<p id=”par-1_53″>Its the time of year when there are radio stations dedicated to all types of <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/christmas/”>Christmas</a> music. Some of the tunes are directly holiday-related while others really have nothing to do with the holiday season. Here are seven oft-played Christmas songs that are played all the time, but aren’t directly related to Christmas.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-7-linus-and-lucy”>7. ‘Linus and Lucy’</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio” id=”emb-1″><div class=”wp-block-embed__wrapper”>
<iframe title=”Vince Guaraldi Trio – Linus And Lucy” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/x6zypc_LhnM?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>
<p id=”par-2_28″>The animated film <em>A Charlie Brown Christmas</em> is a holiday classic. And yes, the story is centered around a Christmas pageant and finding the perfect Christmas tree. </p>
<p id=”par-3_39″>However, one of the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/writer-ariana-grandes-santa-tell-me-said-1-best-christmas-songs-ever.html/?swcfpc=1″>most popular songs</a> from the animated motion picture has nothing to do with Christmas at all. It has no words, and isn’t directly linked to a specific scene about the religious aspect of the day.</p>
<p id=”par-4_37″>Instead, “Linus and Lucy” is played in between rehearsals for the group’s Christmas pageant. Its iconic melody typically leads to dancing in a vein similar to that of Linus, Lucy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-6-sleigh-ride”>6. ‘Sleigh Ride’</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio” id=”emb-2″><div class=”wp-block-embed__wrapper”>
<iframe title=”The Ronettes – Sleigh Ride (Official Music Video)” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/DkXIJe8CaIc?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>
<p id=”par-5_35″>“Sleigh Ride” evokes images of sitting in the rear of a horse-drawn carriage, covered in a blanket while snow lightly falls. However, the tune, while capturing the essence of the season, doesn’t directly reference Christmas.</p>
<p id=”par-6_52″>The original recordings were instrumental versions. The song was first recorded in 1949 by Fiedler and the Boston Pops. However, The lyrics weren’t written until 1950 by Mitchell Parish. Versions of the song have since been recorded by The Andrews Sisters, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/darlene-love-wont-always-sing-christmas-baby-please-come-home.html/?swcfpc=1″>The Ronettes</a>, Johnny Mathis and The Carpenters to name a few.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-5-winter-wonderland”>5. ‘Winter Wonderland’</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio” id=”emb-3″><div class=”wp-block-embed__wrapper”>
<iframe title=”Bing Crosby – Winter Wonderland (Official Video)” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/GP5_dJUd3BY?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>
<p id=”par-7_18″>“Winter Wonderland” was written in 1934. Due to its seasonal theme, it is often regarded as a Christmas song.</p>
<p id=”par-8_22″>However, the tune is centered around the romance between two sweethearts. The lyrics were later changed to reference playing in the show.</p>
<p id=”par-9_26″>There are some similarities between other Christmastime classics, like the mentions of sleigh bells ringing and glistening snow. However, Christmas is not mentioned in the now-iconic lyrics.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-4-baby-it-s-cold-outside”>4. ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio” id=”emb-4″><div class=”wp-block-embed__wrapper”>
<iframe loading=”lazy” title=”Baby, It’s Cold Outside” width=”925″ height=”694″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/lnYSTnTMGQo?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>
<p id=”par-10_34″>The oft-discussed “Baby It’s Cold Outside” first debuted in the 1949 film <em>Neptune’s Daughter.</em> While the lyrics make no mention of a holiday, it is commonly regarded as a Christmas song owing to its winter theme.</p>
<p id=”par-11_50″>The song is a call and response duet between male and female singers. The male tries to convince his female guest to stay for a romantic evening, using the cold temperature outside as an excuse. She resists, worried what others will think if she does indeed take him up on his offer.</p>
<p id=”par-12_34″>After repeated calls to cancel the song due to what some felt was its sexually suggestive content, the tune was remade in 2019 by John Legend and <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/christmas-in-rockefeller-center-2024-how-many-times-kelly-clarkson-hosted.html/?swcfpc=1″>first <em>American Idol</em> winner, Kelly Clarkson</a>. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio” id=”emb-5″><div class=”wp-block-embed__wrapper”>
