Notable Christmas Albums: Past, Present, and Future

By Brenna Chase

Tired of the same worn out Christmas songs you’re subjected to every season, but still want to get into the holiday spirit? While there are tons of dispensable versions of every yuletide tune in existence, there are still some notable albums worthy of consideration.

Christmas Albums Everyone Should Try At Least Once

A Motown Christmas, Various Artists
This is the ultimate compilation album, featuring various Motown stars from the ‘60s and ‘70s serving up flawless holiday harmonies. You may already know some songs from the radio, while deeper tracks like “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles deserve more attention. Stevie Wonder’s version of “Ave Maria” is a truly religious experience. Each track has more soul, personality, and joy than the last, but the most impactful songs on this album may be those conveying hope for a better world and/or profound loneliness. Listen to Michael Jackson’s “Little Christmas Tree” or Stevie Wonder’s “One Little Christmas Tree” (similar titles, two different originals) and allow yourself a deep cry, because sometimes that’s what the holidays are really about.

Please listen: Stevie Wonder’s “Ave Maria,” Smokey Robinson & The Miracles’ “God Rest Yet Merry Gentlemen”

Skip: Pretty much any song by the Supremes.

Barenaked For The Holidays, Barenaked Ladies
The Barenaked Ladies will forever remain overlooked by all other than its core fanbase, who knows they are worth far more than “One Week.” This album is a prime example of the band’s strength in pleasing folk and pop arrangements complemented by their unique sense of humor and sincerity, not to mention co-lead-singer Steven Page’s beautiful vocals. It’s got a bit of everything: heartfelt and/or tongue-in cheek versions of holiday classics, romantic and clever originals, minute-long quickie instrumentals of the classic carols you’ve heard too many times, and a birthday sing-a-long for Jesus. Better yet, Barenaked For The Holidays offers what most seasonal albums lack: Hanukkah songs. . . three of them. Just trust me on this one and give it a try.

Please listen: “Snowman,” “Carol Of The Bells”

Skip: “Do They Know It’s Christmas”—no one can make that dreaded Band Aid travesty any better.

The Beatles Christmas Records
While not for everyone, Beatles fans will appreciate these short recordings the band made for their fan club members once every holiday season between 1963 and 1969. Each annual audio segment contains silly skits, Christmas carols, and original song snippets made seemingly off-the-cuff just for their “Beatle people.” Play them in succession and compare their younger, more scripted segments to their more creative sessions later on when they goof off and ad-lib (obviously high), to the final depressing year that is just dribbled mutterings from John and Yoko. This is probably the only content by the most beloved band in the world that hasn’t been overplayed and over-analyzed. Some day in the near future, the endearing song clips found on these records will be turned into new full-length Christmas songs performed by Beatle holograms. But for now, enjoy these precious time capsules for some laughs during the holidays.

Please listen: to them all, in order! But for a sampling, try 1967.

Hipsters Holiday: Vocal Jazz and R&B Classics, Various Artists
This doesn’t refer to the hipsters of today, so don’t expect any Christmas classics covered by Bon Iver or Vampire Weekend. We’re talking jazzy, bluesy holiday renditions from hip eras gone by, as in, “Santa Done Got Hip” by the Marquees. Swing, jive, and be-bop with these traditional and original songs from R&B artists of the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s. The Louis Armstrong tracks are particularly hoppin’, and several cuts have excellent sound quality after having been recorded to CD from vinyl. This is an ideal compilation to set the vibe for a holiday cocktail party, especially to get people dancing.

Please listen: Louis Armstrong’s “Cool Yule,” Leo Watson’s “Jingle Bells”

Skip: Miles Davis’ “Blue Christmas” and Tim Fuller’s “Silent Night”—they just don’t fit.

Snowed In, Hanson
If you can’t get enough of the Jackson 5’s youthful holiday spirit, might I recommend a whiter, ‘90s version of similarly-aged artists to satisfy your fix? But seriously, this album is packed with a lot more soul than you might think. Considering the covers and originals were all produced, arranged, and recorded in a few weeks by three children (with help from Mark Hudson), it’s pretty damn great. This is a fun album full of feel-good, rocking pop songs and some slower ones with nice three-part harmonies, too. Taylor Hanson does a particularly good job singing lead, and not just for a 14-year-old. This is another great selection for holiday parties; watch people get into it without realizing just who they’re [mmm]bopping to. Come on, it’s Christmastime; indulge a little.

Please listen: “Merry Christmas Baby,” “Everybody Knows The Claus”

Skip: “At Christmas Time” is fluff.

Christmas Albums That Should Never Have Existed

If you haven’t suffered from these already, let this be a warning.

A Rosie Christmas, Various Artists
Billy Joel’s sentimental piano and vocal rendition of “Have Yourself A Merry Christmas” can be inviting, at least for the first 30 seconds or so until. . . yes, you’re not having some strange nightmare, that is Rosie O’Donnell taking the second verse. Unfortunately, this album is full of cuts by various artists who somehow agreed to duet with Rosie O’Donnell. Cher, Donny Osmond, Darren Hayes from Savage Garden, and Elmo are some other lucky stars to take part in the project. Lauryn Hill offers a solid version of “The Little Drummer Boy”, if you can ignore the spoken intro by Rosie that includes what can only be interpreted as a fake urban accent and a misspeak that she didn’t bother to re-record. On second thought, this album may be worth the dollar it sells for in bargain bins for the myriad uncomfortable laughs it provides.

A Fab Four Christmas: The Ultimate Beatles Tribute
Someone had the brilliant idea to make bank off of dubbing traditional Christmas song lyrics over tunes replicating the sound and melodies of the Beatles, and somehow got away with it. Have you ever wondered what “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” would sound like to the tune of “Within You Without You?” How about “Away In A Manger” to “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away?” Me neither. John Lennon and Jesus Christ are turning in their graves.

The Christmas Album That Should Exist But Doesn’t (Yet)

I’m dreaming of a Perfectly Industrial Christmas by Nine Inch Nails. Maybe some day, if we really believe, Trent Reznor will bring us this holiday miracle.

Bonus Consolation Content: This Awkwardness

Merry Christmas!