I’ve been making what I call a Christmas mix — that is, not holiday songs but a mix made at the holidays — since 1997; first they were tapes, then for a few years cds, and finally, in the digital age, the last seven nine years have been downloadable zip files, and this year is no exception. These are songs — frequently but not necessarily released in 2013 — that meant something to me this year, for various reasons, and they are for you. The whole shebang is available as a zip file [here] (166MB, .zip) and in a Spotify playlist below.

Happy holidays, happy 2013, happy these are great songs — whatever floats your boat. This is from me to you. 2013 was some kind of year, good and bad both, and I was repeatedly reminded how much I am loved, which I sometimes forget, but I shouldn’t. That’s all you can expect: good, bad, love. Joy to you, baby.

If you creep about lurking and you only comment on one post all year, this would be a good one. I’m just sayin’. ♥

1. “Cups” — Anna Kendrick: i’ve got my ticket for the long way ’round / two bottle whiskey for the way / and i sure would like some sweet company / and i’m leaving tomorrow what’d you say
2. “No Debts” — Wooden Wand: no debts / no liens / no postponement of dreams / no more moving around / no burdens / no loads / nothing promised, nothing owed / only smooth sailing now/ smooth sailing now
3. “F Off” — Elin Ruth: and i’ve turned myself inside out for you / and i have bent over backwards for you / now there’s something that you could do in return for me / get yourself together and leave
4. “10 O’Clock” — Little Green Cars: i don’t want to have a bright idea / i just want to be able to think
5. “Joy To You Baby” — Josh Ritter: joy to the many / and joy to the few / and joy to you baby / joy to me too
6. “Go Thru It” — Griffin House: you can never get around / what you gotta go through
7. “Bless This Mess” — Doc Feldman & the LD50: bless this mess of a heart / it’s come apart at the seams / with hollowed out dreams scattered around / sometimes this town will drive you drink / if it don’t drive you crazy
8. “Oh, Darling” — San Fermin: oh darling don’t be difficult / i can’t abide
9. “Chapel Hill” — Goodnight, Texas: i’m not like the kid you’d remember / i’m relaxed and satisfied
10. “Oh My Sweet Carolina” — Portastatic: i was trying to find me something / but i wasn’t sure just what
11. “Follow Your Arrow” — Kacey Musgraves: so make lots of noise / kiss lots of boys / or kiss lots of girls / if that’s something you’re into
12. “Good Enough” — Rachel Kiel: i’m good enough for you and you’re good enough for me / and baby i think that’s good enough
13. “Waiting On The River To Rise” — Kingsley Flood: i got faith in faith / because the other choice / is no choice at all
14. “Super America” — Bad Bad Hats: i want a sweet tea and a heart that won’t break if you leave me
15. “Rewrite Our Lives” — Ha Ha Tonka: i said that i don’t want to quit / i want a heart that’s synthetic / i want you to have one too / then we could try this all again
16. “New Year’s Resolution” — Camera Obscura: new year’s resolution – to kiss you like i mean it
17. “Tells Me So” — Boxed Wine: i just wanted to let you know / oh she says she tells me so
18. “Young Volcanoes” — Fall Out Boy: it’s all over now before it has begun / we’ve already won
19. “Four Simple Words” — Frank Turner: somebody told me that music with guitars / was going out of fashion, and i had to laugh / this shit wasn’t fashionable back when i fell in love / so if the hipsters move on why should i give a fuck
20. “Cups (You’re Gonna Miss Me)” — Lulu & the Lampshades: you’re gonna miss me by my walk / you’ll miss me by my talk / you’re gonna miss me when i’m gone