This American duo, The Civil Wars, is known for their poignant vocal harmonies, and their rendition of this 19th-century classic is as melancholic as it is beautiful. The song is based on a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, written in 1863 during the American Civil War. In 1861, Longfellow tragically lost his second wife in a fire. Two years later, amidst the Civil War, his son Charles joined the army without his consent and was severely wounded. Although Charles recovered, he could no longer serve as a soldier. Deeply saddened by the tragic events around him, Longfellow then wrote a series of poems in which the Civil War plays a prominent role.
« I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
and mild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men! {...}»
Ron Sexsmith, born Ronald Eldon Sexsmith in 1964, began his career at 17, performing at 'The Lyon's Tavern' in his hometown of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. He was quickly nicknamed 'the jukebox man' for his ability to seamlessly perform covers, on demand, without preparation. He decided to write his own songs after the death of his first child in 1985. Maybe This Christmas has been featured in several Christmas movie soundtracks; this bittersweet song invites reflection on themes of redemption and hope.
«Maybe this Christmas will mean something more
Maybe this year love will appear
Deeper than ever before
And maybe forgiveness will ask us to call
Someone we love, someone we've lost
For reasons we can’t quite recall
Maybe this Christmas...»
A master storyteller, nicknamed the 'Mark Twain of music,' he is a prominent figure in American folk, with a career that began in the early 1970s. His lyrics, deeply poetic in nature, were quickly interpreted or covered by popular American artists of the time: Hello in There (Joan Baez, Bette Midler), Sam Stone (Johnny Cash, Theo Hakola, Al Kooper), Souvenirs (Bettye LaVette), It's a Big Old Goofy World (Jimmy Buffett), Speed of the Sound of Loneliness (Nanci Griffith), Killing the Blues (Alison Krauss and Robert Plant).
This song speaks of isolation and the longing to return home during the holiday season, but with the unique touch of humor and tenderness characteristic of John Prine.
«It was Christmas in prison
And the food was real good
We had turkey and pistols
Carved out of wood
And I dream of her always
Even when I don't dream
Her name's on my tongue
And her blood's in my stream...»
A giant of French chanson known for his irony and poetic lyrics. Georges Brassens, true to his style, narrates with a hint of cynicism and a disillusioned humor typical of his approach to songwriting, the love story of a poor young girl and a wealthy 'Santa Claus.' Brassens, ever humble, said of himself: «I don't think I'm a poet… A poet soars a bit higher than I do… I'm not a poet. I would have liked to be one like Verlaine or Tristan Corbière.»
«Avec sa hotte sur le dos
Avec sa hotte sur le dos
Il s'en venait d'Eldorado
Il s'en venait d'Eldorado
Il avait une barbe blanche
Il avait nom Papa Gâteau... »
This 60s band, The Monkees, was often more associated with bubblegum pop than traditional music. Created to promote the new television series The Monkees, in which the band members starred, it was a major success for both the group and the associated series, although everything faded by season II. They remain memorable with their hit I'm a Believer. Riu Riu Chiu, on the other hand, is a traditional Spanish Renaissance song, and the band made a surprising yet highly successful interpretation of it.
«Riu riu chiu, la guarda ribera;
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera,
Dios guardo el lobo de neustra cordera.
El lobo rabioso la quiso morder,
Mas Dios poderoso la supo defender;
Quisola hazer que no pudiese pecar,
Ni aun original esta Virgen no tuviera...»
Two indie-pop artists who came together to create a poignant song about love and loss in winter. The song has been used in several charity campaigns, reinforcing its message of solidarity and comfort during the holiday season.
«This is my winter song to you
The storm is coming soon
It rolls in from the sea
My voice, a beacon in the night
My words will be your light
To carry you to me
Is love alive?
Is love alive?
Is love
They say that things just cannot grow
Beneath the winter snow
Or so I have been told
They say were buried far
Just like a distant star
I simply cannot hold...»
Eels, an American band formed in 1995 by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Mark Oliver Everett, known by the stage name E., is renowned for its alternative and often experimental approach to music. The song is both optimistic and filled with dark humor, characteristic of Eels' style. Eels is a rock band from Los Angeles, California.
«remember last year when you were on your own
you swore the spirit couldn't be found
December rolled around and you were counting on it to roll out
but everything's gonna be cool this christmas
everything's gonna be cool this christmas
everything's gonna be cool this christmas
well everybody's waiting for you down at the house
the tree is looking so inspired
there's a yuletide groove waiting for you to move
come on and throw another log on the fire...»
Folk singer of New Zealand origin, Graeme Allwright adopted the French language for his songs. His uniqueness lies in adapting and introducing many songs by non-French-speaking artists to the Francophone world, such as Leonard Cohen (Suzanne, L'Étranger, Demain sera bien), Bob Dylan (Who Killed Davy Moore?), Woody Guthrie (The Rambler), Pete Seeger (Up to My Belt), and Tom Paxton (Sacred Bottle). Petit Garçon, the French version of the American song Old Toy Trains, has become a classic, telling the story of a child eagerly waiting to open his Christmas presents.
