No Such Thing as Too Early

Well folks, the countdown for Thanksgiving break is coming to a close. As the Thanksgiving holiday is on its way, naturally, everyone is already singing Christmas music!

I always found it hilarious and completely unreasonable whenever stores would start selling Christmas decorations in late October or the first week of November, but as I mull over the concept, I am a hypocrite on this matter - I have been jamming out to Christmas tunes for the past few weeks, and Thanksgiving is not even here, yet! 

Whether you are one of Santa's elves - exasperatingly ready for Christmas music - or a Scrooge that will humbug his way through the premature Christmas caroling on campus, there are sure to be a few songs that will surely put you in the Christmas spirit, even if it is only November. 

According to the Billboard website, the week of Christmas in 2016 ranked these songs as the top five Christmas songs. 

Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" was ranked number one. Carey's incredible range of pitch and vebrato has shown to be a fan favorite once the holiday season begins. With this winter hit, positivity and catchy lyrics seem to fill the streets of every passerby on a snowy December, or November, evening.  Even Scrooge himself probably could not stand flashing a smile when this song rings out from the radio. 

Bobby Helm's "Jingle Bell Rock" was ranked number two. Despite this classic being initiated in 1957, the 21st century public seems to be in love with this favored oldie. As the first few cords are played, followed by some ringing sleigh bells, almost anyone can immediately name the song and prepare for some awesome jingle bell rocking, jingle bell swinging, and jingle bell ringing!  

Brenda Lee's "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree" ranked number three. This popular Christmas song has a light-hearted, care-free message encouraging the dancing, decorating, caroling, happiness, and other Christmas traditions and feelings during this holiday season. 

Brenda's number three carol is also well-known from one of my favorite Christmas movies, Home Alone. This wonderful film full of humorous family relations, mischievous justice, and happily-ever-afters will be the best two hours you spend on a cold, winter's night. 

Pentatonix's "Hallelujiah" was ranked number four. This incredible a cappella group is famous for their perfect harmony and amazing ability to recreate many songs ranging from a variety of genres. This particular song, though not exactly a Christmas one, is apparently Christmas-enough to rank in the top five Christmas songs for the Billboard charts. 

Personally, Pentatonix has won my heart as my new favorite Christmas group with the songs That's Christmas to Me  and Go Tell It on the Mountain. 

If you feel like you have heard the "Hallelujah" song before, your feeling is very probable. Another version of "Hallelujah" by John Cale was heard in the Dreamworks production of Shrek, a movie that has had a lasting impression on many when it was released. 

  

Andy Williams's "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" ranked number five. This song by Andy Williams is one of those songs that makes your heart warm and head sure that the holiday season will be "the most wonderful time of the year" with loved ones and joy filling your days. 

As you start to de-dust your Christmas cassettes, records, CD's, and youtube playlists, be sure to lend an ear to these top five songs, especially if your Christmas spirit is lagging. x

"Adulting" is Overated

The joys of being a young adult: finally waking up after hitting the snooze button four times, showing up to a class in something resembling the pajamas you rolled out of bed wearing, and having to clean your room once a month because you do not know if that smell is your dirty socks or something that has died under your bed. 

If you had parents like mine, they would always say something along the lines of, "Being an adult means having more responsibilities," or, "I've been doing this 'adulting' thing for over 30 years now, so quit complaining." I guess waking up on time, looking presentable, and cleaning the deep dark depths of your bedroom are not exactly earth shattering adult tasks for our parents. 

I think it is safe to say that "adulting" is way overated. The good news about being a young adults is that you have a few more chances to unleash your inner kiddo - it's called the weekend! 

One of the activities that enveloped my childhood was definitely all things Disney. Parents can complain all they want about their kids watching Frozen or Moana a gazillion times, but really, we all love those childhood moments. The great news is that you can still have those kiddo moments even as an adult! 

The Lion King is always a popular go to, as this movie has literally everything: love, action, humor, murder, betrayal, revenge, and a good-triumphs-evil finale. Thanks to the RemixManiacs and our technology-focused world, you can now pump up the party with some awesome Lion King jams perfect for dancing!

With Mowgli and Baloo, you are bound for a great time! This Jungle Book remix, published by Cleora Stallings, has quite the beat, comical sound effects, and a variety of songs from this crazy jungle adventure. 

If you really want to make a memorable Friday night, bring this song and the new, live-action Jungle Book movie to fill your evening with good music, a realistic and thrilling movie, and responsible decisions.  

To fully satisfy every girl's princess fix, this "Under the Sea" remix by Nate Ford has something for everyone. The ladies will be remembering their childhood day dreams of being a little mermaid, and the gentlemen will, well... probably be remembering how their sisters or female cousins forced them to watch what they understood as an underwater orchestrated nightmare. 

Though some may say this movie has been overdone with advertisements and merchandise, this Frozen remix published by TrapFactory will revamp your long lost love for Idina Mendzel and her beloved song, "Let it Go." Bring this mix to your next game night, and you may have some out of control karaoke singers on your hands. 

What makes these Disney movies and song remixes so great is how they are always a part of our inner child. Now go out and be a kid for the weekend by getting your Disney on!