(via Shutterstock)
There are Christmas albums without number, and while it’s fun to listen to a whole roster of songs from one artist which bring the season musically alive, there’s also something rather wonderful about a song here or there which give a few minutes of magical joy before they exit as merrily as they came in.
While one of these songs is an addition to an already-existing album, it still fits the idea of a standalone song since it’s been released as a single of sorts and so, fits its post-mates as a one-off that gives you a festive burst just when you need it the most.
So, if you don’t have time for a full album at any point, and Christmas is busy so that checks, then give these songs a whirl, lose yourself in the magic of the season and enjoy a brief respite from the manic busyness crafted by artists who distill the musically magic into perfectly-sized bites of festive joy.
“Let it Snow” by Andrea Bocelli + Virginia Bocelli
(courtesy YouTube)
The now classic Christmas song “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” was composed by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in July 1945 as they imagined, as many of us would, what it would be like for things to be considerably cooler.
You can hear the fervency of their wishing in the song itself, and indeed in this delivery by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and his daughter Virginia who give the song the effervescent excitable delivery it deserves.
They also give it a real warmth and playful vibrancy with the song added to the deluxe edition of the Bocelli family’s A Family Christmas giving you just the lift you need.
Here in Australia where Christmas is always a warm and sunny affair, wishing for snow is an exercise in seasonal futility (fun though!) but up north? This song must be nothing short of perfect for the moment and the Bocellis make sure all the wishing and hoping gets full, delightful voice.
“Christmas isn’t Christmas” by Michael Bolton + Mickey Guyton
(courtesy Apple Music)
Clearly trying, and why would you not, for the classic sound of Mariah Carey’s monster Christmas hit “All I Want For Christmas is You”, American singer-songwriter Michael Bolton, best known for his power rock ballads, and country music singer Mickey Guyton bring all the romantic longing to “Christmas Isn’t Christmas” that it’s possible to put into it.
Eschewing requests to Santa for trinkets, baubles and inconsequential nothings, Michael and Mickey instead ask Santa, even though they know he’s busy, to bring their baby to them.
It reflects an understandably enduring theme in festive songs for someone to have their great love back by their side, an acknowledgement that wonderful though it may be, that Christmas only really works if your special someone is with you.
The song has energy, urgency and a fun, upbeat melody that make it a worthy contender for the earnestly lovelorn Christmas song of the year.
“Dear Santa” by One Republic
(courtesy Soundcloud)
More wishing to Santa in this song by Colorado-formed band One Republic known for their vibrant pop rock.
The song, “Dear Santa”, echoes the theme of the previous entry of wanting a special someone to make it home in time for Christmas; the snow is falling and the scene is set for a great romantic entry and while airlines might be a better bet, it’s more fun to ask Santa to do the delivering.
It’s buoyantly alive and filled with all the romantic desire you could ask for and as you listen, you hope the singer gets his wish and his baby makes it come for Christmas.
It’s wish with a very tightly defined deadline and you can only hope that Santa, busy with X-Boxes and Barbie merchandising, will have the time to wish the singer their one and only request of the season.
“Last Christmas” by ASTN
(courtesy YouTube)
From songs of love alive and vital, we head to a song where love has been betrayed and at Christmas too!
R & B singer ASTN delivers a rich and emotive version of “Last Christmas” which of course shot to eternal seasonal fame courtesy of Wham! who released it on 3 December 1984 where it almost but didn’t quite make it to the number one position.
The song is full of headache and regret but also a kind of hope, reflecting the fact that they might have let down by last Christmas’s lost song, they are wiser and stronger now.
It’s still melancholy but there’s an inherent romanticism to the song, especially in this soulful delivery, that make it a compelling and moving listen.
You can only hope they find that “someone special” to whom they can give their heart with confidence that it will be treasured and loved as it should be at any time of the year but especially at Christmas.
“Little Drummer Boy” by DITA
(courtesy YouTube)
You’re probably used to hearing the Christmas classic “Little Drummer Boy” as a meditatively tapped out song that reflects the hushed reverence of Christmas Eve.
Well, at least as imagined by American composer Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941 and the first act to record it, the Trapp family of The Sound of Music fame who duly gave it the reflective thoughtfulness of a song dedicated to the birth of Jesus.
But the reality is the night would have been big and messy and joyfully chaotic and singer-songwriter Dita gives them just the injection of bold and brassy that the big moment calls for.
Plus it’s vivaciously, noisily joyful, bringing a marching band energy and vibe to a song that’s all about an instrument that’s all about making an impression and not being ignored.
Dita’s take on “Little Drummer Boy” is epically celebratory and just the song you want in a season that’s all about evoking the joy of new birth and endless possibility.
CHRISTMAS MUSIC EXTRA!
U.S. singer-songwriter dials things beautifully and evocatively down with her 2023 Christmas release “This Christmas” which is the quiet after the festive storm, a balladic joy that reflects on what Christmas really means to the singer.
“I was asked to write a song that runs under the final scene in an upcoming Christmas Hallmark movie,” Michaelson said. “I love all things Christmas, so I jumped at the chance. I watched the movie and wrote this song in a few inspired minutes after the movie ended; I wanted to encapsulate the feeling of being present and grateful in the moment, while also celebrating the most wonderful time of the year!” (Broadway World)
It’s lusciously, poetically beautiful and is that perfect song for the quiet moments with those you love and whom you want by your side when the blizzard of present unwrapping and excited joyful fun has run its welcome but finite course.