Christmas Music

Recorded Christmas Music

When purchasing a tape or CD of Christmas music, it’s all up to you. You can skip over songs you do not enjoy, and choose your type of music. Jazz, country, pop/rock, and classic tunes are very popular.

Choosing artists you enjoy otherwise may help you enjoy the music more. However, many artists do their own variations on songs. If you prefer the original tunes and melodies, try to stick with classic compilation CDs. Most CDs and tapes that feature a wide variety of artists revolve around a theme: classic tunes, country, or hits from recent artists.

Tunes that are especially popular during the season that you may want to find on a recording include:

• All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey
• White Christmas by Bing Crosby
• Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley
• Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee
• The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late) by the Chipmunks

Other popular songs to look for include Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, The Christmas Song, and Christian hymns like Away in the Manger, The First Noel, and Angels We Have Heard on High, among others.

Radio Stations

Local radio stations offer a great way to listen to Christmas music without hearing the same old songs over and over. Many DJs throw in popular artists’ renditions of classic tunes, along with new songs written that year.

Some stations go even further than just mixing in a Christmas tune or two. They might play non-stop Christmas music starting the day after Thanksgiving, or the first of December. These stations usually employ songs from different genres of music, including hymns, instrumentals, carols, and popular songs.

Christmas Choir and Other Concerts

Immersing yourself in Christmas music at a special concert is a wonderful way to enjoy these seasonal tunes. Of course, popular artists and classic groups put on special Christmas concerts during the holidays.

One of the most beloved and popular groups in the late 20th century into today is Mannheim Steamroller. Their concerts are frequently sold out during the holiday season. Although they produce other music, they are most well known for their instrumental holiday music.

However, not everyone wants to go to a large arena concert. If you fall into that category, you do not have to look further than your community to find an excellent collection of holiday musical offerings.

Check your local church directories. Often churches of all denominations offer instrumental services or choir driven services throughout December. They are usually free and open to the public, with a freewill donation available if you should choose.

Community theatre groups may put on a musical version of a classic play, such as Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. Look into local colleges and universities. They often put on band, choir, and swing (music and dance) concerts during the holiday season.

Elementary schools and high schools frequently put on holiday concerts during December. While not exclusively dedicated to Christmas, they offer a youthful approach to a significant number of seasonal tunes.