The Best Non-Traditional Christmas Songs

I love Christmas music.

I love the traditional carols, like Silent Night and It Came Upon the Midnight Clear. I love the classical pieces like The Messiah and Amahl and the Night Visitors. I love music from holiday specials like Silver and Gold from "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and Linus and Lucy from "A Charlie Brown Christmas." I love many pop artists' Christmas hits from years past, like Eartha Kitt's Santa Baby and Josh Groban's Believe (although very much NOT Paul McCartney's Wonderful Christmastime or Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You). 

But sometimes I long for something a little different. Something a little off the beaten path. Something I don't hear twice an hour all December long. So these are a few of the lesser-known songs I like to break out when I need to listen to something fresh.

Please Daddy, Don't Get Drunk This Christmas by John Denver

Growing up, my dad was a big John Denver fan, so his "Rocky Mountain Christmas" album (on vinyl, of course) was constantly playing in our house throughout December. As a little 6-year-old, I would happily march around the living room, belting out lyrics like, "Just last year when I was only seven - Now I'm almost eight, as you can see - You came home a quarter past eleven and fell down underneath our Christmas tree," with absolutely no idea what they meant. Eventually I figured it out and was vaguely mortified, but this song is still firmly ensconced in my brain as the Christmassiest of Christmas music, so it's at the top of my list of offbeat Christmas favorites. 

The Twelve Days of Christmas by John Denver and the Muppets

Yup, had this one on vinyl too. There is something unbelievably wholesome about the image of the whole cast of Muppets, dressed in cozy Victorian garb, gathered around Denver (with wee Robin perched adorably on his shoulder). It's so good that there are multiple versions of the song, including the version in the video linked above, from the Muppets' 1979 Christmas special, in which Fozzie hilariously forgets his line multiple times, and the recorded version on the album, which includes Beaker's hilarious "MEEMEE MEEMEEMEEMEE" verse. I also find Denver's pronunciation of the word "paaaahtridge" in both versions to be incredibly endearing. 

'Zat You, Santa Claus? by Louis Armstrong and the Commanders

If you like jazz, big bands, Louis Armstrong, or Santa, you'll love this jazz-tacular Christmas song. You can hear Satch smiling as he sings, and you can imagine him leaning back and dancing and snapping along with the band during the instrumental breaks. Modern cover versions by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Buster Poindexter and His Banshees of Blue are worth a listen (and Poindexter's video is deliciously cheesy), but nothing beats the original.  

The Baby Boy by Harry Belafonte

Although not a Christmas album, Harry Belafonte's "Jump Up Calypso" got a lot of play in our house, and one of the most beautiful tracks is actually a Christmas song. Baby Boy is a simple, slow melody, backed with minimal, simple harmonies and accompaniment. Belafonte's rich, smooth voice brings such expression to the lyrics. A perfect song to listen to while sipping a mug of hot cocoa in front of the fire, with the Christmas tree lights twinkling in the background.

Mary Mild by the Kingston Trio

It was not easy for me to choose just one song from this album, which is probably my favorite Christmas album in the whole world. Although contenders included Last Night of the Year, The White Snows of Winter, and Go Where I Send Thee, I opted for Mary Mild because of its sweet story of a child Jesus aching to play with the neighbor's children, but their parents call them home in fear when Jesus builds them "a bridge from the beams of the sun, so they would play with me." The string bass/acoustic guitar/banjo accompaniment and tight harmonies capture the quintessential Kingston Trio sound that's halfway between a lullaby and a folk song.

(It Must've Been) Ol' Santa by Harry Connick, Jr.

Connick's album "When My Heart Finds Christmas" contains a mix of covers of Christmas songs from multiple genres, like Ave Maria and Sleigh Ride, along with a few originals, including this laid-back jazzy number, which features Connick at the keyboard and the band singing along as well as playing. It makes me want to put on a cozy sweater and sit by the fire right next to Harry. It's comfort food for the soul.

Christmas Eve by Blackmore's Night

Blackmore's Night could be described as a "neo-renaissance band," much like Mannheim Steamroller. Co-founded by former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and vocalist/lyricist Candice Night, this track features marvelous acoustic guitar work by Blackmore along with smooth, sweet vocals by Night.

