My Favorite Xmas Songs This Year : High Five Friday 12/20/2019 (Patreon)

   I am switching up the list this week with a theme instead of a list of fun things. These are songs that really grabbed me this year, and well, a lot of them are bummers. I guess I am not my usual spirited self this year because touring in October and November was exhausting, and buying a house right now is just as tiring. I still adore this time of year but I also agree that it shouldn't be a month of compulsory joy that is crammed down your throat. It's a celebration and event that happens outside of you and each one will have different themes, depending on how you relate to it. 

   For me, Christmas is just a great bookend to the year and an impetus to reflect on how l want life to be for me when I step into 2020. I am thankful for all the support Street Fight has received this year, and the increase in the Patreon has allowed us to bring in people to take over some of the clerical work I do. I am hoping to have more time to pursue hobbies, video games, and movies AKA work a lot less in 2020. I am sure that still means almost all the time, but I'm hoping to do more of it as a creative output.

So here are my favorite songs this year.

• Dolly Parton  - Hard Candy Christmas - This one really hits a sweetspot. It's perfect for when you're so overwhelmed by Christmas you're welling up with tears. It's my type of song, because it doesn't really suggest that any of the problems in life will be solved, but that doesn't Dolly from proclaiming, "But still I won't let sorrow bring me way down." Exactly what I need to pull myself together to focus on not being so overwhelmed.

• The Mistletoe Jam (Everybody Kiss Somebody) - Sexy Christmastime is also one of my favorite genres of Christmas music. The banter at the beginning of this song is gold but once it really settles in this song just thumps. It is so infectious that by the end of it almost all of my body is moving, even if I remain seated. 

• Fear - Fuck Christmas - Legendary group. The beginning of this is song is so sweet and sinister. I can imagine a crust punk belting out this tune under the moonlight in some Hollywood rock opera. The end is about the most perfect 10 seconds of spastic rage (and guitar squeals) against the holiday season. Perfect for a bit of tension release. 

• Jonah Knight - Here Comes The Yuletide Lads - Our favorite song in my household this year. If you are not familiar with Icelandic Christmas, it's a very different tradition. Lots children get eaten by trolls or cats during the holiday season there. We have had a lot of fun reading about the Yuletide lads. This song is a wonderful introduction to Sheep-Cote Clod, Gully Gawk, Stubby, Spoon Licker, Pot Scraper, Bowl Licker, Door Slammer, Skyr Gobbler, Sausage Swiper, Window Peeper, Door Sniffer, Meat Hook, and Candle Beggar. They are each a special kind of nuisance that visits you in the lead up to big day, like the 12 Days Of Christmas Song, but it's all disappointing stuff. 

• Tyler, the Creator - Lights On (feat Ryan Beatty & Santigold) - One of Gwen's favorites. Perfect for people who don't want traditional songs but like xmas vibes. It's a mash-up of Christmas sounding instruments and chill artists, the perfect holiday combo. Also, the whole Grinch album is excellent if you like pop and the Sia one has already overstayed its welcome. 

If you like what you read here and you haven’t seen all of my High Five Friday posts they can be found here. Save 10% in the Street Fight store when you use the code "discountcode"

Peace,

Brett