My Ultimate Christmas Playlist

O Holy Night – Cece Winans

In general, O Holy Night is my top Christmas song. It is such a passionate song and the line “oh hear the angel voices” presents an opportunity for a singer with some serious chops to knock your socks off. And there have certainly been many to do so, including Lea Michelle on Glee and Jewell. I heard Cece Winans perform the song when I was a teen and my mother took my sister and I to a Christmas concert featuring her, Amy Grant, and Michael W. Smith. When I heard this song I was memorized and felt a strong emotional connection. I was also amazed by CeCe’s precision as a singer; each line so perfectly executed.

To this day, no Christmas song, no matter how much I have loved it, has touched me in the way that this one has.

The Angel Gabriel – Amanda Palmer

This song was included in a holiday album with various artists and once I heard it I wondered how had I not heard or sung this song before. I am a fan of dissonance in music and Amanda perfects it in this version. It’s hauntingly beautiful and I cannot get it out my mind after listening to it (not that I want to).

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Aimee Mann

Aimee Mann is wonderful in general and I adore her. Her cover of this song is as perfect a Christmas song I could ever expect from her. I love the rhythm and sounds of the brass instruments in the background, steadily leading us through the song with Aimee’s strong yet calm vocals on top. It reminds me a bit of the Seven Samurai score.

I Wonder as I Wander – Jewell

Jewell released a Christmas album in 1999. Did you know that? Did you care? Well, you should have because it was really quite good. I was a fan of Jewell in the 1990’s and so I welcomed this album. Years later, I have come back to it and can still appreciate the vocal abilities of Jewell, especially while performing the classics. This cover of I Wonder as I Wander, a song I am familiar with from choral singing, is splendid. I love that Jewell’s mother sings the harmony and the orchestral music that comes in half way through the song. 

Please Come Home for Christmas - Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

Please Come Home for Christmas was a song to which I didn’t really pay much mind. It was something that was part of the popular Christmas music lexicon, but it wasn’t great. Then Sharon Jones came around and made it a beautifully soulful song as only she can. It’s temping to put the entire Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings Christmas album on this list. This song of the whole album is just above the others for me so I will keep it to one.

Silent Night – Nat King Cole

This is a classic that is so simple and beautiful it fills me with a sense of peace and calm. I love it most in a room dimly lit by Christmas tree lights. As a choral singer, I have sung this song many times, but none have near the intensity of Nat King Cole’s version. I certainly understand his popularity after hearing his version of it. 

O Come, O Come Emmanuel – The Cast of Mamma Mia (Carols for a Cure, Vol 8)

This is another song I heard growing up and sang in a chorus. I haven’t heard too many versions as an adult, and granted it may not be the most covered Christmas song, but the cast of Mamma Mia made it their own and it was amazing! From the “ah”s that begin and end the song to the verse starting at 1:23 gives that me goose bumps. And then the harmonization starting around 2:10 is just so beautiful. I love some beautiful harmonies. Anyone who has sung in a choir or sung harmony can appreciate the repeated bass line “o come…Emmanuel…” This song has so many layers and I could listen to it over and over again. Oh wait, I have. 

Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley

I tried not to include any songs on this list simply because of their supersong status and only to focus on those I love. Happily, this song is both. I mean, how can you not love this song? It’s two minutes of pure joy. The song lyrics sad – obviously, just listen to the pitiful “ooh”s in the background – but how can you not smile when Elvis starts singing, “I’ll have a blue Christmas without you….”?

2,000 Miles – The Pretenders

Speaking of missing someone, it seems a lot of modern holiday songs are just about that. This Pretenders song does not have the wah-wah-ness of Blue Christmas but it is kind-of sad. Yet hopeful. Plus, Chrissy Hynde is a poet and the song is beautiful.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Harry Connick, Jr

Most people think of the old crooner style singing when they think of Harry Connick, Jr. But you better believe he is no Michael Bublé (to be clear, Michael Bublé is fine, he is just not on the same level as Harry). Harry has been a musician from a young age and is inspired by his New Orleans upbringing. I love it best when he incorporates the NOLA style jazz into his music and he certainly does that here with this classic. The song also includes Harry’s best attributes, his energy and enthusiasm. Plus, I enjoy that this is from an album titled, “Harry for the Holidays.” I mean, come on!

