Alternative Holiday Songs

13 Dec Alternative Holiday Songs

I enjoy the Holiday season for many reasons, the great food, family get-togethers, and the time off doesn’t hurt either. I also enjoy the little things like decorating the Christmas tree, lighting the fireplace, and the holiday music. Who doesn’t enjoy the classics; Dean Martin’s White Christmas, Frank Sinatra’s Let it snow, or Gene Autry’s Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.

This year, just to spice things up a little, I’d like to offer three alternative holiday songs for you to enjoy over the break. Not only are these different from the American classics we are all used to, they are all in Spanish.

The first two are from an artist you may be very familiar with, Cuban singer Gloria Estefan. In 1995, Estefan released the album Abriendo Puertas. Although it is for the most part a holiday album, the Latin beats and quick tempo make it an ideal dance album. The first song from this album is titled Abriendo Pruertas (Opening Doors), a song about bringing in the year in a positive manner. The chorus translated says, “We will open doors and close wounds, because with the New Year we will live life to the fullest.”

This next song features Estefan singing along to a beautiful arrangement of drums, acoustic guitar, and backup singers. Titled Farolito (Little Star), it describes a tropical scene during the holidays as an ocean sky darkens just before nightfall and the stars are born.

Although this last song is a Christmas song, it is not meant to make us feel joyful. Written by the great Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Amarga Navidad (Bitter Christmas) is a story of a man (or woman) who has decided that December is the best time to end a hurtful relationship. Translated, it states “December is a good time for you to leave. Your cruel goodbye will be my Christmas gift. I will not spend the New Year with this same love that does me so much harm.” Although Jimenez recorded a version of this song, I really enjoy the live performance by Amalia Mendoza, another well-known Mexican singer.

If you have any alternative holiday songs, please share them. Enjoy your break!