Friday, December 17, 2021

Song of the Day: 'Song for a Winter's Night' by Gordon Lightfoot


This gem by the Canadian Bob Dylan turned up on a friend's 2021 Christmas playlist, which got me thinking of other songs that maybe aren't technically about the holiday but still fit the season: Merle Haggard's "If We Make It Through December" comes to mind first. Can you recommend any for my playlist? 


Sarah McLachlan covered the song for the soundtrack to the 1994 remake of "Miracle on 34th Street." Listen HERE.

8 comments:

Steve said...

The first that come to mind is one you probably already have a Christmas playlist "Last Christmas" by Wham. The other is "Hard Candy Christmas" From "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas". On stage it is done as an ensemble, in the movie it is sung by Dolly Parton.

Robert said...

I added Long December by Counting Crows and Clean Up for Christmas by Aimee Mann. Both offer a great take on fresh starts at the end of the year.

Bill said...

River by Joni Mitchell immediately came to mind.

Bill said...

Oh, and Nina Simone' Little Girl Blue

Dan said...

Gay singer-songwriter Matt Alber's "Velvet Goldmine" (describes watching "It's a Wonderful Life" at Seattle's Cinerama theater and other holiday time references)

Everything But the Girl, "25th December"

Holly Cole, "Every Day Will Be Like a Holiday"

Jane Siberry, "Hockey"

Julia Fordham, "December 24th" (a great heartbreak-at-the-holidays song)

And a different Joni Mitchell tune, from one of her late albums, "Face Lift" (describes visiting her aging mother at Christmas)

Robert said...

Upvote for Jane Siberry "Hockey". Great tune

Blobby said...

I actually like Sarah McLachlan's cover of this song a lot.

Tom said...

Sarah's is amazing. That CD is pretty much a downer, but hey, the holidaze suck, so embrace it with some moody/emo music!
I'd like to recommend Loreena M's album of 5 songs.
https://www.amazon.com/Winter-Garden-Five-Songs-Season/dp/B000002N3H
Not your traditional holiday fare in their production. The version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" will most certainly send your MAGA-loving relative into a rage with its blending of music from where Jesus was born into its creation. Play it LOUD!