Holiday Songs Smorgasbord 2024

Ho ho ho! Let’s dig in to the smorgasbord of new holiday music for this season.

What’s your pleasure today? Fun? Mocking? Serious? Sorrowful? Rockin’? Country? Classic? It’s all here, just like a holiday smorgasbord of fiery, sweet, crunchy, and mysterious foods, some that might make you cry and some that light up your smile and some that expose the bitter side and some that really hit your nostalgia button. Some are traditional fare and some are new recipes. All of them are designed to carry you through this season of low light with an intention of optimism or at least catharsis. Scroll down and check out the playlist at the bottom of this post: heart, like, save & listen on your holiday drives! Listen on shuffle and mix it up!

The Pinkerton Raid “Christmas Time Is Here” from their EP River. These songs are heavy energy holiday ballads with sleigh bells in the air and the focus on children with electric guitar solos. It’s good music. https://www.pinkertonraid.com

Jessica Rhaye & The Ramshackle Parade and Bill Peeper “Oh Let’s Go.” Catchy and upbeat, Jessica’s scintillating vocals in duet with Bill’s create a superlatively enjoyable holiday song, even if you don’t normally like holiday music.

The Wildwoods “Christmas Throughout The Years” EP. The Wildwoods vocals entwine and the result is irresistible and lovely as they depart and come back closer together again. The whole EP is well worth checking into.

Fantastic Cat, Anthony D’Amato, Brian Duane, Mike Montali, Don DiLego “Holiday Road” written by Lindsay Buckingham. This is uptempo with handclaps and a rockabilly foundation, celebratory and “It’s a long way down the holiday road.” Very likable.

Katie Curley Big Colored Lights EP. This whole thing hits the sweet spot with the right amount of wry humor, and produced by Eric Ambel to boot. Katie really walks the line and knows how to write comedic lyrics that just can’t be denied. The laughter spontaneously bursts forth. She’s a real hidden gem. https://www.katiecurley.com/

Amy Speace “First United Methodist Day Care Christmas Show.” This is a healthy dose of holiday realism as Amy chronicles the real life day care pageant – the teachers in sweaters with battery lights, and “ducks on the left, the owls on the right. Moms and grandparents pointed phones at their kids.” Very relatable.

Adam Chaffins “Layaway Momma.” This is twangy with pedal steel and it’s actually quite heartfelt as it addresses the difficulty of being a single mom around the holidays. No joke.

Ever More Nest “Back in the Doghouse on Christmas.” A sway of electric and acoustic guitar, and a tale of what happens when you get in the spirit – after a little too much eggnog – on Christmas. Don’t get into the doghouse.

Ana Egge “Silver Bells Ring.” Violins and strings somehow sound like bells and snowfall and that automatically puts this at the head of the pack, but then Ana starts singing and it’s truly wonderful.

Various Artists Mistletoe Mojo out via Nola Blue Records. This is a whole album of Christmas songs, mostly covers, presented in bluesy fashion. We’ve added a couple of them to our playlist for little treats for the ears.

The Roamers “Broke For Christmas.” This is a Texas style honky tonk dose of reality: “Baby, I’m broke for Christmas.” Catchy and heel-kicking.

Willow Avalon “Save A Little Christmas.” This shows that breakout artist (daughter of Jim White) has serious talent and is far more than just a flash in the pan. Check this song out.

Tori Martin “Warm For December.” This is a crooner with Tori’s nimble vocal delivery. “Two glasses of champagne, one for me, one for you. We deck the evergreen, you and me, let’s do what lover’s do.” If the weather is warm for December for you, in your heart, you’ll love this.

Eddie Wakes “It’s Christmas Time.” This song launches with all the classic holiday song heights and Eddie’s classic, silky vocals rival Sinatra on this immediate holiday classic.

Mickey Thomas “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Mickey takes up this classic with a shuffley 2-step and it’s a fluid optimistic version. Very listenable.

Zoe FitzGerald Carter “I Don’t Like the Holidays.” Zoe’s smoky vocals take on a tone of contemplation and reflection over acoustic guitar (and a shaker) at the passing of another year. “we’ll all go shoppin’ on Black Friday to show we know what giving’s for… I’m sitting crying at a traffic light, I want to wake up in spring.”

