crossover mall songs, but these are the songs that made uncles push play on the cassette tape deck (Google it, children) while the moms and aunties cooked in the kitchen. I’ve divided the songs per the proper vibe or mood.
Add a few of these into your holiday playlist and record the response received. If you are hosting Black friends, watch how quickly heads will whip around, looking to give a heads up and a knowing glance. If you have a Zoom meeting this week, I double-dog-dare you to play a few songs while participants are joining the stream. Best Christmas meeting ever and instant street cred to your account.
The OGs or Classic Music Foundation
Every education begins with a foundational knowledge of the masters. Handel, Crosby and Mozart meet Hathaway, Brown and Wonder.
This Christmas by Donny Hathaway.
This is THE Christmas song and the apex of the list. I could actually stop typing now, but then where would we be? This is the first song I suggest you play for your holiday party-the atmosphere will be instantly enhanced.
Silent Night by The Temptations
It doesn’t get more perfect than this, no notes. A few years ago, I listened to NPR’s Terry Gross interview Questlove as he shared his holiday playlist. His final note was about the importance of this song. Well worth the listen.
Merry Christmas Baby by Otis Redding
This is the blueprint for every uncle over the age of 40.
Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto by James Brown.
If James Brown says Santa is on the way, watch for the red Cadillac.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer by The Temptations.
Once you hear this version, you will never be able to hear another. The mix of baritone and soprano, the harmony, the “Hey Rudolph.” The “come on, come on, come on”. Even when I watch the classic claymation each year, I hear this song.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town by The Jackson 5.
There is no song that channels the joy of a child's Christmas anticipation better than this one. You will be happy after hearing this song.
Someday at Christmas by Stevie Wonder.
Leave it to Stevie to make us ponder the state of the world in a Christmas Carol. The Sage of Soul, our musical Yoda, always be, will he. Yes, hmmm.
Let Us Go into the House of the Lord
Even if your family are not active church goers, you are not allowed to forget the reason for the season in a melanated house. Everyone’s grandma was Baptist, so there’s that.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman by Pentatonix
The beginning reminds me of practicing for the Christmas pageants in my Catholic elementary school, then it veers off in a completely unexpected, but wonderful, direction.
Mary, Did You Know by Mary J Blige
I like to think of this as a culture-coded Ava Maria. I imagine a conclave of aunties: “Girl...What do you mean an angel showed up? Did you understand what was happening? You are always doing too much! Whatever, let me hold my nephew!”
Handel’s Messiah Hallelujah by Quincy Jones
This is a compilation album with many well-known and celebrated singers, but this will always be the Quincy Jones Handel Messiah to me. I recommend you listen to the entire album, it is a masterpiece reinterpreting Handel’s Messiah with all genres of music attributed to the African-American musical sound book. This is my favorite Christmas album, and I pull out my well-worn CD every year and find a place to play it. RIP Sir Quincy.
Soul Holiday by Sounds of Blackness.
I think the name says it all.
Whitney Houston deserves a category of her own. I recommend beginning with Joy to the World (with the Georgia Mass Choir), but Do You Hear What I Hear? will save your wretched soul if you haven’t fallen upon an altar already.
Sensual and Sexy Christmas
What we played while shopping with or for a Boo, wondering if they merited an invitation to meet the fam. The songs mixtapes were made of.
Give Love on Christmas Day by New Edition.
THE boy band of all boy bands. I will fight anyone who says otherwise. Thank you Donny Walberg for agreeing with me.
What Child is This by Vanessa Williams
Wilhelmina Slater in her cabaret era, elegantly putting a little spice and sass on a gospel song. The mother’s board is clutching their pearls.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Luther Vandross
Luther was the Nat King Cole for a new generation, smoother and richer than your grandma’s hot chocolate. I dare you to play Bing Crosby’s version, then play Luther’s. See which one gets you pregnant.
Winter Wonderland by Babyface.
Luther walked so Babyface could run. You’ve been warned, use protection.
Let it Snow by Boys to Men.
Once you hear this, you will have a different relationship with snow.
What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas? by The Emotions
This is an outlier: it is not joyful at all, but it must be mentioned and honored for its place in the culture. Remember, R & B stands for Rhythm and BLUES. You would listen to this song while sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the Christmas tree lights. This was a signal to your family that you had been dumped pre-holiday. Your uncle would dutifully try to make you dance with him to pull you from your holiday funk and wouldn’t let you go until you smiled. Good times!
Hip Hop Christmas
Our parents didn’t like it, but we loved it.
Christmas in Hollis by RUN DMC
This song blew our minds, it was revolutionary and became an instant classic.
Christmas Rappin’ by Kurtis Blow
Get it? Wrapping and Rapping?
Sleigh Ride by TLC.
Yasssss, hunty to being Crazy, Sexy and Cool at Christmas
8 Days of Christmas by Destiny’s Child
I’m not sure why the Bey Gang didn’t have 12 Days of Christmas, but it is a fun and melodic look at life in the early aughts.
You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch by Tyler the Creator.
Who doesn’t love the Grinch? He is full of swag or rizz, depending on your generation. A great poke at his theme song.
And of course, All I Want for Christmas by Mariah Carey. I love this song and listen to it with glee from the day after Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day. My family will attest that I never tire of it. Hail, Christmas Queen Mariah-may she ever reign.
What did I forget? Which songs are your holiday traditions? Share in the comments