'Til the Season Comes 'Round Again by Amy Grant

Another album of mixed covers and original pieces, one of the loveliest songs from "A Christmas to Remember" is the poignant 'Til the Season Comes 'Round Again, in which Grant's smooth alto begs us to carry the peace of Christmas throughout the year. Another perfect fireside listen, not just this song but the whole album - and Grant's whole Christmas collection, for that matter. 

Cool Yule by Bette Midler

There have been quite a few covers of this song over the years, but I find the Divine Miss M's to be far and above the best. Jazzy piano riffs, brass licks, and of course sleigh bells bring a brightness to this jazz classic, not to mention Midler's delightful vocals. Good background music for wrapping presents!

Let's Start the New Year Right by Bing Crosby

I'll wrap up this list by looking ahead to New Year's Eve with Bing crooning about watching "the old year die with a fond goodbye, and our hopes as high as a kite". Couldn't we all use a little optimism as we look forward to the start of a new year? 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you! Happy listening!

The Best Christmas Songs You Don't Know

If you listen to Christmas music on the radio, you'll notice that there's probably about 40 Christmas songs that just get played over and over again. There are probably 40 or 50 more that you know but don't hear very often. But there are some wonderful, yet obscure, Christmas recordings that ought to be listened to more often. (There are plenty of other obscure Christmas recordings that are obscure for a very good reason, but that's another blog altogether.) Here are some great Christmas songs that you've probably never heard before.

What Will Santa Claus Say (When He Finds Everybody Swingin'): Louis Prima

Louis Prima was a triple threat: fabulous trumpeter, gifted vocalist, amazing showman. All three talents are in play in this wonderful recording of this jazz hit. The first minute is Prima's brass skills, then he - and the band - break into vocals, and the song ends with a fabulous clarinet solo.

Donde Esta Santa Claus?: Augie Rios

The 1950s was the era of the novelty Christmas song, many of which were forgettable at best and painful at worst. But this sweet bilingual song, sung by a 12-year-old boy, asks "Mama, where is Santa Claus?" It was covered by Charo in the 1970s and more recently by Straight No Chaser. All three versions have their own kind of charm, but I admit that I love the original best of all.

The Christmas Tree Angel: The Andrews Sisters

In typical Andrews Sisters' style, the sisters take turns singing each verse as a solo, then the trio breaks into their familiar tight harmony for the refrain. The song tells the story of "Angie, The Christmas Tree Angel," whose job it is to fancy up the Christmas decorations and arrange all of the presents under the tree on Christmas morning.

I Remember Christmas: The Drifters

Much like the Andrews Sisters, the Drifters have a distinctive sound that carries through to their Christmas music. One lead voice with soft harmonizing vocals in the background accompanied by a twangy electric guitar, this laid-back reminiscence song has an old-fashioned feel that will remind you of Christmas in your youth.

The Lord's Bright Blessing (from Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol)

I rewatched this Christmas special for the first time in probably 35 years or more just the other day, and I realized how many wonderful songs there are. You may remember this one as "The Razzleberry Dressing" song, as Tiny Tim references razzleberries about 27 times during the song. The lyrics capture the beauty of Christmas as it's meant to be, where "knowing we're together" is more important than having lots of presents, resulting in a holiday that's "more glorious than grand." God bless us, every one.

All Those Christmas Cliches: Nancy LaMott

Written by the Tony-Award-winning team of Broadway composers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, this lovely song opens with the singer proclaiming that she's lived in exciting cities all the world, and she thought it didn't matter, but now she realizes she wants "all those Christmas cliches" - and then goes on to list them, from plywood reindeer on the roof to the wreath on the door to tinsel to fruitcake. And when the song ends with a poignant request for "that guy in the bright red outfit" to stay instead of flying off, you just might have a little lump in your throat.

Heigh-Ho the Holly: Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians

The group I perform with at Christmas every year does a lovely a cappella arrangement of this piece, but I love the version recorded by Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. It opens with a music-box sounding section, then an orchestral introduction before the voices come in, and it includes a tag which seems to belong to a different piece entirely, but I still love it.

Who Would Imagine a King: Whitney Houston (from The Preacher's Wife)

Houston was at the top of her vocal game in the mid-90s when she released this religious Christmas song on the soundtrack of her hit movie, "The Preacher's Wife." The lyrics contrast the poor baby Jesus' apparent destiny as a carpenter or a fisherman with the angels' proclamations that He would be a King.

