Tag: holiday

9 Audiobooks for Travelers This Holiday Season

December 19, 2023

Audiobooks can be the perfect entertainment while traveling this holiday season. However, if you’re planning for every mile ahead of you or simply want to satisfy your wanderlust with stories on jet-setting and worldly adventure, Spotify has you covered with the following recommendations. 

Pointers From Top Travel Gurus

 

The One-Way Ticket Plan

Written and narrated by Alexa West

Alexa West once turned the $200 in her pocket into more than a decade of solo travel. Here she shares her blueprint for women who want to travel the world, still making money, fall in love, and find their purpose. How do you afford to travel when you’re broke? Is it safe to travel alone as a woman? How do you avoid scams and tourist traps? These are some of the questions she explores in The One-Way Ticket Plan.

World Travel: An Irreverent Guide

Written by Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever

Narrated by Laurie Woolever, Shep Gordon, Christopher Bourdain, Jen Agg, Matt Walsh, Bill Buford, Claude Tayag, Nari Kye, Vidya Balachander, and Steve Albini

American chef Anthony Bourdain was known for his unfiltered take on food and culture in destinations around the world. From hidden pockets of his hometown of New York to a tribal longhouse in Borneo, listeners can join the adventure while getting advice on how to get to these destinations, what to eat, where to stay, and what to avoid. Supplementing Bourdain’s words are a handful of essays by friends, colleagues, and family who share their accounts of traveling with Bourdain.

The Road Trip Survival Guide

Written by Rob Taylor and Samantha Brown

Narrated by Vikas Adam

If you’re in the midst of planning a road trip, this book has all the tips and tricks you need to make for a successful adventure. Listeners get advice on how to organize their cars; packing lists for different types of vacations; the perfect road trip itinerary to suit the family; and more.

 

Far-Reaching Tales for Your Next Metaphorical Trip 

 

Lizzie & Dante

Written by Mary Bly

Narrated by Carlotta Brentan

On the heels of a difficult break-up and a devastating diagnosis, Shakespeare scholar Lizzie Delford decides to take one last lavish vacation on Elba, the sun-kissed island off the Italian coast, with her best friend and his movie-star boyfriend. Once settled into a luxurious seaside resort, Lizzie has to make big decisions about her future, and she needs the one thing she may be running out of: time. 

Glory Be

Written by Danielle Arceneaux

Narrated by Bahni Turpin

In Glory Be, the first in a charming crime series set in the Louisiana bayou, amateur sleuth Glory Broussard learns that her best friend has been found dead in her apartment. The police declare the mysterious death a suicide, but Glory is convinced that there must be more to the story. To find out the truth she launches her own investigation in a town of oil tycoons, church gossips, and a rumored voodoo priestess. As a Black woman who grew up in a segregated Louisiana, Glory is used to being minimized and overlooked, but she’s determined to make her presence known as the case leads her deep into a web of intrigue.

Christmas on the Island: Compass Key

Written by Maggie Miller

Narrated by Vivienne Leheny, Laura Jennings, Allyson Voller, Cindy Kay, Nancy Wu, Sara Morsey, and Suzie Althens

Author Maggie Miller’s Compass Key series follows five former sorority sisters, all in their fifties, as they undertake adventures at the exclusive Compass Key resort. In this installment, listeners follow the ladies and their house mother as they celebrate Christmas on the private island. The holiday brings many surprises and a chance for the women to take stock of their lives. 

Outlander

Written by Diana Gabaldon

Narrated by Davina Porter

A taste of intrigue, danger, and desire all wrapped up in a tale of time travel. It’s 1945 and Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon. Their blissful reunion is shattered when she touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone ruins and is instantly transported to 1743 Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans. Here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior who shows her a love so absolute that Claire becomes torn between fidelity and desire—and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

For the Thrill of Travel

 

The Flight Attendant

Written by Chris Bohjalian

Narrated by Erin Spencer, Grace Experience, and Mark Deakins

Flight attendant Cassandra Bowden wakes up in Dubai in the wrong bed, in the wrong hotel, and with a dead man. She has no idea what happened. Listeners follow along as Cassie attempts to piece her night back together to find out what really happened that night. Could she have killed him? If not, who did?

