Hello, my name is Shawn. This is where I put things. This site has been active since 2002. A lot has changed since then but basically I'm still writing ridiculous articles about ridiculous things. You can also look at my I’ve been looking forward to doing this post for some time. Last year I started a Christmas playlist that I intended to build upon each year. It’s a quirky little list, devoid of any Christmas classics but, I would argue, a highly enjoyable Christmas playlist. I’ve also made it an iTunes iMix if you care to add any of these to your own collection. It should be noted that some of these songs are simply winter songs, not Christmas songs, but I like their place in the mix.
If you have any suggestions that you think I’d enjoy, or even just songs you enjoy and aren’t on my list, please leave them in the comments. Here’s my list and I’ll follow it up with a few notes:
- Written in the Snow - The Autumn Defense
- Christmastime - Smashing Pumpkins
- Christmas - Blues Traveler
- Christmas All Over Again - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
- Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis - Tom Waits
- You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch - Aimee Mann
- Frosty the Snowman - Fiona Apple
- Last Christmas - Jimmy Eat World
- A Long December - Counting Crows
- I Saw Three Ships - Sting
- Lonely Christmas Eve - Ben Folds
- Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2
- Valley Winter Song - Fountains of Wayne
- Christmastime - Aimee Mann
- Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon
Written in the Snow - The Autumn Defense
I like this song at the top because it starts it all off slow and mellow with just a hint of winter.
Christmastime - Smashing Pumpkins
In some ways this is the most Christmas-y sounding song in the whole mix. That it is performed by the same group that wrote “Bullet With Butterfly Wings” is kind of really awesome.
Christmas - Blues Traveler
Because John Popper is at any given moment a white beard and a hat away from being Santa Claus. At least he used to be.
Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis - Tom Waits
How could a song called “Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis” not be on your Christmas playlist? That and it happens to be a pretty amazing song.
You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch - Aimee Mann
I actually picked up Aimee Mann’s whole Christmas Album which I’ve been enjoying quite a bit. This is a fun cover.
Frosty the Snowman - Fiona Apple
Because Fiona Apple is crazy and listening to her singing Frosty the Snowman just confirms that (in a good way). You could totally believe that she runs around her neighborhood in December singing Christmas carols at people’s doors. Alone. And naked.
Last Christmas - Jimmy Eat World
This is the catchiest Christmas song I have ever heard. This song is awesome. I think Matt put it best when he said, “Thank God for this cover, it’s a good song but I couldn’t bear listening to the Wham! version.”
A Long December - Counting Crows
What would a playlist of mine be without a Counting Crows song?
Lonely Christmas Eve - Ben Folds
I’ll admit, this is sort of a filler song, but I like Ben Folds so it stays.
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2
Just a really great rockin’ Christmas song.
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon
Absolutely overplayed but I still love this song each and every time. Much like Tom Waits, Tom Petty and U2 it’s in the category of “Anytime you can get a John Lennon song into your playlist it’s a good thing.” Obviously this song is not on iTunes. What are you going to do?