What is a Blackmore's Night?

It's June and it's basically over, so I need go out with a bang! What says bang more than Renaissance music, right? ~sound of record needle scratching~ Renaissance Music? But...but...but, how is that the bang to end the month of June on, Cindy?

I mean a bang and I am going to give you a bang. Ever here of Ritchie Blackmore? SONG!
~gives the audience a chance to click on the link~

Yes? No? Ritchie Blackstormageddon?

You might be familiar with this Ritchie Blackmore, who was (and still will be) a member of Deep Purple from 1969 thru 1993 (off and on again), before he went onto form Rainbow (his post Deep Purple band) from 1975 to about 1997, which lead to the reason for this blog, Blackmore's Night a (quoting Wikipedia here) "Celtic, Folk, Neo-Mediaeval" band created circa 1997 to the present. Their newest album "Dancer and the Moon" was released this month.

Ritchie and Candice Blackmore

Blackmore's Night is more than a Celtic band, more than a Folk band, it's more than anything I have run across in my musical travels. I prefer to call them Renaissance Rock, as they certainly know how to rock and many of their songs in their repertoire are based on Renaissance songs, or at least depicts the feel of the Renaissance (without the Black Plague and the rats, which is more Middle ages, but many people will understand picture I am trying to paint).

Basically if you go to a Renaissance Festival, that is the world that Blackmore's Night creates; frolicking with the fields, dancing under the moon, or enjoying nature. It's also very Paganistic in nature and quite popular with Witches, Wiccans, and Heathens. It is not limited by any one group of people, there is something for everyone with the scope of Blackmore's Night.

Blackmore's Night is made up of a husband and wife team, Ritchie and Candice (Night) Blackmore, whom met at a Rainbow concert in the 80's. Candice Night was a Rainbow fan and at a concert in 1989 and got to meet Ritchie (to get an autograph) and ended up formed a friendship that has spanned an over twenty year friendship. Both had a deep love for Renaissance music and that was the basis for what Blackmore's Night became. Where Deep Purple was a rock band and Rainbow seemed to become something more poetically lyrical, with a rock edge, BLackmore's Night was something more. By the time of Blackmore's Night some would have thought that Blackmore had done a 180 degree turn with the band's debut album in 1997, "Shadow of the Moon." It is vastly different, but I do want to point out that Blackmore and Night have transformed this genre into something quite respectable. Okay, that my opinion, but it seems very true nonetheless, as their popularity has grown. While the beginnings on Blackmore's Night feels more like a Renaissance Faire act, their later endevours are quite the magical, musical masterpiece that exists now.

I was introduced to Blackmore's Night in 1999 by my best friend at the time, Kerry, who came to visit me at college one weekend. She brought a couple of CD's that she thought I would be interested in, this included Mediaeval Babes (for another blog, another time) and a couple of Blackmore's Night's albums, "Shadow of the Moon" and "Under a Violet Moon". My boyfriend at the time (now husband, David) was kind enough to make me copies (back before all this copyright crap and when CD burners cost almost 200.00). I tell you this, I was in love! The combination of the lyrics that flowed like poetry, Candice's amazing vocals, and the my deep love for anything and everyone Renaissance based, it was match made in heaven.

Candice writes most of the songs, her lyrics are striking and beautiful. Many of the songs are story based songs (which are songs that I love), simply because of that reason. Not of the songs are of original, Blackmore's pulls a number of traditional songs that range from the 10th century to modern rock ballads from many of Ritchie's former and current colleagues. They have covered everything from Greensleeves, a folk ballad written about 1580, near as one can tell from records at the London Stationer's Company (the place to publish music back in the 15th and 16th century), Rainbow songs such as Self-Portrait, to Elvis Presley, Jethro Tull, Joan Osborne, The Kinks, and now Randy Newman to name a few. Also, Ritchie, who composes all the music, has 3 or 4 short instrumental tracks on each album. So each album usually has quite the collection of material on it.

Not to exclude the band, so what can I say about Blackmore's Night band? They are as eclectic as Ritchie and Candice are and that makes them a perfect fit. Over the years the members have changed, much in the same way as Deep Purple and Rainbow (I see a theme here), it has not diminished the music at all. I think in many way the different band members over the years has been liken to a changing of the guard (s), they all serve the greater purpose, to make amazing music!

