Happy holidays, yaâll, and welcome to the final WAMM in Rotation of the year. Weâve been really feeling the spirit of giving over here, so weâre 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-âUnwrap Meâ
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, âUnwrap Meâ 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 thatâs 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, didnât it? Coming off the biggest year of her careerâand possibly the biggest year for any single Memphis rapper in historyâBig Glo takes a victory lap with the track âXmas Timeâ featuring Kehlani. Yet another banger from an artist at the top of her game.
Cheyenne Marrs- âSantaâs Lamentâ
Released around this time last year, Cheyenne Marrâs âSantaâs Lamentâ 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-âA Xmas Flockâ
Only Three 6 Mafiaâs DJ Paul could flip the holiday classics âDance of the Sugar Plum Fairyâ and âJingle Bellsâ into a crunk anthem about robbery and murder. To quote the songâs refrain, âYeah Ho Ho Ho.â
William Bell-âEvery Day Will Be Like a HolidayâÂ
Weâre 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.
âMerry Like Thisâ-KIRBY
For a more contemporary pop R&B sound, check out KIRBYâs âMerry Like This,â 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.
âIf Christmas Canât Bring You Homeâ-Reigning Sound
Quietly nestled in the middle of Reigning Soundâs excellent 2005 album Home for Orphans is an unexpected holiday tune that has become a local favorite over the ensuing years. With Greg Cartwrightâs songwriting and the bandâs signature âgarage rock meets soulâ sound, âIf Christmas Canât Bring You Homeâ is a winner.
âLet It Snowâ-Valerie June
Itâs a tall task to put a unique and memorable twist on a holiday classic, especially one as ubiquitous as âLet It Snow,â but Valerie June makes it look easy on this rendition. Of course it helps when you have a voice as distinctive as Ms. Juneâs, which is both playful and warm.
âRock and Roll Christmasâ-Cordell Jackson
Cordell Jacksonâthe rockabilly pioneer and the first woman on earth to own and operate her own rock ânâ roll labelâcan also claim to have arguably the rarest and most sought-after Christmas single on earth. Her 1956 romp âRock And Roll Christmasâ can be found on various reissue compilations, but if youâre lucky enough to come across an original 45, youâll be having a very merry Christmas indeed.