“Say you think Santa likes gumbo?....He’s hungry!”

Song for a Winters Night – Sarah McLachlan

Not a classic Christmas tune, but a beautiful representation of the season. This song has touches of 1990’s Sarah McLachlan style and it still holds up 20 years later. That’s because she has solid grasp of good music and strong vocals, the same sounds that made you cry during those ASPCA ads.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings – Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan

I did come of age in the 1990’s, why do you ask? Yes, I already have God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and a Sarah McLachlan song on this list, but this collaboration is so good that I have to add it. First of all, it’s Sarah McLachlan and she kills the We Three Kings parts of the song. Second, both the harmonies and the bass line are great. Third, it’s a fun and happy version. Though it does end abruptly, like they did not know how to end so they just stopped. I don’t care; it’s still one of my favorites.

Little Drummer Boy – Bob Seger

There have been so many great versions of the Little Drummer Boy that I am sure you can argue against this one. I hear you, and as wonderful the version by Bing Crosby and David Bowie is, Bob Seger clinches it for me. Maybe it’s my Michigan upbringing, but I think the classic rock raspiness of his version works perfectly. If any Christmas song needs to rock out, it’s this one.

Because there are so many great versions, here are some of the runners up:

StarTalk Radio

In high school I had an amazing Biology teacher, Mr. Jaworski, who was excited about science and loved teaching it to others. My friends and I would get to school early and write a bunch of questions for our beloved teacher (for example, What is PABA? And why don’t we want it in our sunscreen? – Google did not yet exist). He would then take the time to entertain our curiosity and provide us with some knowledge. I credit Mr. Jaworski and Bill Nye the Science Guy (more on him later) for my interest in science and my eventual college studies in Biology.

You know who else is good at teaching science? Neil deGrasse Tyson (or, as I shall refer to him, NDT). In addition to blowing up the Internet and directing the Hayden Planetarium in New York City’s American Museum of Natural History, his Star Talk podcast series brings science to the masses.  It’s a little tough to keep current on a twice a week podcast but oh do I try. The podcast focuses mostly on astronomy, as that is NDT’s expertise, and I have learned so much about the Rosetta Mission, NASA, the moons of Saturn, the Kuiper Belt, you name it.

There are a few different formats for the podcast but each type generally consists of NDT or another scientist and a celebrity, usually a comedian, talking about science. One format is Star Talk Live, where NDT chats with a scientist on stage in the company of some comedians. There’s Cosmic Queries, in which NDT or scientist answer questions from social media, with the help of a comedian. Then there are one-on-one interviews, where NDT speaks directly with celebrities about something science related. Some of his best have been with Whoopi Goldberg, talking about representation of people of color in science fiction, and Mayim Bialik, discussing women in science. StarTalk is also now a television show on the National Geographic channel.

There are times when NDT is missing from the podcast. Hey, he’s a busy guy and has important things to do. Fortunately he has a brilliant team to back him up and keep his fandom entertained and informed. They are some really amazing people whom I have started stalking on Twitter. These are the “Star Talk All-Stars”.

Here’s a run down on my favorites from the podcast.

“Droppin’ science like Galileo dropped the Orange”

Neil deGrasse Tyson

NDT is probably the most well-known and popular modern day scientist. He has hosted NOVA ScienceNow on PBS and rebooted Carl Sagan’s Cosmos television series. He can get really intense but seems to recognize this and address it by the presence of comedians in all formats of the podcast. Also, I love his space-themed ties and larger than life personality.

Natalie Starkey 

Dr. Starkey is probably my favorite of the ST All-Stars (and that is high praise because they are all so brilliant). She studies dust from comets and asteroids and has lots to say about the Rosetta mission. Plus, I love her accent and could listen to her talk about stardust all day.

Carolyn Porco 

When you look at Dr. Porco’s experience in astronomy and planetary science, you can see she’s the real deal. She’s been involved with the Cassini, Voyager, and New Horizons missions and she has lots of interesting things to say about Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moons. I had the privilege of seeing her at a StarTalk Live event and learning more about Enceladus than I thought I would want to know (note: I was wrong).