The Final Hunt

Written by Audrey J. Cole

Narrated by Stacey Glemboski

After her husband disappears while hunting off-grid—and is presumed dead from a bear attack—Cameron uncovers his role in the recent Seattle serial murders. Now the media has destroyed her reputation, she’s lost her dental practice, she’s on the brink of losing her home, and she’s on a quest for the truth in the frozen landscape of the Alaskan wilderness.

Ready for more? Check out audiobooks perfect for your morning commute here.

Celebrate the Holidays With Festive Playlists From TODAY Anchors

December 15, 2023

the TODAY show anchors standing in front of a green and white backdrop

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Spotify listeners, as well as our favorite anchors from NBC’s TODAY, are getting into the spirit by streaming their favorite seasonal hits.

Festive favorites from TODAY

Here’s a holiday gift for fans: Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Carson Daly, Sheinelle Jones, Dylan Dreyer, and Jenna Bush Hager have each created their own Spotify holiday playlist, sharing the tracks they like to entertain, dance, and listen to during the most wonderful time of the year. From Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” to Wham!’s “Last Christmas” to Darius Rucker’s “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” each anchor’s playlist is full of traditional classics and contemporary holiday favorites.

Savannah Guthrie

Hoda Kotb

Al Roker

Craig Melvin

“The songs I chose are ones I listen to every year and share with my family. Our favorite is “Silent Night” by The Temptations, but this playlist also has some classics by Mariah Carey and even Darius Rucker!”

Carson Daly

Sheinelle Jones

“For me, music speaks to my heart in ways words can’t. These are songs that remind me of what’s beautiful about the holidays.”

Dylan Dreyer

“My songs are steeped in nostalgia—I grew up in the ’80s so when I hear U2 or Bruce Springsteen’s Christmas songs, I’m transported to Christmas Eve with my family growing up!”

Jenna Bush Hager

Ho-ho-holiday trends

The TODAY team is in sync with Spotify users who are also creating their own playlists for the festive season. Since the start of November, holiday playlist creation on Spotify has spiked by more than 1,400% as listeners pull together their favorite collections of jolly jingles. 

Canadian singer-songwriter Michael Bublé is the King of Christmas, taking the honor of the top-streamed artist globally this season. If you’re looking for a festive album to set the mood while entertaining or heading on your holiday travels, we recommend Bublé’s Christmas, which is Spotify’s most-streamed Christmas album of all time.

Mariah Carey’s 1994 hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” remains a favorite as the top-streamed holiday song this year, and the vocal powerhouse is also the second-most-streamed holiday artist.

 

Keep the merriment flowing with Spotify’s other festive playlists, like Christmas Hits, Christmas Classics, Country Christmas, New Music Holiday, and snow globe. 

 

Why Switching to Spotify Premium Is the Perfect Gift to Yourself This Holiday

November 28, 2022

a colorful, geometric graphic that shows a person with glasses blowing a bubble gum bubble

When your friends gather ’round the candles to enjoy some holiday cheer, a top-notch music experience is sure to heighten the festive mood. With Spotify Premium, you’ve got power to create a seamless music-filled gathering. Swiftly decide if Michael Bublé’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas” should be followed up with Ariana Grande’s pop hit “Santa Tell Me” or Brenda Lee’s 1950s classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” 

And if you’ve yet to experience the ease of Spotify Premium, now’s your chance. Our special holiday offer is back, making it the perfect gift to give yourself this celebration season. 

Here are five reasons why Premium should be on your wishlist:

  1. It’s ad-free music listening, making your holiday singalongs as seamless as your four-course family dinner … well maybe a bit more seamless than that.
  2. You can always download and listen offline so that when you head over the river and through the woods, you don’t have to worry about the tunes cutting out if your device loses signal.  
  3. You get instant access to 80 million tracks. Our library is more expansive than the North Pole and with Premium, it’s all available on demand. You can pick the songs you want to hear or leave it to our curated playlists, like Holiday Magic, to get your household into the festive spirit.
  4. You have a month to take advantage of three months free. From November 28 through December 31, 2022, eligible Spotify Free and first-time Spotify listeners can sign up for our Individual Premium plan for three months of free service. Long after the mistletoe or menorah is taken down, you’ll enjoy the perks of Premium at no additional cost.
  5. If you used Spotify Premium previously but canceled before October 28, there’s a miracle in store for you. Come back and remember the joy that Premium brings with a special offer of three months for just $9.99 (or your local market equivalent).

