Let It Snow: A Pagan Holiday Playlist

If you find yourself in any indoor public space this month, you’ll most likely be subjected to the usual barrage of Christmas and holiday music, from “Carol of the Bells” to “O Holy Night.” We admit that we love Christmas music, and aren’t at all bothered by singing about religious figures at the tops of our lungs when the mood hits, be it supermarket or sidewalk. However, it’s not just Christmas songs that are wonderful this time of year — there are tons of pagan holiday tunes to enchant and entertain. Click through to listen to a few of our favorites, and let us know your own favorite pagan holiday songs in the comments!

“Baby, it’s Cold Outside” — Doris Day & Dean Martin

Ignoring the fact that at some points it kind of feels like a song about a romanticized date rape (it’s not, you guys), this is one of our favorite cold weather tunes of all time, all giggles and innuendo and fireside romance. Of all the many versions of this song, this 1959 Doris Day and Dean Martin duet is the best. Unless you count Kurt and Blaine.

“The Boar’s Head” — The Chieftains

There’s nothing better than a holiday song about sacrificing a boar and presenting it at a feast. Though originally a 15th century Christmas carol, it sounds pretty pagan to us, starting out “the boar’s head in hand bear I/ bedeck’d with bays and rosemary.” Sure, there’s stuff about the Lord, but it’s all in Latin, so that doesn’t count.

“The Christians and the Pagans” — Dar Williams

A must for anyone who spends the holidays with family members who might not quite agree on everything. Supposedly, Williams wrote this song in an attempt to attract some Wiccan fans, but it didn’t work — all she got were Unitarians.

“Let it Snow” — Frank Sinatra

It just wouldn’t be the holidays without the dulcet tones of Frank Sinatra to make all those frozen snowflakes feel like a nice, warm blanket.

“Jingle Bells” — Ella Fitzgerald

Little known fact: though everyone and their mother puts some version of this song on their Christmas playlist, it was originally written and performed for Thanksgiving in 1850. Also, “jingle bells” is an imperative phrase, not a noun. Give a grammar lesson on that and you’re sure to have a happy holiday.

“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” — Whirling Dervishes

Sure, this is goofy, but who doesn’t love ludicrously lush descriptors during the holidays? It’ll give you all something extra special to yell at each other three cognacs from now.

“Wizards of Winter” – The Trans-Siberian Orchestra

This song will help you celebrate every pagan’s favorite part of the holiday season — all the pretty, pretty lights.

“Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” — David Bowie & Bing Crosby

No matter what your religious leanings, it’s impossible not to love this classic duet from two of the all-time greats.

“Winter Wonderland” — Nat King Cole & Dean Martin

This song, an ode to the beauty of nature, could pretty much be a Wiccan holiday song. Just saying. Either way, it’s one of the prettiest ones around, and almost always comes unbidden to our minds at first snow.

“Frosty the Snowman” — Jackson 5

To be honest, we usually prefer the Johnny Mathis version (old habits, you know), but we’re having a Jackson 5 moment. Plus, can we really beat Michael singing a song about a children’s game bizarrely coming to life? We think it’s just about the perfect mixture of sweet and totally weird.

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While some of these are great, classical Christmas songs, I fail to see how exactly this is a PAGAN playlist? The only one you got correctly was Dar Williams. This list was disappointing.

Patsy Raye & The Beatniks "Beatnik's Wish" The Grooviest Xmas song, Daddy-O! "Santa, bring me a man!..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HzD1MQGM04

My whole family was killed in an attempt to re-create the trans siberian orchestra lighting 3 pagan x-mas's ago a rum bah bah bum.My dog was also fried a pum pum pum.I swear I had nothing to with this ha ha ha hum.

You seem wholly confused by the difference between pagan and secular. Pagans celebrate Winter Solstice in December, not Santa Claus, Frosty, or the unmistakably Christian "newborn king" written about in The Little Drummer Boy ("Mary nodded"...now which Mary do you suppose that could be?).

Love that you included the Whirling Dervishes. Great band, should have made the big time.

Tim Minchin's "White Wine in the Sun."

In addition, is it just me, or does that sound more like Johnny Mercer, and not Dean Martin, uh, not singing with Doris Day in that "Baby, It's Cold Outside" clip?

The 12 Days of Christmas by Bob & Doug McKenzie from SCTV. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypd76zNJ5Xs&feature=related If I do not hear this before or during the holiday season, it just isn't Christmas. And of course, Christmas in Hollis by Run DMC. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR07r0ZMFb8&ob=av2e

FYI - That is NOT Doris Day singing with Dean Martin. Miss Day and Mr. Martin NEVER sang together and I have that from Miss Day herself. Whoever is singing with Mr. Martin is definitely not Doris Day and may be an unidentified female or females. This mistake has been made in the past. Miss Day and Mr. Martin were social acquaintances and at one point their children dated. There was NEVER a professional association.

"A Spaceman Came Traveling" - Chris de Burgh, "Stop the Cavalry" - Jona Lewie, "Merry Xmas Everybody" - Slade. And since you've got "The Boar's Head Carol" up top (great choice, by the by), I don't feel all that wrong in suggesting "Good King Wenceslas".

A few that I love are Waitresses- Christmas Wrapping, Wham!- Last Christmas, Elton John- Step Into Christmas and Eagles- Please Come Home For Christmas. Fun list!