Seattle Sounds: Five essential holiday songs聽that celebrate the area
Dec 13, 2022, 3:02 PM | Updated: Dec 21, 2022, 2:26 pm
Rob Lind of the band 'The Sonics' performs on stage at The Moore Theater on April 2, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images)
Right after the last slice of turkey is gone, some people can鈥檛 wait to string the lights and put holiday music on the stereo. Others insist on waiting until Dec. 1. Still others would be happy to never hear a single note of seasonal sappiness.
As the producer of 成人X站 Nights, one of the elements that makes our show special is our passion for music. Both myself and host Spike O鈥橬eill are major music fans and incorporate that into the show both in topics and our 鈥渂umper鈥� selections. It鈥檚 one of the few things our listeners can agree on. Usually.
But as soon as the Christmas tunes started, for every handful of listeners happy to hear it, there were — of course — complaints. So I set out to find truly different holiday tunes 鈥� ones that not everyone had heard before. And being in a city with such rich music culture, I knew I could find unique tracks from Seattle artists that hadn鈥檛 been overplayed in retail stores and on radio. Here are five of my favorites 鈥� with the hope you鈥檒l enjoy adding them to your holiday playlist.
“Santa Claus” — The Sonics (1965)
Tacoma garage rockers were one of those bands many non-locals may not have known by name, but whose influence reverberated through generations of rock and roll. Outfits from punk and garage rock, such as the Stooges and the White Stripes, testify to The Sonics鈥� impact on their sound and style. With this holiday original, an irresistible hook backs up the tale of a rocker鈥檚 wishlist 鈥� and a Santa that鈥檚 not inclined to fulfill it.
“Someday At Christmas” — Pearl Jam (2004)
Originally a 1966 single for R&B legend Stevie Wonder, this hopeful tune carries with it wishes for better times ahead, for ourselves and future generations. Proof that even grunge rockers can set aside angst and find a joyful groove for the holidays.
“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” — Death Cab for Cutie (2004)
The original 1963 version of this song was a classic from the start. A joyously stomping soul rendition by Darlene Love. Then, Irish rockers U2 brought their anthemic rendition to a 1987 soundcheck at a Glasgow concert. From there, it was on to the Very Special Christmas compilation album, and their version became a seasonal staple. Then, a band that formed in Bellingham, fronted by Ben Gibbard, delivered in 2004 this wistful downtempo take on Nettwerk Records鈥� holiday compilation 鈥淢aybe This Christmas Tree.鈥�
“Sleigh Ride” — The Ventures (1965)
When you think 鈥渟urf music,鈥� the images that spring to mind are of sand, sun, and waves. Drifting snow and icy blasts of wind, not so much. But on this 1965 cut, Tacoma鈥檚 Ventures perfectly mold the surf rock sound with a timeless holiday melody. This sonic seasonal tonic will lift your holiday spirits 鈥� whatever the weather may be.
“It鈥檚 Christmas Time (I鈥檓 Still Alive)” — Deep Sea Diver (2015)
Seattle鈥檚 Deep Sea Diver released their EP titled 鈥淚t鈥檚 Christmas Time鈥� in 2015. Alongside three traditional holiday standards, this original spotlights the powerful vocals of lead singer Jessica Dobson over instrumentation that perfectly captures a meditative winter鈥檚 mood while providing a warm sense of optimism.
Listen to 成人X站 Nights weeknights from 7 鈥� 10 p.m. on 成人X站 Newsradio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the聽podcast here.
