Start Your Christmas with Music Magic: U2, Jimmy Eat World, and Smashing Pumpkins

Oh my gosh! You've made it! And now, it is Christmas morning!

Let me say, however, if the first thing you are doing on Christmas morning is waking up and seeing what new article is on AudioPhix then thank you. But still, you've got more important things to do. Get up and get dressed. It's the morning of gifts!

Or maybe you open your in the afternoon. I am not one to judge. I jusat hope you have an excellent and happy day.

Three songs to begin Christmas with

U2 - "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)"

This song was originally released on 1987's A Very Special Christmas album which went to help benefit the Special Olympics. The band recorded it during a sound check for their earth-changing Joshua Tree Tour during a stop in Glasgow, Scotland. You can also find the track on U2's Unreleased and Rare box set.

The song was originally sung by Darlene Love in 1963 and was written by Phil Spector. But the U2 version stands out to me for the way Bono unleashes his vocals. There is a kind of chaos to it all which makes for music magic. (Plus, it's Christmas morning; don't you want your baby to be at your house?)

Jimmy Eat World - "Last Christmas"

This is a cover of the more famous George Michael and Wham! version, of course, but Jimmy Eat World manages to sound even more 1980s than Wham! did, only with a big hint of emo-themed music. It's accidentally brilliant. And worth repeated listens.

There are times in this version of the track that doesn't even sound like the original other than some small hint of familiarity, like a warm blanket on a cold night. The original is what it is; you either love it or hate it. But the Jimmy Eat World version is so danged catchy it's nearly impossible to dislike.

Smashing Pumpkins - "Christmastime"

Who knew Billy Corgan liked Christmas? So much so that he was able to produce a song that is both nestalgic and hopeful, just as Christmas should be. Of course, if you don't like Corgan's voice you probably won't like this tune either, but that's your fault.

The music is beautiful and well-orchestrated. Corgan does a good job of flowing with the melody. This is a nearly perfect song to wake up to on Christmas morning: "I remember dreaming/Wishing, hoping, praying for this day/Now we sit and watch them/The little ones I love/So excited by the wait."

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