Presents, parties, traffic, comfort food, caroling, family gathering, awkward photos in cards, lights, trees, stockings, white elephants, ugly sweaters, reconnecting, maybe rekindling….and the mall. The holidays are coming and will be here before we know it: all the good and all the bad. It would be best if you were ready with the perfect sober soundtrack. I’m crossing genres and digging deep into the obscure to bring some true musical gems to add to your sober playlist for this holiday season. Deck the halls, trim the trees, hang the mistletoe, and enjoy!
Drummer Boy – Justin Bieber and Busta Rhymes
The traditional version of The Little Drummer Boy is one of my favorite Christmas songs. It’s a story of humility, great reverence for Christ the King, and the willingness to give whatever you have from the heart. For me, this captures the true meaning of the season.
We’ve all heard the many bizarre stories of past shenanigans and bizarre behavior from the Justin Bieber camp. He took us on a crazy ride throughout his early years of fame. But throughout it all, he remains a true giver. He is extremely generous with his fans and is still one of the top wish granters for Make- A Wish. And it appears that Justin has made a new start. He’s found Jesus and a wife and is finally breaking free of his addictions.
Drummer Boy is a crazy, cool collaboration with unlikely co-creator, Grammy-nominated Busta Rhymes who has also struggled with past substance abuse. Justin sings the traditional part and he and Busta mix in the new modern rap version. The build is phenomenal. The new lyrics keep it real and encourage kindness. It even includes church bells. I could not love this remake more.
It’s Christmas Time – Macklemore
Typical Macklemore here. There is a story in this catchy, clever, Christmas rhyme. We get a true sense of what makes the holiday special for Macklemore and his family. And a glimpse of all the random thoughts running through his head. Like the shout-out to his dead dog, Toby. Macklemore often shares his recovery journey in his song lyrics. His honest accounts of success, struggles, failures, and hope have helped thousands. This one is different and focuses on pure holiday joy.
The video adds another fabulous dimension to the song. It’s packed full of joyful images and takes us to a Christmas party with Macklemore with tons of gifts, lights, and laughter. I imagine this is what it’s like at Macklemore’s house during the holidays. And I want an invite!
Yuletide Throwdown – Deborah Harry and Fab 5 Freddy
The title alone is playlist worthy. This is definitely not your typical holiday tune. It’s a mashup of Blondie’s Rapture and a Christmas-themed rap by Fab 5 Freddy ad Deborah Harry. The song was recorded by Deborah Harry in 1981 and rereleased in Nov of 2021. Harry was part of the early rap scene and was somewhat of a pioneer in the movement with the rap in Rapture. Her stories of being addicted to heroin in New York in the 70s and 80s are not holiday-gathering appropriate. She is a walking miracle who overcame poverty and addiction and even survived a car ride with serial killer Ted Bundy. I get a kick out of the dichotomy and how the song melds together the stories behind Rapture and holiday sentiments to form Yuletide Throwdown. I also really like saying Yuletide Throwdown.
Christmas Wrapping – Glee Cast
I was one of the Gleeks who watched the show religiously and purchased all the soundtrack CDs. The acapella mashups of some of the best songs of all time were everything. Their Christmas remakes were upbeat versions of all the classics, perfect and safe for any holiday event. Many of these tunes are still on my Christmas playlists and bring me joy. Especially their version of Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses. AKA “The Christmas cranberry song.”
Nothing like this has ever happened to me, anyone I know, or any of my friends. However, the story in this song still gives me hope that my higher power will one day arrange for forgotten food items to lead me to the man of my dreams. Christmas magic made it happen for the grumpy bah humbug girl who planned to spend Christmas alone, so why not me? Maybe we can start a movement. All single people head to your local grocery stores on Christmas Eve!
If only things in real life were all wrapped up in pretty paper and bows like in the Christmas Cranberry song. The sober connection for this song is not pretty, but it is a valuable reminder. Glee was tragically forced off track due to the real-life accidental overdose of actor Cory Monteith, who had been battling addiction for many years. Holidays are typically filled with festivities, but they can be difficult for those struggling with addiction. Check on your friends. Especially the ones who say they want to be alone like grumpy bah humbug girl.
White Christmas – Michael Bublé and Shania Twain
Here’s a traditional holiday favorite from an extremely non-traditional gal. Shania Twain grew up fast. She grew up in a turbulent home and started performing in bars at 8 years old. She started drinking to help cope with her divorce and the death of her parents. Twain attributes her current sobriety to music and says it is her therapy.
If this is the case, I hope she got some good relief from the old-fashioned Christmas duet she recorded with Michael Bublé. This one is easy listening. A comfort tune of sorts to balance out the more obscure. It’s great for singing around the fine with some hot apple cinnamon cider.
Too Good to Skip Stocking Stuffers
I’m switching to the gift-giving section of my list to include a few more too-good-to-skip sober-related selections from my Hip Hop Christmas playlist.
7 Rings and A Few of My Favorite Things
It’s always a solid strategy to gift your favorite things. If the recipient does not appreciate it, you can always put it to good use. It’s a questionable choice for a holiday tune, but I’ve always liked A Few of My Favorite Things. I guess mentioning sleigh bells and snowflakes and then adding sleigh bells to the song qualifies. Ariana Grande’s version,7 Rings and OutKast’s jazzy instrumental version, My Favorite Things are both holiday playlist worthy. That is if you consider this a holiday song, which I am still not sure I do. But most people do so this is good enough for now. Ariana Grande has been impacted by addiction with the accidental overdose of her ex, rapper Mac Miller and her brother, Frankie’s recovery journey. And Outkast frontman, Andre 3000 is reportedly sober.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Nutcrackers are perfect stocking stuffers and practically scream Merry Christmas. The Russian ballet is an integral part of holiday celebrations for many American families. Tchaikovsky’s soundtrack is iconic. Everyone loves The Nutcracker March and The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, including me. However, I prefer the edgier, lesser-known rap remixes. These have no know sober connection but are too cool to leave out. Blue Claw Philharmonic’s Nutcracker Suite belongs on any alternative holiday playlist. Side note, if you want to shale up your holiday routine and experience this in person, there are live performances of the Hip Hop Nutcracker in several major US cities.
The Power of Music
Music elevates the mood, raises vibrations, and can make or break an event. I hope these suggestions give you a good start on creating the sober soundtrack to help make your holidays the best yet. Because Tis the Season to be merry and Fa La La La La!
Check out Play It Again at The Sober Curator for more tunes to add to your sober playlist, including tunes from Grammy Nominated Sober Artists and 8 Epic Love Songs just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
