The holidays are here and it’s time to get merry! What better way to capture the Christmas spirit than with some classic yuletide tunes? This festive playlist packs all the nostalgic harmonies and fa la la’s to warm your heart this season.
Start off spreading cheer with time-honored favorites like “Jingle Bells,” originally written in 1857 for a Thanksgiving church program. Those jaunty sleigh bells make it hard not to smile. Next comes the 16th century Welsh melody “Deck the Hall,” later topped with festive “fa la la” lyrics in the 1800s.
The party picks up as Brenda Lee, who recorded “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” at just 13 years old, gets everyone dancing around the evergreen. Before Santa’s arrival, get excited with the 1930s tune “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” initially a Thanksgiving song to lift kids’ spirits.
Mellower merriment comes from beloved nostalgic numbers like Judy Garland’s iconic “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” from 1944’s Meet Me in St. Louis. Andy Williams perfectly captures all the whimsy and wonder of “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” inspired by a songwriter’s son’s birthday zeal.
No holiday playlist would be complete without a few whimsical character tunes. Burl Ives’ warm invitation for folks to have a “Holly Jolly Christmas” landed him the snowman narrator role in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. That beloved 1964 special brought to life the tune about little Rudolph and his shiny red nose, adapted from a 1939 storybook.
Finally, end aptly with “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” The heatwave-prompted winter ode will having you dreaming of sweater weather and snow-covered pines.
With this merry mix of yuletide favorites, ancient and new, let the nostalgia and cheer of the season shine through. Sprinkle in the fascinating musical tidbits behind these classics as you snuggle in for some comfy holiday tunes.
