And just like that, another year has passed and we are slowly emerging from the dark years of covid, attempting to pretend the world is back to normal. It’s not, but we’re all just tired of living like we have been for 3 years. So we have adopted a sense of normalcy. Which means I have to sit down and get this playlist finished. And get my tree up. And finish my Amazon shopping. And wrap shit. Who am I kidding? We’re nowhere near back to normal. But, baby steps….
This playlist also marks the second anniversary of the launch of MarkOnThe Arts.com, and thank you all so much for your continuous support of my new platform. I have so enjoyed becoming your source for reviews, and awards predictions, editorials, and even my own awards (the 3rd annual Marco Awards coming in March!!). I love the enthusiasm you have shown over the years for my work, especially this annual review. and as I head into my unbelievable third decade as the king of Christmas music (anointed by my fans and readers, not self-appointed like Mariah Carey), I reflect on all the changes, technical and talent, over these 20 years.
The newest technical advance this season is that for the first time, my annual Playlist goes completely digital. No more hard copies of the CD. It saves a whole week of designing packaging and labels, and most folks no longer even have any devices to play them on. It also frees me from the time constraints of a typical 80 minute CD format to include everything I want (although ironically my first no-limits attempt clocks in at…a tight 77 minutes). So follow everything on Spotify, as well as all prior Playlists from 2015 on and the double set anniversary Playlists for the 20th Anniversary. I’d also like to take this chance to thank my partners, Jeff Harrison of Focus4 Digital for guiding me in maintaining this site, and my talented daughter Hayley for graphics as I need them.
First again: the criteria. And there are some new guidelines implemented year. As ever, points are awarded more for taking a particular selection of music and making it not only entertaining and fresh but showing the artist one is famous for being in the interpretation—within the boundaries of the material. Also, while new original breakout singles are encouraged, the CD should be heavy on standards and classics. However, I’ve expanded the list of songs you won’t see any longer. Twenty years in the business and along with the atrocious “Christmas Shoes”, which will still get you banned, there are a few other songs I can no longer tolerate listening to, and they can cost points if I’m in the wrong mood:
“All I Want For Christmas Is You”—for years I tried to hate the bearer but love the message, but She Who Won’t Be Named’s behavior has become so insane the last few years I can no longer listen to anyone try to save this once beloved hit. It’s literally become the new “Christmas Shoes”.
“This Christmas”—The immortal Donnie Hathaway defined this song, but no one ever who has recorded it seems to be able to live up to his interpretation. This may just be one song that only one artist can do. So, don’t. But the only thing worse than “This Christmas” is…
“Last Christmas”—I’m sorry, but Wham! was pretty much a joke to begin with even in their 80s heyday, and they’ve aged worse than eggnog left out past its expiration date. He left you a year ago, get over it. This song is horrible. But not as horrible as…
“Wonderful Christmastime”—I mean Paul McCartney, you freaking wrote “Let It Be” and “Hey Jude”. This four-note tragedy is all you could contribute to Christmas for the ages? Epic fail.
“Mary Did You Know?” Yes! For the 147th time, she freaking knew! Stop asking already!!
“Christmastime Is Here”, or anything Vince Guaraldi composed for the Charlie Brown kids. Apparently, these songs are beyond 3D humans. It may be a good rule to extend this to any song recorded by a cartoon, because Alvin & the Chipmunks’ “Christmas Don’t Be Late” is equally distressing when attempted by human artists. So yeah, any cartoon except the Grinch. That one rocks.
With that, this year’s candidates….
Leona Lewis, Christmas With Love Always
Lewis brings us an unexpected belated deluxe edition of her definitive 2013 winner Christmas With Love. Filled with all the amazing, 60s Wall of Sound-inspired pop arrangements as before (I maintain the “Love” in the title is a salute to the true Queen of Christmas, Darlene Love), the additions add precious little to the mix. “Kiss Me It’s Christmas” is a pleasant enough duet with Ne-Yo, and a bewildering final track, an unplugged version of that perennial Christmas favorite, Miss Yvonne Elliman’s disco classic “If I Can’t Have You” from Saturday Night Fever. This is the rare singular occasion where the Deluxe version is lesser than the original by diluting an absolutely perfect album (ranked #4 best of this generation in last year’s anniversary polls) with weaker fare. Still a wonderful album, just a little less efficient than the original. If only one of those additions had been a 60s style remake of “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree” or a Ronnettes-inspired “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. Side note, you know it was all I could do not to include “If I Can’t Have You” on this year’s playlist just to make y’all scratch your heads too.