Rachael Mann “O Come O Come Emmanuel.” This is played with icy shivery tones and Rachel’s vocals are the star in this rendition of the classic.

Dewey Kincade “Hallelujah Holiday.” Dewey hits some high notes singing his heart out in a lovely fashion.on this song that’s deeper than “just” a holiday song. “In the morning a hallelujah, in the evening a sweet holiday. I got a message I’m sending to you, I just need a place to stay.”

Don Amero “All We Should Make at Christmas.” This starts out a cappella and then adds in mandolin and bells, fiddles and merriment. “All we should make at Christmastime is love.” Nicely done.

Madi Diaz “Kid on Christmas.” With modern indie folk vocals cutting through and connecting emotionally from the first note, Madi Diaz has a reflective song here on wishing to go back to innocence, and reaching out to others “something about the way this year went I wish I could just feel like a kid on Christmas.”

Sofia Talvik “AT Christmas.” Sofia has a real knack with her annual Christmas songs, as she clearly has a “holiday song” musical talent. Reflective with bright sounds, this is about a train ride on Christmas Day. “Bow down to winter, bow down to the snow.”

Hackensaw Boys “The Child I Once Was.” “Do you get sad or is it me, taking down the Christmas treee, when the kids don’t care about Christmastime anymore? Looking back in time to see the child I once was.” This is a sweetly mournful song about what happens when the kids grow up with violin and a heartfelt observation.

Jesse Lynn Madera “Winter Wonderland.” This classic starts out with symphony-like swells and Jesse Lynn gives us a sauntering and bright version of the beloved favorite, with lots of musical flourishes.

TruckerBomb “Christmas Bush.” Jingling bells set up this rockin’ country Christmas song, and this season’s not the same, and he really just wants one small thing: “I don’t need a big old tree, I’ll be happy with a small one, I just need a little Christmas bush.”

The Texas Trio, Kyle Park “Western Wonderland.” A spoof on “Winter Wonderland”: “I heard the West was wild each year on Christmas, from California to the Rio Grande.” This is fun Texas top-tapping fun. “Give a nickel to the man in the band and he can play your favorite song.”

Timothy James “It’s Christmas Time.” This is rockabilly fun, with a snappy beat and throwback chorus styles and, well, this one might be the way to go on Christmas – keep things moving.

Grapes of Grain, Julia Cunningham “There is a House in the Distance.” This song is thoughtful acoustic guitar and banjo, taking it slow in a song about nostalgia.

Robert Thomas “Little Things.” This song taps into the joy and happiness that characterizes the Christmas ideal with reflective vocals and fiddle licks. “there’s nothing like the children in the morning with presents scattered all around their feet. It’s happiness they say that comes on Christmas Day.”

Greg Johnson, Starbust Records “Santa’s Sleigh.” With muted horns, this channels the energy of a Bing Crosby classic. A touch of flirtation and traditional arrangements place this on your holiday playlist. “I’ve done everything I should, I’ve been pretty good, and for a while I’ve had my eyes on you.”

Kevin Beadles “Santa Sleighs it Every Time.” With a jingle bells / electric guitar opening, this song gives it up for Santa Claus. Fun and humorous, the jingles and horns add the icing on top. “He’s the one dude who can pull it off!”

Matt Hires “All I Want For Christmas Is (anything but) You.” This is Southern twangy and electric roots and it’s a dose of Christmastime truth. Sometimes we’re in pain and the holidays don’t make it better.

Hook & Line “I Don’t Need A Christmas Tree.” This is catchy and jangly and easy to listen to, and most of all, it gets the message just right.

King Kazoo & the Reindeer Band “There’s Never Been a Better Time.” Storytelling and confessional with actual kazoo, accordion, and country foundations, this is a worthy contribution to your holiday playlist. “For a rational adult like me to somehow still manage to believe that a fat man from the North Pole shimmies down the skinny chimney, and leaves a bit of magic wrapped up underneath the bright Christmas tree.”

George Joseph “Caught Speeding on Christmas.” Sometimes things don’t go your way on the holidays and happenings are less than ideal. “Wish I would have just taken a sleigh ride / Police car lit up like a Christmas tree…” Unfortunate, and all too relatable.

Patron Saints of Nowhere “Yesteryear.” Piano, emotionally resonant vocals and nostalgic imagery. “Long ago you felt this way at Christmas / you’ve been holding on for Christmas” as the piano crescendoes. It’s an easygoing holiday soundscape.

Thanks Light…. “Dirtbag Christmas.” We’ve all been there, honestly. Never mind the ideal – remember that time you drove home from Christmas because your brother got Covid? Yes, this is the song for you.

Philipp Makolies “Christmas Time and Magic Signs.” The closely vibrating vocals here and the daydreamy music really create the precise context for Christmastime. “when the white snow crunches under your feet then you know it’s Christmastime.”

Bob John Holt “The Years Winter.” This is a dreamscape reflective song, that sounds much like thoughts in your own mind. It adeptly taps into our experiences of the darkest time of the year: “waiting for another time to begin, so this year’s winter, this year’s over, make a wish I will remember.”

Rose Ranger “Dear Dad.” This song is cathartic elixir to everyone everywhere who’s lost loved ones and has to face the holidays without them. Rose’s delivery is achingly poignant and the result is top notch.

Slack “You’re Christmas.” Harpsichord sounds give this a timelessness and then there are church bells and “I just want to go outside, it’s pretty out there.” It’s an enjoyable appreciation of nature in wintertime, and more.

Tyler Sj. “Chill in the Air” and “A Little Peace.” These songs are gritty goodness from a whole Christmas album. Little touches of bells, horns, and catchy as all get-out, but also sincere: “We’ve all got something broken that can’t be fixed by locking all your doors.” We put them both on our playlist. Give them a listen sooner rather than later.

Camryn Quinlan “The Magic is Gone.” Camryn’s vocal delivery wrings emotion from every note, as she unfolds a song of missing someone who’s not home for Christmas, and there’s just something missing. “Around this place it’s quiet now, it’s not the way that I had hoped. If you’re not here the magic is gone.”

Craig Campbell and family “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot.” The vocals are done just right here with the raw innocent family tracks. It makes a nice transition to the fun double time. A great version.

Lexi Gail “O Holy Night.” It’s always nice to have this classic in your holiday playlist, for the sheer rise of the chorus, which Lexi nails. Soft piano and human emotion, well done.

Skydiggers “Song For A Winter’s Night.” Fiddle and an easygoing tempo launch this folk style song with vulnerable, rustic vocal delivery. “If I could only hav you near to breathe a sigh or tow, I would be happy just to hold the hands I love on this winter night with you.”

Steven Taetz “Magic For Me.” Sunny and bright with harmonies, this song is expansive with piano and a snappy rhythm. Very charming. “I can feel it in the air this Christmas, it will always be magic for me. I hope it stays a big surprise.”

Texas Horns and Ange Kogutz “Silver Bells.” Melodious horns and an uptempo groove set this song up for high success and achieve it. A nice change-up for this classic.

Madison Olds “Christmas Every Day.” We could be having Christmas every day? Would that work or not? That’s the topic here in this catchy, almost-summertime feeling song.

Sum Of Things “What Presents Will She Bring?” This song is a two step and a slight bit of punk-folk mashup for a fun addition to your holiday mix. “it’s Christmastime again, I’m waiting for my friend, oh, what presents will she bring?”

Susie Maddocks “This is Peace.” Piano, cello low and slow, and an emotional song full of hope. “Joy of the world, my prince of peace, the hope for all mankind.”

Tipsy Wicker “Cider.” This song is about wearing flannel and sipping cider, and as simple as it sounds, it just … works.

Quote the Raven “Christmas Lullaby.” Acoustic guitar and lilting vocals with a rawness somehow exactly capture the holiday song vibe.

Greg Johnson “Christmas With You.” This has classic Christmas song style all through it, with Greg’s hushed vocals and a touch of St. Nick and piano.

Robert LaRoche “On This Christmas Morning.” Praying with four generations, a touch of pedal steel and bells, this song is mournful and optimistic together all at once.

Nathan Van Horn “Christmas Morning.” Waking up to footsteps and magic in the air,” making your way downstairs in pajamas to a little bit of banjo and bells, this song is sweet.