Happy holidays, ya’ll, and welcome to the final WAMM in Rotation of the year. We’ve been really feeling the spirit of giving over here, so we’re bringing you double our normal offering this month with 10 excellent Memphis holiday songs. From newly released tracks to tried-and-true favorites, here are some local songs that are sure to spice up any holiday mix.
Cyrena Wages-”Unwrap Me”
Singer-songwriter Cyrena Wages has really mastered her particular blend of soulful country this year, which serves her well on this new holiday tune. As is true with many enduring holiday classics, “Unwrap Me” has a truly timeless sound that is sure to make it a local yuletide favorite for years to come.
Strong Nog: A Small Batch Holiday Compilation
23 songs for the price of one? Now that’s a holiday deal. Just last week, Small Batch Records released their 5th annual holiday compilation called Strong Nog, which features some killer tracks from Memphis rockers J.D. Reager, Alicja Trout, Graham Winchester, and Jeff Hulett.
GloRilla and Kehlani-Xmas Time
It felt kinda inevitable, didn’t it? Coming off the biggest year of her career–and possibly the biggest year for any single Memphis rapper in history–Big Glo takes a victory lap with the track “Xmas Time” featuring Kehlani. Yet another banger from an artist at the top of her game.
Cheyenne Marrs- “Santa’s Lament”
Released around this time last year, Cheyenne Marr’s “Santa’s Lament” is a nice mid-tempo indie rock track from the perspective of Old St. Nick himself. With a mix of melancholy and humor, Marrs embodies a Santa who is simply worn down from all the hustle and bustle and ready to kick his feet up until next year.
DJ Paul-‘A Xmas Flock’
Only Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul could flip the holiday classics “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and “Jingle Bells” into a crunk anthem about robbery and murder. To quote the song’s refrain, “Yeah Ho Ho Ho.”
William Bell-”Every Day Will Be Like a Holiday”
We’re not necessarily ready to crown this William Bell classic as the greatest Memphis Christmas song of all time, but we can say that it should be included near the top on any respectable list. Truly one of the best songs ever released by the criminally underrated Stax soul singer.
“Merry Like This”-KIRBY
For a more contemporary pop R&B sound, check out KIRBY’s “Merry Like This,” an upbeat and danceable jam from local singer KIRBY that is a great reminder that not every holiday song needs to be a slow-burner.
“If Christmas Can’t Bring You Home”-Reigning Sound
Quietly nestled in the middle of Reigning Sound’s excellent 2005 album Home for Orphans is an unexpected holiday tune that has become a local favorite over the ensuing years. With Greg Cartwright’s songwriting and the band’s signature “garage rock meets soul” sound, “If Christmas Can’t Bring You Home” is a winner.
“Let It Snow”-Valerie June
It’s a tall task to put a unique and memorable twist on a holiday classic, especially one as ubiquitous as “Let It Snow,” but Valerie June makes it look easy on this rendition. Of course it helps when you have a voice as distinctive as Ms. June’s, which is both playful and warm.
“Rock and Roll Christmas”-Cordell Jackson
Cordell Jackson–the rockabilly pioneer and the first woman on earth to own and operate her own rock ‘n’ roll label–can also claim to have arguably the rarest and most sought-after Christmas single on earth. Her 1956 romp “Rock And Roll Christmas” can be found on various reissue compilations, but if you’re lucky enough to come across an original 45, you’ll be having a very merry Christmas indeed.