«Dans son manteau rouge et blanc
Sur un traîneau porté par le vent
Il descendra par la cheminée
Petit garçon, il est l'heure d'aller se coucher
Tes yeux se voilent
Écoute les étoiles
Tout est calme, reposé
Entends-tu les clochettes tintinnabuler...»
Low, a slowcore band from Minnesota, where winters are long and cold. Their music is characterized by delicate vocal harmonies, slow tempos, and an introspective approach. This song evokes a warm nostalgia for a traditional Christmas, despite its minimalist lo-fi production. Originally created for fans, this EP helped the band gain airplay on the radio. New Musical Express even dubbed it the 'best Christmas album of all time.' Additionally, the song Little Drummer Boy is featured in a Gap commercial, bringing the band a significant amount of money.
«On our way from Stockholm,
It started to snow,
And you said it was like Christmas,
But you were wrong,
It wasn't like Christmas at all.
By the time we got to Oslo,
The snow was gone,
And we got lost,
The beds were small,
But we felt so young....»
The Slow Club, an English duo that blends folk and pop with catchy vocal harmonies. This song speaks of distance and the longing to be with loved ones during the holiday season, a sentiment that many people feel.
«It's okay to have scars, they will make you who you are
It's okay to have fear, as long as you're not scared of coming here
And in the middle of the night, just call if you wanna talk
'Cause you know that I want to talk, too
It's not bad of you to think of what might go wrong
But you can't blame me for secretly hoping that I'll prove you wrong
It's okay that I pray that you will miss your flight
And have to stay with me another night
It is brutal, it's brutal
Why can't you see?
It's brutal, it's brutal
Where have you been?...»
Over the Rhine, a husband-and-wife duo based in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, has been making music together since the 1990s. They have shared the stage with Bob Dylan, John Prine, Adrian Belew, Squeeze, Ani DiFranco, My Morning Jacket, Hem, and even joined a tour with Cowboy Junkies. The song speaks of the simple joy of spending time together during a snowstorm, a recurring theme in their albums.
«When you come home and all the world's asleep
I'll close my eyes and breathe with sweet relief
This world has had you long enough for now
And when I get you home I'll show you how
I wanna get snowed in with you
I wanna shake off these winter blues
These ain't no blues that I can use
And when the lights are gleaming
I'll be leaning into you, what's a girl to do'...»
A legend of French rock who also celebrated Christmas in his own way. The song was written by Michel Mallory and Johnny Hallyday and produced by Jean Renard. Released in 1973, the track was number one on the French singles charts for a week in December.
«C'est un Noël pour les enfants perdus
Pour tous ceux qui n'y ont jamais cru
C'est un Noël pour les chiens sans collier
Pour ce gosse de la rue que j'étais
Noël de ma vie mon Noël interdit
J'aurais tant aimé croire à l'histoire
Mais mon cœur d'enfant était déjà trop grand
Et mes rêves emportés par le vent...»
Fountains of Wayne, an alternative rock band from New York, enjoys playing with quirky themes. They were awarded in 2003 for the song Stacy's Mom from Welcome Interstate Managers, which has since become one of their most well-known tracks alongside Hey Julie and Mexican Wine. This humorous song tells the eccentric wish of a child for an extraterrestrial Christmas.
«This year for Christmas
There's something I'd really like
So if you're up there somewhere Santa
Please don't bring me another bike
I don't need any ugly sweaters
And I don't play much basketball
But there's something kinda special
That I want most of all...»
Sufjan Stevens, an artist who has released several Christmas albums, though not all are cheerful. This artist is known for his songs where the importance given to lyrics rivals that dedicated to instrumentation. He plays several instruments, with a preference for the banjo. His popularity increased with the release of the film Call Me by Your Name in 2017, thanks to the song Mystery of Love, which was nominated for the Oscar for Best Original Song in 2018. The song C'était le pire Noël de tous tells the story of a disastrous Christmas with a melancholic melody, typical of Sufjan Stevens' style.
«Going outside, shoveling snow in the driveway, driveway
Taking our shoes, riding a sled down the hillside, hillside
Can you say what you want? Can you say what you want to be?
Can you be what you want? Can you be what you want?
Our father yells, throwing the gifts in the wood stove, wood stove
My sister runs away, taking her books to the schoolyard, schoolyard
In time the snow will rise, in time the snow will rise
In time the Lord will rise, in time the Lord will rise
Silent night, holy night
Silent night, nothing feels right»
Kate Bush, a British singer with a unique style often described as mystical. As an iconic figure in British popular music, Kate Bush is distinguished by her unique musical style and the theatrical nature of her soprano performances. She is sometimes considered a true icon in the UK as well as a significant figure within the gay community. This song celebrates the magical spirit of December, featuring Kate Bush's enchanting voice.
«December will be magic again.
Take a husky to the ice
While Bing Crosby sings White Christmas. He makes you feel nice.
December will be magic again.
Old Saint Nicholas up the chimney,
Just a-popping up in my memory...»
