Playback the Music Podcast

Playback's Naughty and Nice Lists - the Best and Worst Holiday Songs

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'Tis the season when holiday music takes over the Hot 100 and the airwaves of every public gathering space. So, singer-songwriters and producers Nina Blu and J. Xander discuss their Naughty and Nice lists when it comes to Christmas music. They compare their top 5 worst and their top 5 best Christmas songs, ranging from traditional to adding a little spice to your yuletide playlists. There's something for Grinches and Whos alike so don your gay apparel and grab a slice of fruitcake 'cause we're roasting more than chestnuts this episode!

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Nina:

Welcome to Playback, the podcast about what's hot and trending in music right now. I am singer songwriter Nina Blu.

J. Xander:

And I am singer songwriter producer J Xander.

Nina:

J, it is that time of the year when Christmas music is everywhere.

J. Xander:

Michael Buble will not Shut up. He can't be stopped right now.

Nina:

Neither can Mariah Carey. However, she's not number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Did you see that?

J. Xander:

No. Yes.

Nina:

Just a real quick glance at which songs, which Christmas songs, have made the Billboard Hot 100. Number 10 is It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Andy Williams. Debatable. Number nine is Snooze, SZA, so that's hanging on. Number eight is Paint the Town Red, Doja Cat. Number seven is Cruel Summer, Taylor Swift. And can I just say it's really hilarious to see the title Cruel Summer in the midst of all of those Christmas songs. I can't stop laughing about it.

J. Xander:

Irony.

Nina:

It's great. Number six is A Holly Jolly Christmas, Beryl Ives. Number five is Last Christmas by Wham! Number four is Jingle Bell Rock, Bobby Helms. Number three is Lovin on Me, Jack Harlow. Number two is All I Want for Christmas is You, Mariah Carey. And number one is Rockin Around the Christmas Tree, Brenda Lee, who is 78 years old, and I love that for her.

J. Xander:

That's amazing. Can you imagine being on On the top of the charts this time of year, that's, that's pretty impressive

Nina:

For a song that came out in the 60s, right?

J. Xander:

Yeah.

Nina:

Oh my gosh, that'd be incredible, I mean, way to go, good for her. She made all her money, um, in sync, shit. In addition to those good old radio royalties, what they used to be.

J. Xander:

Wow. That's amazing.

Nina:

All right, J, looking at the Hot 100, did any of those make your nice or naughty list for the best or worst Christmas songs? No. None of them? Okay, well,

J. Xander:

I think Oh wait, yes, yes, actually. I forgot.

Nina:

Okay, so I was listening to another podcast one time. And this person was talking about Christmas music. It was, they were doing like a rant about it. And they identified themselves as Jewish. And they said, so I feel like I have a unique perspective as like a third party listener. And they determined that if a song accidentally came up on Shuffle during a party in July, and everyone kind of laughed it off, then it's a good Christmas song. They said, Some songs, though, if they came on in July, you would hold down the person and beat them, and their example was Frosty the Snowman. And I will forever think that that is the best way to gauge good Christmas music, is whether you could listen to it another time of year.

J. Xander:

If it slaps year round, it's a good Christmas song. Yeah. Or a good holiday song, I should say.

Nina:

Yeah, that's true. So, uh, We're gonna start with our naughty list because that's a little bit more fun and we want to end on a high note because tis the season, right? And we have five worst and we'll get into five best. J, what was your fifth worst Christmas song?

J. Xander:

Okay, so I'm about to probably make a lot of people mad with this one but it's just, this is, this is a song that gets played for laughs but For me has just like never been funny. I just don't understand the joke I don't understand the kitschiness of it all, but my number five On the naughty list is grandma got run over by a reindeer

Nina:

That made my dishonorable mentions list. Oh,

J. Xander:

yeah, it's just again. It's like it's not It's got maybe one hook in the whole thing. And I think this song is super long too, right? Isn't it like It's like four minutes or something like that.

Nina:

It's really long. It goes on. And it's basically about a funeral. It's awful.

J. Xander:

Yeah, it goes on forever. And I feel like if you're gonna be funny, you need to just keep it short and sweet. You know what I mean? And I just, I don't get it. I don't get the joke behind it. It's just never been, it's, for me when it comes on the radio or like a shuffle or anything, it's like an immediate skip for me. I'm sorry.

Nina:

My family and I, we have, um, a really good inside joke about that song, and so I don't tolerate that song, but every once in a while, when it comes on, we will sing the inside joke to each other. And, um, and so my step grandmother also hated that song, and she, we were in a parking lot, and she almost got run over, I had to pull her out of the way, and it was Christmas time. So we started a new adaptation of that song, and my mom and I were almost, like, on the floor of the parking lot, meanwhile my step grandmother's dealing with, like, almost having been run over.

J. Xander:

Oh my gosh.

Nina:

Looking back, not, not our nicest moment. That would have put us on the naughty list, but it was really funny, and every once in a while we do sing that to each other as a joke.

J. Xander:

Wow. I know. But yeah, I don't know anyone outside of maybe, like, Twelve year old boys who actually like this song.

Nina:

Yeah, and as much as you have to have a bit of a morbid sense of humor to survive in a Latine family, it's a little dark. It's a little dark for this time of year.

J. Xander:

Mm hmm.

Nina:

Alright, so my number five, because I have never heard a non annoying rendition of this song, is Jingle Bells.

J. Xander:

It's not on my list, but I see where you're That would probably be on my honorable list. As well.

Nina:

Your dishonorable mentions

J. Xander:

are dirty. Yeah.

Nina:

No, this song is so annoying. It's not relevant. The lyrics are not relevant. Who's going for a sleigh ride? No one anymore. Like, it's, I don't, I don't know. It just annoys me. The only time that it's appropriate is for like an elementary Christmas school concert. That is it with a bunch of children singing it. The only reason why it sounds good is because if you're at an elementary school Christmas concert there's an elementary school child singing it that you love and that's the only reason why you're enjoying this performance.

J. Xander:

Right, and even then there's like hundreds of other better songs that they could have done. So even, even in that context it's like still not a good song. So I see what you're saying.

Nina:

I've heard it translated in different languages too because it's an easy one to translate. Due to the rhythm, um, into certain languages, and while that's very nice, still it's very annoying. Yeah. I just don't like the song.

J. Xander:

Mm hmm. No, I agree with you. That's, that's deserving of being on the naughty list.

Nina:

All right, J, what's number four for you?

