Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Usually I don’t fool with music reviews because a) I don’t listen to that wide a variety of music and b) I’ve worked with people who do a much better job of writing music reviews than I would.

So with that in mind, this isn’t really a music review. It’s more of a discussion of songs of the Christmas season.

Some folks get really tired of hearing the same songs and carols over and over this time of year, even if it’s a different version (by the way, Chicago’s version of “The Little Drummer Boy” from their album 25 – incredible). It’s not a Scroogish mentality at work; they’d just like some variety.

Hear are a few lesser-known or non-traditional songs that may put you in the Christmas spirit without making you feel like you’re listening to a broken record:

- “Christmas Must Be Something More” by Taylor Swift.
The uber-popular singer-songwriter manages to combine the true meaning of Christmas and a bit of Dr. Seuss in this catchy song from her “Sounds of the Season” EP released a couple years ago.

- “I Want an Alien for Christmas” by Fountains of Wayne.
The “Stacy’s Mom” band rocks this humorous song that frames the perfectly relatable excitement of a child with a sci-fi concept.

- “Valley Winter Song” by Fountains of Wayne.
You might recognize this romantic ballad from a Target commercial a while back. It’s not technically a Christmas song, but it’s no less of one than, say, “Let It Snow.”

- “Peace on Earth” by U2.
It’s not an obvious Christmas song, but this haunting prayer’s title and jingle bell intro qualify it for my yuletide mix CD.

- “New York City Christmas” by Rob Thomas.
Christmas, New York, peace on earth, good will to men, good stuff.

- “Must Have Been Love” by Roxette.
Best known from the “Pretty Woman” soundtrack, this song was originally recorded for a European Christmas compilation album. I think there’s, like, two references to snow and winter, so I guess that’s what made it a Christmas song. It’s the weakest entry on the list, but still one of my favorite songs.

What about you? Any favorite “non-traditional” Christmas songs?