Ready to knock an item off your wishlist a little early this season? Sign up and listen to ad-free, on-demand, unlimited-skip music at spotify.com/premium.  

Kick Off the Festive Season With Our Joy-Filled Holiday Spotify Singles

November 16, 2022

The joyous holiday season is among us and Spotify is ready to follow along as you prepare to light the candles, decorate the tree, or concoct a delicious mulled cider. But instead of hitting play on last year’s favorite festive hits, we have a new set of merry melodies that have been added to our ever-expanding Spotify Singles: Holiday Collection. 

As is our own seasonal tradition, we worked with artists from around the globe to reimagine classic holiday tracks and record them in a fresh new way. Get to know some of this year’s artists—and their favorite holiday traditions—below.

Tom Grennan – “Driving Home For Christmas”

London-based singer-songwriter Tom Grennan quickly went from guest vocalist to headlining artist as fans fell in love with his soulful voice.

Why did you choose the song you covered?

Chris Rea’s “Driving Home For Christmas” always gets me in the holiday mood and really makes me think of family. I put it on when I’m heading back to my parents’ house for Christmas and it gets me super excited, feeling very festive. 

What’s a holiday tradition of yours? 

A holiday tradition would defo be having a snowball in the morning whilst opening presents. It’s not the nicest of drinks but it’s a tradition me and my family have.

 

Kenia OS – “Blanca Navidad”

Kenia OS, a Spotify RADAR Mexico artist, breezes seamlessly between Spanish-language pop and hip-hop in her music.

Why did you choose the song you covered?

“Blanca Navidad” is one of the classic songs in my home when Christmas starts. When I had to choose a song that represents that magical moment with my loved ones, it was the only one I could think of.

What’s a holiday tradition of yours? 

A very important holiday tradition for me is decorating our home for Christmas. In the first couple days of December, my sister and I have the tradition of going together to choose the Christmas tree and decorate it. 

 

Kalush Orchestra – “Shchedrivka”

Kalush Orchestra is a Ukrainian group and 2022 Eurovision winner that fuses traditional Ukrainian folk instruments and melodies with modern hip-hop beats.

Why did you choose the song you covered?

In anticipation of the Christmas holidays, everyone wants a miracle. We are waiting only for the most important thing—the victory of Ukraine. We hope that our cover of “Shchedrivka” will bring positive emotions to Ukrainians and show the world community the true spirit of traditional Ukrainian Christmas.

What is your holiday tradition?

It has become a tradition for our group to walk with the nativity scene and sing carols on Epiphany Eve in early January. Last year in Kyiv, we went around the apartments of Kyiv residents and sang. And before that, Ukrainian carols were also sung in the city transport of Kyiv.

 

Kaylee Bell – “Christmas Tree Farm”

New Zealand country pop star Kaylee Bell was first introduced to fans through the television show “The Voice Australia” and is now bringing her talent to listeners around the world.

Why did you choose the song you covered? 

I am the biggest Christmas fan and Taylor Swift fan, so what better way than to get to tie those two things together than with “Christmas Tree Farm”? This song always makes me feel happy and excited for Christmas and that’s the kind of joy I want to spread.

What’s a holiday tradition of yours? 

I put up the Christmas Tree and watch Love Actually while doing so every single year with a glass of sparkling grape juice and scorched almonds. It’s random—I know!

 

Lasse Skriver – “It Must Have Been Love (Christmas For The Broken Hearted)”

Lasse Skriver hails from Denmark and was a carpenter before he appeared on the country’s version of “X-Factor” and became an overnight singing sensation.

Why did you choose the song you covered?

I chose Roxette’s “It Must Have Been Love (Christmas For The Broken Hearted)” because I think the story behind it is very interesting and it’s also just a really good song. I knew of the song before I made the cover but never had any idea that it originally was a Christmas song, so I wanted to make a cover with its original meaning, where the theme of Christmas shines through like intended. 

 What’s a holiday tradition of yours?

Every year around Christmastime I’ll be at my grandparents’ place, where we bake all kinds of cakes and pastries and just enjoy each other’s company. It is a tradition I treasure very much!

 

IVE – “After LIKE (Holiday Mix)”

IVE is a six-member girl group taking over the K-Pop scene. 

Why did you choose the song you did?

