Music set at Christmas that is not Christmas music

Millie Jackson - The Rap

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G-UAsJ61Zs

"River" by Joni Mitchell doesn't seem to be much about Christmas.

Game Theory - "Regenisraen"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIv6MpdMCF8

Was thinking of "Charlie Freak" by Steely Dan, but though it's set in winter and there are sleigh bells, there's no specific Christmas reference.

John Prine "Christmas in Prison" is about Christmas I guess but I wouldn't call it Christmas music

Cold Turkey

Harry Nilsson, "Remember (Christmas)" appears to have nothing to do with Christmas.

Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa

(xp) ... though that's not really what the thread is asking for

Paul Simon: "Getting Ready For Christmas Day"

"Christmas" by the Who qualifies, I think.

"Time Passages" by Al Stewart takes place in late December, so would put it right around Xmas. But no specific holiday references.

"Player's Ball"

"How To Make Gravy"

Lou Reed's "Xmas in February"...actually it just references Xmas, but the idea of Christmas (or the fantasy of it) is integral in emphasizing the despair and injustice done to a broken Vietnam vet.

xp that's a great one, one of his best songs too

"Time Passages" by Al Stewart takes place in late December, so would put it right around Xmas. But no specific holiday references.

Then maybe "Famous Blue Raincoat" counts too.

Ben Folds Five "Brick"

U2's If God Will Send His Angels separately mentions a Christmas Tree and Father Christmas

The Cure have loads of songs that mention Christmas but none that I can think of are actually set at Christmas

I always thought “All Day Long” by New Order sounded Christmassy, the digital bells and all

Dan Fogelberg's "Same Old Lang Syne" is set at Christmas but is pretty clearly a New Year's song.

The Farm's All Together Now

Come to it, Pipes of Peace may also count if we take the video literally

The Handsome Family - “So Much Wine,” about finally giving up on a hopelessly alcoholic partner on Christmas.

I always thought “All Day Long” by New Order sounded Christmassy, the digital bells and all

― Expansion to Mackerel (Boring, Maryland), Thursday, December 21, 2023 6:51 PM (three hours ago) bookmarkflaglink

on this subject there are several sections of Magma music which feel like Vince Guaraldi Christmas music

I've been debating whether or not Kurtis Blow's "Christmas Rappin" belongs here. because like yeah it's obviously "Christmas music" but also it's kinda not, I mean I don't think you'd ever hear it alongside any other Christmas music. maybe you did back in 1979 though

I guess I don't know how to define Christmas music. I guess I'd say...imagine there was a company holiday function which hired a band to play, if there's a chance the band plays that song, it's Christmas music

The Goons - I'm Walking Backwards for Christmas. A summer hit in 56.

For me, “Christmas Rapping” crosses over into “actually Christmas music” when the jingle bells start chiming in

Saint Etienne: "I Was Born On Christmas Day"

I actually heard this once on the Xmas Muzak at Denny's.

Fleet Foxes: "White Winter Hymnal" didn't really have anything to do with Christmas, but then Pentatonix covered it on one of their holiday albums and <BOOM> it's a Christmas song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9IKnVVRsmk

OTM

OTM

I'd say Cale, while cryptic, is still recognizably Christmas music.

"Almost Cut My Hair" by CSNY mentions the holiday, but in the past tense. Maybe it's set in early January.

Tom Waits: Xmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis

(xp) How is it recognizably Christmas music? The first line mentions mistletoe... but then the second line mentions Halloween and it's a free for all thereafter. I think it's more likely he thought, "That's a good title for a song, I'm having that".

Oranges as a Christmas gift, also cattle (like in a manger), hallelujah, prayers, good neighbours.

It's hardly "All I Want For Christmas Is You".

"Wintering" by the 1975, if I'm understanding this thread

"Cold as Christmas (in the middle of July)" Elton John.

No, but yeah but no.

“No Xmas for John Quays”

Not explicitly set at Christmas, but still, Gordon Lightfoot's "Song for a Winter's Night". Also "Winter Wonderland", "Sleigh Ride", "Let it Snow", and other songs set in winter with lots of jingle bells, reindeer-drawn carriages, etc. but no mention of the holiday.

Arguably “Last Christmas” isn’t about Christmas either, you can swap it for New Years Eve and the message wouldn’t change.

I've just opened this thread for the first time just now. You absolutely have to believe me when I say that yesterday, without really having listened to the lyrics, I decided that 'Regenisraen' as seen in the opening post here was my Xmas Song of 2023. I've basically never seen it mentioned here before. Insane stuff

Oh, not opening post, but yeah

The Four Seasons - "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)"

Max Roach, "It's Christmas Again":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31TLlppzm_U

Not explicitly set at Christmas, but still, Gordon Lightfoot's "Song for a Winter's Night".

Another Lightfoot song that does explicitly mention Christmas, but with a distinct lack of holiday cheer, is "Circle of Steel".

yea that Lightfoot song is an interesting pick, I remember looking in the liner notes for the lyrics because it sounded so much like a Christmas song but no

I have a Christmas comp that features "Winter Melody" by Donna Summer, which is definitely pushing it...

Ha! Maybe “Spring Affair” is an Easter song

25th December- EBTG. First verse sets a family Christmas scene but the song isn’t a Christmas celebration or one that would make sense on a jolly holiday playlist

Yes "Winter Melody" and "Spring Affair" are Christmas and Easter songs, absolutely

Another Lou Reed, New Sensations title track; "Two years ago today I was arrested on Christmas Eve."

.. and there was ...

NO CHRISTMAS FOR LOU! REED!!