Gabriel's Message: The Swingle Singers

This song has also been recorded by Sting and Jars of Clay, but it's the Swingle Singers' a cappella version with its tight and sometimes unexpected harmonies that I would gladly listen to over and over.

Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy: The Gaither Family

Written by Bill and Gloria Gaither, the patriarch and matriarch of the Gaither music empire and composers of a significant portion of the contemporary Christian music written in the 60s and 70s, this piece has their familiar tight, Southern gospel harmony, Even if you don't consider yourself music, you'll find yourself breaking into harmonies and joining in on this sweeping hymn.

Noel: Lauren Daigle

Daigle's vaguely husky yet clear and powerful voice is perfectly suited to this simple melody with its simple yet deep lyrics. This arrangement begins with light, subtle accompaniment that eventually increases into sweeping but not overwhelming synth that lapses into a counterpoint melody in the keyboard, then Daigle's powerful belt of the refrain takes the piece to a whole new place. Great voice, great song.

In the First Light: Glad

The contemporary Christian band Glad started out in the 1970s as a "progressive rock band," but they found that their occasional a cappella arrangements were extremely popular and in the late 1980s they experienced a new popularity as a mainly a cappella group. In what is now common a cappella structure, the song begins with lead vocals and a single harmony line, adds accompanying vocals on ooh and ahs, then finishes with all the voices joining in on intertwining vocal lines, and just a hint of barbershop roots on the last note as the lead voice holds the final glory note until the others echo and hold a rich chord.

Great Christmas Music You Might Not Know

I know, I know - the grocery store has been playing Christmas music for a month now and you're sick of it already. But in my house, Christmas music starts in early November and by Thanksgiving week it's all Christmas music, all the time. Of course, when you start that early, you need a huge variety of music so you don't get bored. And with our family's eclectic taste in music, we listen to all kinds of stuff that you might not be familiar with. So here are some suggestions of Christmas tunes from all genres that you should consider adding to your Christmas playlist.

Gaudete - The King's Singers

The King's Singers is a primarily a cappella male sextet founded at King's College in Cambridge, England, in 1968. Despite many changes in membership over the years, they always have a distinctive crisp sound with minimal vibrato, tight harmonies, spot-on pitch, and impeccable diction. Although their repertoire leans heavily toward classical and renaissance music, they cover all kinds of pop tunes and novelty numbers as well. They have multiple Christmas albums with both accompanied and a cappella pieces, and some with other choirs. One of my favorites from their Christmas repertoire is this lovely medieval Latin hymn, the refrain of which translates to, "Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born of the virgin Mary." This piece is from their album "A Little Christmas Music."

Similar songs you might also like include: In Dulci Jubilo - Guilford Cathedral Choir; Veni, Veni, Emmanuel - Calmus Ensemble; Resonet in Laudibus - Chorus Salvatoris


Somerset Gloucestershire Wassail - The Kingston Trio

I grew up listening to this album over and over all Christmas season, and there's not a cut I don't love, but this particular song so beautifully features the instruments, the harmony, and the simple repetitive melody. If you enjoy this song, be sure to check out the entire album, released in 1960.

If you like this song, you might also like: Silent Night - Crosby, Stills, and Nash; Comfort and Joy (God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen) - Simon and Garfunkel; The Virgin Mary - The Chad Mitchell Trio

12 Days to Christmas - from "She Loves Me"

This track has a special place in my heart since it's a part of a Christmas revue my family performs in every year. The musical is based on the same source material as the film "You've Got Mail," and this particular scene fast-forwards through the Christmas season as the two clerks begin to fall in love in person. As Christmas nears, the customers and the clerks become increasingly frantic and panicky, and the music speeds up accordingly. It's a funny scene and a funny song, and it's completely true to how most of us deal with Christmas approaching.

Similarly light-hearted Christmas songs include: The 12 Days of Christmas - John Denver and the Muppets; The Christmas Can-Can - Straight No Chaser; Pine Cones and Holly Berries/It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - The Osmonds

Still, Still, Still - The Cambridge Singers

A chamber group originally formed by renowned composer and choral director John Rutter, these classically trained voices have released a number of Christmas albums: "Christmas Night" (1987), "Christmas with the Cambridge Singers" (1989), "Christmas Day in the Morning," (1993), "The Cambridge Singers Christmas Companion" (2000), "The John Rutter Christmas Album" (2002), and "A Christmas Festival" (2008). I love the sweetness of the boy sopranos and the contrast between the older singers' richer voices. This track, from their 1989 album, is a particular favorite of mine.