We think “After LIKE” is one of our most upbeat songs that goes well with the holiday vibes. With Spotify Holiday Singles, we wanted to take it up a notch and make it even more Christmassy. Also, the sampling of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” in “After LIKE” makes it a more easy-listening and enjoyable song for all. That is why we thought this song would be perfect for the holiday season.

What’s a holiday tradition of yours?

Korea doesn’t have any specific year-end holiday traditions, but on Lunar New Year and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), we would wear Hanbok, Korea’s traditional clothing. While wearing Hanbok, Koreans perform a New Year’s bow to their elders, and sometimes the elders would give allowances to the young ones. 

For the holiday season, however, we just spend time with our loved ones and eat delicious food with the holiday spirit! Japan is quite similar to Korea overall, but Japan has a unique tradition of eating soba (“toshikoshi soba”) on December 31. This soba is nothing special, but there are many reasons why the Japanese eat it on the last day of the year. Soba noodles are long, so eating toshikoshi soba symbolizes our wish for longevity. At the same time, soba noodles can be cut easily, so it also represents our wish to break off from the bad influences or incidents from the past year.

DannyLux – “Triste Navidad”

Daniel Balderrama Espinoza, better known as DannyLux, is a California native who brings a unique flair to the corridos genre.

Why did you choose the song you covered?

I chose to write this Christmas song and make it sad because I want the people to feel it—I wanted to make a story about the feeling. There’s some people that spend the holiday season alone. That’s why I titled it “Triste Navidad,” because Christmas can be happy for some, but there’s also times that Christmas is sad, because it brings memories, sad memories.

What’s a holiday tradition of yours?

One tradition that my family always does during Christmas is gather at my grandmother’s house. All my cousins, uncles, aunts. And we gather there and place all the gifts under the Christmas tree, and it gets full! And once midnight strikes everyone opens their gifts.

Kurt Vile – “Must Be Santa”

Singer-songwriter Kurt Vile is all about the lyrics and the sound in his music—which has an element of what the Philadelphian describes as “fried pop.”

Why did you choose the song you covered?

When I was asked to be on this Christmas compilation, they said, “You can do any Christmas song you want, as long as it’s not repeated by somebody else on this series.” I thought it was nice of them to invite me, but I didn’t know if I could pull off a Christmas song! Then my mind jumped to when John Agnello showed me the Bob Dylan version of “Must Be Santa” while we were making the Smoke Ring For My Halo record. It’s a really hilarious video (he showed me that first), and it shows a rambunctious Christmas party. Bob Dylan has a wig on, and someone goes flying through a window. All this time, I thought it was Bob Dylan’s song. It’s really catchy, and he makes it his own as he usually does. I figured if I can do Dylan’s “Must Be Santa,” if that’s not taken, it’s a sign. I gotta be the next chapter in this version of a Bob Dylan song. 

Then I realized it was actually a classic Christmas song, and was written however long ago, but I still wanted to do it justice the way Bob did. I wanted to be the guy who attempted to pull it off.

This was also a great excuse to use my home studio OKV Central again, with my bandmate Adam Langellotti on bass, and Ted Young. Ted moved to Philly (he engineers with me a lot), but he was actually John Agnello’s assistant engineer back when I first heard Bob Dylan’s “Must Be Santa.” It feels like a perfect circle, really. I thought I’d do an acoustic version and have my daughters sing backup, but then it turned into more of a weird synth version with their vocals, which is really the hook. I figured Bob wouldn’t hear it, but I still wanted to do it justice, and once I got my daughters singing with me I hoped he would at least like it. Now I know . . . he loves it [laughs]. Merry Christmas, Bob Dylan!

What is a holiday tradition of yours?

My wife, Suzanne, reminded me of my funniest holiday Christmas tradition: Every year now we go to a Christmas Eve service at an Episcopal church that is very beautiful in Philadelphia. And I sit there in the pew with the family while the songs are there and it really is a nice service, it’s pretty. But then a few songs in, I start tapping my foot and it reminds me of when I was young and I was always having to sit in church and I was just wanting to get out of there. So what I do is, I go to the corner Dunkin Donuts in all my holiday finest and I have some coffee and donuts. And I just sit in the car and wait for the service to be over. And it sort of makes me feel good and free, but it’s also like, I have my kids in there. So it’s full circle again, where it takes me back to growing up and being excited about Christmas, but also being free enough that I’m an adult now, and I don’t have to sit through a whole service, and I can still enjoy some fine Dunkin Donuts ’til I drive my family home. It’s become a running gag sort of Christmas tradition. And so it’s literally something I do every year now. I’ll definitely do it again this year.

 

Unwrap all the new tracks in our Spotify Singles: Holiday Collection playlist.

5 Reasons To Switch to Spotify Premium This Holiday Season

November 30, 2021

During the holidays, the right audio can add that perfect finishing touch to a white elephant gift swap or cookie decorating party. Curating the listening experience can be daunting, but with Spotify’s massive catalog of songs and podcasts to fit the mood and our new holiday offer, the ideal festive atmosphere is just a few taps away. 

To help you keep the sounds running seamlessly, we are bringing back our annual Premium holiday offer, giving the gift of ad-free, skippable music to eligible Spotify Free and first-time listeners. Today through December 31, you can sign up and listen to favorites like “All I Want for Christmas Is You” on repeat for free and without any interruptions. Or, if you’re in the mood for a fresh holiday tune, skip around in the 2021 Spotify Singles: Holiday Collection to hear new seasonal music. 

Did you get cold feet and cancel your plan before October 29 of this year? We’ve got a deal that will warm you right up. Spotify is offering users a chance to get back to Premium with three months for the price of one on the Individual plan. 

If you need more convincing, here are five reasons to let Spotify help you listen ad free to all your wintertime favorites and much more.

1. It’s ad free.

Our favorite reason to join Spotify Premium is that you can enjoy your music without interruption. As much as we love getting ad-inspired ideas for our holiday wish lists, sometimes we want to get cozy by the fire and stream our favorite songs all day long.

2. You can switch to offline listening. 

Whether you’re on a plane, train, sleigh ride, or grandma’s dial-up Internet, Spotify Premium lets you download and listen to all your music offline, so you don’t have to be connected to Wi-Fi or data to play your favorites.

3. Get instant access to 70 million tracks. 

The only thing less fun than a holiday playlist interruption is a limit on the number of songs you’re allowed to skip. With Spotify Premium, all our music is available on demand. So if you’re hankering for a specific song on our Christmas Classics playlist, it’s ready to be queued up with just a tap. And if a family member hijacks your carefully curated queue, all it takes is a few skips to get the vibe back. 

Plus, you can switch between your headphones, computer, or home speaker with just a few swipes. So no matter where the day takes you, listening never has to take a pause.  

4. Premium might just be speaking your language and in your market.

This year, we’ve expanded to 44 new markets—from Uganda to Jamaica to Papua New Guinea—and added five new languages, including Romanian and Croatian. That brings the Spotify Premium count to 184 markets total. So now even more folks around the world can take part in uninterrupted streaming this season. 

5. You have a month to take advantage of three months free!

Here’s the breakdown: from November 29 through December 31, 2021, eligible Spotify Free and first-time Spotify listeners can sign up for our Individual Premium plan for three months for free. 

If you ended your Premium subscription recently and are having some regrets, no need to wait for the Ghost of Christmas Past. You can sign up again and have three months of ad-free music back for $9.99, or your local market equivalent. That’s just under $4 per month for Premium listening. 

Ready for ad-free, on-demand, unlimited-skip music? Head to spotify.com/premium to sign up for your seamless holiday music-listening experience.

Give the Gift of Spotify in Every Room This Holiday Season

December 18, 2020

Still working on your holiday gift list? Let us be your guide. This year, a lot of streaming on Spotify was inspired by at-home activities. So why not go with the trends—get a gift that helps your friends and loved ones continue to enjoy audio from any room of their house. 

From smart speakers and TVs to wireless headphones and gaming consoles, these gadgets provide great audio streaming quality for every member of the family. Plus, all of the products work with either a Free or Premium Spotify account, so you know they’ll be in good use. (Just make sure to check that the item is available in the country you live in.)  

For hands-free streaming in the kitchen: Nest Hub Max

Make food prep or dish washing fly by with a simple request: “Hey Google, play my Discover Weekly playlist.” Google’s Nest Hub Max smart display will quickly become the center of your smart home, with personalized answers from Google. Plus, Nest Hub Max’s 10-inch HD screen lets you enjoy watching the news, live sports, your favorite shows and movies via YouTube TV, Netflix, Disney+, and now video podcasts on Spotify. Ask Nest Hub Max to show your favorite family photos, help with recipe suggestions, switch on the lights, or turn down your thermostat, all with “Hey Google.”

