Playlist: Foodie Songs for Your Holiday Feast
If you’ve already heard one too many versions of “Jingle Bells” this winter, you’re not alone. Whether at retail stores or social gatherings, holiday music fatigue has affected most of us over the years. In fact, a recent survey showed that 23% of Americans dread holiday music!
That stat could be bad news if you were planning on queuing up Bing Crosby and Michael Bublé at your next holiday dinner party. But the Made Music Studio team has you covered — we cooked up a playlist of songs that aren’t outplayed this time of year, and celebrate what we love most about the holidays: food shared with family and friends.
This feast for the ears has something for everyone around the table, from foodie classics to deep cuts. Save this playlist for your next get-together, and read on to hear about our picks from the MMS team.
“Eggs and Sausage (In a Cadillac with Susan Michelson)” by Tom Waits (1975)
Written by Tom Waits; produced by Bones Howe
Not your typical holiday song (!) but it’ll certainly strike a chord with folks who find themselves on the outside looking in this season. Taken from his Nighthawks at the Diner album from the mid-70s, this track is brimming full of the ramshackle barfly swagger Waits was dishing up back then. The romantic, meandering, jazzy vibe conjures up New York City faster than an old yellow cab driving through subway steam. His lyrical flow perfectly captures that messy late night, three-too-many vibe. He’s been kicked out, knocked down and “86’ed from your scheme” and finds himself at the end of the line with time to kill. What his world needs now is the simple comfort of eggs, sausage and a side of toast and everything’s gonna be just fine. Right?
– John Taite, EVP, Global Brand Partnerships + Development
“Strawberry Swing” by Coldplay (2009)
Written by Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion; produced by Brian Eno, Markus Dravs
Surprisingly, the first time I heard this song was through Frank Ocean’s mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra. His version beautifully interpolates and samples the original, even keeping Chris Martin’s outro vocals. Coldplay has always been hit or miss for me (not a band I’d play casually) but hearing Frank’s interpretation gave me a new way to connect with their music. Now, a few of their tracks have even made it into my regular rotation.
– Mike Burke, VP, Business and Product Operations
“Honey Pie” by The Beatles (1968)
Written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney; produced by George Martin, Chris Thomas
I’m not sure what else can be said about literally The Beatles. But I will say that I like them best in silly billy mode. Because in addition to every other superlative associated with the group, I don’t know that anyone else has ever made it that big while wearing walrus suits, clanging on honky-tonk piano and singing about things like octopus gardens.
Now, we know that some of the more outlandish Beatles ideas came out of, uh, extracurricular activities. For “Honey Pie” though, a cheeky play on the classic music hall style, Paul McCartney simply pulled from the tunes he listened to as a kid. Humble it may be in a catalog so monumental, “Honey Pie” is at once playful, confident and full of personality — qualities that, beneath all that musical greatness, have always made The Beatles and their music special. They were and are funny fellows, the lot of them.
– Danielle Gutierrez, Writer + Senior Marketing Manager
“Green Onions” by Booker T. & the M.G.’s (1962)
Written by Booker T. & the M.G.’s; produced by Al Jackson Jr., Booker T. Jones, Lewie Steinberg, Steve Cropper
Ah, the rock instrumental — a personal favorite microgenre, of which “Green Onions” stands amongst the top. Booker T. & The M.G.s demonstrate absolute tasteful control over their instruments, without a gesture wasted. The tone of each player melds the sound together so delightfully. Contrasting the biting attack of Steve Cropper’s Telecaster, the rest of the quartet lays down an inviting, bouncy warmth that carries you along.
If you’re looking for another helping, “walk, don’t run” over to their follow-up “Mo’ Onions” for a smokier take.
– Joseph Ohegyi, Director, Content Studio
“Pass the Peas” by The J.B.’s (1972)
Written by Charles Bobbitt, James Brown, John Starks; produced by James Brown
I was sitting at my makeshift desk, adjacent to my parents' kitchen in California when we came up with the idea for MMS’ own edition of “Pass the Peas.” Hungry for connection as the holidays approached, and after working remotely for 9 months, this became a great excuse to collab and feel the joy of making something as a team.
The idea was a musical edition of Exquisite Corpse, in playful homage to one of the greatest funk instrumentals of all time. It felt like we were together even though we were in different time zones, coasts or countries. Listen closely and you'll hear my husband playing glass mixing bowls with my then 1 year old (whose love of drums was clearly fated).
– Amy Crawford, ECD, Music Products
