Everyone seems to be releasing Christmas music these days! So what is it that will earn these new Christmas songs a top spot amongst the classics?
If you love Christmas, then you most likely love Christmas music! It’s nothing to be ashamed of, honestly. After all, a lot of these songs have been around for decades; for those who celebrate Christmas, many Christmas songs will have likely become intertwined with December every year for as long as anyone can remember. Surely there must be something good about them?
Some of the classic Christmas songs that make a comeback every December without fail, include: ‘Fairytale of New York (feat. Kirsty MacColl) - Edit’ by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, ‘2000 Miles’ by Pretenders, ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ by Mariah Carey, ‘Santa Baby’ by Eartha Kitt, ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas? - 1984 Version’ by Band Aid, ‘Driving Home For Christmas’ by Chris Rea, ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ by John Lennon, The Harlem Community Choir, The Plastic Ono Band and Yoko Ono, ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham!, ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ by Wizzard, ‘Wonderful Christmastime’ by Paul McCartney, ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ by Andy Williams, ‘Sleigh Ride’ by The Ronettes, ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ by Brenda Lee, etc. Then you’ve got the likes of Michael Bublé and Bing Crosby, whose entire Christmas repertoires are yearly favourites, even the covers. Christmas carols don’t seem to fade either.
The list could go on as endlessly as these songs’ domination of Christmas playlists around the world. Something about these songs has allowed them to stand the test of time in a way that few other songs have been able to do. Not only that, but they bring in a guaranteed lump of money each time they make their yearly comeback.
Is it any surprise then that everyone seems to be releasing Christmas music nowadays? Whether they want to cash in on the Christmas music royalties, give their career an increased chance of longevity, or they just love Christmas, it seems Christmas music is being released left right and centre at the moment. Some notable artists jumping on the Christmas music train are: Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Sia, Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, the Jonas Brothers, Leona Lewis, Alessia Cara, Little Mix, Macklemore, Ed Sheeran, and most recently, Sabrina Carpenter. How many of their Christmas songs could you name off the top of your head though? Perhaps far fewer than the previously mentioned classics?
So, what is it about Christmas music that keeps us coming back for more? What qualities do they possess that make them what they are: a Christmas song? Firstly, you can’t shy away from cheesiness if you’re going to release a Christmas song. In fact, the cheesier the better. It’s the one time of year where no one will bat an eyelid at over-exaggerated lyrics, whether they profess love, heartbreak, happiness or even, sadness. Side note - they still have to relate to Christmas.
If not opting for the Christmas love song, they should instead contain lyrics that conjure up warmth. Whether that be through merely discussing Christmas, or speaking to an overarching feeling amongst people at the time of the song’s release, it needs to light a candle inside the listener’s mind and heart.
Speaking of lyrics, there needs to be an air of simplicity to them. If a Christmas song contains overly complex lyrics (while they may be beautifully written), it might lose its catchiness, or it might run the risk of the artist seeming like they’re taking themselves too seriously, and nobody really wants that at Christmas. They also need to remain timeless, and speak to feelings that all generations can relate to.
What about the sound of a Christmas song? The music needs to have a catchy melody, that’s for sure. But that could be said about any song that’s seeking out hit status. There needs to be a sense of timelessness about them, that allows them to come back every year without anyone questioning it. Even the modern Christmas songs can’t be too modern.
The most essential part of almost any Christmas song, though, has to be the bells. Whether they’re faintly in the background, or louder than the singer’s actual voice, their presence immediately indicates that you’re listening to a Christmas song and transports you straight to Christmas Day.
So, will any of the newly released Christmas songs stand the test of time and join the classics? Only time will tell, but here are some of my contenders:
‘Mistletoe’ by Justin Bieber
‘Santa’s Coming for Us’ by Sia
‘Warm This Winter’ by Gabriell Climi
‘Christmas Lights’ by Coldplay
‘Underneath the Tree’ by Kelly Clarkson
‘Make It To Christmas’ by Alessia Cara
‘Christmas Tree Farm’ by Taylor Swift
‘One More Sleep’ by Leona Lewis
‘Snowman’ by Sia
‘Merry Christmas’ by Ed Sheeran and Elton John
‘santa doesn’t know you like i do’ by Sabrina Carpenter
‘Santa Tell Me’ by Ariana Grande
Watch this space, and come back in a few years time to see which of these songs are still popular!
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