Matilda Tscherpel
Life is ever-changing. Nothing ever stays the same for long. But even in this world full of changes and instability, there is one thing humanity can always count on: Every year, the second December 1st strikes, when the lights go up, the hectic shopping rush begins and the Christmas spirit gets lost and found somewhere in-between, without doubt or fail, just like clockwork, Mariah Carey and “All I want for Christmas is You” will top the billboard charts.
Christmas music is as essential to the holiday as cookies and Santa hats, but as great and catchy as it may be, even Mariah’s biggest hit and George Michael’s greatest work get boring at some point. So, why not change it up? I’m sure most of you are familiar with French Christmas songs, but what about songs from Italy? Sweden? Korea? Let’s take a look outside of North-America to bring the Christmas spirit to our hearts and ears this holiday season.
“A Natale Puoi” (Italy)
Christmas is a special time. A time to dare, a time to try, a time to love. Because you can. This Italian classic encourages us to be brave, to say things that would otherwise stay buried in our hearts forever. Because a natale puoi, at Christmas you can.
“Rodolfo el Reno” (Spain + Latin America)
You’re probably familiar with José Feliciano’s bilingual hit “Feliz Navidad” but have you ever heard of “Rodolfo el Reno”? This catchy Christmas tune carries a deep message wrapped up in a metaphor of one of Christmas’ greatest champions: Rudolph, the red nosed reindeer. “Rodolfo”’s red nose makes him different and obviously, his reindeer buddies tease him about it but in the end, Santa Claus himself chooses him to be his lead-reindeer because of his red nose and because he’s different, not in spite of it.
"Nu är del jut igen" (Sweden)
If any of you have seen the movie “Fanny and Alexander”, then you know about this song and the tradition that comes with it. “Nu är del jut igen” or “Now it is Christmas again” is best sung in a group and traditionally involves the whole family holding hands while running in a circle, singing faster and faster.
“圣诞节” (Korea)
Exo is one of Korea’s most famous boy bands and with “圣诞节”, “Christmas day” they delivered a beautiful ballad, comparing being in love to opening the first gift on Christmas morning.
“In der Weihnachtsbäckerei” (Germany)
Considering the German Invasion of Alexander Galt High School that is currently taking place, there is a high chance that you have heard or will hear this Christmas Carol echoing through the hallways in December. Despite multiple funny knock offs, the original song by Rolf Zuckowski tells the story of what’s going on in “der Weihnachtsbäckerei”, the Christmas Bakery.
Now that you’re familiar with some of the world’s greatest Christmas songs, let us, in true Christmas spirit, look at something we all have in common. The Christmas carol “Silent Night” exists in nearly every language. From the French “Douce Nuit” to the Portuguese “Noite Feliz”, the Ukrainian “Тиха ніч” or the original, “Stille Nacht” (German). So, whether it be on the 24th or the 25th, someone in the world is singing that all too familiar tune. And there’s nothing more Christmas-y than that.
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Cover Image: Pixabay
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