Suzanne Vega: Five Essential Xmas Songs
Suzanne Vega (photo by George Holz, PR)
Hey, New Yorkers, are you staying home for the holidays? So is Suzanne Vega, who has lined up "Home for the Holidays ... Again," a festive Yuletide residency at City Winery on December 22, 23, 26 and 27. Vega will be joined by her longtime guitarist and pal Gerry Leonard for an evening of songs reflecting this wintry season and her own extensive discography.
Vega's most recent release is not only a live album, but a kind of fairytale of New York called, appropriately, An Evening of New York Songs and Stories, released via Amanuensis/Cooking Vinyl. She will set off on a spring tour, "Old Songs, New Songs and Other Songs," which finds her traveling the East Coast and the Midwest beginning April 9 in Albany, New York.
Ahead of her quartet of City Winery shows — and knowing that she has some Christmas selections in store — FUV asked Suzanne to tell us about five of her favorites (including one British rocker you'll likely see her sing if you're headed to City Winery).
Suzanne Vega's Five Essential Christmas Songs:
"It Really is a Wonderful Life" by Chely Wright, sung by Mindy Smith
I heard this on the radio once and the simplicity of the message really struck me.
"Merry Xmas Everybody" by Slade
A song I’ve just discovered and really like. I’m covering it in the holiday shows coming up!
"I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," sung by Frank Sinatra
Classic Frank Sinatra! What could be bad??
"Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses
This song was the herald of the season all through the '80s. Still good!
"You and I at Christmas Time" by The Bird and the Bee
A new song to me but, I love the silky atmosphere of this track, found on Put Up the Lights.
- Suzanne Vega
December 2023
