Christmust-listens
MANILA, Philippines - Christmust-listens. Yeah, I know: “witty.” But really, making an effort to music-score your noche buena or mistletoe milestones might not be such a bad idea. And unless you’re the type to tolerate whatever Christmas medley you might hear in the malls or in your dad’s van, we’ve jotted down a number of modern and retro-pulsed songs you can use to make your holidays a little more pleasant and nostalgic — and okay, fine, more hipster.
1. Mayer Hawthorne - Christmas Time Is Here
Start slow with a soulful Mayer Hawthorne track as he puts his own spin on a Vince Guaraldi classic from Peanuts’ A Charlie Brown Christmas.
2. The Boy Least Likely To - Christmas Isn’t Christmas
English duo The Boy Least Likely To delivers some holiday cheese the twee-pop way. Unlikely to disappoint.
3. Best Coast & Wavves - Got Something For You
Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino and Wavves’ frontman Nathan Williams are a real life item together and this spills over quite naturally as they collaborate for some lo-fi Christmas cheer.
4. The Raveonettes - The Christmas Song
Wistful rock and roll and two-part vocal harmonies from Danish duo The Ravonettes.
5. Death Cab for Cutie - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
More of this Christmas yearning, a.k.a. acceptable emo. Still a must-have for any Death Cab and/or The O.C. fan.
6. Phantom Planet - Winter Wonderland
Best Wavves: Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino and her boyfriend, Wavves’ Nathan Williams, collaborated for the garage-pop song Got Something For You. Their unabashed version of Winter Wonderland sounds like something you’d hear at a high school Christmas potluck, where the class band attempts to rock it out and succeeds.
7. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - All I want for Christmas
With lines like “My only Christmas wish is for you to be here,” as cooed by Karen O, I think it’s safe to say that yearning is the running theme of this playlist so far. Slow-dance to this song by the nearest belen, you guys.
8. Deerhoof - The Little Drummer Boy
A straight-up cover from San Francisco-based Deerhoof, who are slated to visit Manila sometime next year for a show.
9. Ron Sexsmith - Maybe This Christmas
Slightly upbeat alt-folk from Canadian crooner Ron Sexsmith. You can’t go wrong with the vibe or his surname on this one.
10. The Kinks - Father Christmas
Sixties English rockers The Kinks dropped this single in 1977. The song’s about a department store Santa Clause who gets beaten up by a gang of kids who demanded money instead of toys. A kill-joy, I know, but the energy’s great here.
11. Hall & Oates - Jingle Bell Rock
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York memories, anyone?
12. Coconut Records - It’s Christmas
Jason Schwartzman’s solo project is on the modest, subdued side but it’s emotive enough to keep the holiday spirit glowing.
13. Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime
McCartney says he’s embarrassed about this 1979 record but he reportedly still earns about $400,000 in royalties per year solely from this song. Figures.
14. Carpenters - Merry Christmas Darling
This throwback went on to top the Christmas singles chart in 1970 and was covered later on by the likes of Boys II Men — okay, not that impressive.
Merry Beatle: Aside from John Lennon’s Happy Xmas (War is Over), McCartney’s Wonderful Christmastime has also become one of the most popular post-Beatles Christmas songs of all time. 15. Coldplay - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
This Chris Martin rendition goes down pretty smoothly, almost like he just woke up, yawned, and decided to tickle the ivories. Fireplace-friendly.
16. Marvin Gaye - I Want To Come Home For Christmas
You have to go through the entire song to know what Marvin Gaye wants to get at. Layers upon layers of soul grooves and grief-fueled octaves make up this 1972 single. I just don’t know of a more miserable Christmas song than this.
17. Jose Mari Chan - Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)
Everybody needs some classic Chan once in a while.
18. Regina Spektor - My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year)
Just in case you still have this mix ‘til New Year’s Eve, this one should cap things off perfectly.
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Download “A Christmust-listens Mix from Young Star” from http://youngstarphils.tumblr.com.
