Part of what makes the holiday season enjoyable is the music. Whether it’s Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song,” Frank Sinatra’s version of “Jingle Bells” or Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” there’s a song that resonates with everyone.
Each year, many pop icons, bands and rising stars release Christmas albums performing covers of classics carols or original songs that become part of our annual holiday traditions.
Here’s a mix of new relases and beloved classics we think you should consider for your holiday playlist this year.
‘Christmas’- Cher
Pop singer and actress Cher surprised fans in September when she asked “Are you spending Christmas with me?” on X, formerly known as Twitter, announcing her first-ever holiday album, “Christmas.” The singer shared the album’s cover, which shows her dressed in a white shirt and bedazzled blue jeans while surrounded by enlarged Christmas ball ornaments.
“I really am proud of this,” Cher said during an interview with “Good Morning Britain.” “It’s a Cher Christmas album. It’s not your mother’s Christmas album.”
“Christmas” features classics such as “Please Come Home For Christmas,” “Santa Baby” and “Run Rudolph Run.” But one highlight is “DJ Play A Christmas Song,” which presents the same dance music and vocal effects heard on her 1998 single “Believe.”
Cher also performed covers of songs with guest appearances by the original artists such as Stevie Wonder on “What Christmas Means To Me” from his 1967 album by the same title; Darlene Love on “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” that Love performed on the 1963 compilation “A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector”; and Michael Bublé on his track “Home.” Rapper Tyga and pop singer Cyndi Lauper are also featured.
The seasoned pop diva poses no threat to Mariah Carey’s Christmas throne, but Cher fans now have a merry album to put on during the holiday season.
‘A Joyful Holiday’ – Samara Joy
Jazz vocalist Samara Joy took the 2023 Grammy Awards by surprise when she won the Best New Artist award, which included nominees such as the indie rock band Wet Leg, 2021 Eurovision Song Contest winner (and previous Coachella performers) Måneskin, rapper (and previous Acrisure Arena performer) Latto and singer-songwriter Omar Apollo. With a vocal style and sound similar to jazz icons Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald, the 24-year-old has risen to prominence among a handful of new jazz musicians breathing new life into the genre.
Her EP, “A Joyful Holiday,” was released in October and features holiday favorites such as “The Christmas Song,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “O Holy Night.” Joy’s two previously released originals “Warm In December” and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Me” are also included. Her family appears on “O Holy Night,” as well as a 2022 live duet of “The Christmas Song” with her father Antonio McLendon.
“A Joyful Holiday” is a small but delightful offering of Joy’s renditions of Christmas music that leaves a craving for more — and is hopefully a sample of what’s to come for this rising star.
‘The Greatest Christmas Hits’ – Pentatonix
Pentatonix knows how to do Christmas albums and live tours, and “The Greatest Christmas Hits” is an impressive collection of new and old songs by the acapella band. Even though there’s more production on this album, the ambiance of Pentatonix’ acapella vocals remains.
The album is packed with fun family favorites such as “Up On The Housetop,” “Frosty The Snowman,” and “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” as well as songs that show the band’s appreciation for carols such as “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Mary, Did You Know?”.
Pentatonix is known for doing much more than Christmas music, and has recorded rock covers such as Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Lorde’s “Royals,” but in my opinion, the band’s covers of Fleet Foxes’ “White Water Hymnal” written by Robin Pecknold and Seal’s “Kiss From A Rose” from the “Batman Forever” soundtrack feel out of place on a “Christmas Hits” album. Pentatonix is also one of the many pop groups that likes to include Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” on Christmas albums, even though it’s not a Christmas song.
Still, Pentatonix remain a delight with this new release that is perfect for your 2023 playlist.
‘We Wish You The Merriest’ – Seth MacFarlane & Liz Gillies
It’s no secret by now that “Family Guy” creator, actor, comedian and filmmaker Seth MacFarlane is a talented singer. He’s performed concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York and Royal Albert Hall in London, and is even headlining Acrisure Arena on Dec. 5. Most recently, he’s teamed up with actress Liz Gillies for the album “We Wish You The Merriest,” which has a very classic mid-century modern Christmas feeling. MacFarlane is the Bing Crosby to Gillies’ Rosemary Clooney on tracks such as “Frosty The Snowman,” “Happy Holiday” and “Winter Wonderland.”
