ANDY CHANLEY’S HOLIDAY FAVORITES
Hey, it's Andy Chanley, and here's a playlist of some of my favorite holiday songs. I'll warn you now that they're not all jolly -- but they're not all serious, either.
Enrico Caruso – “O Holy Night”
I'll start off with an unassailable classic. It's one of the most beautiful songs ever written, sung in 1916 by one of the greatest singers to ever walk the Earth. Here's Italian tenor Enrico Caruso with "O Holy Night."
Low – “Just Like Christmas”
Here's something a little more recent, but still kinda lo-fi -- it's a Christmas chestnut from Minnesota's defunct but beloved band, Low. This is "Just Like Christmas."
The Alarm – “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”
Is it heresy to have a favorite version of this song that isn't by John Lennon? I mean, John wrote it to the melody of an old song about a horse that drank wine, so this probably wouldn't hurt his feelings. Put your ears on The Alarm's version of "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)."
Aretha Franklin – “First Snow in Kokomo”
I love this next one. And not just because I've been in Kokomo when it was snowing. The story of a young Aretha on the road with her band at Christmas time. So good.
Merle Haggard – “If We Make It Through December”
Here's another that's not expressly a holiday song, but it sure makes me feel the feels I had as a young midwestern kid without a lot of money at Christmas. Merle Haggard, everybody.
Chris Rea – “Driving Home for Christmas”
Okay, Okay. I'll do a cheery one next. This is cozy as you care to be. Chris Rea -- the "Road to Hell" guy -- on a much nicer road this time with "Driving Home for Christmas."
John Prine – “Christmas in Prison”
I can't help myself -- I gravitate toward the stuff that hurts my heart. So the next two picks are Christmas-in-prison songs, and I'll start with "Christmas in Prison" by Chicago native John Prine.
Paul Kelly – “How to Make Gravy”
Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly is also serving time here. Tell me this one doesn't feel so true that you hurt for him, too.
Marvin Gaye – “Purple Snowflakes”
You've heard of "Purple Rain." This is what happens to purple precipitation in the upper midwest. Here's Marvin Gaye's exquisite "Purple Snowflakes."
The Pretenders – “2000 Miles”
Have you ever seen the video for this next one? I never knew one existed until a week ago. I haven't slept since; but, the song is just gorgeous. Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders with "2000 Miles."
Mavis Staples – “Christmas Vacation”
You might be happy to hear that the serious portion of this playlist is behind us. It's all smiles from here, starting with a Chicago legend, Mavis Staples. Is this the best composition in her catalogue? Probably not, but it happens to bookend the greatest Christmas movie ever made, and for that reason, it makes me smile every time.
Billy Mack – “Christmas Is All Around”
Christmas movie songs, take two: The wonderful Bill Nighy plays Billy Mack, a washed-up pop star whose Christmas wish is to have one more chart-topper. So, he makes a holiday song out of a Troggs classic. The movie, Love Actually, is an indefensible body-shaming and sexual harassment jamboree with an impossible timeline, and I hate-watch every last frame of it every year with my wife.
Nick Lowe – “Christmas at the Airport”
Sometimes at Christmas, I feel low. Nick Lowe, that is. His Quality Street album of a few years ago is one of the best holiday records of the last quarter century. Here's a fun one from it.
Fred Schneider & the Superions – “Fruitcake”
And finally, Fred Schneider. Is this a great holiday song, or is it the GREATEST holiday song? You decide. And happy holidays from the Chanley household. Cheers!