Search Results for: merry music monday

“This is Christmas, the season of perpetual hope.” –  Kate McCallister, Home Alone

1. Ellen and the Escapades – “By the Fireside”

By the Fireside
…a single (iTunes | Spotify).

2. The Tennessee Whalers – “Just Another Christmas Time (Wishing She Was Mine)”
Just Another Christmas Time (Wishing She Was Mine)
…one of two original Christmas songs (free on NoiseTrade).

3. Emergence Church – “He is Here”
He Is Here
…on Rejoice for a King Has Been Born (free on NoiseTrade).

4. The Hard Ground – “Keep Me For Christmas Time”

Keep me for christmas Time
…a single (download for free on Soundcloud). I just think this song is so beautiful.

5. The XX – “Last Christmas”

I can’t find a legitimate place to download this Wham cover so for now, listen to it repetitively on YouTube like I’ve been doing.

Subscribe to Go Christmas on Spotify for over 300 songs of Merry Music Madness.

“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!” – Dr. Suess, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

1. The Rocket Summer – “Christmas Madness”

Christmas Madness

…on Christmas Madness – EP (iTunes). I’ve been jamming The Rocket Summer at full volume for years and years, so I was super excited to see a Christmas release by Bryce Avary. This track, and his version of “O Holy Night,” are my favorites from the EP.

2. The Oh Hello’s – “Silent Night, Holy Night”

Mvmt III, “Silent Night, Holy Night”
…on The Oh Hellos’ Family Christmas Album (Bandcamp). For me, this is the easily one of the best Christmas EPs released so far this year. It’s just incredible from start to finish and start to finish again and again…

3. Citizens – “Come and Stand Amazed”

Come and Stand Amazed
…on Repeat the Sounding Joy (iTunes | Spotify). This is an original Christmas song by Citizens, the worship band for Mars Hill Church’s U-District campus.

4. Tracy Chapman – “O Holy Night”

O Holy Night
…on A Very Special Christmas, Vol 3 (iTunes | Spotify). I’m closing in on 20 versions of “O Holy Night” on my Christmas playlist, but I keep coming back to this one. For some reason I can’t explain, I think it may be my favorite. I, of course, love the ones with a loud, powerful, Faaaaall on yoooour kneeeees, but this one has a simple beauty to it that I just can’t get enough of.

5. Jimmy Buffett – “Ho Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rhum”

Ho Ho Ho And A Bottle Of Rhum
…on Christmas Island (iTunes | Spotify). Fun fact: I (Caroline) have attended more Jimmy Buffett concerts than any other musician. I grew up with a handful of Parrotheads for family, and his music puts me right in my Aunt’s kitchen. I’ve been listening to his Christmas album since the late 90’s and just neeeded to make sure y’all know it exists, and it’s wonderful.

Subscribe to Go Christmas on Spotify for over 300 songs of Merry Music Madness.

 

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”
– Norman Vincent Peale

1. Folk Angel – “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

O Little Town of Bethlehem
…on Glad Tidings – Christmas Songs Vol. 4 (iTunes | Spotify). Folk Angel makes some of my favorite arrangements of classic songs. This one is so refreshing and unique and just makes me really, really happy.

2. The Rosebuds – “Xmas in New York”

Xmas In New York
…on Christmas Tree Island (iTunes | Spotify | NoiseTrade). I love the entire vibe of this album, but this song in particular stands out as a favorite. Seeing New York at Christmastime is on my bucket list, and the pictures this song paints are haunting to me. Plus, that moody saxaphone almost 80’s-esque solo that doesn’t belong in a Christmas song but somehow works…gosh…just an all around great job, Rosebuds.

3. Peter Bradley Adams – “Snow Will Fall Tonight”

Snow Will Fall Tonight
…on Bands Under the Rader, Vol. 3: A Very Indie Xmas (iTunes | Spotify).

