David Byrne, Christmas songs for those who hate them

Through his David Byrne Radio, the former Talking Heads leader has published a playlist of Christmas-themed songs (there is also one of his own) suggested to those who really hate Christmas songs. Below is my selection, below is the artist’s introductory text:

“The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, the turning point from which the days begin, little by little, to get longer.

Christmas and other holidays of this time of year have embraced ancient winter solstice celebrations. In our current calendar it falls on December 21st, but in the ancient Roman calendar it was the 25th – our current Christmas Day. Commemorated at Stonehenge, Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, Egypt, Rome and many other places around the world, it was seen as the rebirth of the sun. The Germanic peoples called it Yule. It may seem to us that after December 21st winter has just begun; colder days are yet to come… But for those ancients who watched the sky, it was a clear turning point – the moment when heat, sunlight and plants begin their gradual return.

This playlist is not about the solstice, nor does it have any pagan intent: they are wild and fun songs that gently joke and reference the holidays. Happy listening!”
—David Byrne

David Byrne will hold three concerts in Italy next June.

RUN DMC, “Christmas is”