Story and playlist by Olga Bas
The holidays are finally upon us and there's a lot to look forward to: presents, sleeping in late and staying out 'till morning, home-cooked meals, and an end to endless shopping. To help you travel through the perfect week, we've put together a holiday-themed playlist that's devoid of tacky Muzak and heavy on dance-appeal (and snazzy covers).
1. Queen - Thank God It's Christmas
Perhaps not the best known Christmas single, but this is Queen we're talking about and no one does it better than Freddie Mercury. With all the ups and downs of the year past, Christmas at least provides a much-needed break; pop this one on as you take the drive home to the family.
2. Little Boots - Stuck on Repeat
A newcomer on the music scene, Little Boots is full of catchy beats and this single starts off sleigh bells ringing and does not relent. Without a need for a remix, the rhythm is timed just right for disco lights or a noisy airplane. Perfect for repeat plays to drown out in-flight screaming children.
3. Suede - Can't Get Enough
In their heyday, frontman Brett Anderson was fond of singing in a falsetto, wearing women's blouses, and spanking himself with his microphone. A few years down the road he still sang in a falsetto, but with the addition of synths, and the energy of the band had been upped another notch. This will keep you awake when you get stuck in holiday traffic.
4. New Order - Temptation
Whether it's another piece of Christmas cake or the perfectly wrapped presents under the tree or that cute guy or girl standing at the bar, the holidays are full of temptation and New Order knows it. Put this on your iPod wherever you're headed and you'll be fully prepared to indulge.
5. Placebo - 20th Century Boy
For a touch of glitz and glam, take this one from the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack, where Placebo meet T-Rex for a loud and spiky cover. It will inspire a rollicking scooter ride through the narrow, festive streets of Europe where the memories of old-time cabarets are alive and well.
6. Peaches - Downtown
Downright raunchy, though tame by Peaches's standards, this tune would
be perfectly at home in an urban night club -- nothing too fancy and
probably located downtown. Hit play as you sit in the back seat of a
cab.
7. The Feeling - You're So Vain
Fronted by openly gay Dan Gillespie Sells, The Feeling take on Carly
Simon's mammoth of a song for Radio 1's cover compilation. With piano
accents and a slow beat, this one's best heard on a bicycle tour
through Anytown.
8. Kylie Minogue - 2 Hearts
Easily matching Madonna in stature in the UK, Kylie's new album is a
scorcher and the first single is coy and uplifting. Nothing's better
than a bit of pop when you're snowed in with the in-laws!
9. Savage Garden - Last Christmas
Nothing's gayer than Savage Garden covering Wham! Melancholy and
hopeful in the same breath, this song often gets a workout during the
holidays; but this cover sounds just a little bit more special as you
pull away from the curb, Christmas dinner leftovers on the passenger
seat.
10. John Barrowman - Feelin' Good
Though he's currently best known for playing omnisexual time traveler
Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and Torchwood, John Barrowman was first known as
a West End leading man. With this cover of Nina Simone's classic, he
shows his flair for the theatrical. Well-rested and well-fed, we hope
you're "feelin' good," too, as you relax on the overnight train home.
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