For together time in the Family Room: Amazon Fire TV Edition Smart TVs

Why not give the gift of music, TV, and movies all in one? With Spotify on Amazon Fire TV Edition Smart TVs, your loved one will be able to enjoy all the music and podcasts they stream regularly—from the big screen. They’ll be able to flick through albums, songs, and playlists using the remote control, or via Spotify Connect on their phone or tablet. They’ll even be able to switch between the two for a totally seamless experience. For other Amazon Fire TV integrations, take a look at the Fire TV Cube, Fire TV Stick, and Fire TV Edition Soundbar.

For getting in the groove in the home office: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones

Those working from home this year know that distractions abound. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 UC will equip your giftee to collaborate with confidence (and stay focused) no matter what else is happening. With a voice-isolating adaptive microphone system, instantly adjustable noise cancellation, and Bose USB Link Bluetooth® module, the user will get personalized, high-quality sound with a reliable wireless connection. Plus, iOS users can start and stop their Spotify listening session with just one touch. 

For unwinding in the basement playroom: Gaming Galore

With two new consoles from PlayStation and Xbox this year, gamers (and their gift-giving loved ones) have a big decision to make. Both PS5 and Xbox X|S integrate with Spotify for amazing music or podcast audio during game play. Or, the recipient can use the consoles as a speaker when they’re taking a screen break. To help make your decision, check out the new ways to control Spotify the PS5 or navigate to to Spotify on the Xbox X|S. Plus, Spotify is now available to download through the Epic Games Store. Grab it from the Epic Games Store launcher or add it to your library directly from Spotify’s product page.

For going between rooms (or even leaving the house): Samsung Galaxy Smartphones with Galaxy Buds+ and Galaxy Buds Live

If your loved one likes to be on the move, get them a gift to match. Spotify comes preinstalled on Samsung Galaxy smartphones globally, including the Galaxy S20, Galaxy Z Flip, and Galaxy Note 20. That means users can start playing their favorite music and podcasts the moment the wrapping paper is off. Plus, for Android users, the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ and Galaxy Buds Live feature one-touch Spotify playback—no wires, no tapping through multiple icons, just music to their ears. Give the gift of one-touch Spotify; the easiest, most personal way to stream wherever, whenever.


Spotify is now available on over 2,000 devices from 200 brands. Browse hundreds of gift ideas for your loved ones (or even yourself).

From Family Time to Me Time, Here’s How Moms Say They’re Using Music and Podcasts

May 8, 2020

Mother’s Day is always a special time, yet this year the occasion—and motherhood in general—looks a little different. That’s why Spotify asked more than 3,000 moms in Australia, Canada, and the U.S. how they’re navigating the new normal and how music and podcasts are playing a role. As it turns out, audio content is truly helping moms make the most of family time. 

Of mothers surveyed, 78% have used music to connect with their kids in the past month, while a third say they’ve listened to podcasts with their kids for fun, education, or even as a break from screen time. Case in point: Story Pirates, a podcast featuring stories by kids for kids, has seen a 39% boost in Spotify streams since March. 

That’s not all we found. From dance parties to moments of meditation, here’s how moms are using music and podcasts to get through their days.

Multitasking master

When it comes to multitasking, no one does it quite like moms. A whopping 81% of those surveyed say they’re juggling at least one other task while streaming their favorite music or podcasts. The most popular activities? Chores, cooking, or working out. Looking for something new to stream while multitasking? Check out the “Listening Together” artist-created playlists in our Home Hub to find music for any task.

Movin’ and groovin’

At-home dance parties are the perfect way to shake off stress, get in some exercise, and boogie down with your quarantine cohorts. More than 40% of moms said they’ve started dance parties in the last month on their own or with their families. Our Dance Pop playlist has the hits you need to get the party started.

Can’t get you out of my head

Mom’s genre of choice? For 38% it’s pop, while 14% are rocking out to rock, and 13% are riding off into the sunset with country jams. Plus, since quarantine began, 30% of moms report having a catchy earworm stuck in their heads. Some of those songs include “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion, “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars,” Adore You” by Harry Styles,” Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran, and “Raise Your Glass” by P!nk!.