Original Grade: A+; Deluxe Grade: A
Backstreet Boys, A Very Backstreet Christmas
The once redhot badboys of pop (well, not really, as Chris Rock once addressed on the Grammys during their prime: If they’re what’s on the back street, what’s on the front street, Big Bird?). One of the holy trinity of 90s boy bands (along with pioneers NKOTB and hot competitors *NSYNC), despite being pretty much now their dads as they are all unbelievably are in their 40’s and 50s (which makes me what, dead?), they still blend nicely and have that faux edgy sound, even if at their current ages it now sounds more faux and less edgy. They haven’t graduated into adulthood as successfully as peers Hanson did with their superior 2017 reboot, but they have approximated it better than their other two counterparts. Plus, the album is still nostalgic enough to win over the old fandom. As they say, old fangirls never die, they just toss more expensive panties.
Grade: A
Olivia Rox, An Olivia Rox Christmas
The American Idol alum puts out a varied album, part standard, part jazz, part rock with uneven results. Mixing odd selections titled things like “Cold Toes”, and “Boots for Christmas” and rock versions of “O Holy Night” and “Jingle Bells” make for an intriguing but overall odd collection.
Grade:B+
Michael Bublé, Christmas: Deluxe Special Edition
The velvet voiced Canadian crooner adds new cuts to his 2011 Best CD that was so good that they let him make it into a TV Christmas special 4 years in a row. Adding 4 new songs, The Christmas Song, Winter Wonderland, Frosty the Snowman, and Silver Bells, he beefs up his holiday cred with likeable takes on good standards he probably should have included on the original.
Original Grade: A+; Deluxe Grade: A+
Joss Stone, Merry Christmas, Love, Joss Stone
The British blue-eyed soul chanteuse compiles an enjoyable collection of standards and a few original tracks that don’t disappoint and utilize her vocals well. She plays it holiday safe for the most part, but is most successful when showing her soulful range like on a Motown-esque “What Christmas Means to Me”. She should have cut loose on some more upbeat numbers, and should have been the one to include a great powerhouse rendition of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” or “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” that I always need.
Grade: A.
Pentatonix, Holidays Around the World
More of the usual from the reigning royal family of á capella. Nothing particularly innovative or daring but it all works, featuring a slew of international guest artists collaborating to live up to the title of the album. From the US’s Meghan Trainor (“Kid On Christmas”) to the Philippines’ sublime Lea Salonga (“Christmas in Our Hearts”). Nothing you haven’t heard before, just a lot of interesting collaborations. Aside, where is your Christmas album, Miss Salonga? Raising that question has actually manifested offerings from Darren Criss and Hanson, maybe throwing the thought into the universe will produce an amazing album from her in the upcoming seasons.
Grade: B+
Girl Named Tom, One More Christmas
A delightful entry from last season’s The Voice champions put out the most anticipated release of the season in time to qualify them with a catalogue of holiday music to pitch while opening for Pentatonix’s sellout Christmas tour. I had the pleasure to see their own tour at Longwood Gardens and it was a beautiful, moving evening under the stars full of gratitude, positivity, and love. The smooth voiced Leichty siblings (Bekkah, Caleb, and Joshua, who all trade off lead vocals) are a natural for a Christmas album with their 70s folksy style and uber-tight familial harmonies. (For those who don’t know, the unique name comes from the adorable story that when Baby Bekkah was born, Caleb and Joshua decided they wanted another brother and insisted on calling her Tom.) Nothing super risky and nice versions of “What Child is This”, “Winter Wonderland”, and a fun mash-up of “Jingle Bell Rock/Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” are the highlights of a very pleasant and well-executed debut holiday CD that plays their style to the max. Wish I could afford the tickets to see them on the road with Pentatonix.
Grade: A+
The Cast of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Music from Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist
The quirky little show with the talented cast didn’t put out a legitimate Christmas album, but did include about half holiday numbers in this unimaginatively titled collection of the second season’s highlights, at its best when leaning heavy on ringers Alex Newell and Skyler Astin, which it wisely does.
