Now that December has begun it is time to reflect on a miscellany of songs that have been written by musicians over the years. This is not really a Christmas selection, that may come later, this is an opportunity to consider what the experience of December has meant to those who write songs.
“December Boudoir” is a track from Eli and the Thirteenth Confession the second album by New York City-born singer, songwriter, and pianist Laura Nyro, released in 1968. The album’s themes are of passion, love, romance, death, and drugs, and the songs are delivered in Nyro’s distinctive brash, belting vocals. Musically, it is a multi-layered and opulent work, including multi-tracked vocals and strings.
“December Will Be Magic Again” is a festive-themed song by English singer-songwriter Kate Bush. It was released as a single in the UK in November 1980. The single peaked at number 29 in the UK, but due to its early release date had slipped before the Christmas week.
“Air of December” is a track from Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars the debut album by the American alternative rock band Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians, released in 1988. The album went 2x platinum in the United States. The lyrics contain the interesting line “People change & affect you just like the weather.”
“December” is a song by American band Collective Soul, released on the band’s 1995 eponymous album. Written by singer/guitarist Ed Roland, it peaked at number 20 on the Billboard and number one on the Album Rock Chart for nine weeks, surpassing their prior hit “Shine” by one week; it also reached number two on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, making it their highest-ranking single on that particular listing. In Canada the song settled at number two on the RPM Top Singles chart.
“December” is a track from The Fall the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Norah Jones, released in November 2009, by Blue Note Records. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard, selling 180,000 copies in its first week. As of August 2012, the album has sold more than three million copies worldwide.
“Back to December” is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her third studio album Speak Now (2010). The song was sent to country radio in the United States in November 2010, as the second single from Speak Now. “Back to December” is an orchestral country ballad and its lyrics are a remorseful plea for forgiveness for breaking up with a former lover. According to Swift, the song is the first time she ever apologizes to someone in a song.