J. Xander:

So this is, um, I'm just gonna say my number four is gonna be Baby, It's Cold Outside. And it's for similar reasons of, like, I've just never heard a version of this song that I like. And I know that, like, there's a lot of controversy around it. And in all honesty, it's, you know, for me, I kinda sorta see it, but it's more so for me, like, the song itself just doesn't work. It just goes on for way too long. It's not particularly catchy, and I don't really know why it's survived or been around as long as it has been. I feel like the controversy is what kept it more alive. And even when, you know, even when people are discussing that part of it, I think Zooey Deschanel and some other guy released a version of it where it was kind of the other way around. And in some ways, that one felt even creepier to me. So I'm not really sure. You know, what it is about that song that just like

Nina:

Gives you the ick.

J. Xander:

Yeah, it just, it doesn't work for me at all. I'm sorry to anybody who likes that.

Nina:

So I, I don't mind the song. And the controversy didn't make sense to me because I was like, why would you write such a creepy song? I always took it as she's like being coquettish. And she's afraid of being slut shamed. Like, what she's worried about is what other people will think. That's the excuse that she keeps making. She's not, no, I don't want to. She at no point says that. She's making excuses. She's more worried about, like, what her brother's gonna think, or what her sister says, or what her aunt says. And so, that to me was more about, like, shaming a woman for staying over, as opposed to, like, her not wanting to be there. So, I, I guess I see The controversy, it feels a little bit invented to me because like no one's gonna write that creepy of a song on purpose,

J. Xander:

right? Right, it doesn't.

Nina:

Probably not.

J. Xander:

Yeah, not if they want it to be commercially viable, which for like Christmas music, that's the whole point, right? Yeah, so yeah, I definitely agree.

Nina:

But that's another one that's, I have like some songs on here that, um, I feel like it's not a bad song, but it's difficult to get it right. And that's one of those, like, you have to have two really specific voices to get it right.

J. Xander:

Yeah. Yeah.

Nina:

Um, so, my number four is Deck the Halls. I hate this song. It's not on my list. None of the lyrics make sense to modern listeners, so I don't know why it hasn't just died out. Like, I don't, like, you said about Baby It's Cold Outside. I don't know how this has survived.

J. Xander:

Yeah.

Nina:

The hook is annoying as shit. So much so that it's a joke. And nothing, nothing makes sense. No one's like, deck the halls with boughs of holly, oh let me get the boughs of holly out of the closet. No one speaks like that anymore.

J. Xander:

Yeah, I, I, I don't know. I, I'm not a big fan of the songs that come across as like, Nursery rhymes like this one in Jingle Bells for me feel more like nursery rhymes than like actual legitimate songs Yeah, to the point where like I didn't put them on my list really because again, they didn't it that almost felt like Cheating in a way. I'm like this. This isn't a real song. I can't do that. But I mean, you're totally valid that's just like how I Feel about those songs in general, but yeah, you're totally right.

Nina:

I feel like you can fa la la fuck right off with this one.

J. Xander:

Like, no Fa la la fuck yourself with this song.

Nina:

Go fa la la fuck yourself with this song. Bruh. This is one that you like, hear carolers start with and you walk the other direction.

J. Xander:

This is the reason

Nina:

At whatever mall you're at.

J. Xander:

Songs like this is the reason that people hate carolers.

Nina:

True. That is true. Alright, J, what's your number three?

J. Xander:

So my number three is, for similar reasons to Baby It's Cold Outside, where I've just like never heard a version of it that I like, is Last Christmas by, insert whoever has ever covered it here. It's just such a campy and like, annoying song to me. I don't know what it is, like, just, as soon as I hear this song, I immediately just groan. I immediately groan and I want to change or, you know, get rid of whatever it is that's playing this song because it just something about it is so ingrained with Commercialism and I know that I know that's a lot of Christmas music out there but I just feel like this one in particular is so So embedded in just like the worst parts of Christmas for me It's just like very shallow, is what this song feels like to me.

Nina:

So I never really listened to this song like that in depth until my friends threw a Christmas party and they made everybody do Christmas karaoke. So I looked at a friend of mine and I was like, hey, let's sing Last Christmas together. And she's like, oh yeah, I love that song. And that's one that you're like, okay, I kind of like that song. As I was singing it and like reading the lyrics and singing karaoke, I was like, holy shit, this song sucks. Like, this is really depressing. This is so defeatist. Like, I don't know. I, I'm also not a big fan of that song.

J. Xander:

Yeah. And it also doesn't really, it starts with the chorus, right? And the chorus is like super long. It's basically, it basically repeats its chorus without really changing anything. So first of all, I feel like that's a little lazy.

Nina:

Yeah. They told the whole story in the chorus.

J. Xander:

Yeah. And they never really, elaborate that much more on it. Like, there's literally, have you heard Ariana Grande's version of this?

Nina:

No.

J. Xander:

She basically changes around the verses and it doesn't feel any different. So, it's like, it's a song that has no, it like, our previous director, Bonnie's.

Nina:

It doesn't develop.

J. Xander:

Yeah, what Bonnie always says is that it's, what, what does she say? All frosting, no cake.

Nina:

Yeah, that's right.

J. Xander:

Yeah, that's exactly what this song is.

Nina:

I love that phrase. All frosting, no cake. Okay, so my number three is Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms.

J. Xander:

Oh, I fucking hate this song. It's not on my list.

Nina:

I fucking hate this song.

J. Xander:

Yeah, but, yeah.

Nina:

This song is so overplayed. It makes me want to punch someone, genuinely. My little sister, I think she had like a toy that played this when we were younger. She's seven years younger than me. And she hit that button over and over and over again, and then I would just hear it. And I think in theory, it's a good song, but I fucking hate it. Cause it's so overplayed. And one time, like, So I was living in a sorority house in college, and someone put it on the intercom system and put it on repeat as like a prank, and I was like, who did this, I will kill you. I will find you, I will murder you. Like, it was, it was awful. It's, I can't. As soon as I hear the opening guitar riff, I'm out. Like, get me as far away from this as possible.

J. Xander:

That song is so weird to me because it's like, it, it feels like it was trying, like, probably when it came out or whatever, to, it was trying really hard to be, like, hip and modern, but nowadays, people perceive that song as, the opposite. It sounds so old timey and so dated that it ironically, I think, kind of became what it was trying to get away from.

Nina:

Yeah. So, I think the sum of my list is Nina just doesn't like jingle bells. Old, new, borrowed, blue, get it out of here. We don't want it.

J. Xander:

Nina said, fuck them bells, y'all. Fuck them bells? She said, fuck them bells.

Nina:

Should we put jingle bells on this track? No. No. Never ask me that. Maybe. Okay. So J, what's your number two?

J. Xander:

My number two is Do They Know It's Christmas by Band Aid. And I'm just gonna say it. Honestly, fuck this song. This song is so unintentionally racist that it actually just pisses me off so much. It just, this song feels like we are the world if it was just the white people. Which means that it's, you know, basically all of the bad parts, essentially. That's what this song is.