Their first two albums are strictly in the realm of Celtic Folk, really Minstrel Folk would be a better title, but once their  third album "Fires at Midnight" came out, you can tell that Ritchie and Candice were building something different, something amazing. There was a return to the rock sound of Ritchie's history, probably more like Rainbow than Deep Purple. I will admit that I have never heard much of Rainbow before 2000, but in the recent years I have come to realize that Deep Purple morphed into Rainbow, which in-turn morphed what Blackmore's Night is currently, a rock band that is rooted in poetry and the Renaissance. Note: check out their website: Blackmore's Night

Okay, it's recommendation time, if you are interested in Blackmore's Night, but prefer the edgier rock sound and the awesome guitar playing of Mr. Blackmore, I would say that you start with 2001's "Fires at Midnight", it's more of what you would expect from Rainbow, not quite Deep Purple. Now with that being said, I am quite fond of the Minstrel folk sounds that they started off with and would recommend their first to albums 1997's "Shadow of the Moon" and 1999's "Under a Violet Moon". "Under a Violet Moon" is my person favourite.

"Shadow of the Moon" (1997): It's an early album. They are clearly testing the waters but the are some amazing songs here. Incidentally, the song "Wish You Were Here" is a cover of a cover by the Swedish techno/bluegrass group Rednex, and yes you have that song stuck in your head now. Blackmore's Night's cover is WAY better, in my opinion at least, but hey, at least it's different, right?
1. Shadow of the Moon
2. The Clock Ticks On
3. Renaissance Faire
4. Greensleeves
5. Wish You Were Here

"Under a Violet Moon" (1999): I feel this is the quintessential minstrel sound of Blackmore's Night. I could cite that I love every single song, and it would be true, but I am sticking with a 4 song limit. Covers include: Self-Portrait  (a Rainbow song). The lead male vocal on "Wind in the Willows" in Jon Lord one of the founding members of Deep Purple.
1. Under a Violet Moon
2. Wind in the Willows
3. Spanish Nights (I Remember It Well)
4. Self Portrait

"Fires at Midnight" (2001): Here is where the rock claws come out. Blackmore hits his stride and Candice's vocals have come into their own. Covers include: Bob Dylan's "The Times They are a Changin'". The lyrics here have evolved from college era poetry (not that that's a slam) to truly something to be published in poetry anthologies, such as "I Still Remember" or "Hangin' Tree" which is basically tied with "Benzai-Ten" on this list. Fires at Midnight is a song written by King Alfonso the X (10th).



1. The Times They Are a Changin'
2. I Still Remember
3. Fires at Midnight
4. Benzai-Ten (A Japanese Water Goddess of Music/Art, has Dragons has her Guardians)

"Ghost of a Rose" (2003): There are a lot of story songs on this album and I have a really hard time picking the 4 for this one. This is probably my second favourite album. There are some haunting melodies here and some of Candice's best lyrics and singing. Covers include: Rainbow Blues from Jethro Tull and  Joan Baez's "Diamonds and Rust". I would say that if you are seriously looking into Blackmore's Night, this album is a key one to test drive. "Lorelay" is a song about the lonely mermaid, river queen. Dandelion Wine and Ivory Tower are other great tracks. If it means anything, I always think of the Ivory Tower from the "Never-Ending Story", not sure if it's connected, it's just a really lovely song.

1. Loreley
2. Way to Mandalay
3. Ghost of a Rose
4. Rainbow Blues

Beyond the Sunset (2004): A compilation of love songs and features a few re-recorded versions of some songs and a previously unreleased track.
1. Once in a Million Years

2. Ghost of a Rose (re-recorded version)
3. Now and Then (re-recorded version)

"The Village Lanterne" (2006): Ritchie and Candice brought more of the old gang on this album, mostly Joe Lynn Turner from Rainbow. Here they cover Rainbow and Deep Purple, "Street of Dreams" and "Child in Time". It's a darker album and utilizes more Eastern European influences in their music, from using a Balkan folk song "25 Years". A more mature album to say the least and one that I need to revisit more often. They also cover St. Theresa by Joan Osborne (of "One of Us" fame).
1. Street of Dreams
2. Village Lanterne
3. Olde Mill Inn
4. I Guess It Doesn't Matter Anymore