4. The Green Apple Sea – “December”

December
…an early release from their upcoming album (iTunes | Spotify). This German folk band made me cry the other night at 12:42 AM. I just didn’t know what to expect. I liked their band name, the song was called “December,” so of course I was going to listen to it. And you guys, I just love this song so much.

5. Aaron Ivey – “Hallelujah, What a Savior (Christmas Version)”

Hallelujah What A Savior (Christmas)
I listen to the traditional hymn year round, but this rewritten Christmas version is just the best. This is the original version that Aaron Ivey, worship pastor at The Austin Stone, released a few years ago. There is a live version on their A Day of Glory live album (Spotify), sung by Todd Agnew, but this simple studio one is still my favorite. Could this be our faith now sight? Hallelujuh, what a Savior! 

Subscribe to Go Christmas on Spotify for over 300 songs of Merry Music Madness.

“It’s the Grinch! Scatter!” – Tony the Elf

HO HO HO, MERRY MUSIC MONDAY IS BACK!

I’ll be carrying on the tradition that we established two years ago: five Christmas songs every Monday for the next month. It’ll be the best ever, just as it was during the last two rounds (catch up here). Lezgo!

1. Stream: King’s Kaleidoscope “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
…from Joy Has Dawned EP (iTunes | Spotify). King’s Kaleidoscope is the worship band for Mars Hill Church and has made some of my favorite versions of classic hymns. It’s no surprise they’ve now done the same with classic Christmas songs as well.

2. Stream: Nick Lowe – “Children Go Where I Send Thee”

Children Go Where I Send Thee
…from Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All The Family (iTunes | Spotify).

3. Stream: The Last Bison – “Carol of the Bells”

Carol of the Bells
…from Sleigh Ride – EP (iTunes | Spotify). We shared some songs and an interview with this Virginia based band when they were just known as Bison. I was so excited when they released a Christmas EP. This track is the highlight for me – banjo, mallets, violin – perfect.

4. Stream: Justin Bieber – “All I Want is You”

All I Want Is You
…from Under the Mistetoe (iTunes | Spotify). I just needed to make sure everyone remembered that Biebz has a Christmas album. Looking back the days we threw them snow balls…

5. Stream: The Raveonettes – “The Christmas Song”

The Christmas Song
…just a great single (iTunes | Spotify). This has been one of the first songs I listen to every season and has been one of my favorite Christmas songs since high school.

Subscribe to Go Christmas on Spotify for over 300 songs of Merry Music Madness.

   “Well, I would greatly like to oblige, Mr. Collins, but I cannot make this reindeer fly…He only flies on Christmas Eve.” – Kris Kringle

1. JD McPherson – “Twinkle (Little Christmas Lights)”
Twinkle
… single on iTunes. Talk about a new jump-jivin’ sing along. I listened to this three times in a row when I first heard it – it’s just so dang catchy. Thank you, JD.

2. The Dirty Guv’nahs – “Christmas Must Be Tonight”
Christmas Must Be Tonight
… get it for free here. It’s The Dirty Guv’nahs. If you know, you know. If you don’t…then know now.

3. Seabird – “Angels We Have Heard on High”
01 Angels We Have Heard On High
… on Over the Hill and Everywhere (iTunes). My collection of versions of this song has grown quite a bit this year. I’ve got a favorite version to play at full volume (Annie Lennox – “Angels from the Realms of Glory”). Glo-o-o-o-o-O-o-o-o-o-O-o-o-o-o-O-ri-a. I’ve got a favorite folk version (by Folk Angel, perfect enough). But this one takes the cake for an unexpected rendition that is perfect in its own way. Still shouting “Gloria,” but while tapping and stomping and head bobbing. You killed it, Seabird.

4. The Eastern Sea – This is Christmas
01 This Is Christmas
… on First Christmas (iTunes). You can download this track for free on Soundcloud. I love this rhythm so much. I love the vibe. I love the lyrics. I love it all. And at 2:12, when it takes it up a notch, by heart jumps. Every time.