Grade: B-
Chris Isaak, Everybody Knows It’s Christmas
Isaak delivers another of his standard rock-a-billy blends of holiday standards and original tracks. His choices are solid for his style and fun to listen to. He’s best on lighter fare like “Run, Run, Rudolph”, “I Believe in Santa Claus”, and “Jingle Bell Rock”.
Grade: B+
Billy Idol, Happy Holidays
The former 80s punk rocker pulls it way back with a selection of standards. His voice is a little ragged from his rockstar lifestyle (yet not as much as Steve Perry’s on last year’s sad album, or as weird as past entries by contemporary Sting) but extra credit for all Christmas and holiday standards.
Grade: B
MOST DISAPPOINTING CD
This is an odd call because, remember, the most disappointing isn’t necessarily the worst. It’s the one that failed to live up to its expectations. The least interesting CD is definitely Zoey, but who had any anticipation for it. Billy Idol isn’t what he used to be, but no one expected him to be. The two entries in the hot seat seem to be, believe it or not, powerhouses Leona Lewis and Pentatonix. Lewis actually weakened her CD with poor additions, but it’s still amazing at its core. I just had hoped it would be phenomenal. But Pentatonix seems to be coasting in recent years. They’re still good but nowhere near as revolutionary and inventive as they used to be. Their last few holiday offerings have frankly been just bland. And this is the blandest. So it’s not a total slam, just Pentatonix, you’ve spoiled us. We expect more of you.
BEST CD
Lacking a clear breakout CD this year, the contenders seem to be Joss Stone, Girl Named Tom, and oddly enough, candidate for elimination Leona Lewis as the first possible double winner (the album is still fantastic, it’s just not better). But Stone, while effective, plays it too safe for the big voice she owns. And I admit I have a soft spot for underdogs Girl Named Tom, whose outdoor concert this summer was absolutely enchanting. I want them to succeed and thus sentimentally crown One More Christmas by Girl Named Tom the best CD of 2022. This trio projects nothing but love and light, positivity and gratitude. They are in fact the very definition of the spirit of Christmas, downright angelic, and deserve the goodness they bring to others. I happily welcome Girl Named Tom to the Winner’s Circle.
I’ve been finding my tastes for the playlist post-Covid have been more upbeat and lass traditional. I think I’m having a harder time each year finding the holiday spirit, and I’m favoring the upbeat selections to lift my spirits. It might be working but I’m still not totally there. With that in mind, I give you the 2022 Playlist…..
WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree 2022
1. ONE MORE SLEEP, Leona Lewis
It’s been almost 10 years since this track originally appeared (not counting its slot on the “best of” anniversary playlist) but it deserves a replay as the lead-off song this year. It’s a great song that salutes all the classic Phil Spector 60s influences and should have had radio play and gets things off to a great start. I am determined to use my powers to make this deserving song the hit it should be if it kills me.
2. WINTER WONDERLAND, Backstreet Boys
The boyband wonder pull some really great harmonies here showing they are the better singers (sorry, Timberlake)
3. MERRY CHRISTMAS, Ed Sheeran & Elton John
Thanks Sir Elton for tossing us a great independent track to use. All the spirit of “Dance Into Christmas” plus Sheeran for good measure and contemporary Gen Z relevance.
4. WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME, Joss Stone
By far the best cut on her contender CD. This is the style she should have opted for more tracks. Til the Deluxe Edition!!
5. CHRISTMAS (BABY PLEASE COME HOME), Leona Lewis
This is the best arrangement and execution of my favorite contemporary classic since the immortal Miss Darlene Love introduced the song. (Yeah, I know what I said, Mariah) Again, merits a repeat.
6. JINGLE BELL ROCK / ROCKIN’AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE, Girl Named Tom
A charming mashup form this year’s winners. The purity of Bekkah’s voice just melts me and I always look for fresh, youthful, energetic takes on this sing. Girl did it.
7. I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS, Amy Winehouse
Found this treasure on a Spotify suggestion. Most interesting arrangement of the song since John Cougar Mellenkamp rocked it out on the first Very Special Christmas. Good work, Spotify. It makes me wish this one-of-a-kind musical genius had actually released a Christmas album when she was still with us.
