All Things Music

Happy New Year! Now that the holidays are over and 2021 is here, it’s time for the latest edition of my What I’ve Been Listening To series. Read on for my December/January picks:

December

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” Andy Williams

What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than to listen to this classic tune from Andy Williams? It’s a song that instantly puts me in a good mood and makes me want to put up decorations, drink cocoa, wrap presents, and visit a local Christmas village. It’s also featured in this playlist from my Spotify.

Standout Lyrics: There’ll be parties for hosting/Marshmallows for roasting/And caroling out in the snow/There’ll be scary ghost stories/And tales of the glories/Of Christmases long, long ago 

“You’re Here,” Lucy Hale

Christmas, of course, isn’t truly about presents and pretty decorations. Jesus is the reason for the season, and singer and former Pretty Little Liars star, Lucy Hale does a great job of reminding listeners of that on her song, “You’re Here.” Fun fact: The song was written by Christian artist, Francesca Battistelli.

Standout Lyrics: Don’t know how long I’m gonna have you for/But I’ll be watching when you change the world/Look at your hands, they’re still so small/Someday, you’re going to stretch them out and save us all

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” Aly and AJ

Sister duo, Aly and AJ put their own spin on this Christmas tune that appears on their 2006 Acoustic Hearts of Winter album. Their version of the song has been a favorite of mine since childhood.

Standout Lyrics: I’ll be home for Christmas/You can count on me/Please have snow and mistletoe/And presents under the tree/Christmas Eve will find me/Where the love-light gleams/I’ll be home for Christmas/If only in my dreams

January

“The Good Ones,” Gabby Barrett

Country singer, Gabby Barrett talks about what it means to find a good man on this song from her debut album, Goldmine (2020). I love that I’ve been hearing this song on my local country station so much lately and am excited to continue to watch Barrett’s career grow this year.

Standout Lyrics: He’s a phone call to his parents/He’s a bible by the bed/He’s the t-shirt that I’m wearing/He’s the song stuck in my head/He’s solid and he’s steady/Like the Allegheny runs/He knows just where he’s going/And he’s proud of where he’s from

“Counting On The Weather,” Cassadee Pope

Cassadee Pope sings about spending time with her love on this sweet acoustic song from her latest album, Rise and Shine (2020). It’s the perfect rainy day song.

Standout Lyrics: Candles lightin’ up your face/Dancin’ by the fireplace/Record spinnin’ round and round/Lightning through the window/Your head on the pillow/Midnight’s slowin’ us down/All I can think with your hands on my hips/The taste of your drink when you’re kissin’ my lips is/Don’t ever wanna stop/Don’t wanna watch the clock/Let’s keep it goin’ goin’/I kinda hope the clouds roll in/Rain slippin’ through the window screen/I kinda hope the thunder comes and keeps us up/So we can’t sleep/Cause layin’ here tangled up in these sheets/Is sweeter than anything I could dream/Don’t wanna shut my eyes/Wanna stay up all night together/I’m countin’ on the weather/I’m countin’ on the weather

“right where you left me,” Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift reflects on a love that’s ended and a young woman stuck in the past on this bonus track from her latest album, evermore (2020). The song is an emotional callback to Swift’s country days, both lyrically and melodically.

Standout Lyrics: Did you ever hear about the girl who got frozen?/Time went on for everybody else, she won’t know it/She’s still twenty-three inside her fantasy/How it was supposed to be/Did you hear about the girl who lives in delusion?/Breakups happen every day, don’t have to lose it/She’s still twenty-three inside her fantasy/And you’re sitting in front of me

And that’s a wrap on my December/January song picks. Listen to them on Spotify, share your favorite tunes from the past two months, and catch another installment of this series in February. Until then keep on finding songs you love.