Growing up, my family had a very specific couple of CDs we would play when we decorated the house for Christmas, ranging from Sufjan Stevens’s Songs for Christmas to Josh Groban’s Noel to U2’s A Very Special Christmas. My favorite CD was one my dad burned for us. Whether the songs were childhood favorites of my dad’s or mom’s or just interesting covers of traditional Christmas tunes, they quickly became classics to me.
Listening to those songs always reminds me of cutting paper snowflakes around the dining room table, putting up tin or clay ornaments on the tree, decorating sugar cookies made from a slightly altered recipe my dad’s been honing for years. Although I can’t go through all the songs that make up that meaningful tracklist, I’ll go through my favorites—in order, of course.
“Jingle Bells” (Barenaked Ladies)
Likely in an attempt to honor my mom’s Canadian heritage (and also because it hits), my dad included the Barenaked Ladies’ version of the Christmas classic. Fair warning: there is a jump scare moment about thirty seconds into this song. Growing up, we would always have to scramble to turn down the CD player before it blew out our eardrums.
“Just Like Christmas” (Low)
My dad first discovered this song from a Gap commercial. Low’s version of “The Little Drummer Boy” was featured in the ad and my dad found the band’s entire Christmas album. This is arguably the best song from that album, combining the nostalgia and sadness that often comes up during the holiday season.
“The Rebel Jesus” (The Chieftans, Jackson Browne)
If this is any indication of the theological fold I was raised in, this was certainly a favorite that I would feel proud to tell my friends about in elementary school. With all the fixings of an older hymn, the lyrics boldly remind listeners that their “reason for the season” may not be happy with what he would find in their churches or hearts.
“Christmas Song” (Dave Matthews Band)
My dad tells me this song was inspired by an Oscar Wilde quote: “If Christ was alive now, the one thing he wouldn’t be is Christian.” This song feels like if David Bazan had a Christmas album. I guess it’s good enough that I might even excuse the Dave Matthews Band tour bus Chicago River incident of 2004.
“Christmas Time’s a-Comin’” (Emmylou Harris)
This bluegrass song has the type of jaunty beat and joyful lyrics that makes one want to get up and do the hoedown. Come for the mandolin, autoharp, and banjo solo, but stay for the deeply Appalachian pronunciation of “Can’t you hear them bells, ringin’?”
“Christmas Wrapping” (The Waitresses)
This is my all-time favorite Christmas song. Nothing has ever topped the combination of saxophone, trumpet, lyrical storytelling, and a happy ending to boot. I could write about this song for forever. When I one day make a bunch of money selling a Hallmark-esque script inspired by the lyrics, don’t say I didn’t tell you so.
“Father Christmas” (The Kinks)
If you haven’t noticed the theme of songs reminding listeners that they ought to be more generous and consider the true teachings of Jesus as a sacrificial leader and rebel against societal norms, this song certainly hits you over the head with it.
“I Saw Three Ships” (Barenaked Ladies)
This song tastes like eggnog and pairs nicely with a glass of it as well. Another nod to our neighbors up north, this version of a Christmas classic is the perfect end to this list at one minute and six seconds. Uplifting and easy to sing along to, it is a satisfying end to both the tracklist and this festive listicle.
Happy listening and merry Christmas!
Carlisle Patete (‘22) came to Calvin University from the mountains of North Carolina and graduated with a double major in film & media and creative writing. After brief stints in Los Angeles and Chicago, she now resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she enjoys sweet tea on her front porch and identifying every tree and bird she runs into on any hiking trail.