“We Wish You The Merriest” is filled with the songs you know and love sung by two multifaceted and prominent entertainers. It’s a keeper for many years to come.
‘A Philly Special Christmas Special’ – The Philly Specials
When I first heard about this band featuring Philadelphia Eagles players Jason Kelce, Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, I was skeptical. But I was serenaded by the performances of The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York,” which has been rewritten as “Fairytale Of Philadelphia,” “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and “This Christmas.”
In case you’re wondering, Jason’s brother — Kansas City Chiefs tight end and Taylor Swift’s current beau, Travis Kelce — does appear for “Fairytale Of Philadelphia,” but Swift does not. The song topped iTunes charts a day after its November release, less than a month ahead of the album’s digital streaming release date.
“Not saying it was good by any means, I’m just saying they made it sound extremely better than what I felt like I left that studio thinking,” Travis said as the brothers revealed on their “New Heights” podcast that they were teaming up on the duet.
Other guest appearances include Waxahatchee, Patti LaBelle, Amos Lee, members of The War on Drugs, Dr. Dog and more.
The trio’s sophomore album went on sale Nov. 3 at philyspecialchristmas.com and proceeds will go toward the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The first album from the Eagles linemen, “A Philly Special Christmas,” raised $1.25 million for Philadelphia charities last year.
‘Have You Heard Of Christmas?’ – Matt Rogers
The holidays can be stressful, and sometimes you need some laughter to lighten the mood. That’s where comedian, podcaster (best known for co-hosting “Las Culturistas” with “SNL” star Bowen Yang) and actor Matt Rogers comes in with his comedic debut album “Have You Heard Of Christmas?”
The witty (sometimes only lightly) holiday-themed record features songs that poke fun at everything from the “RockaFellaCenta” Christmas tree to parents who always make it “Rain on Christmas,” and features pop singers Leland, VINCINT and MUNA’s Katie Gavin. Many of the tracks on “Have You Heard Of Christmas?” were featured in Rogers’ 2022 Showtime holiday special of the same name, including “Hottest Female Up In Whoville,” “Immah Have Your Back (This Christmas)” and “Lube for the Sleigh.”
Fun fact: the music video for his single “Also It’s Christmas” features Coachella Valley-based TikTok stars the Old Gays.
‘The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection’ and ‘Christmas Tree Farm’ – Taylor Swift
Forgive me, but it would be a crime if I didn’t mention Taylor Swift, aka T. Swizzle, on this list. In 2007, before Swift was performing in stadiums across the world on “The Eras Tour,” she was a budding teenage pop artist who recorded the EP “The Taylor Swift Holiday Christmas Collection” featuring country renditions of “Last Christmas,” “White Christmas,” “Santa Baby” and more.
If Swift’s career ever slows down, she would be perfect for a role in a Hallmark Christmas movie about a Christmas tree farm, considering she spent her early childhood living on one in Cumru Township, Pennsylvania. She released a song about it called “Christmas Tree Farm” in 2019.
‘Carols from King’s College, Cambridge’ – The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
There’s no shame in enjoying Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” or Elmo & Patsy’s “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” but the origins and magic of Christmas is also heard in the traditional carols. The English Anglican choir at King’s College, Cambridge has released several choral albums of classical and modern carols. Its annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is broadcast worldwide on Christmas Eve.
In 2022, the choir released the collection “Carols from King’s College Cambridge” featuring previous performances under the late conductors Sir David Willcocks and Philip Ledger. Some of the highlights of the 15 tracks are “The First Nowell,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.”
‘A Mary Christmas’ – Mary J. Blige
It’s been a decade since R&B powerhouse Mary J. Blige released her Christmas album, “A Mary Christmas,” and she released a deluxe anniversary version in October with four new songs. “A Mary Christmas” features guests such as Barbra Streisand and jazz trumpeter Chris Botti on “When You Wish Upon A Star,” Latin pop vocalist Marc Anthony on “Noche De Paz (Silent Night)” and more.
Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye.
