Lindsay Coulson | Writer
December 16, 2022
Alicia Keys released a Christmas album, Santa Baby, on November 4, 2022. The album showcases seven classic Christmas songs and four originals. Keys herself reworked the eleven songs. The songs have soul, R&B, gospel, and jazz influences. Senior Sammy Stark told me, “these are some of my favorite songs Alicia has come out with!” This is Keys’ first record released on her record label, Alicia Keys Records. While the album seemed to receive mostly positive responses, it failed to make it onto the Official UK Charts or the US Billboard 200. However, it did reach number nineteen on the US Top Holiday Albums chart.
On October 28, 2022, Verve Records and Universal Music Enterprises released a Christmas album by Louis Armstrong. According to Verve Records, Armstrong would always release his Christmas recordings as singles. So, the collection of songs marks Armstrong’s first-ever Christmas album.
The Backstreet Boys released A Very Backstreet Christmas on October 14, 2022. The Christmas album features two originals and thirteen holiday covers. It was initially supposed to be released before the 2021 holidays, however, COVID-19 caused its release to be delayed. While the album is mostly covers, the Backstreet Boys still added their signature touch with backup vocals and fun dynamics.
Lizzo’s “Someday at Christmas” was dropped on November 10, 2022. The three-time Grammy winner covered Stevie Wonder’s alternative to “Silent Night.” She told the press, “I chose to cover ‘Someday at Christmas’ not just because it’s a classic, but because it’s a reminder to us that almost 60 years later, we are still fighting for peace, compassion, and equality. A friendly reminder to spread love and kindness this holiday season.”
American idol singer Lauren Spencer Smith released an original song titled “Single On The 25th” on November 18, 2022. Smith sings in the pop song “I’m by myself/ Wishing I had someone else/ Wish the day would go away/ So I never have to face what date it is/ ’Cause I hate being single on the 25th.”
My favorite Christmas song of the year dropped on November 17 is Phoebe Bridgers’ sadder rendition of the Handsome Family’s “So Much Wine.” The song only vaguely mentions Christmas in the first line: “I had nothing to say on Christmas day/ When you threw all your clothes in the snow.” However, the chorus is what really makes the song strike a chord. Bridgers sings, “There’s only so much wine that you can drink in one life/ And it will never be enough to save you from the bottom of your glass.” Junior Olivia Blackwell said, “Every Christmas time I look forward to Phoebe Bridgers’ holiday cover.”
Phoebe Bridgers’ friends also released holiday songs. First, Christian Lee Hutson came out with a cover of “Silent Night” on November 16. This isn’t just any cover of silent night, this is Franz Xaver Gruber’s and Josef Mohr’s version of silent night. They write, “Silent Night/ Neon sign/ Only selling beer and wine/ Regular stumbling out of the bar/ To make snow angels in Washington park/ Everything will be fine.” On the same day, Charlie Hickey came out with a cover of “A Long December,” written by the Counting Crows.
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