Lindsay Luberecki ‘29 is a prospective chemistry and English double major. She is from Sarasota, Fla. and enjoys spending time with friends, listening to rock music and drinking iced coffees. On campus, she’s involved in Global Medical Brigades, Vox and Cheese Club. You can contact her at laluberecki@wm.edu.
The views expressed in the article are the author’s own.
Christmas music is good. I’m the first person who would agree with that — putting on a playlist to bake festive cookies, listening to the ever-present speakers in the mall and choosing the perfect soundtrack for your holiday meal are all delightful.
However, it’s also limited. As good as our favorite holiday songs are, there’s only so many of them that we hear regularly. After a few days in the peak of the holiday season, it can start to feel like you’re just listening to the same songs; songs that are undeniably classics, but that also sometimes get old. There’s only so many “Jingle Bells” and “Silver Bells” and all the other bells songs I can hear before I start desperately looking for some variety, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way.
It can get upsetting, but the good news is that it doesn’t have to! There’s a lot more out there than what we think of and what’s on the Spotify Christmas hits playlists. Let me encourage you to open your minds and ears this holiday season and look for some new songs that might just end up being your favorites.
First, and most importantly, I have a special place in my heart for the sad indie Christmas genre, and if I have one goal in writing this, it’s to get everyone to appreciate it too.
Take Phoebe Bridgers, for example. Beginning in 2017 through 2022, she released a holiday single each year. Some, like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Silent Night,” are subdued and stripped covers.
Where she really shines, though, are the originals, like “Christmas Song” and “If We Make It Through December.” With simple piano backing and those always-perfect Phoebe vocals, her sad singles provide the perfect contrast to cheery department store music.
But you might be saying, “Christmas isn’t supposed to be sad!” And yes, this is true. But in addition to the holiday season being a time of happiness and joy, it’s also a time of nostalgia, especially for people like us growing out of our childhoods. And what better way to enjoy nostalgia than with some slightly sad holiday music?
These sad tunes might not be the best soundtrack for excited baking or present wrapping. However, they’re perfect for an early morning walk in the cold with a warm mug of coffee, relaxing on your couch working on a holiday craft or staring out the window at falling snow (or in my case as a Floridian, pretending there’s falling snow).
It’s not just Phoebe Bridgers who excels in this subgenre. I’d also highly recommend Peach Pit’s “Did I Make You Cry on Christmas Day?” as well as Bleacher’s “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call” for some more good sad holiday vibes. And, of course, “White Winter Hymnal” by Fleet Foxes is perfect for a slightly unsettling winter day.
It might sound a bit nonsensical, but trust me. When you’re feeling the Macy’s music fatigue, check out some indie Christmas originals.
Related to these, you don’t have to turn all the way to original songs to get away from some of the overplayed hits. Instead, finding a different-style cover can be just as refreshing. One of my favorites is Sufjan Steven’s “Silver and Gold” album (which does include a few originals in addition to many covers).
If you’re not sold on the slightly depressing vibe, Lucy Dacus has a wonderful cover of “Last Christmas,” and the Shins’ version of “Wonderful Christmastime” is also great. They’re a bit more upbeat, trading out the keys for electric guitars and drums, but still offer some variety.
Lastly, I may be slightly biased as a Swiftie since, like, forever, but if there’s one song for that college-age, home-for-the-holidays nostalgia, it’s “tis the damn season” from Taylor Swift’s “evermore” album. There’s nothing like staring out the airplane or train window making that journey home with this song as the soundtrack.
Overall, this holiday season, if you’re getting tired of the classics, don’t let it ruin your spirit entirely. Instead, turn to something else: originals, covers, whatever strikes your fancy. You won’t regret it.
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