Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)- Darlene Love

“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” gives me vintage vibes from the 50s. This song reminds me of my grandparent’s childhood since they would listen to the song on the radio. From an accompaniment standpoint, I really enjoy the different orchestral parts that enhance the song and bring out the vintage vibes.

Believe- Josh Groban

In the opening of “Believe,” I love the choral voices singing and the sleigh bells ringing in the background. The sleigh bells give you the feeling of riding a horse down a snowy night. Throughout the song, Josh Groban says “believe,” which is the song’s main message. “Believe” is a lyrical song that makes me emotional because it encourages me to believe in myself.

Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town- Frank Sinatra

“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” is a classic. Frank Sinatra made the song a lot jazzier because he included the trumpet, the alto saxophone, drums and bass. In the middle of the song, Sinatra includes an alto saxophone solo to give the listener a jazzier perspective of who he is. Sinatra’s famous songs are mainly in the genre of jazz. I love the different combinations of jazz instruments that accompany Sinatra.

All I Want for Christmas is You- Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is a popular classic from 1994. Carey’s song is a Christmas classic that many generations enjoy listening to. The upbeat accompaniment of the song makes you want to dance and sing on top of a table. Currently, her song is first on Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 Songs” list.

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree- Brenda Lee

“Rockin’ ‘Around the Christmas Tree” is one of my favorite songs. After watching the movie “Home Alone” every year, I began to enjoy this song. I love listening to the saxophone solo in the middle of the song, which brings out the tune even more. This song is also a classic that most people enjoy listening to on the radio.

It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas- Michael Buble

“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” is another classic that other artists sang before Micheal Buble. Buble’s twist on his version brings out the current pop feel of the 2010s. I enjoyed listening to his album “Christmas” and recommend listening to his full album.

O Come All Ye Faithful- Nat King Cole

In the beginning of the song, a trumpet fanfare sets up the song’s mood. Nat King Cole was smart to include different orchestral groups, including woodwinds (the oboes and clarinets), percussion, brass (trumpets and low brass) and strings (violin, cello and harp). He also included a choir that sang the counter-melody and the chorus section of the song. The lyrical parts of the song include the oboe and clarinet, which makes the piece more emotional.

Frosty the Snowman- Gene Autry

In the opening of “Frosty the Snowman,” I love how Gene Autry includes the piccolo and the bass clarinet, both playing the same rhythm but in different octaves. “Frosty the Snowman” is another classic that most people enjoy listening to on the radio. I remember watching the original “Frosty the Snowman” (1969) movie, and while it featured a different version of the song, both made me happy and energetic. When Autry isn’t singing, the percussion, piccolo and clarinet play the same tune to fill the gaps.

(There is No Place Like) Home for the Holidays 1959 Version- Perry Como

Perry Como’s original version reminds me of traveling to my grandparents’ place every year. This original song brings out who Como is and how he’s relatable to the public. When listening to this song on the radio, I am reminded of how good it is to be at my grandparents’ house during the holidays.

Sleigh Ride- Leroy Anderson

“Sleigh Ride” is a classic orchestral piece that makes me think of riding on a horse carriage in the winter. At the song’s beginning, the trumpet and high woodwind melody set up what the song will be. Even though there are vocal versions of the song, listening to the version that Leroy Anderson conducted feels like more of a Classic Christmas song.