Nina:

That is the best thing I've ever heard. Best analysis ever.

J. Xander:

Do you, um, did you see the version of it on Glee?

Nina:

No, but of course Glee did it.

J. Xander:

So, for context, they sang the song to, in a homeless shelter. It just comes across as like so condescending and just fucked up. I'm like, you, you're singing this to like the worst group, probably the second worst group of people that you could sing this to. So in just any context that I've seen it in,

Nina:

besides like a refugee camp, the worst group of people,

J. Xander:

Precisely, precisely that. So I'm like, this is, yeah, I've just never liked this song. I, It's not catchy, in my opinion. I, again, I think, I actually think this song, unlike Baby, It's Cold Outside, is offensive, so, yeah, fuck this song.

Nina:

I can count on one hand the number of times I've heard that song. Like, I, it's just, I never hear it. And so, I, it didn't even come to mind, but I probably would have come to a similar conclusion, because it was, so I looked up a few Christmas songs to make sure that, like, I didn't miss anything. Yeah. Any that I like really really hated, right? That's cuz I knew my top five that I like pretty well and that was on the list and I was like I don't remember this song and then I listened to the first like 20 seconds and I was like, yeah I have better things to do

J. Xander:

Yeah, I mean even even if I'm just looking at the context of like the song Itself. It's just it drags on so much. It's not very catchy. It's I mean, I can't really say anything good about it.

Nina:

No. Um, I think the label pushed it because they wanted a Christmas hit that year. Back when they used to do things like that. Mm hmm. Oh well. Alright, so my number two, which I find offensive in a different way, is I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.

J. Xander:

Okay. It's not on my list, but it, yeah, it's an annoying song. I agree.

Nina:

It's a super annoying song. This is like early Jackson 5, right? And, um, first of all, what the fuck? This child is like clearly distressed. And it's kind of like one of those like walk in on the parents jokes that isn't really funny. And it's kind of like, haha, we lie to children. Isn't that hilarious?

J. Xander:

When you put it in, when you phrase it that way, like a walking in on your parents moment, that makes it so much worse, honestly. It does what it is,

Nina:

it's gross!

J. Xander:

That's so weird. So that means that somebody actually intentionally sat down, probably with a pen in hand, and thought, you know what would make a really good Christmas song?

Nina:

Is if the mom is making out with the dad because they're about to get it on, but dad's still dressed as Santa. Ugh. It's gross. It's so gross in principle, in concept, all of it. Like, it's so bothersome. And the fact that people think it's like a cute children's song is super gross to me. Why would you write a song about a child walking in on their parents? Yeah, I mean Like, I get what the joke is. No one explained to me the joke. Nobody explain the joke to me in comments. I'm telling you, the joke is not funny.

J. Xander:

Yeah. I agree, when you put it that way, it's like, I'm kinda, I kinda am weirded out by like the process that came to that, but.

Nina:

It's, it, ugh, no, okay, like it gets somewhat of a pass because it was the 70s, but also no, no it doesn't. The fact that it's still played is what really bothers me. Yeah. Because I heard it, like, I don't think it was in a commercial or something, but I think I heard it in like the background of some movie or something, and I was like, No, why? This is a terrible song.

J. Xander:

Mm hmm. Cause even if we're just looking at it on a, the context of like a song, it doesn't even work there, right?

Nina:

No. So. Anyway, are you ready for your number one naughty list worst Christmas song?

J. Xander:

No, but let's just get it over with. So, my number one, I was gonna have this at number two. Two, because I hate Do They Know It's Christmas so much, but eventually I kept hearing this song and it was actually pissing me off so much that I just decided it has to be number one. So my number one is gonna be Christmas Shoes by New Song because this song is, is almost everything that I hate about songwriting in general, in that it is trying so hard to be deep and tell like a moving story that it ends up being super manipulative, shallow, and just it makes you feel like shit for hearing this song. This is, this is like one of those infomercials where they show you like the most graphic images of people suffering in different countries and expect you to like Feel bad and pay money towards it just in the form of a song That's the closest thing that I can compare it to and just there's I feel gross listening to this song Honestly, it feels very it. Honestly, it feels evil. Like I don't know a different way to describe it. It just feels so Contrived and manipulative and yeah, I hate this song

Nina:

That's another one that I can count on one hand the number of times I've heard it.

J. Xander:

That's good.

Nina:

Like, I just, I never hear it. But you're right, it's horrid, and, and I guess that's why I never hear it. I can't believe that you've heard it so much that it made your number one. Yeah, for sure. But yeah, that is something to be wary of. We talked about this a little bit last episode, but songwriters Sometimes you're so focused on telling a story and trying to make it moving that you actually wind up doing the opposite. Um, like I remember, I had, we had several classmates. Yeah. And I felt this way like a couple of times where I'm like, Oh, you just, you just missed the mark on this. Like it's just, yeah, you have to write from a place of authenticity when you're trying to, to tell those stories and, and, and relate to the human aspect of it. That's what's most important.

J. Xander:

Yeah, and for anybody that doesn't know what this song is about. It's essentially this kid is trying to buy a pair of shoes for his mom who's dying of cancer and He just wants to get her like a special gift To look good for Jesus when she dies, right? But the problem with the okay, that's already like a messed up convoluted concept, right? But the worst thing about it is just that It is so, it is such a specific instance or like occurrence that I cannot imagine how anyone can listen to this song and like relate to it. So it's already, it puts you, it kind of forces you to put your guards up while you're listening to this, right? Yeah. You're like, okay, is this song going to make me feel bad about myself for the rest of the run time? Because it's a long fucking song. I think it's almost like five minutes.

Nina:

Oh god, even worse. Yeah. Uh, you know what that reminds me of? There was that short story or whatever about the couple that didn't have any money and so she cut her hair and sold it to buy him like a chain for his pocket watch and he sold his pocket watch to buy her a gold comb. So they wound up with nothing. Do you remember that from like high school?

J. Xander:

I think, yes. And I think they do a parody of it with, like, Mickey and Minnie Mouse in one of, like, their Christmas movies.

Nina:

That's a terrible story because you buy so much into a holiday that you wind up with nothing at the end is really what that's about. It's not about the Christmas spirit, or I don't take it that way.

J. Xander:

Yeah, because even, even if you're looking at just, like, common sense in terms of, like, What a Christmas song is supposed to do, that song doesn't work in that context either. Because it's saying that instead of this kid spending time with his mom who's dying of cancer, his concern is buying her these fucking pairs of shoes. Are you kidding me? It's awful.

