Don't let the name fool you - we take our jobs seriously here and conduct a Holiday playlist every year (which does happen to be named "Happy Holidays, You Bastard" - inspired by a blink-182 song. Each year, we share our favorite Holiday picks, what memories we have with them and why we chose them. This article (and playlist HERE) exclaims the joys of the Holiday season, but we do understand it's not the most wonderful time of the year for everyone. If you're feeling down during this season, check out our playlist and you might just find a bit of joy during this time.
River - Joni Mitchell: Folk singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell took a break from Spotify a few years ago, in protest of the streaming platform not paying its artists a fair amount for their music. However, she returned to Spotify with her music recently and that means we get to claim her Christmas classic - "River" - a track exclaiming what it's like for an artist to be in California and dreaming of a white Christmas - "It doesn't snow here/It stays pretty green/I'm going to make a lot of money/And then quit this crazy scene."
Christmas For Cowboys - John Denver: I've heard John Denver's music for a long time, but I discovered his Christmas hit "Christmas For Cowboys" in 2020, and now it's at the top of my personal Holiday playlist. The song reminds us not to take things for granted, and how the artist has dedicated his life to live a simple life - "Back in the cities they have different ways/Football and Egg Nog, and Christmas parade/I'll take my blanket, I'll take the reins/It's Christmas for cowboys, with wide open plains."
Christmas Eve - Justin Bieber: Under The Mistletoe from Justin Bieber dropped in 2011, and you better believe I went to Target that day (I wasn't fortunate enough to have iTunes at the time, streaming services barely existed) and I played it on repeat. Ever year, I think about his song Christmas Eve and question - what is it about this song that makes it so unique and sets the perfect mood for me? All of us have an idea of what Christmas is and what it means to each of us individually. I think for me, being the biggest romantic that's ever lived, idealize Christmas through that song - romantic lyrics, visualization and passionate feelings. Each year, I always hope I have a Christmas Eve date, just like in the song.
Merry Christmas Baby - Hanson: In 2008, after having my very first concert experience from this band, I decided to rent 90s pop-rock sensation Hanson's Holiday album (Snowed In) and of course was immediately pulled in, as I loved Christmas music so much. Every time I hear those snapping fingers for the intro, and that's extremely catchy chorus, I feel warm and cozy as their harmonies embrace me.
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon: In a lot of ways, singer-songwriter from The Beatles John Lennon, was an asshole. Between egos, tons and tons of money, and songwriting credit issues, he wasn't the most pleasant person to be around. However, he did have a dream for the world - and that dream was world peace. Through many charity events, albums, peaceful protests and many more events, John Lennon dedicated himself to being an advocate for change. Lennon had many messages for the world - including "war is over, if you want it," which is chanted by the Harlem Community Choir in the song.
Check out more songs on our Holiday playlist below!
SONG & FURY
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