Dalida, an icon of French chanson who has influenced several generations with her unique style and enchanting voice. Vive le vent is the French adaptation of the classic Jingle Bells. Dalida performed it with her usual elegance, adding a glamorous touch to this traditional festive song.
«Oh! Vive le vent, vive le vent
Vive le vent d'hiver
Boule de neige et jour de l'an
Et bonne année grand-mère
Sur le long chemin
Tout blanc de neige blanche
Un vieux monsieur s'avance
Avec sa canne dans la main
Et tout là-haut le vent
Qui siffle dans les branches
Lui souffle la romance
Qu'il chantait petit enfant...»
Tori Amos, an American pianist and singer known for her deeply emotional songs. She composed her first piano piece at the age of 5. Snow Angel, from her Christmas album Midwinter Graces, evokes the sweetness and spirituality of the season.
«When the bell brought in Midwinter
I waited for a sign
A shadow, of a wing
This has always been
The children know this,
That she will come to them
To them
To them
Snow Angel, Snow Angel, Snow Angel
She'll make her way
And she'll stay
For a Time, For a time...»
Rod Stewart, a key figure in British rock since his early days, has worked alongside future Kinks, Fleetwood Mac, and Rolling Stones. However, he only achieved real success in 1967 as the lead singer of the Jeff Beck Group, and later with The Faces. On October 11, 2016, Rod Stewart was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and received the accolade from Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, making him Sir Roderick David Stewart. This song presents a fun and rock’n’roll vision of Santa Claus as a superhero.
«Oh, yeah
Listen!
The tree is ready and the stockings are all hung
The fire is blazing and the carols are all sung
Everybody's waiting for a miracle
So Santa bring some joy to us all
It's the season to leave our troubles behind
How amazing if the world was giving and kind
It might be crazy, it might take a miracle
Santa bring some peace to us all...»
Matt Wertz, an American singer-songwriter who blends pop and folk. Wertz has toured with artists such as Hanson, Jon McLaughlin, Jason Mraz, Jamie Cullum, Gavin Degraw, Matt Nathanson, Five For Fighting, O.A.R., Ben Rector and Jars of Clay, and has headlined several national tours in the early and mid-2000s. This song speaks of the desire to slow down and capture the Christmas spirit in a snow globe.
«There's a window into a magical place
Where I've always wanted to go
And am I dreaming or am I awake?
I don't know, it just feels like home
'Cause Santa's always on the way
It's Christmas morning every day
Sometimes I wished I lived in a snow globe
Where the wind blows, it's wonderful
And every single time that you shake it
You'll make it, so beautiful...»
Charles Aznavour, one of the greatest singers and songwriters in French chanson, recognized internationally. He recorded nearly 1,200 songs, performed in several languages: French, English, Italian, Spanish, German, Armenian, Neapolitan, Russian, and, towards the end of his career, in Kabyle. He wrote or co-wrote over 1,000 songs, for both himself and other artists.
«C'est Noël chérie
Et nous sommes à Paris
C'est Noël chérie
Et tous ceux que nous aimons sont loin
Bien loin d'ici
Étrange fête
Sans nos enfants sans nos parents
Sans nos amis
Ce soir nous souperons en tête à tête
Ma chérie...»
The Band, a legendary group from the 60s and 70s, known for frequently backing Bob Dylan. The song tells the story of the birth of Jesus, with both a traditional and rock approach.
«Come down to the manger, see the little stranger
Wrapped in swaddling clothes, the prince of peace
The wheels start turning, torches start burning
And behold, wise men journey from the east
How a little Baby Boy bring the people so much joy
Son of a carpenter, Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight...»
Michael Bublé, Canadian pop music star, collaborates with Shy'm, a French singer. Although Winter Wonderland is a classic, this bilingual version adds a modern and international touch.
«I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where those treetops glisten and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow, the snow
Then I, I, I am dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days, may your days, may your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white...»
A modern cover of a classic 70s protest song. Since their debut in 2002, the band has sold over 10 million albums in the United States, along with 30.8 million digital sales and 27 million albums worldwide. In 2013, Maroon 5 became the third most-played group on Top 40 Mainstream radio. At the same time, Maroon 5 has also been noted for their commitment to combating climate change and supporting faster environmental action. Maroon 5 has added their own pop touch to this song by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, while retaining its pacifist message.
«So this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you had fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young...»
Designer, guitarist, art director assistant, composer, and then singer, Jacques Dutronc was involved in the early yéyé era as a guitarist for the group El Toro et les Cyclones. He is known for his nonchalant style and ironic view of society. In this song, Dutronc offers a rock and quirky take on Christmas, imagining himself in love with Santa Claus's daughter, adding a touch of lightness to the festive spirit.
«Je l'ai trouvée au petit matin
Toute nue dans mes grands souliers
Placés devant la cheminée
Pas besoin de vous faire un dessin
De battre mon cœur s'est arrêté
Sur le lit j'ai jeté mon fouet
Tout contre elle je me suis penché
Et sa beauté m'a rendu muet
Fatigué, j'ai la gueule de bois
Toute la nuit j'avais aidé mon père
Dans le feu j'ai remis du bois
Dans la cheminée y avait pas son père...»
