Louis Prima turns Christmas into a swinging jump blues party with “Shake Hands With Santa Claus.” Released in 1959, it’s loud, goofy, joyful, and bursting with New Orleans energy. A big band holiday tune that celebrates unrestrained fun, charisma, and pure seasonal momentum.
Read more
“Nut Rocker” by B. Bumble and the Stingers is Christmas at full throttle. A 1962 instrumental that fuses The Nutcracker with pounding piano and early rock energy, it’s joyful, ridiculous, and guaranteed to wake up any holiday room.
Read more
Matisyahu’s “Miracle” is a rare modern Hanukkah song that actually grooves. Warm reggae rhythms, sincere lyrics, and infectious energy turn the holiday into something alive, contemporary, and celebratory.
Read more
Kay Starr’s “(Everybody’s Waitin’ For) The Man with the Bag” turns Christmas into motion and momentum. Bright big band swing, warm vocals, and shared anticipation make this 1950 classic a joyful holiday essential.
Read more
Slade’s 1973 hit Merry Xmas Everybody is pure singalong joy. Warm guitars, melodic lift, and Noddy Holder’s welcoming voice turn this glam rock anthem into a communal celebration that still feels fresh and heartfelt every December.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more