It’s December once again, and the holiday spirit has already begun to defrost within the Opinion Section. When it comes to signs of the festivities, there are few signs as clear as the steady uptick in special holiday music that starts to pop up all around us. So, to bring a bit of that festivity into the paper, our writers are answering the question: What’s your favorite piece of holiday music?
Alexander Renzulli, Campus Correspondent: Christmas means jazz, and not the “Whiplash” jazz that makes you want to slam your head into the wall, but the calm lovely jazz that has you melted beside the fireplace. Coltrane and Nat King Cole usher in the holiday season, with soft melodies that serve as perfect background noise for a peaceful family gathering. Alternatively, I really mess with Dominic the Donkey.
Amber Greene, Campus Correspondent: Christmas season is Pentatonix’s time to shine. They have nine Christmas albums released, and there is something about the untraditional acapella performances of classics that put me in the Christmas spirit. A highlight of one of their albums is definitely their rendition of White Winter Hymnal which I listen to at least once a day this time of year.
Tomas Hinckley, Opinion Editor: I am actually going to be the grinch of this roundtable and say my most disliked Christmas song. You see, Micheal Bublé has been haunting my snow-white December memories ever since I was a child, as the CD of his one and only Christmas album is my family’s favorite. His voice takes me back to those youthful days, but specifically in the way that I’ve heard his voice sing “Jingle Bells” a mind-numbing amount of times since I was six. He’s a wonderful singer, sure, but in the same way that a harmless drop of water can eventually cause great pain (Dear Reader, please Google “Chinese Water Torture” for reference), his sultry voice has grown to cause me nothing but annoyance over time.
Colin Hamilton, Staff Writer: José Feliciano’s Feliz Navidad remains my personal favorite holiday tune. There’s something simply timeless about José’s voice that seems to carry the message of holiday cheer so well. His masterful acoustic guitar accompanies cheery lyrics that, for me, conjure happy memories of back country skiing, hot cider, and gathering around the dining room table with my family for some holiday season cheer. Also, it’s a pretty neat earworm.
Gabrielle Wincherhern, Contributor: This is probably going to be the most unconventional pick, but the only Christmas song that has ever stuck out to me is Danny Gonzalez’ “I’m Gonna Kill Santa Claus.” The song is inspired by the movie “The Santa Clause,” where a man watches Santa Claus die and assumes his identity. However, in “I’m Gonna Kill Santa Claus,” the singer actively sets out to kill Santa Claus, which I think is a fun and refreshing take on how to celebrate the holiday season. It is also genuinely a really catchy song.
Alternatively, I like “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” As an ornithology student, who doesn’t want 184 birds for Christmas?
Patrick Minnerly, Associate Opinion Editor: My favorite holiday song has to be “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole. It just manages to capture the magical feeling of Christmas so well, and it’s instantly recognizable from the first time the strings come in. Nat King Cole also had one of the greatest voices in music. Whenever I hear this song, I always feel like it’s a nice warm hug for the holiday season.