My Christmas Playlist

It’s that time of the year again. The time of the gifts, lights, trees, stockings and hot cocoa. Yes! I am talking about Christmas time.

Some may think it early for Christmas tunes, but I say as soon as Halloween is done and the snow is coming down, it’s that time.

We simply cannot start the season without our Christmas songs. I put together a few of my favorites to add to your playlists. I like my Christmas songs old-school. But there are a few updated versions from various artists, so I specified which ones are worth listening to.

1. “Jingle Bells” – Frank Sinatra
   This is a must on any Christmas playlist. It will forever be a hit when it comes to the season. The original song is a bit more bubbly, and Pentatonix has a really cool upbeat, quick-paced version which will have you bobbing your head to the beat.
2. “Let it Snow” – Dean Martin
   Another old-school hit which will always make its way on my playlist.
3. “The Christmas Song” – Frank Sinatra
   I might as well throw the entire Frank Sinatra Christmas album here while I’m at it. There are other versions I like by people like Nat King Cole and Michael Bublé (to an extent). If you don’t like the throwback thing, there is, of course, Justin Bieber’s version. There is also a version from Pentatonix which is very soothing.
4. “The First Noel” – Pentatonix
   This soothing a capella will have you sipping on that hot chocolate and peacefully falling asleep. I also enjoy Carrie Underwood’s version, which is very traditional.
5. “Oh Holy Night” – Josh Groban
   Traditional but beautiful, I must say! Underwood’s version is also a nice traditional version I can chill with. A capella is also a nice way to listen to Christmas music. If that’s your flow, you should go with the version by Pentatonix and Home Free.
6. “Silent Night” –  Pentatonix
   I know you all know this one. It’s always a caroling group’s go-to in the American movies. Michael Bublé, Bing Crosby, Kelly Clarkson, Trish Yearwood and Reba McEntire also have their versions which are not too shabby.
7. “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” – Frank Sinatra
   Frank is back at it again with another banger version in the Christmas genre! I also enjoy versions by Michael Bublé, and even Sam Smith, but those don’t stay with me quite as much as Frank’s version.
8. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” – Lincoln Brewster
   This one is less traditional, but every time I think of this song, I feel like it should be as upbeat as Lincoln’s version. But if you want it more traditional, then my guy Frank’s got you!
9. “Winter Wonderland” – Frank Sinatra
   The only words I know in this song are “Walking in a winter wonderland.” Regardless, this song still makes my playlist. Other traditional versions are by Dean Martin and Michael Bublé. There is one nontraditional version I liked, which was by Snoop Dogg and Anna Kendrick from the movie “Pitch Perfect 2.”
10. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” – Idina Menzel & Michael Buble
    I really enjoy this song, mainly because of the back and forth nature.
11. “Deck The Halls” – Nat King Cole
    You can keep it old-school with Nat King Cole, but Pentatonix also has a really cool upbeat a capella version, which kinda blew my mind a bit.
12. “Feliz Navidad” – Jose Feliciano
    We need a little more upbeat in our Christmas cheer, not to mention a little foreign language. Bring out your dancing shoes when this one comes on.

Let’s change it up a bit to the nontraditional, but banging, Christmas songs.

1. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” – Mariah Carey
   I figured I’d start this with either your all-time favorite or the song you hate the most. You may hate this song with all your heart, but I love it with all of mine! It is just so fun and upbeat. I don’t care when or where I hear this song, I will immediately sing it and hit the Carlton Banks Dance.
2. “Last Christmas” – Wham!
   It may sound traditional, but I don’t consider it to be.
3. “Santa Clause, Do You Ever Come to the Ghetto?” – Chronixx
   I’m from the Caribbean, so of course I had to add some reggae on this list! This song is really deep and deserves a listen.
4. “Mistletoe” – Justin Bieber
   I’m not a big fan of the guy but this one will definitely get me a dance … and maybe a kiss without the mistletoe. Who knows?
5. “White Winter Hymnal” – Pentatonix
   This is very nontraditional. I’m starting to like the Pentatonix more and more. Give it a listen!

Now I’m taking this list to my region of birth: the Caribbean. Most of the songs on this list are from a genre called Soca Parang which originated from Trinidad and Tobago. Soca Parang is largely performed around Christmas time.

1. “Yvonne” – Crazy
   This song speaks about a woman who left her spouse on Christmas day. This song is more entertaining than sad, as the performer is talking about his hunger and the fact that friends and family are coming over to eat.
2. “Put Jesus In Your Christmas” – Crazy
   Enjoy another song from the performer Crazy as they sing about why you should put Jesus in your Christmas. Even if you don’t believe in Jesus, I am sure this song will have your head bumping.
3. “That Eh Working Here Tonight” – Scrunter
   In this song, a man goes to a Christmas celebration, drinks a bit, and starts eyeing females in the room before someone comes around to tell him that everyone in here is family.
4. “Santa Looking For a Wife” – Bindley Benjamin
   This song is about Santa coming to the Caribbean looking for a wife because he knows the best women are from the Caribbean. He came because he loves soca and reggae music, along with the Caribbean cuisine ... and a few other reasons.

Now we are going to look at Christmas music from St. Lucia itself. These songs have a lot of double meaning and play on words.

1. “My Christmas Pork” – Ricky T
   Pork is one of the main foods eaten around Christmas time. So this artist is singing about what he is going to put his Christmas pork in because he has no plastic containers.
2. “This Christmas” – Papa Vader / Invader
   This song came about when a politician was denied his American visa before the Christmas season. The denial of the visa made headlines and this song was born.
3. “Merry Christmas (St. Lucian Style)” – Pele
   This song give an insight of how St. Lucians celebrate Christmas.

I feel very sorry for all the retail workers right now. I’m sure your store has the same playlist probably all day long, all season long. But not all Christmas music has to be the same thing over and over – change up some of the songs, join in the Christmas spirit and be sure to hit the Carlton!