One of the more challenging aspects of being a Music Supervisor is taking a well-worn music genre and making it new and fresh again. This is often the case with holiday playlists, that are normally filled with traditional Christmas gems by Bing Crosby or Dean Martin sandwiched with modern holiday pop by the likes of Ariana Grande, Colbie Caillat or Train.
A growing trend here at PlayNetwork, with many of our custom in-store retail playlists, is incorporating non-holiday songs into the mix, tracks that were never originally intended to be associated with Christmas, or included on holiday albums, but feature seasonal themes like: travel, home, family, winter, etc. What I like best about these non-holiday songs is that it elevates the experience and gives the playlist a bit more meaning and a human element.
Joni Mitchell’s “The River” and the Fleet Foxes “White Winter Hymnal” are tender acoustic songs evoking a snow covered landscape and an inner peace that we all search for. Madonna’s “Holiday” and Dream Academy’s “Life In A Northern Town” are timeless hits from the 80s that take on a new life surrounded by Christmas classics. Jack Johnson’s “In The Morning” is a sweet song about the peaceful time that two parents experience in the early morning hours, before the kids are awake, and what a gift that quiet time can be, not surprising that this is one of our most played non-holiday songs we feature.
Check out this year’s list of the 20 best non-holiday songs, featured in a holiday playlist right now, in a shopping mall near you.
“My Favorite Things” – Tony Bennett
“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” – Billie Holiday
“Glad Tidings” – Van Morrison
“In The Morning” – Jack Johnson
“Holiday” – Vampire Weekend
“Holiday” – Madonna
“Holiday” – Green Day
“Life In A Northern Town” – Dream Academy
“Change In The Weather” – Concretes
“Snow Day” – Matt Pond PA
“The River” – Joni Mitchell
“White Winter Hymnal” – The Fleet Foxes
“Winter Falls” – Phenomenal Handclap Band
“Peace” – Los Lobos
“Big Winter Jacket” – Cayucas
“Snow Days” – Real Estate
“After The Snow” – Modern English
“Celebrate” – Mika
“Bells Of Love” – Erasure
“Everyday Is A Holiday (With You)” – Esthero