"Secret Voyage" (2008): I think that by now Ritchie is used to pulling out some of the old material from Rainbow and Deep Purple and re-tooling it for Blackmore's Night. NOTE: Blackmore's Night use many musical instruments from a forgotten time that range from the Hurdy Gurdy, Rauschpfeife, Cornamuse, Domra, some from the Renaissance others from the 1800's.  This works to their benefit, as now they are introducing a whole new group of fans to Rainbow's repertoire and making the songs new and fresh. Covers include: "Rainbow Eyes" (Rainbow) and  Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love." I feel as though "Secret Voyage" is a return to the minstrel feel of their earlier work while still keeping the rock.

1. Locked Within the Crystal Ball
2. Can't Help Falling in Love
3. Sister Gypsy
4. The Circle

"Autumn Sky" (2011): Where "Secret Voyage" leads us into a familiar feeling, "Autumn Sky" transports us into another world. Here we have the minstrel sounds that Blackmore's Night started out, but with the catch is that they have matured much and it shows. The playful lyrics of Candice are more refined and the her voice has matured. This album came out after their first child Autumn was before and it's clear from the album as a whole is a return to innocence. Covers include: "Celluloid Heroes" is probably the odd one out, as it is a cover of The Kinks version, but their own unique spin on the song is no less valid.


1. Highland
2. Sake Of The Song
3. Vagabond (Make A Princess of Me)
4. Health To The Company

"Dancer and the Moon" (2013): I have just received this album and it's still very new to me, but I will say that what I have heard in the last 3 or 4 days of preview it, Candice's voice has once against matured and she has made something amazing with Ritchie. Covers include: Rainbow's ("The Temple of the King"), Uriah Heep's ("Lady in Black"), and Randy Newman.
1. I Think It's Going to Rain Today (Randy Newman, from the movie "Beaches")
2. Dancer and the Moon


Whew! That's 8 studio albums in 26 years, that includes 2 live albums ("Pass Times with Good Company" and "A Night in York")  2 concert DVD/CD's ("Castles and Dreams" and "Paris Moon", and a Christmas Album ("Winter Carols"). Quite the prolific group and that's not counting Ritchie's work with Rainbow or Deep Purple.

Oh, and Candice Night even released a solo album in 2012 called reflections, it's basically "Shadow of the Moon" but mature, and all song were written by her, so there is major lyrical poetry going on there. I like it1
Candice Night, "Reflections" (2012)
1. Gone Gone Gone
2. Wind is Calling
3. Now and Then (2011 version)

What Your Hear on the Radio...

This is a personal look at Christmas songs that I have heard and listen to every year. I wanted to share some of the less main stream music out there that I have come across that I feel is just as good. First we look at the “genres” of Christmas music out there (is that correct?), styles maybe, or types. Okay, types of Christmas music then!

There are several kinds of Christmas songs that play on the radio, and as I have the pleasure of having a radio at work, I get to hear them played ad nauseum since about two weeks ago. I admit that it not as bad as those that work retail They will often have to listen to this music from Halloween until after the 25th. It strikes me as odd that with the increase in the music out there, that the same old tired songs are played, some even multiple times during the day.

I am just a tad sick of the same old repetition. I propose a solution. This week’s blog will feature the worst Christmas songs to come out of the radio airwaves and possible alternatives to those same old tunes. Maybe a bit of history tossed into the mix too. You should learn something new every day!

Let’s see what type of songs we have first; there’s the standard Christmas carol, a traditional song that has been around since time began. These come in two kinds; first the religious songs/hymns, something like “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “O Holy Night”, or “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” comes to mind. You hear them every year; most musical artists will cover one or more of these at anytime. Now, I am not going into the implications of these songs. My beliefs are NOT the focus here, but what we hear being played during the Christmas season. Most time when I listen to the radio these are the one in a constant rotation on the radio. But, I have found that I get less irritated with them, usually because there are hundreds of versions of these Christmas carols that are recorded and therefore you will get less repetitive with these. Although I am not vindicating them, there are guilty parties here too!