Bill Nye

Bill! Bill! Bill! 

As I mentioned, Bill Nye the Science Guy was very influential on my teenage self and helped inspire my scientific studies.  And I have been so excited to see him back in the public spotlight recently.  He is sassy and wears fun bow ties! How can you not adore him? (I guess if you are a science denier that would probably help)

And then there is this, which makes me so dang happy.

Bill, with expertise in engineering, often hosts the Maker’s Edition of Cosmic Queries with Chuck Nice. Which pretty much just means they answer questions about 3D printing (and often 3D printing in space).

David Grinspoon aka Dr. Funkyspoon
Dr. Funkyspoon reminds me a bit of my dear Mr. Jaworski in his mannerisms and sense of humor. He talks a lot about the conditions on Mars and contemplates human inhabitation, as well as the course of the earth as a planet in relation to Mars.

Also, he likes to sing. Er, maybe don't quit your day job....

Chuck Nice

Chuck Nice is a comedian and talk show host. For Star Talk he brings in a little levity and sometimes drops some science knowledge or insight that leave you thinking, “well alright, Chuck Nice.”

Here’s Chuck with NDT discussing decomposition (or the lack thereof) of garbage on Mars. Chuck: “Or you could just dump your stuff on Pluto. It’s not even a planet anymore, right?”

Eugene Mirman

Eugene Mirman is an accomplished comedian whom you may know from Bob’s Burgers or Flight of the Conchords. He often co-hosts the StarTalk Live shows and has me cracking up throughout much of it. Eugene often acts as a representative for us audience members that are not scientists and may need some help keeping up. He may step in and (comically) demonstrate his need for more information.

Science, comedy, celebrities, more science. There you have it, a recipe for wonderfulness. Here are some more samplings from the show. NDT ensures they are readily available. You will not have trouble finding clips online.

Female Comedians: Women of the Daily Show

The Daily Show has launched the careers of many comedians, including Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Wyatt Cenac, Mo Rocca, and John Stewart himself. There have been a few less of the ladies than men on the Daily Show in general, but those that have are some of the best around. In the earlier days, there was Nancy Walls, Beth Littleford, Olivia Munn, and Rachael Harris. Some of the most recent ladies, however, have been truly amazing both on the show and in their later work.

Desi Lydic

Desi Lydic is one of the newbies, joining TDS during the Trevor Noah era. Her “What the Actual Fact?” segment is necessary throughout the bullshit slinging of the 2016 presidential election and this piece on shaming new mothers is beautiful. Since Jessica Williams' departure from the show, she’s the one shining female correspondent left (and no, I am not forgetting Michelle Wolf; this is a blog about those I find inspiring so I will stop myself from saying anything more).

Kristen Schaal

I adore Kristen Schaal. Every time she was on the show I knew it was going to be amazing. It was a rarity that her bit didn’t have me laughing out loud (not in text speak, but actually laughing in real life). Her piece on birth control was tops but I cannot find it on YouTube, so here’s another that’s up there too.

Outside of The Daily Show, she rocked the character Hazel in 30 Rock. And her post-TDS career has been booming, what with shows like Bob’s Burgers and The Last Man on Earth.

Jessica Williams

Jessica Williams burst onto the show in 2012, was pretty immediately amazing, and left one of the most beloved correspondents. I wrote a little about her in my post about her podcast, “Two Dope Queens,” but I can keep talking her up. The day it was announced she was leaving the show was a sad one. But it quickly turned around with the announcement that she will soon have her own show and the comfort of still hearing her on the Two Dope Queens podcast.

I have high hopes for Jessica Williams and her career. If Samantha Bee is any indication of success for brilliant women post TDS, Jessica Williams will be providing us with the comedy fix we need for many years to come.  

Samantha Bee

Sam Bee was the longest running regular correspondent on the Daily Show.  As great as she was on the show, however, my favorite work of hers has been after her departure. In her own show, Full Frontal, Bee unleashes a fury of intelligent analysis and humor. One of my all time favorite pieces she has done was last week. This was one of several segments on “Pussy Gate” and the second presidential debate.

And when two powerful comedians get together, it’ll knock your sock off. Thank you, Daily Show, for introducing these ladies to us and for bringing them together.