Nina:

It's just

J. Xander:

What was, what was the songwriter thinking? Like, I just don't understand the thought process behind that.

Nina:

Maybe, maybe they'll reach out and we can do an episode where they defend themselves.

J. Xander:

Shh. Please. I'd like to hear it.

Nina:

Okay. Are you ready for my number one worst Christmas song?

J. Xander:

No, but what is it?

Nina:

Okay. I don't know what specific trauma I have associated with this song, but I cannot listen to it. And I actually went to listen to it so I could try and find what makes me crazy about it. And I had to do it with a glass of wine in hand. And like, deep breathing. Because I hate this song so much. It is Little Drummer Boy. I hate this song.

J. Xander:

Oh, yeah.

Nina:

The non lyric hook is too repetitive, and the rhythm always feels so slow because the melodic rhythm is so slow. And then it doesn't go anywhere. What I hate most about it is that it's a verse refrain song, and the refrain is pa rum pum pum pum, like we all know it. Yeah. Um, there's no real B section. So it doesn't depart anywhere. It just keeps doing the same thing over and over. And I think I was like stuck in the car one Christmas and it was on the radio like a bunch of times. And I, I think I'm just, I'm traumatized for the rest of my life.

J. Xander:

Yeah, that's interesting where like, you know, music back then could get away with doing just, cause I'm pretty sure the song form is just like A, A, A, or Right? So, there is, I'll talk about an example later on my best list that is kind of like that, that makes it work, but with this kind of song, I don't think that, I don't know that that's possible. Um, but yeah, this is another one that has like a lot of verses to it, also.

Nina:

And it's not that long, which is, it's only Saving Grace, but yeah, it's just Just a bunch of verses, and then this one, like, non lyric hook, and I'm sorry, the concept makes me crazy. Because yes, it's Baby Jesus, and this little boy wants to play his drum for Baby Jesus, but in what world do you want a child playing drums around a newborn? Do you want a screaming newborn?

J. Xander:

I don't know.

Nina:

How? What? Why? How did you get to that instrument? Like, the concept of it alone bothers me. I want to play drums for a newborn baby. No! Go play over there!

J. Xander:

Wow.

Nina:

In no other situation would you be like, drums? Newborn? Yeah, that makes sense. That tracks.

J. Xander:

I don't know, I guess this kid just wanted to celebrate Jesus with whatever he had. So Nina went from And

Nina:

I understand, it's all that he has, and he wants to give it to baby Jesus, but oh my god, like, it's, it's a terrible song in terms of song form, in terms of composi just all, start to finish, I hate it. I hate this song, do not ever play it around me. I actually carry headphones with me most of the time. But like, especially during Christmas, if I'm ever in a public situation where I just like, can't handle any more Christmas music. Because they've just been playing flop after flop. Noise cancelling headphones. Those, those new AirPods, man. That's a Christmas gift. That's a great gift. To not have to listen to bad Christmas music.

J. Xander:

Alright, so we went from fuck them bells to fuck them kids. All in Nina's list. We've come, we've taken a long journey.

Nina:

It's more like fuck them drums, but yeah. And who gives a drum to, anyway. Um, so, I have dishonorable mentions, do you?

J. Xander:

Not really, but let's hear yours.

Nina:

Okay, um, Blue Christmas, Elvis Presley. I also hate this song.

J. Xander:

Oh, really?

Nina:

I really don't like it. It's, I, it's not my favorite Elvis and I feel like it's just been overdone in Christmas movies. Yeah. Yeah. There are other sad songs out there. Um, I hate the 12 Days of Christmas because I had to sing it so much in choir. Choir.

J. Xander:

I hate that song too. Mm-Hmm.

Nina:

And none of it makes sense. Just, um. I understand the interpretation, I get it, but it's not, it's not good. Um, and then my final dishonorable mention is Oh Holy Night. Specifically, um, the one where Carrie Underwood yells at me.

J. Xander:

Yeah. Yeah, I'm not really a big fan of like when pop singers will take a song like that and just kind of sing over the song. Um, I don't know, I kind of just feel like Disrespectful isn't the right word to say because that's like too serious, but it's just like there's some cases where you want to let the song itself do the heavy lifting. If that makes sense,

Nina:

This is one of those songs that can do it. Yeah, and it's a difficult song. It's a good song I believe that this is actually a good song It's just a difficult one to get right because it is so over sung so often Like if you're screaming at me to fall on my knees like that's you're completely missing the point like it's just no like I don't know and so Those big, belty moments and stuff, it kind of makes me nuts. I think it's done best with a choir, genuinely. And like a really good lead. I don't think it's one for the pop songs.

J. Xander:

Yeah, I agree.

Nina:

Alright, J. Are you ready to, um, to switch to our nice list?

J. Xander:

Yeah, because I'm tired of talking about these horrible ass songs, so please, let's move on.

Nina:

It was, it was, uh, a little fun to roast them like chestnuts roasting on an open fire, but on s

J. Xander:

Boo. Nah, I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding, it's, if you're gonna make a joke like that, it's, this is the time of year, so.

Nina:

This is, this is the time for that terrible, terrible pun. Okay.

J. Xander:

I'll allow it.

Nina:

So, J, what is your fifth favorite Christmas song?

J. Xander:

Okay, and just to give context, um, My list was mostly for people that hate Christmas music and are looking for something that's a little bit either more intriguing than your standard like jingle sounding thing or something that, you know, takes an old concept and does something new with it. So, my number 5 for best is a song called Noel by, it's sung by Lauren Dago and it's written by Chris Tomlinson. And I really like this song because it is a good example of the, well, we were just talking about how, you know, a singer will sometimes sing over a song, but sometimes it is appropriate. And in this particular song, like the lead singer or character in the story is literally kind of yelling for Noel to get his ass up the hill and see what's happened, um, in this situation. And I think it makes sense. Perfect sense for Lauren Daigle to do that here. And of course she, she's always going to serve you vocals, the house down. So, you know, for me that, that's always, I can always appreciate that about a song. Even if I don't like the song, which I do in this case, the vocal can save it for me sometimes. So, yeah, this is a great one.

Nina:

That's a good point. The vocal can save it, sometimes. Sometimes. Sometimes. Um, I actually haven't heard that song, so I'm gonna add it to my playlist, and we'll, we'll see. So, my number 5 is a lot of people's number 1. But we gotta give Mariah Carey her flowers. It is All I Want for Christmas is You. Every time I think I'm over the song, that I'm annoyed by it, I hear it, and I'm not. It's still good. It really is. It's well written. It's a good song. And then this is another one, she just sings it through the roof, but it's Mariah Carey, so who gives a shit?

