Christmas Adjacent Music

I have a complicated relationship with Christmas music. For the most part, I don’t like it. That said, there are a few Christmas classics that I do enjoy. Over a decade ago, I even assembled an episode of my (currently hibernating) music podcast dedicated to Christmas songs.

I also see how much joy my kids get from Christmas music. They love it, and I love that they love it.

I noticed a few songs that I wouldn’t quite categorize as “Christmas music”, but that are “Christmas adjacent”, or even just “holiday adjacent”. The two that come to mind are Non-believer by Joel Plaskett, and River by Joni Mitchell.

River is pretty close to being a full-blown Christmas song. She does repeat the refrain, “Merry Christmas…”. Plaskett’s Non-believer is better example of ‘Christmas adjacent’, as it’s not about Christmas, but alludes to Christmas Eve and carols in one of the verses.

‘Christmas adjacent’ music feels particularly appropriate in December, but isn’t completely out of place during the rest of the year.

Any other good examples?

 

2 thoughts on “Christmas Adjacent Music

  1. I’ll try – not sure they’re Christmasy enough for your list:
    – Sufjan Stevens: The Greatest Gift
    – Gaelynn Lea: Grace and a Tender Hand
    – Edward Sharpe: Dear Believer (if a song with the lyrics “Now comfort’s rooting pigs for my blood” can be an xmas song?)
    – Edward Sharpe: Home (though more of love song, it’s still about home in a joyful way)

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