I’ve never been one for Christmas—never got the hype. The blinking lights, the overconsumption, the pressure to feel joyous at a time when the world feels especially cold and dark? Count me out. Yet, like so many Christmas skeptics, I’m an absolute sucker for Christmas music. There’s something about the atmosphere it creates—whether it’s the shimmering jazziness of Vince Guaraldi or the unabashedly kitschy pop of a Mariah Carey hit—that makes it hard to resist. And so, every year, I begrudgingly succumb to the onslaught of jingles and anthems, grateful for the few songs that manage to stand out from the madness. Enter Susannah B and her take on “Christmas Time Is Here.”
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As someone who grew up on A Charlie Brown Christmas—with its melancholic jazz soundtrack and quiet, contemplative moments that stand in stark contrast to the usual holiday hoopla—Susannah’s version of “Christmas Time Is Here” immediately caught my attention. The song itself is a sentimental favorite, undeniably linked to childhood memories of Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, and it’s always had a subdued, introspective vibe that resonated with me as a kid. Unlike the brash cheeriness of most Christmas songs, Guaraldi’s composition has always felt like a reflection of the holiday’s quieter, more meaningful aspects.
Susannah B’s rendition taps into this reflective energy but brings a fresh, modern edge to it. She’s not trying to replicate the original A Charlie Brown Christmas recording (thankfully), nor does she over-sweeten it with a heavy-handed arrangement. Instead, she builds on the foundational jazz piano with a soft electric guitar that subtly shifts the song into new territory. The guitar isn’t flashy—it’s tender, understated, and serves to give the track a contemporary warmth, like a cozy, familiar sweater with just enough stretch to make it feel new. Her vocals, of course, are the star of the show. Susannah’s voice is like honey—smooth and comforting, but with just enough bite to keep things interesting. Where the original’s children’s choir had a sense of innocence, Susannah’s delivery is mature, filled with a quiet yearning that’s easy to relate to, especially if you’ve spent enough time wading through the holiday season with a raised eyebrow.
Now, I’ll admit, I’m not the first person to get excited about a Christmas cover, but this one—this one feels like an antidote to the over-the-top holiday cheer we’re bombarded with every December. Susannah B doesn’t scream at you to feel festive; she invites you into a world where Christmas is more about quiet reflection and the warmth of family than the commercialized spectacle. There’s something inherently comforting about it. It feels like the perfect backdrop for winter evenings when you’re curled up with a book (or in my case, a bottle of wine and a plate of cheese) and just need something to settle your mind.
As much as I appreciate this rendition of “Christmas Time Is Here,” I can’t help but wonder how Susannah might approach other Christmas classics. Given her ability to bring nuance and texture to a song, I’d love to hear her take on “River” by Joni Mitchell, with its melancholy and bittersweet take on the holidays. She could also do wonders with “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” turning it into a soulful meditation on the complexities of family and tradition. And, since we’re in Peanuts territory, a version of “Christmas Is Coming” from A Charlie Brown Christmas would be the perfect complement to this track—those playful piano lines, reframed through Susannah’s smooth, jazz-tinged sensibilities.
Ultimately, Susannah B’s “Christmas Time Is Here” captures the best part of holiday music: the ability to evoke the quiet magic of the season without resorting to overindulgence. It’s a fresh take on a classic, one that adds texture and depth without losing the heart of the original. And while I may not be ready to embrace the full festive overload just yet, I’ll happily make room for this rendition in my holiday rotation. After all, sometimes the best part of Christmas music is its ability to feel like a warm, welcoming hug—just without the obligation to wear a ridiculous sweater or bake twelve kinds of cookies.
Mindy McCall
