Six «unknown» Christmas song recommendations
Six «unknown» Christmas song recommendations
The staff recommends
When nights are never-ending and cold is coming in
The same 5 Christmas songs are played until you lose your mind
And if you get in the trap and let a friend steer the music
You lose Whamageddon first of December in a trick
So hey there and hop there, hey tralalalo
Here comes six “unknown” Christmas song recommendations that hopefully brings you joy
Author: Isabelle Damhaug
Translator: Helene Edith Nylehn
Walking in the air
Aurora
Many have probably grown up with the Christmas movie classic “The Snowman”, where a magical snowman takes a little boy flying through the night sky. During the ride you can here the song “Walking in the air” while the two of them are soaring over mountains and fjords. The original version that is played in the movie is absolutely worth to listen to, but in 2019 Aurora made a rendition that for the past years has become synonymous with Christmas times for me. Her lovely vocals, combined with the nostalgia the song brings out makes this the perfect mood setter for a dark December night.
White Winwter Hymnal
Fleet Foxes
Over to something a bit more cheerful we have the song “White Winter Hymnal” by the folk-rock band Fleet Foxes. Exactly what makes this a Christmas song except for the mention of “white snow” is hard to say, still this is a go-to for many around Christmas times. To me, Fleet Foxes is a band I often listen to when I’m out in nature, and this song always makes me want to get out into a snow-covered forest. The melody is incredibly fetchy, and together with the harmonizing voices this becomes a type of song that you suddenly catch yourself humming on the rest of the day.
Veni Veni Emanuel
Kings Singers
Over to something a little more traditional we have the a capella-group Kings Singers version of the hymn “Veni Veni Emanuel”, or “O come, O come Emmanuel” as it is called in English.
Actually it is so traditional that its roots go all the way back to the 900s. The lyrics is an old Psalm that prays that Gods son will come, for Emanuel is in fact another name for Jesus. Even if you aren’t Christian, I believe that the pure unaccompanied voices and the great harmonies this a capella-group has can send shivers through every listener. They do that to me at least.
Hey guys! Its christmas time
Sufjan Stevens
If you have seen the movie “Call Me By Your Name” from 2017 then you definitely have heard the song “Mystery of Love” by Sufjan Stevens, that went viral around the same time. But you might not have known that Stevens also has a lot of other good songs, including a full Christmas album. With a mix of indie rock and Christmas bells “Hey Guys! It’s Christmas Time” is a Christmas song that stands a bit out but still manages to bring out the good Christmas spirit. And if this one isn’t to your liking, then there are a whole 41 other songs on this Christmas album, so just listen away!
Jeg skal finne deg
ULD
We’re sticking to melancholic tones, but we’re moving from the 900s all the way to 2024. This year the Oslo-group ULD released their critically acclaimed debut-EP “Fra en annen virkelighet”, and a bit late in the year came the sad Christmas song “Jeg skal finne deg”. ULD is a trio of girls with a clear folk-music inspired expression, and the song combines accordion, piano and a unique vocal. With lyrics like “Barndommens vintre var hvite, nå er de alltid grå” the song can seem gloomy but for me it has the opposite effect. The calm voice and the message of getting back to someone you love makes it more comforting than sad. The chorus hits especially well in the winter darkness: “Snart er mørketida over, jeg lover”
Suite from the polar express
Alan Silverstri
That this is on a list of unknown Christmas songs is maybe stretching it a bit, as I think most of us have seen the movie “The Polar Express” at least once in our childhood (if not you should absolutely watch it). But maybe there aren’t that many that think to put on exactly this one to get into the Christmas spirit. It gives me the ultimate Christmas feeling at least and takes me right back to the magic of childhood and all the excitement and expectation related to Christmas Eve. I almost start believing in Santa again.