J. Xander:

Yeah, and this is one too that I think, what really works well for that song is I think that it, it's funny because it's so well known, it's like, it's like the most well known Christmas song ever, probably at this point. But I think originally when it came out, it's concept is, was like a cute little spin, right? Like, I don't want material things. I want this person. And that's a really charming sentiment. Regardless of how you feel about the song. If you think it's overplayed or whatever. I think that it's concept at it's core, really works.

Nina:

It was, it was really unique. That's such a good point. Because then in the verses, she's listing all of the things that she loves about Christmas that she will give up. In order to have this person for Christmas, which is really very sweet and really very adorable and and it's done really well and Yeah, it was a great modern twist and now it's become like the quintessential Christmas song. I'm kind of over everyone like I don't know the announcement video that Mariah Carey put out was camp It really was I can't decide whether I love it or I hate it, which is how I feel so many times Yeah. With like, big pop moments like this, where it is just like, so corny, but it's also so funny. Um, but yeah, it'll be number one probably next week or the week after, and um, and good for her. Good for her for having this mega hit. Mhm. Alright J, what is your number four?

J. Xander:

So, my number four is gonna be, that's funny that we were just talking about something that um, takes a concept and flips it, but it's gonna be um, a song called A Strange Way to Save the World, specifically the Rascal Flatts version, because once Rascal Flatts covers your song, that's, that's the only version that matters at that point, again that vocal is gonna. Serve, every single time. Um, this song is interesting because it tells the Nativity's story specifically from Joseph's perspective. And I think that's an interesting take because I feel like a lot of people, when they talk about him in that situation, they do it in a way that's like really condescending. They're like, oh, this idiot, you just went along and believed this story. In the context of this song, they paint him as like a really sympathetic character that you can relate to and that he's wondering why did all of this actually have to happen in order to fix how messed up the world is right now. This, none of this makes sense, but at the end of the day, I'm, I'm just a person. I can't argue with the powers that be. And I think that's a little bit, I think that's why the song works for me is because at the end of the day, it does. Make you relate to the character.

Nina:

I was about to say, like, this song makes that relatable. How many times have we been like, I'm just a person doing my best.

J. Xander:

That's, that's exactly what it is.

Nina:

Those are, yeah, those are the real heroes in the world. Like, I'm just a person doing my best. Every day. And that does make The Christmas story is so relatable because what's more likely to happen to you that you have an angel come down and tell you that you're destined to give birth to the Savior of the world or You're just You're

J. Xander:

along for the ride. You're the right thing. Yeah.

Nina:

And no, one day you're fleeing to Egypt and like all this stuff, man. Yeah. Joseph's a real hero.

J. Xander:

I agree, good for him.

Nina:

All right, so my number four is We weren't getting out of this list without a Dolly Parton song is Hard Candy Christmas.

J. Xander:

I don't think I know this song.

Nina:

This is one of, this is one of my favorite songs, probably of all time. I am a sucker for sad Christmas songs. I absolutely am. The holidays can be a really lonely time for people, and I think that deserves acknowledging. Um, and this song is. You're not sure what's happened to her. You think maybe it's a breakup, something tragic has happened, and she's singing about the things that she might do to make herself feel better, and the hook is, I'll be fine and dandy. Lord, it's like a hard candy Christmas. I'm barely getting through tomorrow, but I won't let sorrow bring me way down. It's such a nice sentiment, especially, like, I'm not really a Christmas person. I've never really been a Christmas person. I'm someone who had something really tragic happen the week before Christmas. My, my brother died when I was really young, and so I've always kind of had a chip on my shoulder about it, and people have either been really kind about it, or people have been like, well that's not the holiday's fault, so you need to get over it. And it's like, that's cool. Yeah, but it's I have a lot of days where I don't feel like going out and celebrating Christmas. Some days I do, some days I don't. Um, but around Christmastime there have There have been people, like, who have just been through a breakup, or they've been sick, or they're experiencing their first Christmas without a loved one, and reach out to that person if you know them. Like, I think sad Christmas songs are either relatable or they should serve as a reminder to, like, reach out to someone, text them, take them to lunch, something like that, and that's really, that's really the best thing you can do around the holidays, is be there for someone.

J. Xander:

Yeah. I definitely agree. It's just like, I really hate that attitude of just like, oh, well, you need to get over it. And it's like, you can't get over certain memories that are just going to happen during certain times of the year. There's a reason why people feel, you know, seasonal depression is very much a thing. Um, and even, yeah, even if it's not just that, it's like something as simple as Christmas by yourself, or like you said, without a loved one, um, for the first time. That can be, that can feel weird.

Nina:

Yeah, it's awful. It's genuinely awful. And, um, and it was never like, meant to be mean, but it was kind of like Yeah. Yeah, it was always kind of like, uh, well, you should have fun anyway, because we're having fun. And it's like, I'm telling you, like, I'm leaving the party early, because I just, I'm not feeling it. And, like, don't, don't make someone feel bad for that. I don't know, but I think that's why sad Christmas songs can, should, and do exist, is to remind us that, like, sometimes, for some people, it's a really hard time of year, and sometimes it's a really complex time of year. Mm hmm. Yeah, you can feel happy and sad at the same time, that's what Pixar told us. Yep. Alright J, what is your number three favorite Christmas song?

J. Xander:

So my number three is gonna be Mary Did You Know, specifically Pentatonix version of the song. Um, because I'll be honest, I'm not like the biggest fan of the song itself, but I feel like they really took this idea that's kind of simple and they brought it to new heights with their vocal arrangements and they really Do a good job of, I don't know, this song starts off very much by like, having her question all of these things. And the way that they've arranged it, it feels like everything that they're describing is kind of coming to fruition, right? Now it feels like the chain of events that is about to happen is actually as epic as the song itself is describing. So yeah, that's why I like this song.

Nina:

That's such a good rendition of that song, too, because a lot of times they can be a little too, like, dirgy. Like, they just kind of, it just slows down so much, and it's not, it doesn't, it doesn't feel like it moves really well, but Pentatonix did it great. It moves really nicely, you're right, like, the concept evolves. And it's funny that it feels like, it's the same song, it's the same lyrics. Same melody, but it just feels very different the way that they arranged it and that's part of the the brilliance of arrangement. Mm hmm These are things to consider if you're if you're trying to Put a new twist on a cover or something like that.

J. Xander:

Yeah, and by the way to artists out there I don't know if you got this message from Symphonic Distribution today, Nina but one thing that they were saying is that it's like super easy to just go ahead and make a cover of a holiday song right now because You don't have to pay for any of it, you know, so, but if you're going to do that, I really feel like you should do it, find a way to put your own artistic spin on these classics so that it feels different and new. I have a really good example later on in my list that I'll talk about, but yeah, keep that in, keep that in mind, artists.

