Holiday Soundtracks & Scores

Tis the season for holiday soundtracks and scores and I wanted to write about some of my favorites. While there are several more scores I could use that have wintery themes… I decided to stick with those that are Christmas-themed.

Interested in Christmas movies? Here’s a list of the Christmas movies I watched this year and what I thought about them.

Vince Guaraldi Trio: A Charlie Brown Christmas

I generally refuse to listen to anything Christmas before Thanksgiving, but this is the exception. A Charlie Brown Christmas is a warm, timeless blend of jazz that perfectly captures the spirit of the holiday season. Its mellow piano melodies evoke both the whimsy of childhood and the introspective beauty of winter. Balancing playfulness and melancholy. One of my favorite tracks is “Christmas Time is Here.” I prefer the instrumental version, but I enjoy the vocal version too.

Danny Elfman: The Nightmare Before Christmas

I firmly believe that The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Christmas movie. It’s one of the first soundtracks I listen to in efforts to get into the Christmas spirit. I watch the movie every year, alongside other Tim Burton and Danny Elfman collaborations: Batman Returns and Edward Scissorhands.

John Williams: Home Alone

Probably the most popular composer of the ages, John Williams comes with a certain familiarity. I am ashamed I still do not have this soundtrack on vinyl. It doesn’t stop me from playing it several times throughout the season. My daughter and I watch this movie every year, just as I did as a kid. I sort of remember seeing this movie in theaters. I was young… About the same as a Fuller.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Elyse (@eclecticelyse)

While I love “Home Alone Theme,” it’s “The House” and “Setting The Trap” that are my favorites. Whenever I listen to the soundtrack, I can picture exactly what is happening in the movie. I suppose that is to be expected when you’ve seen the movie at least once a year for 34 years… yikes!

Christmas with the Chipmunks Soundtrack

When I was a kid I had the tape. When it was time to decorate for Christmas, I would pop that tape on full blast. I would listen to it throughout the season, often annoying my parents a bit. I still like to listen to it a couple times during the holiday season. I was a big fan of Alvin and the Chipmunks. I love the voices and shenanigans and that all comes through in the music…

Alvin….
Alvin…
Alvin…
ALVIN!!!!!

OKAY!

Happy Holidays!

Enjoy the holiday season and honor the traditions that matter most to you and your loved ones. I hope you have time to slow down and cherish the moments. Winter is a time of hibernation and reflection. Take care of yourselves and the people that matter to you.