The other side is the traditional, but the secular Christmas songs, such as “Silver Bells”, “Here Comes Santa Claus”, or “Santa Baby”. These songs are not based on Jesus’ birth, but focus on the non-religious aspects of Christmas. Many of the songs in this category are the ones that I usually can’t stand, because, at least with the radio, they are the ones that get very repetitive when you listen longer then 30 minutes. Mind you, there are songs I like in this category, but after having subjected myself to the radio for the last few weeks, I have come to the conclusion that a number of songs from this category are just overdone, terrible, or both.

Then you have your story songs, these can be both secular and non-secular. Here the song tells a story. Plain and simple, right? Not so much. Songs of this nature are harder to do, because you have to either know a story already, or can make one up that sounds legit. Trying to write a story into a song isn’t always easy when you have to factor in meter and rhyme, although not all the time. (Oh geesh!) They can be quite touching and inspiring, or they can make you want to take a sledge hammer to the back of your hand. Over the last 10 years there have been a few Christmas story songs that have left a few nasty tastes in my mouth. I won’t lie, I loath “Christmas Shoes.” (I put the link for those who are actually interested in hearing this song) This song is the biggest reason that I could ever think of hating Christmas on the radio. It is over played and sorely over exposed. The premise doesn’t make sense. A child wants to buy shoes for a dying mom, so she can look pretty for Jesus. It just feels like the writer was trying too hard to find sad things to put in his song. It's cliche! That’s not how you write songs! I kid you not, “Christmas Shoes” is just a terrible song.

Then you have your silly Christmas songs like “Grandma Got Ran Over by A Reindeer” performed by Elmo and Patsy (a recording duo from California who had one other major hit, “The Doomsday Waltz”. Elmo was a veterinarian turned folk singer with his wife Patsy.), “The 12 Pains of Christmas” by Bob Rivers (The funniest way to deal with this Greek epic poem disguised as a Christmas carol other than the Muppet version), and the popular radio choice of “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” performed by Shirley Temple. These songs are certainly not meant to be taken seriously, but they lighten the mood of a somber time of year. I think Sesame Street’s take on this song is a tad better, “I Want a Snuffleupagus fro Christmas,” sung by Big Bird and Anne Hathaway. In many cases, these songs are a way to break up the monotony of some of the other deeply religious or sentimental songs. Some of these are good and some are not so good.

There are few other miscellaneous categories that I also thought of while writing this blog. There is the generic Christmas pop song about Christmas (usually involving love or a significant other), like “Mistletoe” by Justin Beiber, “Christmas through Your Eyes” by Gloria Estefan, or “My Only Wish (This Year)” by Britney Spears. These songs ooze a sentimentally that is over trite even before they sing the first notes I like a little variety in my Christmas songs, because as others have pointed out, Christmas music gets old fast: Todd in the Shadows: One Hit Wonderland - Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer.

There’s your Christmas charity songs and the covers of the said charities singles (BAND AID, LIVE AID, FARM AID), which aren’t much better. “Do They Know its Christmastime?” The purpose of the song, a valiant effort by musicians in 1984 to help the famine relief in Ethiopia. It has become a regular culprit to the  Christmas homicide on the ears of many, myself included. Barenaked Ladies did a cover of this song and it didn’t help the song. The song is a condescending tribute to how Africa won’t have snow for Christmas. “And the Christmas bells that ring there/ Are the clanging chimes of doom/ We'll, tonight, thank God, it's them/ Instead of you.” Don’t they realize that a good portion of Africa doesn’t celebrate Christmas? I mean, about half of the country is Muslim (45%), that logic doesn’t make sense, but what do I know?  Anyway, the song feels overly preachy about Christmas and the people in Africa.

Then there's Christmas songs from movies/TV specials that have just become that popular that they get their own air play, such as “Silver and Gold” or “Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives.

Also, there are the Christmas songs that are not really Christmas songs, but they fit with the feel of the season so they end up getting air play because somebody said so, “My Favourite Things”. There a number of Christmasey versions of this song. It actually fits with the feel of Christmas and winter, “Rain drops on roses, whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles, warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with strings…”

Right, I also forgot the songs in foreign languages category! Remember “Feliz Navidad”? Well, now you have that stuck in your head. Your welcome!