Nina:

And we keep saying the best way to make money is with sync placements because it's true and Christmas covers, they get sync placements. Holiday movies. Think about how many Hallmark movies come out every year, and they might not have the budget for the original rendition, but they might have the budget for yours. Mm hmm. Yep. Don't, don't count it out.

J. Xander:

One thing I learned from one of our teachers, Scarlett, is that you should always have, like, a really sad, like, overly dramatically sad version of a song that might be, like, up tempo or whatever, for that same reason. It's easy to get synced.

Nina:

I've I Did she say that in class?'cause I don't remember that.

J. Xander:

No, I think she's,

Nina:

or was that on her podcast?

J. Xander:

I think she said that on either her podcast or like one of the meetings that she does for like her podcast members.

Nina:

I have thought that before and that makes me feel justified that Scarlet said something. Yeah, because I've always thought that, I'm like, wow. The really slow, sad versions like do well in sync. Mm-Hmm. Okay. Yeah. I have yet to attempt it, though. Maybe. Maybe.

J. Xander:

Yeah, same, I haven't either yet.

Nina:

Maybe someday. Alright, so my number three is Run, Rudolph, Run by Chuck Berry. This is one of those classics that it comes on and it makes me smile every time I hear it. Like, it's such a great, this is also a song that's a great twist on a classic Christmas figure. And it's a much nicer twist on Rudolph as opposed to Rudolph the sad, bullied, verbally abused, red nosed reindeer who's only accepted when he's proved himself to be useful. Cause that song makes me crazy. That is not a good lesson for kids, that he was bullied.

J. Xander:

Yeah, you have to prove yourself.

Nina:

And he wasn't allowed to partake in reindeer society because he was different. And I get like that his difference is what makes him, you know, it makes him useful at the end. Instead of them coming together and accepting him, and that makes me kind of nuts, but Run, Rudolf, Run is so catchy, the guitar riff is great, and it's a classic, and I love it.

J. Xander:

I'm not too familiar with this song, but I'll check it out, because that does sound like a nicer because I don't like Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer for like the same reasons, I've always heard it and thought, wow, these other reindeers are assholes.

Nina:

Yeah!

J. Xander:

Jeez.

Nina:

The premise of the song is that Rudolph is with Santa, and he's the fastest reindeer. And so a little kid will say like, oh I want a guitar for Christmas. And Rudolph like, flies. So run Rudolph run, he flies. And he goes and he finds it and he brings it back to the little kid. So he's the hero of the song. And not just for being useful, but because like, he's actually good at his job. So, I like it. I like it. Not just because it was a foggy Christmas, because he's good at it. Yeah. Makes me nuts. What are we teaching kids? And then watch, like, my mom's gonna listen to this and be like, I don't agree with that at all.

J. Xander:

She's like, she'll probably be like, you're thinking about it too much, but I mean

Nina:

Way too much. Way too hard.

J. Xander:

But that's our job, dammit. We're here to, we're here to analyze these songs and tear them to pieces. No, I'm just kidding.

Nina:

I have a master's degree in what boils down to overthinking, so

J. Xander:

There you go.

Nina:

Okay, J, what is your number two, your second favorite Christmas song?

J. Xander:

Yeah, so my number two is gonna be a specific version of a classic, which is Do You Hear What I Hear? Specifically, Linda Edder's version of the song. And if you've never heard this version of this, I'm sure most people have heard some rendition of Do You Hear What I Hear? But this specific one, it's so interesting to me because it feels like if, so, Linda Etter's like a big Broadway singer, right? That's kind of how she got her start. But this particular song, it feels like it's done by the cast of The Lion King featuring Celine Dion. And what I think is so interesting and good about this song is that the arrangement is really rich and it's really interesting. You don't hear a lot of Christmas songs like this. But in her vocal performance, she does a really good job of saving her voice up until like the really big parts of the song. She really brings this idea of, you know, hearing the sound. Into fruition by the end of it where she's like belting her face off with the rest of the choir and honestly, this is Going back to your point earlier, you know When you said like choirs will really sometimes make a difference with a song like oh, holy night this one here. It takes it from like I don't know It feels like when restaurants do, like, a really fancy take on a traditional dish. It's like, you know, you can make mac and cheese, but you're not gonna come up with the mac and cheese that, like, Gordon Ramsay makes. That's what this

Nina:

No, no, with, like, truffle oil and lobster.

J. Xander:

Yeah, with all that fancy shit. That's what this song feels like to me. It's just, like, the most elevated version of this song possible. So, if you haven't heard it, which I don't think a lot of people have, cause it's I don't think it's very well known. Go check it out. I think it is a fantastic cover of this song.

Nina:

Okay, that's another song that I think I'm traumatized by choir with because we had to sing it. Oh my god. I think I sang it like five years in a row as a kid. And so it's not my favorite, but I mean, the second you say Celine Dion and the cast of The Lion King, I'm in. I'm game. I'll try it.

J. Xander:

I think you would like this version of the song.

Nina:

I'll give it another chance.

J. Xander:

Yeah, it's cool.

Nina:

Okay so my number two is what Christmas means to me, Stevie Wonder.

J. Xander:

I love this song.

Nina:

This song is so good. It's Stevie Wonder, it's Christmas, what more do you need? It's also just great songwriting, because if you look at traditional Christmas songs, a lot of them are verse refrain, and this one is too. It's got a great B section, but the refrain is so big that it feels like a chorus on its own. That's what Christmas means to me, my love. Like, that is the refrain line. And it's great. I mean, this is, it's how it's done. Some Christmas songs I feel like are way too repetitive, this one is just the right amount, it's very singable, and it's, it's so fun. Every time this song comes on, like, you can't not have fun to it. It's a Stevie Wonder Christmas song, how can you not like it?

J. Xander:

Right. He's gonna eat every time.

Nina:

Every time. Not a crumb, cause it's Stevie Wonder. Alright, J. Are you ready for the number one on your nice list? Yeah.

J. Xander:

Speaking of somebody who eats every time, um, I am going with another classic that's sung by Annie Lennox from Eurythmics. And I'm gonna go with her version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. Because it's not I don't know that this is my favorite. Christmas song ever, but it's the one that I never get tired of listening to because this arrangement is so Weird it's so different compared to like what you would expect and she takes it She makes the song all her own it by making it kind of this very like spooky midsummer Feeling thing and she just completely puts her own stamp on it And that's what I was talking about earlier if you're gonna do a cover You need to put your spin as an artist on it.

Nina:

Absolutely.