<iframe loading=”lazy” title=”John Legend – Baby, It’s Cold Outside (Lyric Video) ft. Kelly Clarkson” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/DlMP7FGYJmk?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>
<p id=”par-13_57″>Clarkson sings “I’ve got to go away” and Legend responds, “I can call you a ride.” Originally, the male voice sang, “But baby, it’s cold outside.” Additionally, when the woman sings about perhaps having another drink, Legend’s version responds with “It’s your body and your choice” while the original sings “Put some records on while I pour.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-3-frosty-the-snowman”>3. ‘Frosty the Snowman’</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio” id=”emb-6″><div class=”wp-block-embed__wrapper”>
<iframe loading=”lazy” title=”Frosty The Snowman” width=”925″ height=”694″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/ScHyjZ9upRE?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>
<p id=”par-14_30″>“Frosty the Snowman” conjures up images of a lovable snowman who comes to life and experiences the joy of the holiday season. However, not once does the song mention Christmas.</p>
<p id=”par-15_48″>Instead, the 1950 song celebrates the winter season, about a snowman who plays with local children after they place a magical hat atop his head. The song was a quick response to the success of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” which does have a Christmas connection to Santa Claus.</p>
<p id=”par-16_27″>One of the most beloved versions of the song was sung by Jimmy Durante. Other versions which charted were sung by Nat King Cole and The Ronettes. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-2-my-favorite-things”>2. “My Favorite Things”</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio” id=”emb-7″><div class=”wp-block-embed__wrapper”>
<iframe loading=”lazy” title=”My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music (Official HD Video)” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/0IagRZBvLtw?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>
<p id=”par-17_45″><br>“My Favorite Things” is not originally a Christmas song, but it has been <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/elvis-presley-grinch-moment-recording-blue-christmas-lets-get-this-over-with.html/?swcfpc=1″>associated with Christmas</a> since the 1960s. However, there were lyrical references to sleigh bells, snowflakes, and silver-white winters in the composed by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II for <em>The Sound of Music</em>.</p>
<p id=”par-18_42″>Angela Cartwright, who played Brigitta in the film told <a href=”https://www.billboard.com/culture/lifestyle/my-favorite-things-christmas-sound-of-music-8078515/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Billboard</a>, “This is the season of good tidings and blessings. Recalling one’s favorite things seems to make it the perfect song for this season. Brown paper packages tied up with string? Yes, please.”</p>
<p id=”par-19_32″>The song wasn’t released on a Christmas-related album until 1964, when it was featured on <em>The Jack Jones Christmas Album</em>. It was a tie-in to the film which hit theaters in March 1965.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-1-hallelujah”>1. ‘Hallelujah’</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio” id=”emb-8″><div class=”wp-block-embed__wrapper”>
<iframe loading=”lazy” title=”Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah (Live In London)” width=”925″ height=”694″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/YrLk4vdY28Q?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>
<div class=”related-article related-article–simple”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
<p class=”related-article__title”>
<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/last-christmas-turns-40-wham-classic-explained-andrew-ridgeley.html/”>
‘Last Christmas’ Turns 40: WHAM! Classic Explained by Andrew Ridgeley </a>
</p>
</div>
<p id=”par-20_28″>The Leonard Cohen classic “Hallelujah” is not a Christmas song. There are no references to Christmas within its lyrics, nor does it evoke feelings of the holiday season.</p>
<p id=”par-21_27″>However, the song evokes a religious feeling when the refrain is sung aloud. It becomes a spiritual song, despite its undertones that some consider cold and biting.</p>
<p id=”par-22_38″>It’s likely this musical masterpiece became a Christmas classic because simply put, people aren’t listnening to the lyrics. Listeners hear a melodic tune where the refrain is “Hallelujah” and believe its a good fit for the holiday season.</p>
<p id=”par-23_26″>What other songs are played during the Christmas season that you believe don’t fit the holiday mood? Let us know in the comments section below. </p>
<p id=”par-24_1″></p>