When it comes to music, you can find just about anything you want on Spotify. In order to guide listeners to music they’ll enjoy, the good folks at Spotify put together playlists. They recently revealed their playlist of country Christmas classics. Spoiler alert: it’s good.
The playlist is full of Christmas songs from country music stars past and present. With just under 150 tracks, it wasn’t an easy list to whittle down but this is a good start.
“Frosty the Snowman” by George Strait
If you’re going to build a playlist of Christmas classics performed by the best country has to offer, this is a perfect start. The King of Country originally released his rendition of “Frosty the Snowman” on his 1986 album, “Merry Christmas Strait to You”. It’s a great combination and a must-hear for the season.
“White Christmas,” A Christmas Classic by Country Legends
There are several renditions of this Bing Crosby tune on the list. Two that stand out are by Chet Atkins and Merle Haggard.
The Atkins version comes from his “Christmas with Chet Atkins” LP from 1961 and features Atkins’ guitar backing up a choir. The Haggard version comes from “Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present,” from 1973. This version features The Hag’s vocals. If only there was a way to cut the two together, it would be the king of country Christmas songs.
“Here Comes Santa Clause” by Gene Autry
Most of the tracks on this playlist are covers. This one, however, features its original artist. Gene Autry, America’s Favorite Singing Cowboy, got the inspiration for this song while riding his horse in the 1946 Santa Claus Lane Parade. It has been covered several times but no other artist can match Autry’s delivery.
“Country Christmas” by Loretta Lynn
“Country Christmas” is the title track from Loretta Lynn’s 1966 album. The song lays out the trappings of a simple, sweet, country Christmas complete with visiting family. Lynn’s voice and the guitar work on this one blend country and holiday spirit seamlessly. This track belongs on any list of Christmas classics.
“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by Dolly Parton – They’re Both Christmas Classics
What list of country Christmas songs would be complete without a Dolly Parton song or two? You simply cannot have a country Christmas without Dolly. Especially this year. This new rendition of the tune is on Parton’s latest holiday release, “Holly Dolly Christmas,” and is sure to delight fans of Parton, Christmas, and music in general.
“Thistlehair the Christmas Bear” by Alabama
This one may not be on the top of many lists of Christmas classics but maybe it should be. “Thistlehair the Christmas Bear” is off of Alabama’s 1985 album simply titled, “Christmas.”
It’s a fun song about a bear who comes out of the woods for Christmas to share joy as well as the story of the Nativity. If you’ve overlooked this one, give it a shot.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Willie Nelson from an Album of Christmas Classics
Many people forget that the outlaw country legend cut a Christmas album back in 1979. The album is titled “Pretty Paper,” The album includes the title track and a handful of Christmas classics. If you don’t want to dig through a playlist, just check out this album. It has you covered.
“Little Drummer Boy” By Carrie Underwood and Isaiah Fisher
“Little Drummer Boy” is a beautiful song. It’s a great way to express the importance of a giving spirit and highlights the spirit of the season. Add Carrie Underwood’s incredible vocals to that and you’ve got yourself an instant classic. Then you add in the fact that she recorded the song with her five-year-old son Isaiah and it gets better. Seriously, if you need to jumpstart your holiday cheer this year, there is no better place to start.