J. Xander:

This is like, this song could work for Halloween, too. It's so, like, creepy and in between. And every single time that I listen to it, I hear something new about it. Like a new harmony, or like a new instrumental part. And this song makes me wanna, like, go do rituals in the forest while twerking at the same time. It is spectacular. And It is one of those songs too, with like, Little Drummer Boy, where the melody is essentially the same thing the entire time. But because every single section is arranged so differently, it feels like a real, like, legitimate song. With a bridge, and intro, and everything. So, yeah, that's definitely my number one pick.

Nina:

That is a great number one pick. I love, I love the spooky vibe of it. I would die for that woman. She does it every time and you brought up a really interesting point about like over singing versus it fitting your brand and I think that's what singers need to focus on when covering a song is first of all how to make it work for your brand and secondly how to serve the song instead of just how do I show off because I know that I sing this well. Right? Or, like, oh, this will work really well with my voice, let me, like, do all these acrobatics and stuff. And I used to think that way too, and then I'm very much about, like, serve the song, tell the story, but definitely fit it into your brand. And, and she nailed it. Mm hmm. Nailed it. Are you ready for my number one favorite Christmas song?

J. Xander:

Yep. Let's do it.

Nina:

This is a newer one. And it's Santa Tell Me, Ariana Grande. Ariana.

J. Xander:

Yeah, it's a fun one.

Nina:

I love this song. Um, it's just good songwriting, the melodies are great, the section contour is super good, and it's catchy as hell, and it's kind of a, a cuter, happier retelling of Last Christmas. It's like, she took it and she was like, how do I make this actually fun? And it's Santa tell me, like, will he be here next year.

J. Xander:

Drag last Christmas.

Nina:

I don't want to fall in love again if he's, if he won't be here next year. So it's, it's a sweet song. It's super cute. And it's, it's done really well. It's a pretty simple pop song, but you don't want too much with it. Like, it's, it's adorable. It's a cute song.

J. Xander:

Yeah, I, I actually appreciate the simplicity in this one for, for her specifically, because I feel like sometimes, um, Not just her, but like a lot of R& B artists, when they do songs like this in general, will just put in like a bunch of unnecessary riffs and whatnot. And this one has like, it feels like it has like just the right amount of that in there.

Nina:

Yeah, yep. And it's still really accessible to listeners if you want to sing along to it. It's fun to sing along to. So it's just, it's good songwriting. It fits the moment, which is writing a Christmas song. And, I mean, it's a textbook case in how to write a Christmas song if you want to write something new for the holidays.

J. Xander:

Awesome. Sweet.

Nina:

Alright, I had a few honorable mentions. Um, I will just say that Kacey Musgraves A Very Kacey Christmas album is

J. Xander:

The whole album?

Nina:

The whole album is actually, like, one of few things that I can listen to on repeat during the holidays. Cause I think Christmas music just wears on me, like it's so repetitive, and at some point I want to hear something else. But, Kacey, she covers the songs well, it fits her brand, and she serves the song. She has a few originals on the album too. My favorite is specifically Have a Willie Nice Christmas featuring Willie Nelson. And the end of the chorus is may we all get higher than the angel at the top of the tree. And as a Central Texas girlie, I appreciate the hell out of it. So, good for Kacey.

J. Xander:

Yeah, I do like a lot of her Christmas stuff as well.

Nina:

My family actually gets annoyed because they're like, turn on some Christmas music, and that's my first. And they're like, okay, something, something else.

J. Xander:

Something else.

Nina:

A different one. And then I switched to the Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers Christmas album. Moral of the story is don't ask me to play Christmas music.

J. Xander:

Yeah. Another artist who I kind of feel similar about is Sarah McLachlan's two Christmas albums. All her stuff is really well made. And again, she's one that like, doesn't If you're looking for like, uh, versions of those like, traditional Christmas songs where you don't have somebody like yelling at you or like riffing all over your face, that, I think that that's a really good alternative to that.

Nina:

I think I do get exhausted a little bit with that, because at some point I'm like, when is the song gonna continue? When is it gonna move? Like, let's, let's get past this. Like, let's keep going. Uh, cause at some point it's just It's just an onslaught and I get really exhausted with it because I'm like, at what point are you singing the song versus just like, I don't know, showing off or um, making it last too damn long. And there's, there's my two cents on it. Merry Christmas, you filthy animals.

J. Xander:

Yeah. Another one I would like to put on like honorable mention is I didn't have, I didn't put it on my list because I didn't have like a specific version of it, but like any version of Joy to the World usually puts a smile on my face because it's, it's like a, it's like a good Christmas song that doesn't feel, it doesn't feel too commercially to me, and it also doesn't drag on too long like some other Christmas like, yeah, songs.

Nina:

One of the songs from choir that I'm still not tired of, which is amazing and a miracle, is actually Carol of the Bells.

J. Xander:

Oh yeah.

Nina:

Because there are enough renditions of it that you never hear the same one twice. And it's, it's an interesting, it's an interesting, interesting song.

J. Xander:

Yeah. That song, honestly, it always hits. It does. It's just like there's not a bad version of it just because it's so well made.

Nina:

Yeah, so I don't hate all bells, as it turns out. Just the jingle ones.

J. Xander:

Just, just the ones that jingle. That's funny.

Nina:

Just those. Some bells are okay. But yeah, I remember singing that song and, um, that always marked, I think, the end of our, like, Christmas portion. And then we went into, um, Handel's Messiah, which Oh boy. I don't have nightmares about that. Ever. Promise.

J. Xander:

Uh, that's one that, like, people always try to yell because it's so high. In choir, in, like, high school choir, you know, in, in my experience.

Nina:

Oh yeah, um, we always had really pretty good soloists, um, it's just, it was so stressful putting it on and you're in choir rehearsals for, like, four hours learning this really traditional music when it's also finals week. Mm hmm. Mm hmm. So, very stressful. It was a very stressful time as a teenager, but made it out alive.

J. Xander:

Yeah, it's funny, I only did it like one time in high school, and I did not realize how fucking long it is.

Nina:

It's so I do still have My Messiah. I found it at my mom's house, and that book is thick. Yeah. I was like, how did I remember all of this? But I was reading all my notes and stuff, it was really funny. Like notes that my friends and I would write to each other.

J. Xander:

This fucking sucks. Yeah. That's funny.

Nina:

It was a good time. Once upon a time. All right, J, um, let's move on to our Playback Pick of the Week. Mine is Christmas themed, I don't know if yours is.

J. Xander:

It is, yeah.

Nina:

Awesome, take it away.

J. Xander:

So mine is gonna be Someday at Christmas, uh, with Stevie Wonder and Andra Day. And, I mean, I don't have a lot to say about it, honestly, it's just. It's a really good song and their voices work together really well so yeah if you haven't I think I saw it on a commercial one time and it was like one of the few times that I heard a song on a commercial and wasn't bothered by it so I feel like that speaks volumes to how good of a song it is and how well it was done so yeah someday at Christmas.

