Christmas Mix

Exactly a week from now it will be Christmas Eve. Exciting times, people! I've always enjoyed the holiday season. I love looking at Christmas lights and baking treats and decorating the tree. I have so much holiday spirit that I'm even excited about the wrapping paper I bought. Sometimes I feel like I'm Andy Williams, ready to put on a holiday sweater and skate around on a set with fake trees and snow. Oddly enough, there happens to be no Andy Williams whatsoever on the mix below.

About the mix: I wanted to put together a mix that I could play around the whole family without someone getting annoyed by a certain song being too 'loud' or too 'weird'. Still, I think I managed to get a good mixture of old classics and newer tunes in there. One listen to Cassette's rendition of 'Do You Hear What I Hear?' and you'll see that I haven't gone completely 'traditional' with the whole mix. Several of the songs included also happen to be some of my favorites from childhood. Oh and also, for some reason I thought It would be hilarious to start off a Christmas mix with holiday wishes from Marc Bolan of T. Rex followed immediately by a Burl Ives song? Maybe I am just going crazy from all of this Christmas cheer.

Download individual tracks, or download the entire mix in a convenient zip file. And yes, that is a picture of my cat.

Ginger Cookie Disco Christmas Mix 2007
compiled by Melissa Robot

Download the entire mix in one convenient zip file

01. T. Rex - Xmas Message
02. Burl Ives - Holly Jolly Christmas
03. Jens Lekman - Run Away With Me
04. Royal Guardsmen - Snoopy's Christmas
05. XTC - Thanks For Christmas
06. Sufjan Stevens - O Holy Night
07. Phantom Planet - Winter Wonderland
08. Vince Guaraldi Trio - Skating
09. Frank Sinatra - Jingle Bells
10. The Raveonettes - The Christmas Song
11. Math and Physics Club - A Marshmallow World
12. Guster - Donde Esta Santa Claus?
13. Marah - Holly Jolly Christmas
14. Sufjan Stevens - Put the Lights on the Tree
15. Cocteau Twins - Frosty the Snowman
16. Cassette - Do You Hear What I Hear?
17. The Dandy Warhols - Little Drummer Boy
18. Bright Eyes - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
19. Bing Crosby - It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
20. The Partridge Family - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
21. Dean Martin - Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
22. Starflyer 59 - Christmas Time Is Here
23. Squirrel Nut Zippers - Winter Weather
24. Sharpetiquette - Jingle Bell Rock
25. Darlene Love - Marshmallow World
26. PAS/CAL - Last Christmas
27. Elton John - Step Into Christmas
28. Frank Sinatra - The Christmas Waltz

Happy Holidays!

Christmas Songs - Last Christmas

It's been snowing all day here in Massachusetts, so of course I can't resist posting more Christmas tunes.

Wham!'s 1984 holiday classic , 'Last Christmas' might just be George Michael's single most important contribution to music. It may sound a little bit dated with the cheesy mid-80s synthesizer and over the top heartbroken lyrics, but it just isn't Christmas without Wham! I never thought I'd hear myself say that, but it's true.

'Last Christmas' also happens to be one of the most frequently covered modern Christmas songs. Surprisingly, the majority of the covers I've heard don't even mock the classic Wham! song (which would be so easy to do). Most of the renditions I've heard just sound incredibly earnest and sincere. What's so interesting about the covers is that every artist really does put their own unique spin on the song. No matter what type of music you prefer, there is bound to be a version of 'Last Christmas' that will be right up your alley.

MP3: Wham! - Last Christmas
The original version by Wham! proves to still be an essential for any Holiday mix.

MP3: Manic Street Preachers - Last Christmas
The Manic Street Preachers recorded a stripped down acoustic version of the Wham! classic. Is it just me or does James Dean Bradfield's vocal performance here not sound that dissimilar to George Michael?

MP3: PAS/CAL - Last Christmas
PAS/CAL's cover of 'Last Christmas' is the most fun and innovative one I have heard. Filled with guitar, piano, disco drums and bass and topped off with just a little falsetto, this version is a must have.

MP3: Erlend Øye - Last Christmas
Another stripped down version of 'Last Christmas'. The only ingredients are an acoustic guitar and of course, Norwegian singer Erlend Øye's lovely voice.

MP3: Jimmy Eat World - Last Christmas
Say what you will about Jimmy Eat World, their cover of 'Last Christmas' is actually quite good! I advise that you do not deny it a listen.

MP3: Le Sport, Montt Mardié and Mr Suitcase - Last Christmas
Before Le Sport's untimely split, they gave the world a Swedish euro-dance cover of 'Last Christmas' that is ready for the dance floor. It might be even cheesier than the original (if that's possible).

MP3: Swipe! and Gwenno (of The Pipettes) - Last Christmas
A girl & guy duet version this time around. This cover of 'Last Christmas' is quite sweet and heartfelt sounding. Fans of The Pipettes should be especially interested in hearing this one.