Christmasy non-carols
November 9, 2011 10:52 AM Subscribe
Christmas creepfilter: Looking for non-Christmas songs that sound like they could be fun, happy Christmas carols.
Especially interested in modern rock and pop songs that may have the vibe.
Along the same lines, even songs with vocals that could fit the holiday vibe as well would be awesome.
(I'm looking around for ideas on possible making my own holiday mashup).
Especially interested in modern rock and pop songs that may have the vibe.
Along the same lines, even songs with vocals that could fit the holiday vibe as well would be awesome.
(I'm looking around for ideas on possible making my own holiday mashup).
Can't link right now, but Hawksley Workman's "First Snow of the Year" is an annual tradition for me.
posted by yellowbinder at 11:06 AM on November 9, 2011
posted by yellowbinder at 11:06 AM on November 9, 2011
Just to clarify -- are you looking for pop songs that aren't carols, but are "about" Christmas (i.e., The Eels "Everything's Gonna Be Cool This Christmas")? Or are you looking for pop songs that also aren't about Christmas, but would still kinda fit ("Baby, It's Cold Outside")?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:21 AM on November 9, 2011
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:21 AM on November 9, 2011
For the vibe you're going for, you want this CD (even though many of them are carols).
You definitely want "Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues.
And a personal favorite: "It's Christmas So We'll Stop" by Frightened Rabbit.
posted by jbickers at 11:21 AM on November 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
You definitely want "Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues.
And a personal favorite: "It's Christmas So We'll Stop" by Frightened Rabbit.
posted by jbickers at 11:21 AM on November 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Also, "Snow Angels" by Over the Rhine is a bit more laid-back than the other stuff mentioned, but I think you'll love it.
posted by jbickers at 11:33 AM on November 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by jbickers at 11:33 AM on November 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I always thought that Little Green Bag was a Christmas song, but I'm pretty sure it isn't.
posted by seriousmoonlight at 11:39 AM on November 9, 2011
posted by seriousmoonlight at 11:39 AM on November 9, 2011
Best answer: Also, The Strokes' song Last Night comes to mind.
posted by seriousmoonlight at 12:05 PM on November 9, 2011
posted by seriousmoonlight at 12:05 PM on November 9, 2011
Best answer: Three Dog Night's Joy to the World (Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog)
posted by pised at 12:05 PM on November 9, 2011
posted by pised at 12:05 PM on November 9, 2011
Best answer: Lots of winter-themed love songs out there.
Winter Wooskie (Belle and Sebastian)
Wintertime Love (The Doors)
Winter Must Be Cold (Apples in Stereo)
Instant happy (with a bit of sadness since Logan Whitehurst's no longer with us) Me and the Snowman
posted by pernoctalian at 12:06 PM on November 9, 2011
Winter Wooskie (Belle and Sebastian)
Wintertime Love (The Doors)
Winter Must Be Cold (Apples in Stereo)
Instant happy (with a bit of sadness since Logan Whitehurst's no longer with us) Me and the Snowman
posted by pernoctalian at 12:06 PM on November 9, 2011
Best answer: Aislers Set - Hit the Snow maybe?
posted by mumblingmynah at 12:16 PM on November 9, 2011
posted by mumblingmynah at 12:16 PM on November 9, 2011
Best answer: I've always thought the end of the Pixies' Alec Eiffel had a very holiday vibe.
(I also never knew there was a video for that song until just now.)
posted by breakin' the law at 2:44 PM on November 9, 2011
(I also never knew there was a video for that song until just now.)
posted by breakin' the law at 2:44 PM on November 9, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks guys. I'm definitely looking for songs not intended to be Christmas carols, but just happen to have that vibe (or lyrics that fit).
posted by Unsomnambulist at 3:41 PM on November 9, 2011
posted by Unsomnambulist at 3:41 PM on November 9, 2011
Best answer: I'm still not clear on this one. What is a Christmas carol if it's not Christmasy? How do you evoke Christmas without a Christmas theme? I don't get the Alec Eiffel example at all. When I try to think of what a happy Christmas carol is underneath the Christmas theme, I'm imagining a joyful or mirthful sing-along that makes people happy. A communal song that focuses on the lyrics more than on instrumentation. Simple, intelligible, clear lyrics. Something that evokes snowy wintry fun and togetherness. I think it's tough to do that and still evoke Christmas without being a Christmas song. Wait, do you distinguish between a traditional Christmas carol (e.g., Christmas Bells are Ringing) and a song that just happens to mention Christmas or have a Christmas theme (e.g. Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses)? Anything non Christmasy just sounds non Christmasy. I'd suggest Irish pub songs like Whiskey in the Jar or Wild Rover or things like that for their homey sing-along-ability, but you're looking more for modern songs. I'm stumped, but here's the closest I can think of.