5.  fun. – “Sleigh Ride”
sleighride
… on Holidays Rule (iTunes). The back of our Christmas card this year said “Come on it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.” This season, this has been the song stuck in my head the most. That line…over and over. This new version by fun is…well…fun.

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 “Blast this Christmas music. It’s joyful and triumphant.” – The Grinch

 

1. Stream: Over the Rhine – “Darlin’ (Christmas is Coming)”
02_darlin_christmas_is_coming
… on Snow Angels (free on NoiseTrade), Over the Rhine‘s second full length Christmas album. This vibe just makes me so happy.

2. Stream: The Ones and Nines – “Merry Christmas Baby”
06 Merry Christmas Baby
… on Mint 400 Records Presents a Very Merry Christmas Compilation (iTunes). The Ones and Nines bring some rhythm and blues to the Otis Redding/Charles Brown classic.

3. Stream: Marcia Ball – “Christmas Fais Do Do”
10 Christmas Fais Do Do
… on Alligator Records’ Genuine Houserockin’ Christmas (iTunes). Put a little Cajun in your Christmas. Marcia Ball gets the award my favorite track on the compilation.

4. Stream: Duke of Norfolk – “Lovely Winter”
The Duke of Norfolk – Lovely Winter
… on European Robin (here – track for $.50 here). This song is poetry and was the first Duke of Norfolk song I’d heard. I’m now a fan.

5. Stream: Roman Candle – “It’s Christmas. Go on and say hello.” 
07_its_christmas_go_on_and_say_hello
… get the single for free here. One of the best songs Roman Candle has recorded…in my opinion.

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 “Christmas is awesome. First of all you get to spend time with people you love. Secondly, you can get drunk and no one can say anything. Third, you give presents. What’s better than giving presents? And fourth, getting presents. So, four things. Not bad for one day. It’s really the greatest day of all time.” – Michael Scott

1. Stream: Andrew Belle – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
01 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
… get the single on iTunes. One of the best Christmas songs, and this version, released last year, became my favorite the first time I heard it. It’s hard to imagine a better version ever being made. When I listened for the first time, I cried. Andrew Belle has turned a song that tugs on my heartstrings into a song that rips them out in only the way beautiful music can. It’s perfect.

2. Stream: Matt Pond PA “Holiday Road”
Holiday Road
… on Winter Songs EP (iTunes). National Lampoon’s Vacation made this song famous, and Matt Pond PA turns this not-really-a-Christmas-song into something that just feels wintery.

3. Stream: Ellery “Going Gone”
02 Going Gone
… on Down, Down, Down: A Holiday EP (iTunes). I love how the lyrics paint a beautiful snow day: “Silver flakes halo our faces…we’re all rose and shine…two tracks wandering home, in a thundering snow…back to the fire and wine.” Ellery‘s Holiday EP was released in 2009 and is an all around solid collection of original and classic tunes. It’s getting heavy rotation.

4. Stream: Brave Combo “Feliz Navidad”
12 Feliz Navidad
… on It’s Christmas, Man! (iTunes). Every Christmas playlist needs a great version of “Feliz Navidad,” and this is my favorite. One of my most unforgettable nights in college was dancing in the Denton square to Brave Combo‘s Christmas concert my senior year. The hometown band always draws a huge crowd and puts on an incredible show, and that night goes down in my Top Ten Dance Floor Dominating Moments.

5. Stream: Matthew Mayfield “It’s Christmastime Again”
It_s Christmastime Again
… on A Rock By the Sea Christmas::Volume 3 (iTunes…but you can get this song for free here). Matthew Mayfield is one of the best singer/songwriters out there. The man is just incredible. Make sure to also snag his EP, Maybe Next Christmas, on iTunes. And then if you haven’t yet…listen to everything else he has ever done.

New Merry Music goodness added err’day to my Spotify playlist, Go Christmas.