The Georgetowner’s Ultimate Holiday Playlist
By • December 19, 2024 0 4
The Georgetowner has created a holiday playlist to enjoy as you wrap those last-minute gifts, trim the tree, drive to grandma’s house, or celebrate the holidays however you choose to do so! You can find this playlist on our Spotify page here.
- “Mele Kalikimaka” by She&Him – While many of us may know the original tune sung by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters or its use in the iconic pool scene in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” our graphic designer Troy Riemer loves this version because it’s “catchy and fun to sing along with kids.” Troy, who has a son and daughter with his wife Amy, is not wrong!
- “White Christmas” by The Drifters – Graphic designer Laura Argentieri loves this song because it takes her back to childhood winters. She’d come inside after sledding, drinking hot cocoa and watching “The Santa Clause.” “This classic tune always set the perfect nostalgic, holiday mood,” she said.
- “Il est né le divin enfant“ by The Vienna Boys Choir – Senior correspondent Peggy Sands has fond memories of this French song, translated as “He is Born, the Divine Child.” “I heard it first at my daughter’s first grade Christmas recital our first year living in the French speaking Switzerland,” she said. “I always remember those sweet voices and my daughter singing in French quite happily.”
- “All Alone on Christmas” by Darlene Love – This song will always remind me (Director of Content and Advertising Kate Oczypok) of Christmas mornings with my parents and four siblings. We all loved the song when we heard it in “Home Alone 2.” My dad created a tradition where we would wait at the top of the stairs to come down to open presents on Christmas morning. Once he’d get his video camera set up, he’d blast the opening chords of the song and that was our cue to run downstairs!
- “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by Bing Crosby – C. is a city of many people from all around the country (and world for that matter!). This classic is a nostalgic, wistful tune that makes many remember their roots.
- “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole – According to 2024 Google Trends Data, this song was the District’s most popular song.
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by James Taylor – Taylor was one of the featured performers at this year’s National Christmas Tree Lighting.
- “O Come All Ye Faithful” by Arturo Sandoval – Sandoval is one of this year’s Kennedy Center honorees.
- “The Chanukah Song” by Adam Sandler – It wouldn’t be the holiday season without Sandler’s ‘90s tribute to Jewish children feeling alienated during the Christmas season. Since its debut in 1994, there have been newer updates with fresh lyrics.
- “Happy Kwanzaa” by Teddy Pendergrass – The song featured on Pendergrass’s “This Christmas” album, the song talks about the holiday and honoring the past year and looking forward to the new year ahead.
- “(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays” by The Carpenters – From our editor-in-chief Robert Devaney: While I love “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Joy to the World,” “Little Drummer Boy” and many others, I pick for this week: “(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays.” This 1954 song evokes the hustle and bustle of travel and of shopping across our country. I recall specifically this song while driving home from Manhattan — last-minute Christmas shopping on Fifth Avenue! — with the Statue of Liberty in view. The woman’s voice on the car radio was so crisp and beautiful that I’ve never forgotten this moment in time.
- “Let it Snow” by She & Him – Our publisher Sonya Bernhardt is a fan of this catchy tune. Fun fact: It was written during a July 1945 heat wave in Hollywood as musicians were wishing for cooler weather!
- “Over the River and Through the Woods” by APM Holiday Ensemble – Advertising executive Evelyn Keyes still remembers this song from her childhood and it gets her excited for the holiday season every year.
- “O Holy Night” by The Cathedral Singers – Fashion editor Allyson Burkhardt loves the Choral Arts Society’s version of this song. She says the group “gave such a beautiful rendition of it in closing The Kennedy Center’s holiday concert ‘O Night Divine’ led by new Artistic Director Marie Bucoy Calavan. It’s become my favorite piece.” We decided to end our playlist with this song for that reason!
