Jethro Tull’s Pavane turns a Renaissance dance into a peaceful winter journey. Warm flute, flamenco guitar, and drifting textures create a quiet seasonal calm that moves like a train through snowy December landscapes.
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Buttkickin’ Holiday Songs: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / We Three Kings” — Barenaked Ladies/Sarah McLachlan (1996)
Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan deliver a quietly stunning live take on two classic carols, recorded backstage in 1996. Warm acoustic guitars, effortless harmonies, and Sarah’s luminous entrance make this a rare moment of shared joy that feels both intimate and timeless.
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Buttkickin’ Holiday Songs: “What Christmas Means to Me” — Stevie Wonder (1967)
Stevie Wonder’s 1967 classic “What Christmas Means to Me” is three minutes of pure Motown joy. Bursting with energy, warmth, and Stevie’s unstoppable exuberance, it turns the holiday season into a celebration that feels alive, immediate, and irresistibly joyful.
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Buttkickin’ Holiday Songs: “Christmas” — The Smithereens (2007)
The Smithereens take The Who’s “Christmas” is a crunchy holiday powerhouse; part 60s power-chord rock, part 80s Jersey bar band, all heart. A perfect blend of power pop melody and rock opera swagger with a holiday overlay.
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Buttkickin’ Holiday Songs: “Bears” — Zebra (1984)
Zebra’s 1984 single “Bears” isn’t a holiday song, yet its icy atmosphere, emotional depth, and quiet ache make it feel unmistakably wintry. A shimmering, prog-tinged meditation on vulnerability, compassion, and the cold nights we all weather.
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Buttkickin’ Holiday Songs: “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” — Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong (1957)
Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald’s 1957 duet turns winter chill into pure swing delight. Playful, warm, and effortlessly joyful, “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” feels like the holiday season winking at you from across a cozy cocktail lounge.
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Buttkickin’ Holiday Songs: “Christmas Time’s a-Comin'” — Emmylou Harris (1979)
Emmylou Harris’s 1979 take on “Christmas Time’s A-Comin’” is pure bluegrass joy: bright, warm, and full of that unmistakable feeling of heading toward home. An uptempo shot of holiday heart, rich with sincerity and seasonal glow.
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Buttkickin’ Holiday Songs: “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)” — George Harrison (1973)
George Harrison’s 1973 classic “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)” blends spiritual yearning with gentle classic rock warmth. A simple, powerful plea for clarity, compassion, and inner peace, and an unexpectedly perfect fit for the holiday season.
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Buttkickin’ Holiday Songs: “A Remark You Made” — Weather Report (1977)
Weather Report’s “A Remark You Made” may not be a holiday song, but its quiet warmth, delicate beauty, and nostalgic serenity make it the perfect soundtrack for a peaceful Christmas Eve walk. A tender fusion ballad that glows like soft lights on a winter night.
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Buttkickin’ Holiday Songs: “Merry Christmas Baby” — Lou Rawls (1967)
Looking for a holiday song with velvet swagger? Lou Rawls’ 1967 version of “Merry Christmas Baby” delivers a bluesy, midnight-smooth groove that warms the room well before the fireplace starts crackling. With Rawls’ unmistakable baritone, a sauntering blues shuffle, and mood-drenched Christmas soul, this track is holiday fire and magic.
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