8.KID ON CHRISTMAS, Meghan Trainor & Pentatonix
A good blend of vocal styles on a fun original song
9. CHRISTMAS IN LA, Olivia Rox
The most successful cut on her hit and miss album, but it’s a keeper
10. UNDER THE MISTLETOE, Kelly Clarkson & Brett Eldredge
The THIRD independent song Clarkson released in 2020 and included on last year’s winning album. She is the true spirit of Christmas Present. Take that, Mariah.
11. FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, Michael Bublé
This jazzy arrangement is dead center in Bublé’s smooth vocal style. If Harry Connick is the new Bing Crosby, Bublé is the new Andy Williams
12.IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR, Pentatonix
When Pentatonix is in their lane, they are unstoppable. This is a great arrangement of the hymn with their usual contemporary flair
13.WHAT CHILD IS THIS, Girl Named Tom
Another great cut from the new reigning champs. Fresh and different.
14. WHITE CHRISTMAS, Girls Aloud
A more conventional offering from their free gift Christmas CD a few years ago.
15. UNDERNEATH THE TREE, Alex Newell
The best track on the Zoey album, and the gifted Newell does Kelly Clarkson justice
16. SANTA BABY, The Pussycat Dolls
Every year I try to distance myself from this overused, slightly sexist classic, and every year I find another fun version to include. The Pussycat Dolls are one of the best, vamping it up like the original Pussy Cat-Woman
- MERRY CHRISTMAS, DARLING, Kristin Chenoweth
I included this new take on the Karen Carpenter classic because it’s never appeared on a list and it’s a bittersweet reminder of how much Carpenter never had the chance to accomplished.
- NEW YORK CHRISTMAS, Andy Karl
A cut from the 2009 benefit album New York City Christmas featuring stars of the stage. I had to include my old friend on a great rendition of the Rob Thomas original
- SANTA CLAUS IS BACK IN TOWN, Billy Idol
I try to represent most of the current year’s CDs and this rock n roll blues song is his best. I started a rock-a-billy segment here to include a few others. Here is rock-a-billy blues.
- RUN, RUN, RUDOLPH, Chris Isaak
And Isaak’s rock-a-billy rock entry fits in here
- SANTA DON’T COME HERE ANYMORE, Rob Thomas & Brad Paisley
Speaking of Thomas, included a fun cut from last year’s entry to round out the segment with some rock-a-billy country.
22. CHRISTMAS ON THE RADIO, Olivia Newton-John
I had to pay tribute to Olivia this year, and had a prime spot reserved for her beautiful arrangement of O Holy Night from early in her career,. But in my new all-digital format, it’s nowhere to be found on Spotify. I had to settle for this cut from her 2007 Christmas Wish. But the 50s feel to the song makes me think of her in Grease at her best, so it’s not a total loss. I still miss her. So. Much.
23. RIVER, Linda Ronstadt & the Nelson Riddle Orchestra
Missing Olivia made me also miss her contemporary peer, Ronstadt, who is still alive but due to Parkinson’s, no longer vocally with us. I’ve used her best tracks from her sublime Christmas album featuring frequent collaborator, Nelson Riddle, multiple times, so I chose this beautiful version of Joni Mitchell’s classic that has never appeared on any playlist.
24. I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, Backstreet Boys
The quintet have vocally matured into a nice easy listening vocal group. This is a great near-closer.
25. HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS, Girl Named Tom
I closed the list with this beautiful arrangement of the Judy Garland classic full of the trio’s standard tight, complex harmonies. Their special brand of goodness and light ends this year’s playlist on a very positive note. Merry Christmas, all.
26. IF I CAN’T HAVE YOU, Leona Lewis
Y’all know I’m just kidding. I can’t even type this with a straight face.
Follow me on Spotify and use this link to experience this year’s playlist.
You can also catch every playlist from 2015 on as well as my super special 20th Anniversary best-of playlists as well as a slew of other Broadway by the decades playlists and salutes to my special artists (Olivia Newton-John, Linda Ronstadt, Patsy Cline, and other legends). Make my Spotify your place to be for all my music you love.