Around this time of year, there is one song that you hear over and over and over again. No, not that depressing "Christmas Shoes" song about the kid's mom dying. I am of course talking about Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You," the closest thing we have to a modern day holiday standard. It's a sweet song and all, but it's pretty much unavoidable between the months of November and January.
But fear not, there are plenty of other great romantic Christmas songs to add to your holiday mix. Here are five of my favorite. Some are joyful, some wistful. (And a couple are slightly creepy.)
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," Darlene Love
I'm a sucker for those old-school Phil Spector girl-group songs, and this one is an epic romantic delight. Love singing about how watching the snow fall and hearing "Deck the Halls" isn't the same without her baby always puts me in a romantic holiday mood. (Love also performed the hilarious Saturday Night Live song "Christmastime for the Jews.")
"Last Christmas," Wham!
The best song ever written about a guy who gives his heart to a girl on Christmas, only to have her turn around and make out with some other dude the very next day. But don't worry, 'cause this year he's giving it to someone special. Plus, you have to love that cheesy video with George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley romancing the same girl at a ski chalet. That's some Oscar-worthy acting on George's part there.
"Baby It's Cold Outside," Louis Jordan and Ella Fitzgerald
Okay, so this song is a tad creepy now. (The "Say, what's in this drink?" line is where it starts to take a turn for the date rape-y. Plus, the neighbors might gossip about her, and father will be pacing the floor!) But it's a classic song, and perfect for a snowy night. I've always liked the Zooey Deschanel and Leon Redbone version from Elf.
"River," Joni Mitchell
Not a Christmas song per se, but it does start with a section from "Jingle Bells" and the great melancholy line, "It's coming on Christmas/They're cutting down trees/They're putting up reindeer/And singing songs of joy and peace." And, yes, it is a breakup song. But it's a hopeful breakup song, and a perfect antidote to the usual holiday treacle.
"Santa Baby," Eartha Kitt
Despite the fact that this song is just plain awesome (and pretty darn sexy), it's important to note that Catwoman is basically seducing Santa Claus. Picture that the next time it comes on the radio. You're welcome!
Have any romantic holiday favorites? Happy holidays!
But fear not, there are plenty of other great romantic Christmas songs to add to your holiday mix. Here are five of my favorite. Some are joyful, some wistful. (And a couple are slightly creepy.)
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," Darlene Love
I'm a sucker for those old-school Phil Spector girl-group songs, and this one is an epic romantic delight. Love singing about how watching the snow fall and hearing "Deck the Halls" isn't the same without her baby always puts me in a romantic holiday mood. (Love also performed the hilarious Saturday Night Live song "Christmastime for the Jews.")
"Last Christmas," Wham!
The best song ever written about a guy who gives his heart to a girl on Christmas, only to have her turn around and make out with some other dude the very next day. But don't worry, 'cause this year he's giving it to someone special. Plus, you have to love that cheesy video with George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley romancing the same girl at a ski chalet. That's some Oscar-worthy acting on George's part there.
"Baby It's Cold Outside," Louis Jordan and Ella Fitzgerald
Okay, so this song is a tad creepy now. (The "Say, what's in this drink?" line is where it starts to take a turn for the date rape-y. Plus, the neighbors might gossip about her, and father will be pacing the floor!) But it's a classic song, and perfect for a snowy night. I've always liked the Zooey Deschanel and Leon Redbone version from Elf.
"River," Joni Mitchell
Not a Christmas song per se, but it does start with a section from "Jingle Bells" and the great melancholy line, "It's coming on Christmas/They're cutting down trees/They're putting up reindeer/And singing songs of joy and peace." And, yes, it is a breakup song. But it's a hopeful breakup song, and a perfect antidote to the usual holiday treacle.
"Santa Baby," Eartha Kitt
Despite the fact that this song is just plain awesome (and pretty darn sexy), it's important to note that Catwoman is basically seducing Santa Claus. Picture that the next time it comes on the radio. You're welcome!
Have any romantic holiday favorites? Happy holidays!
Please Come Home for Christmas by Jon Bon Jovi, 2,000 Miles by Coldplay or The Pretenders, and Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley. The latter isn't exactly romantic by any standards, I just love it.
I HATE the "Christmas Shoes" song. I actually avoid listening to holiday music on radio stations because of that song. Well, that and the Christmas song that John Lennon did because you can hear Yoko Ono screeching in the background. I love The Beatles as much as anyone else with functioning ear drums but THAT is just asking way too much.
My favorites are any of the classics from White Christmas. I love that movie (and Rosemary Clooney's incredible wardrobe). Baby It's Cold outside is great because it also just a good winter song, especially for those of us in the Midwest who can sympathize.
I LOVE White Christmas; it's not Christmas, til I've watched that! As for Christmas music, 5 years workin in retail, in a CD/DVD emporium killed any love I had for that. And for Christmas, too :(
Now, the only Christmas music I like is the Rat Pack Christmas album, and I have a 3-disc box-set with all Doris Day/ Eartha Kitt/ Frankie baby on it that I love.
We have this 80s/90s No 1 Christmas album that we always used to play when we put up the tree that is still goin strong. The original Band-Aid is on there and a few other Chrimbo classics. It's more for sentimental reasons than love of the music, though. There's a Whigfield "Last Christmas" on there *shudder* but the Wham one is on it too, so it's not so bad.
Case and point, Rosemary Clooney singing "Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKGrp8qlTGs
It's actually the opposite of romantic I suppose but...the dancers make a heart at the end of the song...
White Christmas by Bing Crosby. Doesn't involve a chick but that song puts shivers up my spine. The man had a voice from God.
I love the Zooey Deschanel version of "Baby, It's Cold Outside." Elf is such a cute movie, haha. This year, I listened to some of Sufjan Stevens' Christmas albums. My favorite is definitely the song "Come on! Let's Boogy to the Elf Dance!" It is constantly stuck in my head lol.
'Last Christmas" is one of my all time favorite Christmas songs. ever.
I love "River," by Joni. In fact, I am just going to come out and say that "Blue" is in my top five albums of all time.
I know that perhaps you are not a Glee fan, Nick, but they just released a version of "Baby It's Cold Outside" sung by Chris Colfer and Darren Criss (Kurt and Blaine on the show) that I can't get enough on! It is on the new Christmas album, I recommend giving it a listen.
Get enough OF. Sorry about the typo!
The pogues, fairytale in new york - love those lyrics. Never fails to remind me of home and christmas and of many a bittersweet irish relationship... le sigh
I don't know if it really qualifies as a romantic song but I LOVE 'Blue Christmas' , the Elvis version.
His crooning is fantastic ;)
i will have to say I love Nsync's In Love On Christmas. I can't go a year without listening to their Home For Christmas CD. I just love it.