Winter Song - Crash Test Dummies. It is thematically wintry, has a feelgood vibe, uses traditional instruments. It's not quite the sing-along, verse by verse kind of thing I'm looking for, but see what you think.
The Magic Position - Patrick Wolf. This one just has a festive chorus and beat.
I Smell Winter - The Housemartins. Yeah pretty much just because it says winter. Peppy too.
Shopping - Barenaked Ladies. Not quite sing-along, but super fun and happy. And thematically on target with its hectic shopping theme.
December 1963 - The Four Seasons. Calendrically on-target and happy.
Thank God I'm A Country Boy - John Denver. Happy, sing-along, easy lyrics, traditional instruments, homey.
Can't Help Falling In Love - Lick The Tins. Happy, medium easy lyrics, traditional instruments, homey.
Washington DC - The Magnetic Fields. Not sure why. I guess I think of them getting snow. The White House Christmas tree. Kind of fun to sing along to.
Wi' Nae Wee Bairn Ye'll Me Beget - Magnetic Fields. Sounds traditional. Lyrics-forward. Repeating pattern. Fun. Sort of sing-along.
Everlasting Love - U2. Not sure why. Wintry cheery to me.
Jingling Baby - LL Cool J. Longshot, but could it be a modern stand-in for Jingle Bells? Wouldn't want to play it for grandma.
posted by Askr at 4:14 PM on November 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
Winter Song - Crash Test Dummies. It is thematically wintry, has a feelgood vibe, uses traditional instruments. It's not quite the sing-along, verse by verse kind of thing I'm looking for, but see what you think.
The Magic Position - Patrick Wolf. This one just has a festive chorus and beat.
I Smell Winter - The Housemartins. Yeah pretty much just because it says winter. Peppy too.
Shopping - Barenaked Ladies. Not quite sing-along, but super fun and happy. And thematically on target with its hectic shopping theme.
December 1963 - The Four Seasons. Calendrically on-target and happy.
Thank God I'm A Country Boy - John Denver. Happy, sing-along, easy lyrics, traditional instruments, homey.
Can't Help Falling In Love - Lick The Tins. Happy, medium easy lyrics, traditional instruments, homey.
Washington DC - The Magnetic Fields. Not sure why. I guess I think of them getting snow. The White House Christmas tree. Kind of fun to sing along to.
Wi' Nae Wee Bairn Ye'll Me Beget - Magnetic Fields. Sounds traditional. Lyrics-forward. Repeating pattern. Fun. Sort of sing-along.
Everlasting Love - U2. Not sure why. Wintry cheery to me.
Jingling Baby - LL Cool J. Longshot, but could it be a modern stand-in for Jingle Bells? Wouldn't want to play it for grandma.
posted by Askr at 4:14 PM on November 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
I'm still not clear on this one. What is a Christmas carol if it's not Christmasy? How do you evoke Christmas without a Christmas theme?
I'm still not 100% clear either on what "songs that have the vibe" means, but I THINK what the OP is asking for is "pop songs that are either about Christmas or winter, as opposed to Mariah Carey doing a cover of 'Silent Night' or something".
OP -- check out the "Very Special Christmas" compilation albums; there are covers of carols on there, but there's also some fun Christmas theme songs. I have to admit to a soft spot for Run DMC's "Christmas in Hollis."
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:43 PM on November 9, 2011
I'm still not 100% clear either on what "songs that have the vibe" means, but I THINK what the OP is asking for is "pop songs that are either about Christmas or winter, as opposed to Mariah Carey doing a cover of 'Silent Night' or something".
OP -- check out the "Very Special Christmas" compilation albums; there are covers of carols on there, but there's also some fun Christmas theme songs. I have to admit to a soft spot for Run DMC's "Christmas in Hollis."
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:43 PM on November 9, 2011
Response by poster: Sorry for not being clear. I'm not looking for Christmas songs. I'm looking for songs that sounds reminiscent of pop-like Christmas carols... I don't want to specify too much, because I don't want to limit results. But there are definitely some songs that, perhaps due to a jingle in the background, or a pep to the tune, that makes it sound like it came from a Christmas compilation.
Note: most of the above replies get what I'm after. If you didn't, no worries. I really don't know how to explain it better.
posted by Unsomnambulist at 12:26 AM on November 10, 2011
Note: most of the above replies get what I'm after. If you didn't, no worries. I really don't know how to explain it better.
posted by Unsomnambulist at 12:26 AM on November 10, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
You should do it if only for the immortal line, "You snooze, you lose/Well, I have snost and lost."
posted by Madamina at 10:57 AM on November 9, 2011 [4 favorites]