December 2017 in "Sounds"

Seth MacFarlane from Holiday for Swing

"What are You Doing New Year's Eve?"

But in case I stand one little chance

Here comes the jackpot question in advance:

What are you doing New Year's

New Year's Eve?

Sentimental classic written by Frank Loesser, released in 2014, but my first time to see on Youtube. Originally planned to put up the ukelele playtime between Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Walk Off the Earth, featured in It's A Wonderful Mic

"Feliz Navidad"

Encountered this again a few days ago. Remembered the amazing synchronization of movements on a single guitar. Check out Walk Off the Earth, or WOTE, on their official website.

Postmodern Jukebox, ft. Miche Braden from A Very Postmodern Christmas

"O Holy Night" (Celine Dion cover, Gospel Christmas cover)

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name

Human Nature from The Christmas Album

"White Christmas" (cover)

May your days be merry and bright

And may all your Christmases be white

This Aussie boy band owned this cover major. Put their doo-wop skills to recreate a new "classic" sound to the 1940's Irving Berlin classic.

Music and lyrics by Felipe Padilla De Leon, National Artist for Music

"Payapang Daigdig" (Himig Singers ft. Marianne Olivia Tuazon)

Payapang panahon ay diwa ng buhay

Biyaya ng Diyos sa sangkatauhan

Ang gabi'y payapa, lahat ay tahimik

Pati mga tala sa bughaw na langit

[Translation: "A World at Peace"]

A time for peace is the essence of life

Peace is God's blessing to humankind

The night is calm, silence is everywhere

Even among stars in the azure heavens above

A feeble attempt at translation. I first heard this performed by my sister's high school choir; it has since become my personal standard for "peaceful bliss." A Filipiknow article describes this "hauntingly beautiful."

U2 from A Very Special Christmas (compilation album)

"Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)"

They're singing deck the halls 

But it's not like Christmas at all 

I remember when you were here 

And all the fun we had last year

Scrolling through various IG posts, one reminded me of this album, with fabulous album art from the late Keith Haring, and this song from U2 being one of my favorites. More about the album in Wikipedia.

Peter Hollens from A Hollens Family Christmas

"Mary, Did You Know?" (Cover)

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you

Popular among Christian recording artists, music by Buddy Greene and lyrics by Mark Lowry, more info about the song in Wikipedia. Pentatonix's cover seems to be more popular on Youtube, but I prefer this.

John and Yoko / Plastic Ono Band (Single)

Happy Xmas (War is Over)

And so happy Xmas (war is over)

For black and for white (if you want it)

For yellow and red ones (war is over)

Let's stop all the fight (now)

More info about the song in Wikipedia

Band Aid (Single)

"Do They Know It's Christmas?"

And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time

The greatest gift they'll get this year is life

Where nothing ever grows

No rain or rivers flow

Do they know it's Christmas time at all?

The very first for all others to follow. Released on 03 December 1984. More about the song in Wikipedia.

Music by Leslie Bricusse from OST "Scrooge"

A Christmas Carol

Sing a song of gladness and cheer

For the time of Christmas is here

Look around about you and see

What a world of wonder

This world can be

This song has remained a mystery to me ever since I first heard it sung in a Christmas choral competition on television. Only recently have I found out that it backgrounds the opening title sequence of the 1970's film "Scrooge."