If you enjoy this piece, listen to: Coventry Carol - Westminster Cathedral Choir; In the Bleak Midwinter - The Mormon Tabernacle Choir; Adeste Fidelis - Choir of Christchurch Cathedral

A Tender Tennessee Christmas - Amy Grant

This may seem like a strange choice for a dyed-in-the-wool New Englander like myself, but the longing for the kind of Christmas you remember from your childhood is universal. Grant's mellow voice, with its hint of southern hospitality, strikes the right emotional chord for me. This track is from her first Christmas album, "A Christmas Album" (1983), but she has released 10 (!!) other Christmas albums since then, including "The Animals' Christmas" (with Art Garfunkel, 1986), "Home For Christmas" (1992), and "The Christmas Collection" (2008). Her holiday albums are a mix of covers of traditional songs and original compositions.

If this style appeals to you, try these similar recordings: Do You Hear What I Hear? - Carrie Underwood; Christmas Waltz by the Carpenters; Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Kelly Clarkson

Cool Yule - Louis Armstrong

Backed by a rockin' jazz orchestra, Armstrong's distinctive raspy vocals and wailing trumpet will snap you out of the worst holiday funk. His laugh at the end is my favorite part. If you like this number, be sure to listen to the rest of the album, "What a Wonderful Christmas," featuring other great jazz artists like Lionel Hampton, Mel Torme, Lena Horne, and many others.

Other terrific jazz favorites for Christmas you might want to give a listen to include: Sleigh Ride - Ella Fitzgerald; The Man with the Bag - Jessie J; and Shake Hands with Santa Claus - Louis Prima, which gets its own entry below.

Shake Hands with Santa Claus - Louis Prima

You may not think you know who Louis Prima is, but if you've seen the Disney movie "A Jungle Book," you know him as King Louie, the king of the apes who kidnap Mowgli. Recorded in 1951, "Shake Hands with Santa Claus" was released as a single, but it's been included on multiple collections since, including "21 Jazz Christmas Favorites," "Jingle Bell Swing," "Christmas Don't Be Late...Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Breaking It Up!", and "The Sound of Christmas," among others.

This song is in the same category as Satchmo's Cool Yule, so check the list above for similar songs.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - Harry Belafonte

Belafonte's slow, sweet version of this well-known carol reminds me just how glorious and controlled his voice was. This is a perfect song to play on Christmas Eve after all the presents are wrapped, the kids are asleep, and you're sitting back on the couch with your feet by the fire and your sweetheart by your side. Close your eyes, sip your mulled cider, and remember the peace and calm of Christmas. This song is the final track of his first Christmas album, "To Wish You a Merry Christmas," recorded in 1958.

Other soothing, relaxing Christmas songs featuring similarly mellow vocals include: Christmastime is Here - Diana Krall; My Grown-Up Christmas List - Natalie Cole; O Holy Night - Josh Groban

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

Harry Connick, Jr. takes the classic chestnut made popular by Andy Williams and jazzes it up with a swinging band backing him up. The album, 'What a Night!" (2008) was Connick's third Christmas album, and contains a mix of Christmas standards and original songs.

For other jazzed-up arrangement of Christmas classics, check out these options: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen/We Three Kings - Barenaked Ladies with Sarah McLachlan; Up on the Housetop - Pentatonix; We Wish You a Merry Christmas - New York Voices and Helsinki Swing Big Band

All Is Well - Voctave

Arguably one of the most beautiful a cappella albums ever recorded, the purity and harmony of the voices in this group gives their 2016 album, "The Spirit of the Season," a distinctive sound. Their recording of "Mary, Did You Know" (featuring lead vocals by the composer, Mark Lowry) may be the most well-known cut from this album, but the whole album is full of gorgeously scored traditional and lesser-known Christmas songs.

Other fabulous a cappella Christmas songs include: Christmas Carol Medley - The New Swingle Singers; Do You Hear What I Hear? - Home Free; Children, Go Where I Send Thee - Little Big Town