SCSA Holiday Playlist
The Stories Behind the Selections
This holiday season, we’re sharing more than just music—we’re sharing the heart behind it. Each song on our holiday playlist was chosen by one of our team members, and every selection has a story. From cherished childhood memories to traditions that bring joy year after year, these songs represent the moments and meanings that make the season special. We hope these stories add an extra layer of warmth to your listening experience and inspire you to reflect on the music that fills your own holidays with magic
Tennessee Christmas
By: Amy Grant
"This was my mom’s favorite Christmas song – listening to this song indicated that the holiday season had begun." - Kelly O’Connor
Mary, Did You Know
By: CeeLo Green
"To me, this song captures the essence of Christmas, and CeeLo Green’s version brings me to tears. Dolly Parton’s version is a close second." - Kelly O’Connor
Colorado Christmas
By: Nitty Gritty Band
"This song came out while I lived in Los Angeles and made me very home sick." - Curtis Petersen
Frosty the Snowman
By: Perry Como
"My kids and grandkids loved to watch and sing the songs." -Robbin Corriveau
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
By: Brenda Lee
"My sisters and cousins would sing it for the family." - Robbin Corriveau
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays
By: *NYSNC
"I’m a child of the 90s, so it simply had to be here." - Collin Fields
All I Want For Christmas Is You
By: Mariah Carey
"The most iconic Christmas song ever?" - Collin Fields
Angels We Have Heard On High
By: Brian Fallon
"This has been one of my favorite Christmas carols my entire life, and when one of my favorite artists released a Christmas album a few years ago, I fell in love with his version." - Collin Fields
Little Drummer Boy
By: Chicago
"If you were around in the 70’s you may appreciate Chicago’s arrangement of this Christmas classic. It’s a great overall album that puts that very distinctive Chicago stamp on traditional favorites." - David Cox
Merry Christmas Baby
By: Steven Tyrell
"This is a great song recorded by many great artists. Steve Tyrell’s version gives a little holiday cheer with a little touch of cool Christmas blues." - David Cox
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
By: Diana Krall
"A great jazz-infused arrangement perfect for that time after everyone has left the party and you want to sit down with your favorite holiday beverage." - David Cox
The Simple Birth
By: Barbara Higbie (from a Winter's Solstice V)
"This song (and album) has been a favorite Christmas morning play of mine before everyone is awake and you have time for some calm reflection prior to the approaching excitement of the day." - David Cox
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
By: The Barenaked Ladies (ft. Sarah McLachlan)
"The Barenaked Ladies bring their signature style to this classic carol. I like the harmonies and acoustic guitars that give this classic song a folk-inspired festive spirit." - David Cox
Oh Come Oh Come Emanuel
By: Stephen Bautista
"This is one of my most favorite Christmas songs. As a young child, I lived on a military base and every Sunday I would take the base bus to Sunday school. My parents didn’t go to church so I would go by myself. One year for Christmas we did a play about the Nativity and birth of Jesus. We practiced for weeks and weeks. I was a shepherd. I remember I had a robe made from a bedsheet tied at the waist with a rope and a stick for a staff. On Christmas Eve we performed the play and my parents came and saw me. This song was the final song of the play. I had never heard the song before the play and it was a very hard song to learn but I remember learning the words and belting the song out with such pride and enthusiasm. I so loved being part of that play! That song has always been a favorite song of mine since that day." - Cynthia Woodley
A Christmas Card to You
By: The Partridge Family
"This album was the first Christmas album I ever purchased. I was a preteen and a huge fan of David Cassidy. I was even in his fan club! I still own the album and I play it every year at Christmas. The first song just puts me in the holiday spirit." - Cynthia Woodley
Christmas To Me
By: The Statler Brothers
"As a young adult in the 80’s with a young family, Christmas was so special. We would listen to all types of holiday music as we put up the Christmas tree and wrapped tons of toys and gifts. I picked up this Statler Brothers album from somewhere and fell in love with it. I played it often. When I hear this song I am in my mid 20’s again and celebrating Christmas with my young family. I get picked on today for loving this song and album but it has such warm memories for me." - Cynthia Woodley
Coventry Carol
By: Kenny Loggins
"In the 90’s my 1st marriage came to an end. When I got together with my current spouse, he initially joked that my music choices and albums were so awful that our CD’s couldn’t touch each other. So they were separated in the CD holder. Finally, over time our collection mingled especially as we purchased music together. This Kenny Loggins Holiday album was one of the first holiday albums we bought together especially since he wasn’t fond of Partridge Family and Statler Brothers. It’s been 25 years now and I still cherish this album. When I hear this song, I am taken back to those exciting days of starting over, with a new love and a new home. Such promise of Christmases to come!" - Cynthia Woodley
White Christmas
By: The Drifters
"I selected this song because it is the entry song to my favorite Christmas Movie of all times, Mixed Nuts. Of course, I watch the movie every year and play the song over and over." - Cynthia Woodley
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
By: Casting Crowns
"I've always loved the story behind this song. It's based on a poem written by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Longfellow's context was one of national division, the Civil War, as well as great personal loss. His wife had died in a house fire and his son severely wounded in battle. Despite his despair, which is evident at the outset of the poem, he concludes with confident hope that there will be peace on earth, good will to men. Merry Christmas!" - Michael Chiaro
Linus And Lucy
By: Vince Guaraldi Trio
"Maybe this isn't technically a Christmas song, but it's part of the soundtrack to one of the most beloved animated television specials, A Charlie Brown Christmas. It's a brilliant little jazz piece and the moment that left hand starts playing on the piano, you know the tune." - Michael Chiaro
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
By: Elmo Shropshire and Patsy
"It’s a happy feeling song that never gets old all season long!" - Sandra Cruz
Do They Know It's Christmas?
By: Band Aid
"A beautifully written and nostalgic song that exploded in the 80’s and triggered an awareness of our blessings as kids while understanding that others may not even experience a Christmas ever." - Sandra Cruz
Christmas Eve/Sarajevo
By: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
"I love to blast this while wrapping presents or prepping the house for Christmas eve festivities." - Sandra Cruz
