Playlist Santa Claus is comin' to town
Making a playlist, checking it twice
It’s the holidays. You’re stressed. In related news: The Pope is still Catholic, and bears are still doing their thing in the woods.
But I can help. If you’re hosting friends or family, taking over the aux at the company afterparty, or just want something festive while you stare into the fire with a glass of brown liquor by your side1, here are a few playlists to see you through. Feel free to take credit if anyone asks (or pass blame if anyone complains).
The playlists are below — and if I could wrap them for you, I would.
For an epic feast
Longtime friends and family might know this one. Many years ago, I put together a playlist for a company holiday party, and I’ve been tweaking it ever since. It’s meant to take you from cocktail hour through dinner to socializing (and perhaps dancing?) to winding down to fading into visions of sugar plums dancing in your head.
For the classicist
In a world with terrestrial radio, satellite radio, streaming services and algorithms galore, it can still be surprisingly hard to sit down and listen to your favorite classic rock and soul holiday songs, all without interruption, all at the push of the button. So here: Push the play button on this playlist, and enjoy exactly what you’re craving.
For the millennial
It can sometimes seem like, with the notable exception of Ms. Carey’s multi-octave ode to wanting you (yes, you!) under the tree this year, there hasn’t been a new holiday classic since before we were born. But that’s not true! Every year, the indie rockers who have soundtracked our adulthood put out their versions of the classics, or record new songs that add sleigh bells to their standard lo-fi instrumentation. Here are some of those songs from our still-young century, updated from last year’s version.
Feel mighty fine, y’all, I got music on my radio (ho, ho, ho),
P.L.U.
In reality or in your mind.