The Noisey Advent Calendar
The (Christmas) Case Against a Kanye West-Bob Dylan Collaboration
After Kanye sent a tweet into the void saying he wanted to "get together" with Bob Dylan, we must accept that only one thing can save us from any potential collaboration. That thing is 'Christmas In The Heart.'
Chance the Rapper's "Sunday Candy" Is a Window into a Less Shitty America
The Christmassy, slowed-down, gospel-heavy version Chance debuted on 'SNL' three years ago today—and reprised at the White House a year later—became a small, but important, moment in American history.
Prince's Only Christmas Song Is Still Completely Devastating
On 1984's "Another Lonely Christmas," he sang about misery and mourning without offering a way out.
Kanye West's "Christmas in Harlem" Squashed Some Beef and Became a Classic
Teyana Taylor, CyHi the Prince, Vado, Pusha-T, Musiq Soulchild, and Big Sean each took a turn on the twinkly, lengthy original. But appearances from Cam'ron and Jim Jones added another layer of peace and love.
Blink-182's Big, Dumb, Anti-Christmas Spirit Lives On
"I Won't Be Home for Christmas" stood alone as a misanthropic pop-punk holiday anthem for two decades. One emo-rap prodigy might finally change that.
Run-DMC's "Christmas in Hollis" Is a Wholesome Alt-Holiday Classic
The trio didn't want to touch a Christmas song at first, but their 1987 single blew up. Part of that was down to its focus on a real good family meal.
In Praise of Sufjan Stevens! A Christmas Enthusiast! (or, Holy, Holy, etc.)
His holistic approach to the holidays spawned 100 Christmas songs in a decade. At least one of them is among the best pieces he's ever recorded.
Big Freedia Proves That "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" Can, In Fact, Bang
On "Rudy, the Big Booty Reindeer," the Queen of Bounce replaces Rudolph's bright red nose with "a very large behind," confirming once and for all that Paul F. Tompkins is wrong.
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" Is Bleaker Than You Think
Ever since Frank Sinatra asked for its most heartbreaking line to be replaced, most artists have been covering something anodyne. But Judy Garland's original will still make you weep like a child.
25 Whole Years Ago, TLC Finally Made Christmas Sound Fun on "Sleigh Ride"
On their 1993 Christmas single, the trio reworked every part of a chirpy classic and came out with something unique.
"Please, Daddy (Don't Get Drunk This Christmas)" Is All Kinds of Upsetting
In the middle of a career full of bright, wistful country-pop songs, John Denver recorded a plea from a seven-year-old child to an alcoholic father. It's brutal. Let's listen to it!
Gucci Mane Is Better Than Santa Claus
Santa keeps tabs on you all year, and nobody's ever asked how much those elves are paid. Put your faith in Guwop instead.