Not long after the Thanksgiving turkeys have gone cold and the Black Friday shoppers are getting out of bed, all the retail stores start playing Christmas music, seemingly at the same time.
Listening to Christmas music at this time of year is inevitable. Love it or hate it, it will probably be part of your day, whether you’re at work, at the mall, at a restaurant or on your way home. Most of the music anyone will hear on the radio or over the speakers at the mall will be classical: music that most people have known and listened to their entire lives.
Songs like Lennon’s “White Christmas”, “Silent Night”, “Jingle Bell Rock” or even Lennon’s “Happy Christmas (War is Over)” get considerable airtime during the holiday season, and deservedly so, as they all took the spotlight. people into the Christmas spirit for decades. But those aren’t the only Christmas carols out there.
There are many Christmas songs you probably don’t hear on the radio, in the store or on TV.
So for anyone who wants a change of pace, is interested in exploring new types of Christmas music, or completely despises the Christmas music they’re used to – a list of five obscure Christmas songs one probably won’t hear while scanning the halls of a department store.
Stars – New York Fairy Tale
A cover of Pogues and Kirsty MacColl’s Christmas classic, this version by Toronto-based indie rock group Stars is an interesting and more cleanly sung version.
Jimi Hendrix – Silent Night/Little Drummer Boy
This version of Silent Night and the Little Drummer Boy, by guitar virtuoso Jimi Hendrix, will please any of his fans, or anyone who wants to hear any of these songs torn apart by Hendrix’s playing style.
Lee “Scratch” Perry – Santa Claus
This is a weird, danceable electronic song that includes the words Santa Clause in both the title and the lyrics. No other connection to Christmas can be found, but it’s fun nonetheless.
The Raveonettes – The Christmas Song
This surf-rock inspired Christmas song by Danish indie rock group The Raveonettes is sung by a male and female voice in perfect harmony, belting out the catchy verses over a rhythm that includes sleigh bells ringing throughout the song.
non-traditional Christmas music
These songs, among many others, are good fun at Christmas time. At the very least, they can be interesting listens as you are exploring different types of Christmas music. For fans of indie pop or indie rock, Sufjan Stevens’ holiday jingles Stars and The Raveonettes might be the best bet. Fans of dance music or electronic music may be more inclined towards the music of Lee “Scratch” Perry, while fans of classic rock or anyone who enjoys guitar improvisation will likely be impressed by Hendrix’s Silent Night/Little Drummer Boy.
