I must confess that before the idea was floated around Vinyl Tap of reviewing celebrity Christmas albums I had never actually listened to The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection by, you guessed it, Taylor Swift. I discovered how much I actually love her music my freshman year of high school when my friend bought her 1989 CD at Starbucks and we listened to it on an old CD player. We spent many afternoons dancing and singing to “Wildest Dreams” and “Style” and soon I became a total fan. And after I hadn’t listened to her for a few years, I rediscovered how much I love her music after a weekend beach trip with my friends the summer after my freshman year of college. To me, her music has always connected me with other people and could make me feel just about anything. Nothing truly says heartbreak like screaming “All Too Well” in the car with your friends. So, it’s surprising that I never actually took the time to listen to her EP, The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection (although maybe I get a pass because I don’t actually celebrate Christmas?).
When I finally did take the time to listen to it, my first time through I thought it was honestly a little meh. Fresh off of Folklore and Evermore, I found it difficult not to compare her holiday EP to these, well in my opinion, masterpieces. But let’s remember, it’s not 2020, the year was 2007 and Taylor Swift was still country! It’s unfair to compare her music back then to songs she’s written after a lot of growth. Once I looked at this for what it was, a Christmas EP from a very young and still relatively new Taylor Swift, I began to enjoy it a lot more. Even if the songs aren’t as sophisticated, there’s still a very lovable, innocent, country-era Taylor Swift feel to them. Remember “Tim McGraw?” “Our Song?” Yeah, like that.
The EP starts off with a pretty catchy version of a “Last Christmas” by Wham! cover. You know, the really sad song about getting your heart broken? Well, now it’s a really upbeat country pop song! But honestly it works. I very much appreciate the jingle bells in the background. If I had a holiday party, this would definitely make my playlist! And I have also just decided that my new parameter of judgement is, “Would this song make my holiday party playlist?”
Next on this EP is “Christmases When You Were Mine,” which is a Taylor Swift original. It’s no surprise that the Queen of Break-Up Songs™ herself decided to write a sad break-up song for us on her Christmas album. In this song, the singer remembers past Christmases when they were in a relationship and struggles to come to terms with being alone this Christmas. Sometimes we think we’ve moved past something, until a certain event can trigger feelings. For the singer this event is spending Christmas for the first time without their ex. Is this her best work lyrically? No. But like I said, we can appreciate these songs for what they are and the time in which they were written. This song is definitely a good break-up song you can play if you’re feeling sad about being single during the holidays. Would this song make my holiday party playlist? No, but not because I don’t think it’s good, but because it’s too sad and would probably kill the vibe. If by chance you happen to be throwing a sad Christmas party though I’d totally recommend it!
Up next is another catchy pop country cover, this time of “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt. Similar to “Last Christmas,” this one is fun, upbeat, and catchy. It’s not my favorite cover of “Santa Baby” (sorry that crown has to go to the Glee cover sung by Naya Rivera) but it’s still pretty good. Would this song make my holiday party playlist? Most definitely.
The next two songs, a cover of “Silent Night” and an original “Christmas Must be Something More” aren’t my favorites. To me, the appeal of “Silent Night” has always been how calm and peaceful it is. Unless you have ever uttered the words, “I like ‘Silent Night,’ but I’d like it more if it were a fast-paced country pop song” this song probably isn’t for you. “Christmas Must be Something More” has a catchy tune, but it gives me “Put the Christ back in Christmas!” vibes and honestly as a Jew who kind of loves how secular Christmas has become, I’m not really feeling it. I don’t listen to Christmas music to remember Jesus, I listen to it to get a fun, wintery feel. So, would these two songs make my holiday party playlist? Unfortunately, no.
The EP closes with a cover of “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby. Again this is another upbeat, pop country, fun Christmas cover, I’m sensing a theme here? But I’m not complaining. It’s catchy and fun. I don’t think it’s as strong as “Last Christmas” or “Santa Baby,” probably because those songs fit said theme better, but it’s still a nice song. Would this song make my holiday party playlist? Sure, I’d put it on there.
Overall, this EP had some cute songs on here. I liked them and would add a few to the collection of holiday songs I already listen to. But was I blown away by this? No. Knowing what Taylor Swift is capable of, I know she could put out a much better Christmas album. If you haven’t already heard, Taylor is currently re-recording her first few albums so she can own her own music, I wonder if this includes this EP? I’m guessing no, but it would be interesting to hear these songs re-recorded in her current style. Or, maybe one of these years she’ll surprise us with a whole new holiday album. After this year, who knows what to expect from Taylor Swift anyways!?
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