With Thanksgiving only days away and festive lights overtaking Evanston, the time of year has become blatantly obvious. ‘Tis the holiday season — a season for eating gelt and decorating pine trees. But it wouldn’t be the holidays without the right mood music. Here we have collected some great Christmas songs and covers to help start things off right.
Blue Christmas — Bright Eyes
Although Elvis’s cover is the most well-known, Conor Oberst lends this classic a modern and emotastic edge. Who better to whine about being alone than the guy who inspired teens to bask in their angst? Oberst’s voice quavers in a manner reminiscent of Presley’s well-known warble, although the quaver is an innate part of Oberst’s musicality. The instrumental backings have that indie-country vibe that Bright Eyes started leaning towards a little bit in I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning and full-blown in Cassadaga. When Oberst repeats ‘blue, blue, blue’, it strikes a melancholy chord.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel — Belle & Sebastian
A soothing take on a traditional carol, Belle and Sebastian’s version starts simply but builds into a lush arrangement that maintains its quiet beauty, with airy vocals floating over the instrumentation. I think everything they do is spectacular, but this cover shows the range and depth the band is able to cover. The opening has a haunting quality to it, Stuart Murdoch’s voice weaves lightly through the music. The timing of the chord changes is stilted but the effect is deeper, adding to the haunted simplicity.
The Christmas Song — The Raveonettes
This song seems very chilled out to me. The voice of the male and female duo blend perfectly, the harmonies maintaining a soft calmness, while guitars and drums rise and clash harmoniously in the background. The soft-rock feel is pretty but gives an edge to what might otherwise have been a bland arrangement. This Danish duo’s singing is full and lush — perfect for relaxing on a wintry night.
O Holy Night — Kaki King
Known for her guitar-tapping skills, Kaki King continues with another soft, mood-setting Christmas song. Her dainty, almost child-like voice wafts above her trademark taps. The guitar plays a changing rhythm, creating a complex undercurrent to King’s quiet tribute.
Happy Christmas (War is Over) — John Lennon
This song is a Christmas standard. John and Yoko may have intended it to be an anti-war anthem, but it’s become more associated with the season of giving. Lennon’s original is by far the best, as the “War is Over” half comes through the clearest — it’s hard not to think of his strong advocacy for peace. The children’s voices add a sentimental quality to the song, their perceived innocence driving the message home. Classic.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas — Chris Martin (Coldplay)
Chris Martin takes a softer edge on this cover. Accompanied by a simple piano progression, Martin’s voice arches gracefully on the phrase in a rich interpretation of the melody-line. This may be the simplest song on the list, but the simplicity actually makes for one of the more beautiful arrangements of this song.
All I Want for Christmas is You — Mariah Carey
In her pre-Nick Cannon days, Mariah Carey was able to belt with the best of them. Whenever you start hearing this song twenty times a day, you know it’s Christmas. The second those jingle bells kick in, you just can’t stop yourself from bobbing along. Finger-snaps may accompany the bobbing. This song epitomizes the shininess and cheer of the holiday.
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day — David Bazan (Pedro the Lion)
When I first heard this cover, I wasn’t enthralled. David Bazan’s voice came off as lazy and lacking the necessary spirit. I was pleasantly surprised to hear the strength with which he belted the top of the phrases and grew to like it upon further listening. The song is slow but builds with emotion, and the sleigh bells in the background are a nice touch.
Come Thou Fount of Blessing — Sufjan Stevens
A Sufjan Christmas song was a requisite on this list, since he released a full-blown Christmas album box-set. This one, aside from being one of the few on youtube, is a very pretty rendition of a traditional hymn. The guitar twangs along with the bells and piano, and it’s just a very pleasing mix. This is another song that builds and builds, beginning with Sufjan alone and crescendoing into a choir of voices. It’s a powerful moment when the instrumentation cuts out, leaving a harmonious blend of beautiful a capella. By the end, you feel very peaceful and loving towards your fellow man. Happy Holidays indeed.
Another Christmas Song — Stephen Colbert
Yes, our favorite Northwestern-alum/pundit has come out with his own Christmas Special. And not just a TV special, but a full-blown Christmas soundtrack with songs featuring Colbert, Jon Stewart, Feist, John Legend, Willie Nelson, Toby Keith and Elvis Costello. His tongue-in-cheek humor satirizes the holiday but does a great job of getting you in the spirit. And Colbert is actually a good singer — guess the School of Communication taught him well. I’d also like to bring attention to the Colbert/Stewart duet “Can I Interest You in Hannukah?” for those who feel there aren’t enough Hannukah songs around. Not very serious, but that’s entertainment.