A Seasonal Soiree of Melodies: Unpacking Christmas Music on Life and Art Podcast

In a recent episode of the Life and Art from FT Weekend podcast, Lilah Raptopoulos hosts a 'Christmas music special' featuring discussions on holiday tunes. The chat show, which releases every Friday, takes listeners through a festive journey exploring beloved classics, polarizing jingles, and the very essence of Christmas music. Raptopoulos is joined by Ludovic Hunter-Tilney, the Financial Times' seasoned pop music critic from London, and Taylor Nicole Rogers, the U.S. labor and equality correspondent based in New York, who shares a workspace with Lilah and harbors a deep affection for Christmas songs.

The conversation began with each guest conveying their overall attitude towards the genre. Hunter-Tilney expressed a limited tolerance for traditional Christmas themes and melodies, indicating his patience wears thinner with each passing year. On the flip side, Rogers shared her growing enthusiasm and early commencement of the season's listening, starting from November 1st. Despite varied opinions, both guests brought their unique perspectives to the table, enhancing the spectrum of views on the holiday genre.

The trio also broaches the topic of their personal favorite and least favored Christmas tracks. While Hunter-Tilney gravitates towards classics like Darlene Love's 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)', Rogers champions the variety found within Christmas music, citing modern interpretations of spirituals like 'Go, Tell It On The Mountain' as her top pick. Raptopoulos contributes to the mix with her preferences for pop covers and a nod towards more traditional carols.

The discussion also ventures into the realm of dislikes, with Hunter-Tilney specifically calling out Justin Bieber's 'Mistletoe' and any rendition of 'Jingle Bells'. For Raptopoulos, it's the Jackson Five rendition of 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' that stirs feelings of discontent.

Moving beyond personal preferences, the episode delves into the mechanics of Christmas music's success in the streaming era. The guests observed that streaming services have catapulted festive classics to chart-topping positions due to widespread popularity and revised chart rules. This revelation segues into a conversation about the underlying commercial aspects of Christmas music and motives prompting artists to release holiday albums.

Finally, the episode wraps up with imaginations running wild as guests ponder their dream Christmas music collaborations. Ideas range from an Adele Christmas album to a choir featuring contemporary pop icons and even a Christmas duet album between Iggy Pop and Tom Waits. The episode closes with 'More or Less', a segment where each guest shares cultural recommendations, wrapping up a fun and insightful exploration of the Christmas music landscape.

podcast, music, special