It’s here, people, it’s here! Christmas is here!! From Thanksgiving through New Year is my favorite time of year, in case you were wondering. Of course it’s also the craziest, busiest time of year, too. But you know what they say – I’ll sleep when I’m dead…heh!!
Merry Christmas Eve! We’ll be enjoying family time with my brother and his wife, my mom, and a myriad of family members for brunch, which my brother always way outdoes himself (in other words, I will no doubt eat waaaay too much, just sayin’.) We decided this year we’re doing the family gift exchange as a White Elephant for this gathering – a separate one for the kids, and one for us adults. I’m looking forward to the hilarity that will no doubt ensue!
Then of course we’ll be home just our immediate family for Christmas Eve, where we’ll open gifts from family and friends, then Christmas morning will be Santa gifts, and I’ll be making a Christmas feast for later in the day. What are your typical Christmas traditions?
Meanwhile, it’s Monday, and Monday means music! For the month of December, the running theme for the entire month is Christmas Song/Music/Tunes! Let’s get into the spirit, and let’s get this party started!
Let’s start with the title track of this artist’s first Christmas album, that was inspired by the singer observing the intense grief of a close friend after she’d lost her brother. The artist wanted to write something that would bring her a little comfort.
I see you, I call your name / Hope you’re flying on this Christmas day / I feel you, I hear you say / You’re gonna be okay, I know it’s not the same / But you love me, and that will never change / And I love you on this Christmas day
She explained that the song’s message is that while everybody celebrates Christmas Day, many people worldwide will also be thinking about loved ones whom they wish were still with them.
Without further ado, here’s the amazing Jessie J with “This Christmas Day”:
Next, there’s nothing like a beautiful Christmas song to get you in the holiday mood. And I especially love listening to classic songs that remind us of the real reason for the season. This Christian pop duo composed of Australian brothers does a fabulous job with a very percussive and passionate live version of this classic song, I absolutely love it.
Get ready to dance – here’s For King & Country with “Little Drummer Boy”:
Next up is one of my favorite a cappella groups who released a festive music video for their cover of this song back on December 8th. The visual shows the members singing the Christmas classic in a hotel lobby adorned by a tree, ornaments, poinsettias and tinsel.
For your listening pleasure, here’s Pentatonix with “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”:
Next up, this artist knows what he loves about Christmas:
“Snow, a roaring fire, a few chestnuts knocking about and a huge turkey. My wife is an incredible cook, so she will lay on the best Christmas lunch. All the classic things.”
He loves the holiday so much he just released a great new album, Happy Xmas, which he’s celebrating with a new claymation-style video for his fiery blues take on “White Christmas.” The video tells the story of a young blues fanatic (who looks a lot like this artist) going to see a blues giant and dreaming of getting a guitar for Christmas. The story is not far from the truth for the artist, even at age 73:
“Almost every Christmas, my wife Melia gives me a guitar. Sometimes I’ve just hinted at it — if you want to know what I want for Christmas…”
Another Christmas ritual: making a Christmas playlist, which he says changes genres every year, from jazz to swing to rock. Last year, the list focused on country music, which led his wife to suggest he make a Christmas album, which also includes an EDM-inspired version of “Jingle Bells,” a tribute to Avicii.
Here’s the inimitable Eric Clapton with “White Christmas”:
Next up is a Christmas song written by Benjamin Hanby in 1864. It has been recorded by a multitude of singers, most notably Gene Autry in 1953.
This song was the second-oldest secular Christmas song, outdone only by “Jingle Bells”, which was written in 1857. It is also considered the first Yuletide song to focus primarily on Santa Claus. According to Readers Digest Merry Christmas Song Book, Hanby probably owes the idea that Santa and his sleigh land on the roof of homes to Clement C. Moore’s 1822 poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (also commonly known as “The Night Before Christmas”).
This version is done by one of my favorite country stars, who recorded it for her Christmas album in 1999.
Without further ado, here’s Reba with “Up On The Housetop”:
Last, but certainly not least, is a kooky and joyous music video, which is clearly the kind of Christmas this artist wants you to have. The video sees Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell acting as a married couple (which shouldn’t have been too difficult for them) hosting a rather busy get together at their home. Fellow familiar faces like Stranger Things’ Caleb McLaughlin, JB Smoove, Henry Winkler, Susan Lucci and several other friends all stop by to get in on the fun by dancing and singing along to the jazzy cut.
Even Santa makes an appearance to hand out gifts, jam with the crew, and fill his hat with cookies for later. This artist isn’t featured in the new release, which is typically how she likes her visual treatments, but her influence is present, thanks to the general tone of the video and even the red and green wig worn by one of the children.
This song serves as the lead single off of the Australian singer-songwriter’s first holiday album, which was released last year.
Enjoy the fun video and Sia‘s talent with “Santa’s Coming For Us”:
That’s a wrap for this week – have a great Monday! See you on the dance floor, and have a Very Merry Christmas!
Now on to the particulars of Monday’s Music Move’s Me: I have the supreme honor and privilege of being a co-host with the inimitable Xmas Dolly and our musical cohort, the awesome Cathy from Curious as a CAThy, and while our beloved Callie of JAmerican Spice is taking a break, our friend Michelle from Musings and Merriments with Michelle is helping out with hostess duties!
Want to join in the fun? It’s easy – just find a tune that rocks your boat, post it and link up – don’t forget to grab Xmas Dolly…er, um, I mean her button…over at her place here. Check out Xmas Dolly’s sidebar for the random themes we sport each week – and you can always ask for a specific theme of music you like, too. Check out the other music lovahs and let’s jam!
I especially liked the Pentatonix number. Kristen had broken her leg earlier and was on a scooter, so she didn’t move much, and two of the guys tried to decorate her. Merry Christmas!
Beautiful songs. I enjoyed them all. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you and your family have a wonderful and Merry Christmas.
Lots of Christmas fun, i hope you and your family are having a wonderful time preparing for the big day!
Celestine and i wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!🎄🎄🎄 🎁🎁🎁🎅🎅🎅
• ★ Merry ★* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★ Christmas 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚| 田田 |門| ˚And a Happy New Year
* Joy to all! ♫•*¨* Peace on Earth ♪♫•*¨*
Stacy,
I came by and forgot to leave a message. *smack forehead* What can I say, except I was busier than my brain could keep up with. lol I hope you had a very merry Christmas! I can’t believe it’s over with now, can you? This has been one of the busiest Decembers for us in many years. The year has gone by like a blink, too. I hope 2019 holds many wonderful things for your family and mine. I’m eager to see what comes our way, aren’t you? I had not heard of For King & Country before now, but I really liked their “Little Drummer Boy” version. Have a good week, what’s left of it, and I’ll see you on the dance floor next Monday. 😉
I like unusual twists on “classics” and King and Country did that just right, especially with the nontraditional beginning of “The Little Drummer Boy”. But a close second was Reba – the way she sang “Up on the Housetop” you never would have realized that the song is well over 100 years old. That’s what timeless songs are all about. I’m late coming by but here to wish you a Happy New Year.