Grrrl power 

If you had your very own podcast, who would your dream cohost be? For the moms surveyed, 35% said it would be their own mom, BFF, or grandma. If you’re looking for a parent-child duo for inspiration, check out fashion designer Cynthia Rowley’s show Ageless, cohosted by her daughter Kit.

Dancing on my own 

Yet besides using music and podcasts to spend time with family, many moms are also turning to their favorite music to get some much-needed alone time. More than half of those surveyed said they’re over listening to the content their kids want to listen to—and that they’ve used music to tune out their families. To get away, about a third of moms say they’re escaping to their bedrooms to listen to music or opting for a solo walk. Some moms (34% of respondents) say they’ve hopped in the car to drive to nowhere just to blast a few songs in solitude. If the windows-down, wind-in-your-hair vibe sounds like your thing, we’ve got a playlist just for that. Another option for Spotify Premium Family Plan subscribers is Spotify Kids, which allows children to explore audio with you or on their own—or enjoy kid-friendly audio handpicked for them.

All the feels 

It’s probably no surprise that moms (like many of us) are just taking things one day at a time. According to 67%, that’s how they’ve handled these past few weeks. Meanwhile, 30% described their mood as “frustrated,” another 30% said they were “anxious,” and 35% said they’ve cried along to a song in the last month. At this unprecedented time, it’s important that those who take such good care of their families also take care of themselves. Moms can check out Daily Wellness for a personalized mix of motivational podcasts, and feel-good music can help create a little “me time” in their routines.

 

Whether they’re singing loud and proud or taking it easy with their favorite chill tracks, one thing’s for sure: Moms are rock stars.

That’s why this Mother’s Day, we created a playlist to celebrate and thank moms for all their hard work year-round. Between enjoying some alone time, cooking for your family, or dancing on your own, the Mother’s Day 2020 playlist has a little something for you.

Stream the Mother’s Day 2020 playlist below and have a happy Mother’s Day!

Whether You’re Spending Thanksgiving Near or Far, Spotify Has a Playlist to Help Make the Day Extra Special

November 21, 2019

Do your Thanksgiving plans include going over the river? Perhaps through the woods? Or maybe to grandma’s house? Or maybe you’re staying home and cooking up a feast for your own guests. Whether you’re spending hours on the road, in the kitchen, or both, you’ll need ample amounts of sure-fire audio entertainment.

Thanks to Spotify’s annual Turkey Timer and all-new Soundtrack Your Ride microsites, you can soak in music and podcast playlists geared specifically for you while traveling to your holiday destination or whipping up a culinary creation.

And just like the food on your dinner table, these playlists have something for everyone. So gather round and check out these custom playlists to help you survive—and thrive—this turkey (or tofurkey) season. 

Get Movin’ with Soundtrack Your Ride 

If you’re one of the millions of people hitting the road for the most-traveled day of the year, make sure you don’t leave the house before taking our interactive Soundtrack Your Ride quiz to generate a custom playlist that fits the mood and duration of your journey. The playlist is made just for you and is customizable based on everything from the car you’re driving to your passengers, top genre, and all-time-favorite driving tunes on desktop and mobile.

And if you’re headed to a cozy cabin in the woods (read: no cell service) or just want to save data, Spotify Premium users can download the playlist before their journeys to listen in offline mode. If you’re not already a Spotify Premium subscriber, check out our annual Spotify Premium holiday offer. From November 18-December 31, new users can get three months free* (so your wallet will thank you, too), and anyone who was previously on Premium but has since dropped can get three months for $9.99 (meaning you pay once and get the next two months on us).** 

There’s also a multitude of ways to connect to Spotify from your car. Not sure how? We’ve got this handy guide to help you get started.

Get Cookin’ with the Turkey Timer


That’s right, the Turkey Timer is back, helping you roast your Thanksgiving dinner to perfection while giving you a playlist to match.

Simply select the weight of your turkey and whether or not it’s stuffed, and we’ll give you a playlist that matches the cooking time so you can go work on the side dishes and desserts. You’ll also be able to select your cooking playlist vibe. Not only do we have six music moods to choose from—from family favorites to top hits, and even a little something to help you get in the Christmas spirit—but this year, we also have a podcast playlist on the menu.

