Tinsel Tunes - The Christmas Music Podcast

This month, Duane and Scott discuss "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Songs played in this episode:

For the first episode of 2026, Duane and Scott discuss the song "Mele Kalikimaka".

Happy New Year everyone!!

Duane here for a short episode where I reveal the new listener-led concept for Tinsel Tunes 2026.

This listener-led season puts Christmas music fans in control, from song choices to monthly themes and special guest episodes. Your voice helps shape the year ahead.

For the final episode of 2025, Duane and Scott discuss the song "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". They also reveal the winner of the 2025 song battle.

This month, Duane and Scott look at the history of the 1914 Christmas Truce and songs written about the event.

This month, Duane and Scott discuss the carol "I Saw Three Ships" with Tim Babb from the "Can't Wait for Christmas" podcast.

This month, Duane and Scott discuss the carol "Away in a Manger" with special guest Lynnora Gilbert.

This month, Scott and Duane celebrate seven years of Tinsel Tunes with our very special guest, Brian Earl from the Christmas Past podcast. They each share some versions of the carol "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear".

This month, Duane and Scott explore jazz Christmas music.

This month, Duane and Scott explore the song "Here We Come A-Wassailing" and the tradition of wassail.

This month, Duane and Scott reveal the history of the hymn "Joy to the World".

Versions played in this episode:

This month, Duane and Scott explore the history of “Good King Wenceslas”.

Versions played in the episode:

This month, Duane and Scott discuss the history of “Auld Lang Syne”.

This month, Duane and Scott dive into the surprising history of "Deck the Halls".

Songs played in this episode:

This month, Scott and Duane discuss the iconic song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”

Versions played in this episode:

This month, Duane and Scott dive deep into the history of "O Come, All Ye Faithful".

Songs played in this episode:

This month, Gerry Davila from The Totally Rad Christmas Podcast joins Duane and Scott to discuss Christmas albums from 1980s cartoon character properties.

Songs/Albums played:

This month, Duane and Scott review metal and heavy rock Christmas songs with special guest, listener Matt Wheeler.

Matt’s Songs

This month, Duane and Scott listen to funny, silly, and parody Christmas songs that were submitted by listeners. (and Duane!)

This month, Duane and Scott listen to Christmas songs about trains.

Duane and Scott discuss the carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem".

Versions of the song played on this episode:

This month, Duane and Scott explore the Christmas music written by the prolific songwriter Johnny Marks.

Songs played in the episode:

Scott and Duane are finally back at it! This month, we're discussing ska Christmas music.

Songs played during the episode:

Scott and Duane discuss Nat King Cole's beloved song "The Christmas Song".

Cole's Versions we played:

Scott and Duane discuss Andy Williams' beloved song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" from 1963.

Notable versions we played:

• Andy Williams
• Andy Wiliams and Kathy Triccoli
• Johnny Mathis
• Harry Connick, Jr.
• Barry Manillow
• Kylie Minogue
• Idina Menzel
• Cliff Richard

Genre versions of the song we played:

• Celtic Thunder (Celtic)
• Brian Setzer Orchestra (Big Band)
• Pentatonix (Acapella)
• Brett Eldridge (Country)
• Ainsworth Rose (Reggae)
• Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh (Punk)
• Classless Act (Rock)
• First to Eleven (Hard Rock)
• Beegie Adair (Jazz)

Silly versions of the song we played:

• Nasal Recorder (Nose Flute)
• MDRN (Dubstep Remix)
• Raxlen Slice (Chiptune)
• Adam LeFebvre (Barbershop Quartet)
• Gonzo and Rizzo from 2006 A Green and Red Christmas (Muppets)

This month, Jay and Scott take a deep dive into the song "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen".

Songs played on this episode:

For half-Christmas, we have a special guest, Duane Bailey, on to discuss the 2002 album "Boogie Woogie Christmas" by the Brian Setzer Orchestra.

Songs from this episode:

In this episode, Jay and Scott discuss the history of "The Little Drummer Boy" and also go deep into the Bing Crosby/David Bowie duet. They even dig up obscure versions of the song by Ringo Starr, Jimi Hendrix, and more.

In this month's episode, we discuss the origins and history of the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas". 

This month, Jay and Scott dive deep into the history of "Jingle Bells".

Songs Featured in this Episode:

This week, Jay and Scott listen to and discuss the song “Snoopy’s Christmas” by The Royal Guardsmen.

Songs Featured in this Episode:

Hello everyone! This month, we will look at the song "Silent Night" with Scott and Jay from the Jingle Jank Podcast. Make sure you listen to the whole episode for a very special surprise!

Here are the versions of "Silent Night" we played in this episode:

In this episode, we'll look at some favorite Country Christmas Songs from our listeners and some other Christmas Podcast hosts. This episode is filled to the brim with music!

This episode's top 5 list comes from long time listener Liz Asphodel, and we'll find out what her 5 favorite Country Christmas songs are as I'll read out what these songs mean to her.

After that we'll hear no less than 12 songs that listeners, hosts, and I like. We'll close out the episode with another chapter of "The Christmas Carol" recorded from vinyl.

Liz's list:

Hi listeners and welcome to Season 4, episode 1.In this episode, we'll recap the past month as a bit has happened. We'll also deep dive in to the song "Once in a Royal David's City". I ask for help with next month's episode and get to listen to another chapter on The Christmas Carol from vinyl. 

Links to music used in the episode: