Winter Holiday Music Needs a Change

By Leif Lesperance

The future of winter holiday music needs a change. Most people, whether they celebrate Christmas or not, recognize iconic tunes such as  “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey and “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms, but will draw a complete blank when asked to name one Christmas song outside of the top ten. Similarly, it seems impossible that a song about other winter holidays, like Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, could ever reach the same level of fame as Christmas music.

Christmas music has a chokehold on modern society, especially as the focus on nostalgia continues to grow, even in younger generations. Christmas music can evoke feelings of warmth and holiday joy, but ultimately, the annual repetition of these iconic tunes is what brings them their value. Emotional impact isn’t the only value Christmas music brings, however, as these songs can bring in millions of dollars in royalties in a single holiday season.

While many Christmas songs are a staple of the season, too many people take advantage of their fame. There seem to be endless covers of the same few songs, which often aren’t nearly as good as the original. In the future, aspiring holiday musicians should stray away from the same couple of classics and instead strive to make their own unique tune.

It’s not entirely the musicians’ fault, though, because often a Christmas album, or at least a single, is expected of large music artists. However, exclusive Christmas albums often feel forced or unoriginal because many music labels only want to take advantage of the lucrative business. Labels will put out Christmas music regardless of whether their artists make something unique and exciting, or just another cover of “Santa Baby.”

While Christmas music can be heard in every mall across America, far less fame comes to songs about holidays like Hanukkah. “I don't seek out Hanukkah music,” said Nigel Mendelsohn, a senior who celebrates the holiday. “There really isn’t any worth listening to on the regular.” 

Although there is an unfortunate lack of Hanukkah music, that doesn’t mean there should be less Christmas music. “I would rather not hear [Christmas music], but I don’t want to take away the joy of it for other people,” Mendelsohn said. 

Christmas music is a staple of the season, and with efforts towards originality and the inclusion of more winter holidays, it could bring even more festive joy.