So, what does this mean to me? Well, I have come to uncover a number of artists that have released Christmas albums or single tracks that are just as good as many of the standards that you may already love and listen to or are part of the current crappy Christmas playlist on your local radio that clutter up the airways nowadays. I would like to bring to light some of these tracks to the forefront. After all some of you may agree that Song A or song B is a terrible Christmas song, or are sick of hearing it ALL THE TIME, and decide to try song C or D out. If not, that's fine. To each his own...

Let’s start with the Traditional Songs (both secular and non-secular). These are songs that I feel are basically better left on the shelf. It’s time to expand your horizons. ~cracks knuckles~ Now, I will point out that there are versions of these songs that I truly love. Some of these songs I prefer a certain artist’s rendition that is not main stream, while others are tried and true and played continuously on the radio. While others I just find are terrible songs, much to my chagrin.

What songs do I find terrible? Well, as I pointed out earlier many of the non-secular Christmas songs are fine. They are based on old traditional Christmas hymns. There is beauty in many of the lyrics to these songs. What bothers me is the badly produced versions of these songs. I really can’t stand any version of “O Holy Night” that doesn’t try to utilize a soprano or high tenor here. This song is so beautiful, so pure that you need a pure voice. Don’t give me Christina Aguilera or Mariah Carey! I want Celtic Woman or Jewel singing this. What about the secular songs? Well, “Santa Baby” is the prime culprit here. There is no version of this song that I can enjoy. It’s all selfish crappy materialism. Eartha Kitt, the original singer tried and failed. It’s the tone of the song I don't enjoy. Madonna ruined it. And every other version just makes it worse.

Now, what would I listen to, or recommend to others in this category? I have always been partial to versions that tweak the song while retaining the true meaning. Barenaked Ladies did a version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman,” with Sarah McLachlan using “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” and “We Three Kings”. It’s very touching and brings tears to my eyes; which is what I think Christmas songs are supposed to do, at least in part. There’s also “Silent Night” by John Denver and the Muppets, and most anything the Muppets touch is gold, there are exceptions though. On the secular front, I love the track Sean McCann of Great Big Sea recorded a few years back, “Merry Christmas Everyone”. It’s not currently available online unless you were lucky to download it free from Sean’s website, but recently Great Big Sea played a charity concert and performed this song with members of Moxy Fruvous, Barenaked Ladies to name a few. There is a CD available to purchase and it’s on iTunes. I would recommend getting the track at least. It’s a solid song. There’s also “Christmastime is Here” by Hannah-Rei, a soulful rendition of the classic Vince Guaraldi Trio version. Another one is “Ding Dong Ding Dong” by George Harrison.

That’s a lot to take in, but seriously, there are songs that are just begging to be on the air, but are not played because they are not main stream. There are songs that are on the radio that don’t hate. To be fair, “Christmastime is Here” by the Vince Guaraldi Trio is played regularly, but I cannot get enough of this song, “Silver Bells,” “It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas,” or “Jingle Bell Rock.”

Onto Story Songs, as I pointed out earlier, “Christmas Shoes” is not a favourite, and it’s played far too much on most radio stations, which is another reason that I am not a fan. Anytime a song is overplayed, I will be less likely to enjoy it. There are other story songs from the very common “Rudolph the Red Nosed” by Jewel, “Frosty the Snowman” Jimmy Durante or “Little Drummer Boy” by Bing Crosby. Some of these are of the common variety story songs, but they are classics nonetheless. “Huge of the Luge” a lesser known story based song by Moxy Fruvous is a story song about a luge lovin’ Grandpa. It’s Fun! There is another one I would like to mentioned, “A Spaceman Came Traveling,” by Celtic Woman, its a little known song originally done by Chris DeBurgh. It tells the story of the Nativity with the Angel being a Spaceman watching over the earth. It’s touching and beautiful. I have never heard of it until Celtic Woman covered it on the album “Believe.”

Now the miscellaneous categories; when you think of Christmas pop songs, you normally think of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee, which is one of my classic favourites, a light country rock song about dancing around the festive tree in jubilation or Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney (more synthey sounding), both very common and to some extent over played, but I enjoy them anyway. But for consideration in the pop category we have “Christmas Eve” by Blackmore’s Night, “The Christmas Song Song” by Rocky and Balls, or “The Christmas Waltz” by She and Him. Each has a different take on the Christmas song ranging from the sentimental to the silly.

