While you’re up to your neck in Christmas preparations, music may be the last thing on your mind. But let’s face it, your playlist can make or break any party, and December 25 is no exception.
Stuff recently spoke to professional DJ Murry Pretscherer (known as Murry Sweetpants) on putting together the perfect playlist for a summer party.
We’ve taken his advice and used it to put together a great Christmas playlist.
Know your audience
This can be tricky. You have a combination of ages and personalities. Let’s face it, grandma probably won’t be rocking the same festive banger as your 16-year-old hipster son.
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Ditch the hard rock covers for once you’ve left mom’s house, but equally non-stop classic anthems are likely to hurt the younger crowd as well.
Escape from prison with a classic banger
When it comes to curating party playlists, Pretscherer told us that a 70s or 80s banger will save a failing playlist.
A few drinks on Christmas Day is the perfect time to get your guests in the festive mood with Wham! Last Christmas, the ultimate sing-along Band Aid, Do They Know It’s Christmas and John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Merry Christmas (War is Over).
Speaking of universally beloved Christmas hits, make sure you don’t pass by The Royal Guardsmen’s Snoopy’s Christmas and The Pogues’ classic Fairytale of New York to have your Christmas crowd dancing around the living room after a few White Russians.
Stuff
The ultimate Christmas Day playlist should be a combination of classic bangers and alternative, slower tunes.
Slow or merry?
Pretscherer cautioned to be mindful of the party vibe when putting together a playlist. During a Saturday afternoon barbecue, you can get away with more chilled tunes, but late at night you want the party to get going.
Feel free to add the more relaxed tunes earlier in the day and during lunch, such as Tapu Te Pō (O Holy Night) by Paul Kelly, Marlon Williams & The Dhungala Children’s Choir and Stan Walker’s latest single Te Toi O Te Kirihimete | Favorite part about Christmas.
The sad, but beautiful Christmas in the Room by Sufjan Stevens is also a brilliant addition.
When you’re ready to raise the bar, get mom and dad on the dance floor with Chuck Berry’s Run Rudolph Run and Brenda Lee’s Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.
Look for alternative versions
There’s nothing wrong with finding alternative versions of popular songs, or even original alternative Christmas tunes.
Try the stunning 2020 Pentatonix a cappella version by Hallelujah and Kiwi band The Beths Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
Also check out American indie greats Bright Eyes Blue Christmas and Smashing Pumpkins Christmastime.
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Mariah Carey may be a must-have Christmas favorite, but you don’t have to stick to the obvious choices.
When in doubt, bring the party back with Michael Jackson
Love him or hate him, Pretscherer says a Michael Jackson banger will always bring the party back. When it comes to Christmas? Throw in some Jackson 5 Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
Dig for forgotten greats
Some of the universally overplayed store hits may come to mind at first, but don’t be afraid to track down forgotten hits.
Try adding Destiny’s Child 8 Days of Christmas, Louis Armstrong’s Christmas Night in Harlem, Beach Boys Little Saint Nick, and Chris Rea’s Driving Home for Christmas.
Let people choose their songs, but pay attention to the mood of the playlist
The fair option is to give everyone a song choice. But reading the room is key here. No one will appreciate Mom’s insistence on Bublé on repeat for hours and likewise, the annual family gathering isn’t the time to relive your punk rock days with Bad Religion’s Christmas album.
John Cowpland / alphapix
There could be a riot if Michael Bublé gets skipped, but don’t overdo it.
This could be a good opportunity for the obligatory Michael Bublé Holly Jolly Christmas (You’re only getting the one, sorry mom), but it’s also an opportunity to add the non-offensive alternatives like Weezer’s The Christmas Song.
If you want people to go home
At the end of the day, when you’re ready to let people leave, you can back off the pace a bit.
Now might be the time to bring in the guilty pleasures, whether it’s Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas or Cliff Richard’s Mistletoe and Wine. This is also an opportunity to bring in the sadder carols, like Joni Mitchell’s River.
When in doubt, Pretscherer’s insistence that “Robbie is one of the coolest guys alive” makes Robbie Williams a perfect wrapper.
Try Merry Xmas Everybody, the British legend’s Christmas blast.
Do you have a favorite on Christmas Day? Let us know in the comments