- Words Yazzi Gokcemen
With her new Christmas number featuring on 2023's A Heidelberg Holiday soundtrack, Ingrid Michaelson recalls 10 standout songs from her favourite festive films ahead of her Union Chapel show on December 1st.
'I'm a Little Christmas Cracker' by Diana Decker
I thought I knew every old Christmas song until I watched Nativity and heard this gem!
'Snow' by Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee, Danny Kaye and Trudy Stevens
My favourite scene in White Christmas is when they're on the train and sing 'Snow' - simply because of the song.
'Sleigh Ride' by Ella Fitzgerald
I love the montage in Elf where Buddy is discovering things while this version of Sleigh Ride plays.
'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' by Judy Garland
This might be my favourite Christmas song ever. Judy singing it during an emotional moment in Meet Me In St Louis always stuck with me.
'Christmastime Is Here' by Vince Guaraldi Trio
I love A Charlie Brown Christmas - this song is the most iconic song on the soundtrack.
'Walking in the Air' by Peter Auty
While this may not sound like a Christmas song, it features in one of my favourite Christmas short films - The Snowman. Hearing it instantly takes me back to my childhood Christmases.
'Run Rudolph Run' by Chuck Berry
All I can think of when I hear this song is the McCallister family running through the Chicago airport in Home Alone - I love it!
'Mele Kalikimaka' by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters
One of the funniest scenes in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is underscored by this song. I fell in love with it when I was a kid and that love has never stopped.
'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town' by Frank Sinatra
I adore this version and love how it was used in The Polar Express - when all the elves in the North Pole get ready for Santa’s big entrance.
'Christmas Is All Around' by Billy Mack
Love Actually Love Actually is one of my favourite movies of all time. This song is synonymous with the holiday season for me!