Tune Into This: Top 10 Festive Songs
The time of year is upon us again, when festive cheer is in the air! And, what better way to show this spirit than with some carols and other holiday songs. As you might have noticed, we’re quite a musical bunch over here at Gooroo. That’s why we’ve compiled a listen of classics that you’re sure to know the tune of. But, did your favourite make the list? Keep reading to find out!
Our Top 10
That’s not to say there aren’t other wonderful festive tunes out there, but these are the ones we rate!
10. Silent Night
As you’ll see from the rest of this list, we have a bit of a penchant for the more melancholy melodies. German in origin, Franz Xaver Gruber composed this song in 1818 with lyrics by Joseph Mohr. Since then, countless artists have recorded countless versions in a variety of languages and music genres. The lyrics tell of the night that Jesus is born.
9. O Holy Night
Originally in French, this holiday tune also reflects on the birth of Jesus. The English version, penned in 1855, has a third verse that resonated with abolitionists in the North. Meanwhile, in French-language churches, it serves as the opening number of the Midnight Mass.
8. Sleigh Ride
“Sleigh Ride” began its life as a light orchestra standard with music composed by Leroy Anderson. In 1950, Mitchel Parish added the lyrics about riding in a sleigh and partaking in other fun wintertime activities. What’s more, unlike other songs on this list, the lyrics don’t specifically mention any holidays. If you listen closely to the Ronettes version you can hear the sound of temple blocks replicating the noise of a moving horse.
7. Last Christmas
Who doesn’t like to remember heartbreak during the holidays? In Wham!’s iconic 80s hit, they lament about a broken relationship and resolve to do better with their new one. But, to a classic 80s accompaniment, of course. For many years, it help the record as the highest-selling single to never top the charts. It would finally reach number 1 on New Year’s Day 2021.
6. Winter Wonderland
Like “sleigh ride”, this non-holiday-specific song also wants us to have fun playing in the snow. But, originally, the lyrics were more romantic in nature. Written in 1934, the melody found itself covered by celebrities of the time such as Ella Fitzgerald and Doris Day.
5. Christmastime Is Here
Another more sombre addition time to our list, you might remember this tune from “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. This slow-jazz melody, sung by children, plays with our perception of a ‘festive song’ by offering us a minor-key composition but with nostalgic Christmas lyrics. We would definitely recommend adding this one to your playlists for something a bit more lowkey yet utterly enchanting!
4. Carol of the Bells
This song also doesn’t fit the cutter of your run-of-the-mill holiday song. Composed by Ukrainians Mykola Leontovych, it takes its basis from the folk chant “Shchendryk”. This music comprises of a four-note ostinato (a motif/idea that repeats itself many times) in 3/4 time. It uses its choir of voices to make the sounds of bells as it sets a Christmas-time scene.
3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman
We’re back with another minor-key number! A traditional Christmas carol, the earliest known version comes from a manuscript dating to the early 1650s. Essentially, the song is saying: ‘may God grant your peace and happiness’. But, more often times that not, merry is misinterpreted as an adjective modifying gentlemen.
2. All I Want For Christmas Is You
Mariah Carey is the queen of Christmas and there’s no doubt you’ve heard countless covers of this classic! But what’s it secret to success? It’s use of bell chimes, of course! This addictive melody and its backing places the tune as a Christmas standard which continues to surge in popularity each year.
1. Let It Snow!
Funnily enough, our number one hit came about during a heatwave in California in 1945. It writers, Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne, dreamed of cooler conditions. Additionally, like other songs of this list, “Let It Snow!” has no mention on any holiday. Instead, it wishes for weather that is typical during a Winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Famous covers incude Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart, and, more recently, Michael Bublé.
How to Learn the Tune
Interested in learning one of the songs on this list, but don’t know where to start? Join our Gooroo Live this Wednesday at 4pm EST to get the lowdown on transcribing. Whether you’re a savant or a beginner, discover how to pick up a melody by ear with our Jazz-expert Frank V.
About the Author
