LeftCoastLady’s Favorite Winter Holiday Songs

While reading Gawker’s “10 Most Annoying Christmas Songs,” I found myself disagreeing with some of the selections. Egged on by a friend, I’ve decided to put together a list of some of my favorite Winter/Holiday songs. I fully expect, and actually welcome, people who disagree with my selections.

1. “Hanukkah Song” by Adam Sandler — LCL loves the Jews. (No really, Jewish men, call me.) There aren’t many popular Hanukkah songs. I remember singing one somber Hanukkah song as part of a holiday recital way back in grade school, but that one didn’t really catch on with the masses as much as “Jingle Bells” or “Sleigh Ride.” Enter Sandler’s ode to the Chosen People who light the Menorah. If he wanted, Sandler could put out a new version each year to update the roster of celebs, but the original is still great.

2. “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses — Could this count as kitsch? Perhaps. Regardless, this song has been on my holiday playlist for many, many years now. Most know The Waitresses for their early 80s hit, “I Know What Boys Like,” but the band’s holiday song is not to be missed.

3. “Let’s Make This Christmas Mean Something This Year” by James BrownJames Brown’s Funky Christmas is the kind of album you play Christmas night. There are usually bottles of alcohol involved and perhaps making out with your honey (or the person who answered your casual encounters post on Craig’s List four hours earlier). Either way, I have a feeling the Godfather would approve of you getting lucky on Christmas night.

4. Christmastime Is Here” (Instrumental) by Vince Guaraldi Trio — The Charlie Brown holiday specials always had the best music. The Christmas special is no exception. Performed by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, this extended instrumental is somewhat melancholy, which makes it perfect for this time of year.

5. “Why Can’t It Be Christmastime All Year?” by Rosie Thomas — Released back in 2008, this is one of the newer Christmas albums to frequent my holiday playlist. With a mix of covers and originals, Rosie is kinda cutesy and twee at times, but you could put this album on during a holiday party and have folks singing along in no time.

6. “Last Christmas” by Wham! — Yeah, yeah, some folks find this song unbearable. I relish the 80s synth, the big hair, and the times when women thought George Michael was singing about them and that they had a shot. Perhaps people don’t like the song because it hits too close to home? Who hasn’t spent a holiday — Christmas or otherwise — pondering about an ex and thinking, “Fuck you, I’m going to get someone better!” while throwing dishes and taking swigs from a bottle. Just me? Fine. “Last Christmas,” party of one, please.

7. “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt — Anyone who hates on this grande dame needs to be banished to only listening to the shitty version Madonna made decades later.

8. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” by Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band — This song has been done to death, yet, I love the Springsteen version. Bruce makes everything better!

9. “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” by Ella Fitzgerald — I’ll end with this song because here’s to holding out for that “perfect” NYE encounter that ends the following morning.

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