Monday, December 24, 2012

Make the Yuletide Gay: LGBT Christmas Music for Your Holiday Season


By John Hill

Okay … so maybe they don’t mean “gay” the way that you and I mean “GAY,” but still, why not? 

Here is some original music from LGBT artists that will set the mood for your holiday season.

George Michael – “December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)”


In the midst of George Michael’s Live 25 tour in 2008, he decided to make a Christmas song called “December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)” available for free for two days. That song, which alludes to the focus on television during the holidays as well as a former love, became an instant classic, prompting the song’s proper release in 2009, 2010 and 2011 in the UK, where the song peaked at number 14 in 2009. While there are several new Christmas songs each year, you will be hard-pressed to find one as beautiful and understated as “December Song.”

Matt Morris – “My First Snow”




Local boy Matt Morris made some noise on national charts in 2010 with his album When Everything Breaks Open, and in the wake of that success, Morris released his first Christmas song “My First Snow” at the end of 2010. In Morris’ words, he hoped that “My First Snow” “inspires people to think about what they like the best about the holiday season. When it starts to get cold, I find myself getting really nostalgic and introspective.” Matt succeeds on that front with a song that is mellow and reflective without being somber.

And while we’re talking about Matt, big props to him for co-writing Cher’s new buzz track “Woman’s World” with none other than Paul Oakenfold and Anthony Crawford. In the past he’s written hits for artists like Kelly Clarkson and Christina Aguilera, so here’s hoping he continues his successful streak.

Indigo Girls – “Mistletoe”


In 2010, I was fortunate enough to interview Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls and talk about their first holiday album Holly Happy Days. When asked about “Mistletoe,” Amy said “I was thinking about writing something that was tied to the season in a way that was less Christmas oriented, but had that emotional feeling around the holiday time, whether you’re Jewish or Christian or Buddhist or whatever. The passing of the season, that moment of hibernation where you should be pulling back in, and I wanted it to do with the heart and love and relationships.” “Mistletoe” invokes that holiday spirit in a gentle, peaceful way that will remind you of a quiet walk through the woods after a light snow, with the wind blowing through the trees as the only sound you hear, and Amy’s vocal is perfectly matched with the loping tempo of the song.