It’s that time of the year! I don’t know about you guys, but I had already put together my yearly christmas playlist about a month before Thanksgiving was even a thought.
Ha. Dumb turkey.
But to keep up with most traditions, I decided to wait until after Thanksgiving to share what albums I think are a MUST this Christmas season to get you into the spirit. Here’s a list of my personal favorite albums that have already gotten me into the magic of the Christmas Season.
Sufjan Stevens, ‘Songs for Christmas’ (2006)
The Brooklyn native, Sufjan Stevens, creates all the classic christmas songs with his own indie rendition. His song “Come On, Let’s Boogie to the Elf Dance” will get you and your family dancing around the Christmas decorations faster than that time you heard “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree” for the first time when you were young. His banjo-fied version of “Amazing Grace” will bring you to tears remembering the true meaning of Christmas and memories of the past. Check out the full album here.
Kelly Clarkson, ‘Wrapped in Red’ (2013)
Whether you’re a huge fan of top 50 music or not, you NEED to listen to Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Wrapped in Red’ album. I’ve personally always been a huge fan of her and her voice, and she really shows it in this album. True, she is a classic pop love-tragedy artist that is known more for her singles than her albums, but she really hit it out of the park with this Christmas album. She adds her own taste to the classic “Please Come Home for Christmas (Bells Will Be Ringing)” that will have you singing along and wish that you could belt out those high notes just as smoothly and beautifully as Clarkson does. Check out the full Christmas album here.
She and Him, ‘A Very She and Him Christmas’ (2011)
The year this album came out, it automatically became a classic. When I ask anyone what they’re favorite modern Christmas album is, the answer is almost always “She and Him”. If you haven’t heard this album yet then shame on you. Zooey Deschanel’s folk style singing mixed with all the classic Christmas songs, go so perfectly together like hot chocolate and marshmallows. Her and M. Ward do their own rendition of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” where they switch the parts of the traditional male and female duet that will have you wondering why it was never done before. Check out the full album here.
Bing Crosby, ‘Merry Christmas’ (1945)
Speaking of classics, how could I not add the ultimate classic Christmas album, Bing Crosby’s “Merry Christmas”? If you haven’t heard this album from parents, grand-parents, or you’ve never gone shopping around the holidays and listened to the blasting Christmas music coming from hundreds of speakers, then you probably haven’t been alive. You don’t understand, this album is an absolute MUST for every household during the Christmas season. It’s the perfect soundtrack to have while setting up Christmas decorations, relaxing with a book, some hot coco, and a book, it’s also perfect for time travel when you finally get that time machine working that you dropped out of college to work in your parents basement for. Just sayin. Here’s the full album in case you need to be knocked over the head.
Michael McLean, ‘Forgotten Carols’ (1991)
I had to add a Utah classic album that specifically screams Utah Christmas all over it. If you’re not familiar with Forgotten Carols or Utah Christmas culture in general (Temple Square lights aren’t the only thing magical in the city this time of year), Forgotten Carols is a musical written by local composer Michael McLean. The website explains the show perfectly:
“The show tells the story of a nurse whose empty life is changed when a new patient recounts the story of Christ’s birth as told by little known characters in the nativity story. The accounts from the Innkeeper, the Shepherd and others help the nurse discover what the world has forgotten about Christmas, and open her heart to the joy of this special season.”
Basically, if you show up to the show in full makeup, that makeup will be gone and smeared across your face because you will be crying so many tears and you will hate Michael McLean for a while for making you feel so vulnerable. But you’ll love every minute of it. I highly recommend you buy tickets to this show, or at least listen to the album to fill your heart with warm Christmas goodness.
Jacob Miller, ‘Natty Christmas’ (1978)
I figured I’d add a little bit of a mix from the traditional Christmas style songs. Jacob Miller creates a warm sensation when listening to this Christmas album that will make you want to be someplace away from the snow and cold for Christmas this year. His rendition of “Silver Bells” and “Deck the Halls” with friend DJ Ray will have you swaying for a good 9 MINUTES. And I bet you can’t guess what his big, fat, green wish list has on it in his “All I want for Ismas”. Here’s a hint: It’s pot. It’s totally pot.
Check out the full album here.
Michael Bublé, ‘Christmas’ (2011)
2011 was clearly just a really good year for Christmas albums. Michael Bublé, a favorite of most here in Utah, created this amazing Christmas album that will give you a modern rendition of some of the old classics. He creates a modern yet old feel version of the classic “Jingle Bells” that will get you grooving in no time. He sings it with The Puppini Sisters that will harmonize with such perfection that it will bring chills down your spine. Check out the full album here.
Josh Groban, ‘Noël‘ (2007)
Another Utah favorite, Josh Groban. How could I not add this angelic voice to this list?? Funny thing, I remember my first boyfriend ever giving me this gift for my birthday back in 2007 and I absolutely LOVED it. It’s always been a classic in my playlist, and it needs to be in your too! His rendition of the classic “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” will have you in tears before he even starts singing. He brings people together to quickly tell their story in 5 secs, and it will shoot a Christmas arrow right through your heart.
Check out the full album here.
Various Artists, ‘A Very Special Christmas’ (1987)
Back in 1987, Record industry man Jimmy Iovine decided to organize this album together for the special Olympics back in 1987, and man he must have had some good friends. This album has U2, Bryan Adams, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Eurythmics, and so many more top names with all their own renditions of classic Christmas songs. Stevie Nicks will have you singing along, trying to imitate that beautiful scratchy style singing, to “Silent Night”, Eurythmics will have you kicking up the snow with a strut while listing to “Winter Wonderland”. Basically, this album is absolutely amazing and an all time classic with classic names.
Check out the full album here.
Nat King Cole, “The Magic of Christmas” (1960)
Last but not least, I had to add another ultimate classic album to this list. Nat King Cole was a king of Christmas. Once again, just like I said about Bing Crosby, if you have seriously never heard a Nat King Cole rendition of any Christmas song, you might want to call a doctor because you have been dead for the last 50 years. Sorry, but you have to find out at some point. But don’t worry! Even in the afterlife I’m sure you can still dance and party while listening to Nat King Coles rendition of “I Saw Three Ships” or “The Happiest Christmas Tree”.
Nat King Cole had so many amazing Christmas albums, there was an album created with all of his top back in 2003. Check out that album here.
That’s it for some of my favorite Christmas albums that are in my Christmas playlist this year! Obviously there are hundreds of amazing Christmas albums out there, so I couldn’t name them all. If you think I left out your favorite or one that brings back memories of your childhood, comment below and let me know! Let’s build an amazing Christmas playlist this year and bring everyone together with the magic of music.