There are the songs from movies/TV specials. I’ve already mentioned two of the biggies, from the Rankin Bass’ “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” There are others that make made their way into my Christmas heart. Those have become staples in their own right. It would be cool if “Bah, Bug, and Hum” from “Olive the Other Reindeer” a jazzy little number about the pitfalls of being a postal worker during the holiday season or “Where the River Meets the Sea” form Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas was on the radio. Heck I would settle for a soundtrack from either of those specials.

Songs that are not Christmas, but get played at Christmas, I mentioned earlier, “My Favourite Things.” There’s not much else to say. It’s a good song. I have heard crappy renditions that are over produced, but when they get it right it a great song. And I want to point out that I am involved in a yearly Christmas show that goes up the first weekend in December where we write and perform a Christmas show in 2 weeks that often utilizes non Christmas songs in a Christmas-like manner, “I’ve Got Love to Keep Me Warm”, “I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends”, and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” So, anything can be a Christmas song, when in the right context.

KLP Christmas Show 2012  

KLP Christmas 2011

And finally, the Christmas songs in foreign languages, which run the gambit of languages used and usually focus on the birth of Christ, but “Feliz Navidad” is the most common, most used, and most irritating (in some opinions). It is fits more in the Christmas pop songs, a good nature tune about wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in Spanish, “Feliz Navidad/ Feliz Navidad/ Feliz Navidad/ Prospero Año y Felicidad”. There not much to the song itself and that’s why many people find it annoying to listen to. After all it’s the same verse/chorus repeated for almost 3 minutes.  I don’t really hate this song, nor do I find it terrible, it’s more of an annoying song. I do sing long to it, but after 2006 (when I put it on a Christmas mix CD), I realized that I could take it or leave it. What would I recommend to replace it? Well, I wouldn’t take it completely out, as I still enjoy hearing it at Christmas, but I would consider additional foreign language tracks to add a bit of variety.

Here’s one for you, “Riu Riu Chiu”. Bet you haven’t heard of this song before? Well, if you are a Monkees fan, then you have.  In 1967 the Monkees performed this on a Christmas episode of their show. Done in acapella this little song appeared. Riu Riu Chiu is a villancico, musical poem style from the 15^th through the 18^th centuries in the Iberian region (Spain/Portugal) and Latin America. It’s a song about the Nativity, so it’s basically an older version of what became a Christmas carol, “Ríu, ríu, chíu, la guarda ribera Dios guardó del lobo a nuestra cordera (Ríu, ríu, chíu, the river guards her; God kept the wolf away from Our Lamb.” It’s a beautiful little song. Acapella is a wonderful way to go with this song and the Monkees have amazing harmonies that absolutely blend together. Other artists to cover this song have been Bruce Cockburn, Sixpence, None the Richer, and David Archeleta to name a few. You should check them out.

There is the “Panis Angelicus” made more famous by Celtic Woman’s Chloe Agnew. Panis Angelicus the first part of a hymn written by St. Thomas Aquinas an Italian Dominican Priest, a theologian philosopher and father of modern philosophy. “Panis angelicus/fit panis hominum;/Dat panis coelicus/figuris terminum (The angelic bread/becomes the bread of men;/The heavenly bread/ends all prefigurations). “Panis Angelicus” is the beginning of the Sacris Solemniis which is the hymn proper for the Feast of Corpus Christi. It’s a prayer, but something about the Latin and sung by a High Soprano or Tenor turns it into a beautiful song that I thoroughly enjoy listening to at Christmas. Other renditions to check out Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, and Placido Domingo with Yo-Yo Ma, each version has it amazing points.

I think this is why I prefer to utility my MP3 player and listen to the Holiday music of my choice. Then I can control what I listen to. That is the price one must pay if you listen to the radio, especially all day, everyday. There are good Christmas songs out there, not hard to look and play your own playlists, which I wholly endorse.

As a side note, there are also songs about the other holidays that fall in December; Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Yule/Solstice, and Festivus. I will feature a greater look at these holidays in a future blogs.