As winter break approaches, the Emerald asked SHC students across all grade levels to weigh in on their favorite holiday songs. Spanning across genres and decades, here are some of the songs that get SHC into the festive spirit:
Song Spotlight: “Wintering” by The 1975
Released: October 14, 2022
Genre: Alternative, Indie
“‘Wintering’ isn’t necessarily a Christmas song, but it completely captures the essence of that winter feeling; coming home for the holidays, being with family. It encapsulates that familiar coziness without all the usual holiday cliches.” — Stella Wiggins ‘25
“Wintering” presents a charming vignette about going home for the holidays while examining the intricacies and quirks of contemporary family dynamics. A pervading theme in The 1975’s work is the effects of internet culture on relationships. Although the song nods to archetypal holiday imagery—-driving home, conversations with friends, and madcap relatives—it also studies the generational divide that is often set and fought over during family gatherings. Songwriter Matty Healy remarks to Spotify, “It’s a song about a family that’s different, weird and quite eccentric just getting back together.”
Song Spotlight: “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses
Released: November 22, 1981
Genre: Alternative rock
“I love ‘Christmas Wrapping’! It’s the perfect song to decorate the tree to.” — Ella Saeger ‘25
“Bah humbug!” Patty Donahue grouches at the top of the track, backed by tinkling guitar riffs, energetic drumming, and layered saxophone and trumpet. Most known for their 1982 single “I Know What Boys Like,” The Waitresses bring their fun, experimental rock style to the holidays. Songwriter Chris Butler credits much of the song’s appeal to bassist Tracy Wormworth, who drew from her jazz and funk background in her performance. Bright and spunky, “Christmas Wrapping” is the quintessential holiday song for new wave listeners.
Song Spotlight: “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey
Released: October 29, 1994
Genre: Pop
“The intro to ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ hits every time. It’s the sound that signals Christmas is defrosting.” — Tess Corvera ‘26
Far and away the most voted-on song, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is a holiday classic. The multi-platinum track made history in 2019 when it hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first holiday song in sixty years to chart the top five, and the second-ever holiday song to reach #1, despite having been released twenty-five years prior. Every year on November 1, Carey whistle-sings that “it’s time” for the song to emerge from hibernation. Universally recognized as a harbinger of the holidays, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is embedded into the Christmas canon.
Song Spotlight: “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Loesser
Released: July 15, 1960
Genre: Vocal Jazz
“I love the idea of a cozy, lazy Christmas by the fireplace and jazzy standards put me in the mood for cuddling up with a book and hot chocolate.” — Sarro Schuster ‘25
From her acclaimed Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas, Ella Fitzgerald’s “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” is perfect for the holiday season. Paired with arrangements by Frank DeVol and performances from Russ Garcia’s orchestra, Fitzgerald offers a warm, colorful picture of a New Year’s Eve celebration. Nearly sixty-five years after its initial release, listeners are still accepting the invitation to party with the First Lady of Song.
Celebrate the holidays with tracks from Bruce Springsteen, Run-DMC, Fiona Apple, and more!
- “Wintering” by the 1975
- “Christmas Time Is Here -Vocal” by Vince Guaraldi Trio
- “Frosty the Snowman” by Fiona Apple
- “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” by Bruce Springsteen
- “Run Rudolph Run” by Chuck Berry
- “is it new year’s yet?” by Sabrina Carpenter
- “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses
- “Christmas In Hollis” by Run-DMC
- “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson
- “Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney
- “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee
- “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)” by Nat King Cole
- “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey
- “Angel In The Snow” by Elliott Smith
- “Silent Night” by Stevie Nicks
- “Last Christmas” by WHAM
- “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love
- “Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)” by Kacey Musgraves, Zooey Deschanel
- “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” by Ella Fitzgerald
- “Christmas Tree Farm” by Taylor Swift
- “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby
- “Silver Bells” by Elvis Presley, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- “What Christmas Means To Me” by Stevie Wonder
- “7 O’Clock News / Silent Night” by Phoebe Bridgers
