December is coming. With the last month of the year, family gatherings also make their entrance, the Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve dinners. Time for sharing, gifts and music, lots of music.
The playlists for the last month of the year are loaded with Christmas songs, Christmas carols, good vibes and best wishes.
Christmas carols, as traditional as nougat
Theories regarding the origin of Christmas carols there are many. But either it comes from a purely ecclesiastical tradition of the Middle Ages, of songs interpreted in vernacular languages in search of attracting the faithful. Whether they were born as rural newscasts or with another origin, the truth is that today they are unequivocally synonymous with Christmas songs.
Almost all of us, at least once, have sung one of these melodies.
Within the playlist of traditional Christmas carols, the following stand out:
Silent Night
This topic is a musical classic, beyond being one of the most recognizable Christmas songs in the world. The story around its composition borders on the category of myth, something that is also very appropriate for the night of the year when it is most sung.
It is estimated that has been translated into more than 300 languages. There is no doubt that it is the most famous Christmas carol in history.
Shepherds to Bethlehem
If a Christmas carol contains the magic of Christmas and Christmas Eve, that is To Bethlehem Shepherds. A song with the birth of the baby Jesus as the central argument. Invitation for all the "kids" to come to worship the "king of the little angels."
Adestes Faithful
Since the XNUMXth century it has been the hymn that accompanies the blessing during Christmas Masses in Spain, France, Portugal and England. This according to the Catholic tradition. It is also known as "The Portuguese anthem".
There are doubts regarding its authorship. Depending on the historian you consult, it can be attributed to John Francis Wade, a famed British-born hymn writer. Others credit King Juan IV of Portugal, known as "The Musician King."
White Christmas
This Christmas carol composed by the American Irvin Berlin is, since 2012, the best-selling single in the history of music. Popularized by Bing Crosby in 1942, this first version alone has sold more than 50 million copies.
Was part of the film's soundtrack Holiday Inn, winning the Oscar for Best Original Song.
The drummer
The serenade of a small child as a humble offering For the newborn messiah, it is one of the most famous Christmas carols left by the XNUMXth century.
Like many of the Christmas songs, authorship is not entirely clear. Officially attributed to American pianist Katherine Kenicatt Davis, with the title carol of the drums.
Raphael is responsible for popularizing it throughout Latin America, thanks to a famous version that he recorded in the 60s
Christmas songs in Pop style
The Christmas song playlist is also full with less traditional themes and with a much more commercial spirit. It is almost that of advertising jingles.
However, it cannot be overlooked that White Christmas it is the exact representation of a popular song. While carols like Noche de paz they have had more than one "Pop" style version.
It´s christmas time again - Backstreet boys
Published in December 2012, it is one of the most successful Christmas songs with a characteristic pop sound of recent years. So much so that it reached number one in the Christmas chats in the United States.
One more year - Mecano
Since 1988, this theme is the official hymn of the passage from New Year's Eve to the New Year in Madrid. The song makes a brief account of the traditions that surround this celebration in Spain. Happiness and nostalgia come together in a single melody.
Christmas lights - Coldplay
The London pop rock band also put on their Christmas note. In 2010 they released this single digitally, with the “classic” sounds of the quartet, along with the unmistakable voice of Chris Martin.
An "ideal" Christmas theme for all those who come to December 24 with heartbreak.
Last Christmas - Wham!
Another song in sad and discouraged tone, graphic representation of a broken heart right in the middle of the holidays.
It is another of the super hits from the duo of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in the 80's. Wham! is, above the very Backstreet Boys or Justin Timberlake's N'sync, the most famous band of and for teenagers in history.
All I want for Christmas is you - Mariah Carey
The New Yorker cataloged it as one of the few modern Christmas songs that deserve to be added to the traditional Christmas songbook. Since its publication in 1994 has left more than 50 million dollars in royalties.
Written and produced by Mariah Carey herself, a subject with a mood opposed to that of last christmas y christmas lights.
Michael Bublé - Christmas
It is not a song. It is a complete album what the Canadian baritone dedicated to Christmas. Released in 2011, it includes classics such as Santa Claus is coming town y silent night (Noche de paz). Too Jingle bells y white-christmas, in duet with fellow Canadian Shania Twin.
Christmas according to the "Ex" Beattles
John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Star they published Christmas songs at different times. Each one with different motives and under different contexts as well.
Lennon was the first. In 1971 he edited Happy Xmas (War is over). It was originally a protest song against the Vietnam War. However, once the war was left behind, but especially after the artist was assassinated in New York, it is part of many contemporary Christmas playlists.
McCartney he took the Christmas dates more "lightly". In 1979 he published wonderful christmas time, a Christmas carol accompanied by electric synthesizers. Since its publication, it is estimated to have earned more than $ 15 million in royalties.
Finally, Ringo Star released the 1999 album I want to be Santa Claus. 12 Christmas themes, between original and classic pieces such as White Christmas y The Little Drummer Boy.
Image Sources: YouTube