Blogmas Day 19: Ann’s Holiday Playlist

Leigh Ann here! For the final installment of holiday playlists, you’re getting this - hot off the press, not seven years old, thoughtfully curated playlist from one of my very favorite people! Ann and I have a very fun meet cute that has blossomed into a lovely friendship over the past few years, and when I was thinking about having one last guest blogger, I only had her in mind! I hope you love this as much as I do! ♡

Well, Hello!

It’s Ann, one of Leigh Ann’s aforementioned long distance pals who helped with the unique gift, gift guide and gifted the Birkenstock ornament to her last year (if you saw the Birkenstock stash she has - it was a no brainer, I quite literally laughed out loud in the store.) While I’m a big fan of Christmas, I somehow do not have a dedicated playlist that gets switched on annually. Crystal and Josh are both far more musically inclined than me and every song they’ve identified in past years is a bop, but may I present some classics/niche songs that bring me joy?

Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) - Darlene Love

Famously, this was David Letterman’s favorite Christmas song and there is a seriously wonderful compilation of Darlene Love singing it over the years. On a personal note, as this comes up each year, I get to reminisce on how I saw Darlene Love play Motormouth Maybelle in the Broadway production of Hairspray. Now go home and help your mom make a pie or go to have some type of romantic reunion, whatever floats your boat.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Bruce Springsteen

During one particularly stressful holiday season of my early adulthood, my brain was somehow so fried that I spent a solid amount of time (2 minutes, 10 minutes - whatever it was, it was too long) thinking that it was AMAZING that The Boss had such a prolific career AND wrote one of the most iconic Christmas songs of all time. I was only a little off, it’s just simply the most iconic rendition and I will be playing it on repeat all Christmas Eve because I will never be sick of hearing Bruce ask if Clarence has been practicing his saxophone.

Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses

This song is actually annoying and I recommend you stay away because you will NOT be able to get it out of your head. It’s on the list solely because my dad will sing this tune to be silly. If tensions in your home are high, just bust out a “Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, da da da da da da” in your own attempt of this one and suddenly all is calm, all is bright.

The Chanukah Song - Adam Sandler

What person growing up in the 90s in a predominantly Christian area WASN’T introduced to the Judaism through SNL and discussion of this iconic original song? If it’s been awhile since you’ve listened, give it a shot.

Thankful Heart - A Muppet Christmas Carol/Michael Caine

A delightful way to really hammer home that Scrooge has all the important stuff figured out. Marley and Marley is also a banger but it’s not really hitting the festive feel that I’m going for.

Forget December - Something Corporate

Josh did a great job including some of the best pop punk/emo holiday songs, but I had to add my own. A holiday bop by the best piano rock band around. It’s pretty emo but I have very specific memories of burning my own “alternative” Christmas CDs (!!!) for friends my senior year of high school, and I’m pretty sure this was the song I used to kick the whole thing off.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Step Into Christmas - Elton John

You need at least one knighted British musical artist on any holiday playlist and sorry to Sir Paul (my guy) but Wonderful Christmastime just isn’t quite as whimsical and delightful as this Elton John jam. But the honorable honorable mention is Wonderful Christmastime, I just can’t quit it.

Deck the Halls AND/OR Joy to the World – Julie Andrews

I couldn’t live with myself without including a Julie Andrews rendition. These just get me when she starts to hit those high notes, and here we are. I know that “Favorite Things” is commonly associated with the holidays but The Sound of Music is an all year round thing for me and I refuse to pigeon hole a song from it into one season.

And with that, I think we’ve done it. I’ll go take my own advice now and get these all into a playlist, though I have to be honest, I really will just be listening to Bruce on repeat.

Leigh Ann is currently listening to: “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses