Christmas is the time when people all over the world celebrate the holiday season. It’s a time to enjoy spending time with family and friends, eat lots of good food and get presents.
Music plays an important role in any celebration, and Reggae is no exception. This year, why not try some reggae xmas songs?
1. Santa Clause (Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto)
The holidays are a time of family, gifts, and a sense of tradition. The holiday season also brings a slew of songs, many of which have become classics. But if you’re looking for something a little different, reggae xmas music can be just the thing.
If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit, this song by Jamaican artistes Wayne Wonder and Baby Sham is a surefire hit. It combines both dancehall and reggae genres to create a low-tempo track that puts you in the holiday spirit.
There’s a reason this song has been recorded by over 200 artists. It’s because it’s so infectious. It makes people smile while they listen to it and even dance to it. This track is a Jamaican Christmas staple and one that’s not easy to forget.
It’s a Christmas tradition to sing this one at the office or with your friends. It’s a classic that has been around since 1981, but it’s still a great choice for a festive party.
Another popular holiday song that has been recorded by a large number of artists is “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” It’s so recognizable that it is often included in stop-motion animated television specials and films, which is a testament to how much the song means to people.
With its simple yet infectious tune, “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” is a great choice for the family. It’s an age-appropriate version of the popular song, making it perfect for children who are anxious to see Santa.
Originally composed by Peggy Lee in 1942, this jazzy take on the classic has been performed for generations. It’s one of the few versions that traffics in swing and attitude, which make it stand out from the pack.
In a time when rock bands were still playing Christmas music, UK glam band Wizzard took on the classic by adding bells to their song. Their wall-of-sound recording technique blended the guitars, choir, and bells for an uplifting sound that elicits feelings of Christmas cheer.
This ode to the love life of Santa is a little more unusual than some of the other Christmas standards, but it’s still an enlightening addition to any playlist. Clarence Carter’s “Backdoor Santa” features a funky groove and humorous lyrics that aren’t always easy to find in Christmas songs.
2. Jingle Bells
Jingle Bells is one of the most popular and recognizable Christmas songs of all time. It has been recorded by a wide range of artists, from Sinatra to Ella Fitzgerald. While it has lost some of its vintage appeal to the advent of rock versions, it still remains a favorite among many people.
It was originally written in 1857 by a minister called James Pierpont, for a Boston Sunday School Thanksgiving. He was inspired by a sleigh ride through the snow. The sleigh bells used in the song have become synonymous with Christmas.
There are a number of reasons why this song is so popular. For one, it is a great way to help children bond with their family and create lasting holiday memories. It also helps children learn about the holiday season and develop their language skills.
Another reason that this song is so popular is because it is fun to sing. It is a great way to get the whole family into the Christmas spirit and is a fun activity that everyone can enjoy together.
While the song was originally written for Thanksgiving, it has since become a staple of the Christmas season. It is one of the most recognizable and popular Christmas songs of all time, with countless different artists performing it around the world.
If you are looking for a great version of this classic Christmas song, you should check out this musical edition by Pauline Siewert! The book is filled with beautiful illustrations and features the jingling sound of “Jingle Bells.”
There are plenty of Christmas books out there, but this one stands out for its charming art. The snowy landscape and realistic-looking animals make it a great choice for kids and adults alike.
The story follows a young boy and girl who go for a sleigh ride with their dog. Their sleigh gets separated in the snow and they find themselves on an adventure with a variety of winter woodland creatures. Then they reunite with their dog at Grandma’s house.
The book has a narrated story, and it includes a button to play “Jingle Bells” so that you can listen to it while reading. This is the perfect book to share with your child on Christmas Eve!
3. Santa Claus Is Ska-ing To Town
This bouncy tune has all the makings of a classic Xmas song: it’s festive and fun, and it’s got a catchy chorus that’ll have your kids singing along. It’s also a pretty good example of what the Jamaican ska genre does best: a dash of hip-hop spice and a splash of traditional Caribbean rhythms.
A surprisingly effective cover of the Granville Williams Orchestra’s 1964 tune, the horns and trumpets are all a go, with a ska-like beat keeping things moving. This track was a highlight of Trojan’s Christmas box, an excellent 3-CD compilation featuring holiday hits from reggae’s most influential artists.
One of the first reggae xmas songs to hit the scene, this one from Carlene Davis and her daughter was a big deal in the Jamaican music industry back in the day. It’s no secret that the island has a long history of blending musical styles and cultural influences, and this song was one of the earliest examples of combining traditional Jamaican instruments with modern pop and rock elements to create a memorable anthem.
The title track is a little overhyped, but the octave-boosting guitar solo by King Size will have you dancin’ in no time. Despite its modesty, it’s a big kahuna for Jamaican fans of the genre, and it’s definitely one of our favorite reggae Xmas songs.
The most impressive thing about this song isn’t the aforementioned octave-boosting guitar riff, but the lyrics, which were written by James Brown himself. It’s not often that we find a song with a meaningful message that speaks to our core values, but this one does.
4. Oi To The World
One of the best things about Christmas is that it’s an opportunity to turn down the heat and listen to music that’s a little bit out of your usual comfort zone. That’s especially true if you’re a fan of reggae, where Xmas songs can be sung with infectious rhythms and accented choral phrases that evoke Caribbean holiday vibes.
This spirited tune was recorded in 1996 by Southern California punk band the Vandals, who released it as the title track to their holiday album Oi To The World! In 1997, No Doubt re-recorded it for charity compilation A Very Special Christmas 3, and it became an instant Christmas classic.
The song was inspired by a holiday-themed tale of a punk defending himself against a racist skinhead. It’s a weird but ultimately harmless story, and it’s also probably the most mild track on this list.
In addition to the wacky holiday story, No Doubt’s take on this Christmas classic sticks out as an incredibly subversive piece of music — a far cry from their usual pop sensibilities. In fact, this track is one of the earliest examples of what’s known as “oi!” (the working class street-level subgenre of punk rock) that gained popularity in the late 1970s and 1980s, where it was often associated with skinheads and other non-aligned working class youths.
It’s also a pretty good example of how ska has always been a great way for bands to inject a little subversive spirit into their music. And that’s what makes it so much fun to hear – the wacky lyrics and catchy melody make it instantly memorable.
Originally a B-side to “Happy Now?” from the diamond-selling Tragic Kingdom, this infectious skinhead-style ska salute to Christmas is a welcome addition to any ska-loving playlist. Recorded during the band’s sessions for their fourth album, Adore, it’s been included on a number of charity compilations.
With playful lyrics that follow Santa from stuck in a mango tree to riding through town on a donkey, this reggae xmas song has become one of the most popular in Jamaica and is enjoyed by children around the world every year. It’s also a classic Jamaican jingle that evokes an immediate sense of joy and happiness, which makes it the perfect holiday song to sing along with your family.