Nina:

That is an underplayed but excellent Christmas song, yes,

J. Xander:

I agree,

Nina:

yes. Alright, so my playback pick of the week is gonna be Fruitcake, which is Sabrina Carpenter's holiday EP, and it is absolutely iconic. She does a version of her song Nonsense that is Christmas themed, and it's hilarious because those of you who have seen Sabrina Carpenter's performances either in person or online, you know she does like these little bits at the end of it where she changes the words to whatever she can think of, and so it works really well with that song. The way she sings White Christmas is absolutely gorgeous. It's very intimate, it's very sweet, it's beautiful. Her original song, Is It New Year's Yet?, is so relatable for anyone who has been single during the holidays. I, I love it. I absolutely, I love it. I have felt this way during Christmas. Being just over family, asking why you're still single, and wanting to go out with friends and celebrate the new year, and I get it, girl. I, I love her for writing that song. Thank you. Thank you for, for Writing lyrics to my pain.

J. Xander:

And honestly, I kind of feel the same way. I'm like, I just kind of want this year to be over so I can get a new start. As obnoxious as I know a lot of people, you know, think that might sound. The whole, like, new year, new me thing. It's like, yeah, but also I'm quite ready for that at this point.

Nina:

Me too, and someone was like, well, you can start a new year, a new you at any point, and I was like, get out of here with your, with your, with your sense. Yeah. I don't, I don't want to hear that. I want to, I want a New Year's, but, okay, so I did see a TikTok, and it's been making the rounds, like the sound has, of, um, all the hot girls are down right now, so if you're not down right now, I have news for you. But so many people have had a hard 2023, like, you know, just reaching out to friends and stuff and they're like, this, this year has been difficult, it's been extremely hard. And I know, like, I've had a personally challenging year. Some great things happened, graduated, and, and, you know, put out a new single and some things that I'm very, very proud of. But there were some moments this year that I was like, oof, shit. I don't know if I'm gonna make it to 2024.

J. Xander:

Yeah, I, I agree 100%. Like, honestly though, the first three fourths of this year for me was pretty, pretty tough to get through. And I'm like just now getting to a point where I'm like getting back on my feet. So I'm like, I just want to keep that momentum into the next year. Fuck this year at this point, you know, I just want to move into the future.

Nina:

Yeah, I feel like putting out the single, like, really got some good momentum started for me, and I feel the same way. Like, I want to keep the ball rolling. I want to keep going. Um, so, yeah. Sabrina, you're singing how we all feel with that. Is it New Year's yet? We are ready for 2024, especially here at Playback.

J. Xander:

Mm hmm. And that's a creative take on a Christmas or holiday themed song, I think.

Nina:

And doing it in a funny way is a great way to do it.

J. Xander:

I don't think I've heard a song that really does that before, so that's cool. And we need more New Year's songs anyway.

Nina:

Yes, we do. Um, that reminds me of, actually one of my favorite songs is What Are You Doing New Year's Eve. Um, I think it's a sweet song. The Ella Fitzgerald version is my favorite, because Ella Fitzgerald's version is usually my favorite.

J. Xander:

I was gonna say, I don't know that song, but if she sang it, I'll probably like it.

Nina:

I'll send it to you. I think I had it on our list of covers that we might do one day.

J. Xander:

Oh, really? Okay.

Nina:

Alright, J, after reflecting on all of these songs, good and bad, do you have any tips for any merry songwriters out there who want to take a stab at writing hit Christmas songs?

J. Xander:

DO you have any tips first?

Nina:

Um, I think Looking at the modern songs and how they've put a twist on things and trying to find that angle is always good. Because with Christmas songs, people are specifically looking for something that feels familiar. Because they want to sing along to it, that's what most people enjoy about Christmas music. And so keeping those things in mind and, um, and looking for the new spin, the clever take, um, And, I also think verse refrain is actually a really good way to go. And just trying to make that refrain line like, really fun and really big.

J. Xander:

Um It worked for Mariah.

Nina:

It worked for Mariah, it worked for Stevie Wonder. So, yeah, just give it a shot. And, um, my big advice on writing a Christmas song is start in February.

J. Xander:

Why do you say that?

Nina:

Because it will take that long for you to get it written, recorded, out into the world, like ready to go, artwork, the whole thing prepared by Christmas. So my big advice is start 10 months out.

J. Xander:

Yeah, you want to get started early, that's true. Um, that's a really good point as far as like the structure. Verse, refrain. The other advice I'd probably give is, even though I don't like this song, I think it does a, I don't like Last Christmas, I think it does a good job of establishing its hook up front, so, you know, one, yeah, so like one alternative would be maybe like chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus, something like that, but thematically, one thing I, I, I would probably say is write about what you know and how you actually feel about this time of year. Because one of the things, I cannot stop talking shit about this song, but one of the things that I think is so egregious about Christmas Shoes is that it's somebody telling somebody else's story in the most, in describing that person in like the most lowly way possible. Like describing this kid as dirty from head to toe, right? So it's like, don't do that. Don't think that. You know, you have to write somebody else's tragic story, or just anybody else's story in general. I feel like if you write something that you actually connect to and resonate with, more than likely there's somebody that is gonna hear that and connect to it too. Cause like Nina was saying, for a lot of people, this is not always like a fun time of the year. And, a lot of times I feel that way too, so maybe if you want to take a stab at something like that, I guarantee you there's going to be other people that connect to it in some way, shape, or form. Yeah.

Nina:

Coming back to Christmas Shoes, because apparently we're just going to shit on this song the rest of the night.

J. Xander:

Good.

Nina:

A lot of people compare it to Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors, and Dolly Parton is talking about her own experience with poverty. That's what makes it so powerful. Yeah. And the story might not necessarily be true, but that's what she's speaking from, and that's why that song tends to move me to tears. So tell your own story, even if it's sad. I mean, because somebody's gonna relate to it, and just be kind this time of year, be understanding, and um, and do, do some, do some good. Bring some joy into the world.

J. Xander:

Aw, I feel like that's a really good place to end. So, yeah, go off and write a great song.

Nina:

Yeah, I think that's where we should probably leave it.

J. Xander:

Yeah.

Nina:

Alright, guys, we will see you next week. We're doing a countdown of our favorite indie songs of the year. J, anything else for our listeners before we head into the Christmas season?

J. Xander:

Nope, just go out and write a great song.

Nina:

Go create some good in the world, guys. We'll see you next week. Bye.

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J. Xander

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Nina Blu

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