Podcast playlists are a new Spotify feature that allows you to build playlists full of podcasts, or add podcasts to existing music playlists for a mixed-media experience. When it comes to your Turkey Timer playlist, you can choose to fill the room with music or learn something new from a podcast. And if you’re bringing DJ skills (rather than a dish) to follow the meal, you can even make your own playlist with that special blend of podcasts and music to keep the energy up even when the food coma starts to creep in.

Whatever mood you choose, make sure you leave the playlists unshuffled—the last track will remind you that it’s almost time for the turkey to be done and the meal to begin.

 Check out Turkey Timer and Soundtrack Your Ride to get your playlists ready for the big holiday.

* Three Months Free is for new users who have never tried Premium, available across all Premium plans: Individual, Student (where available), Family (where available) and Duo (where available).
** Three Months for $9.99 is only for individual plan users and is not available to users who ended their Premium subscription after October 19, 2019.

Holiday Magic (And Music) Comes to Life in ‘Let It Snow’ Exclusive Spotify Playlists

November 18, 2019

If you’re looking for a movie to get you into the holiday spirit with a sprinkle of teen drama —and some festive music to go along with it—the cast of Netflix’s Let It Snow has you covered. 

The film stars Kiernan Shipka, Isabela Merced, and Mitchell Hope (among many others) and made its debut on Netflix on November 8.  

To celebrate the release of the film, Spotify partnered with Netflix to bring you eight exclusive playlists from the cast, all of which can be found on the Pop Culture Hub. 

Stream the Top Tracks of St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland

March 15, 2019

St Patrick’s Day, March 17, is a global celebration of the Irish. Green-clad crowds swarm parade routes from Tokyo to Toronto; in Chicago, the river is dyed green; and in New Orleans, strings of green beads soar through the air along St. Charles Street. In Ireland, however, it’s music that’s central to the St. Patrick’s Day experience.

A look at our users’ listening habits from the past several St. Patrick’s Days shows that Irish music lovers use the holiday to stream songs primarily by their ample homegrown talent. Across artists and genres, most of the songs in the top ten have that classic Celtic twang, historical roots, or both. The tunes also tend to be upbeat and joyful—perfect for a spirited singalong.

From Galway to Dublin and Cavan to Cork, here are the most consistently streamed songs on St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland over the past five years. Feel free to turn up the volume and belt the lyrics as if you’re in a pub in Limerick—or anywhere else.

“Dirty Old Town” by The Pogues

The song was originally written and recorded in 1949 by British folk singer-songwriter Ewan MacColl, but has been covered by countless Irish artists—most famously by The Dubliners in 1968. This 1985 version by British Celtic punk rockers The Pogues tops the list.

“Seven Drunken Nights” by The Dubliners

A St. Patrick’s Day cliché? Not if you listen to the lyrics, which tell the funny tale of a hapless drunkard on a futile mission. The song is actually based on a 1700s Scottish folk song called “Our Goodman,” recorded in a period-perfect accent by Ewan MacColl (see above).

“The Irish Rover” by The Pogues

Everyone loves a tall tale told over drinks, and this one—about a fictional Irish ship overloaded with cargo—is about as wild as they come. The lyrics have been tweaked and recorded by dozens of Irish artists over time, but The Pogues’ version featuring The Dubliners is the most popular. Irish listeners also love this rendition by Ronnie Drew.

“N17” by The Saw Doctors

This song was one of the Irish rock band’s biggest hits, coming from their debut 1991 album. It celebrates a famously picturesque road, the N17, which once extended from Sligo to Galway in the west of the country.

“Mandinka” by Sinead O’Connor

This was one of the singer-songwriter’s earliest hits, a few years before her international sensation “Nothing Compares 2 U.”

“Where The Streets Have No Name” by U2

The most famous Irish musicians have dozens of songs frequently played on St. Patrick’s Day, but this singable and anthemic track from the 1987 album The Joshua Tree is the only U2 song in the top ten.

“Blackbird” by Sharon Shannon

Accordion master and fiddler Sharon Shannon has recorded some of the most popular albums of traditional Irish music. Several of her countrymen and women—including Hothouse Flowers and Sinead O’Connor—have collaborated on her songs.

“Teenage Kicks” by The Undertones

This song about teenage lust was far and away the biggest hit by the ’70s punk-pop band from Northern Ireland. “Teenage Kicks” attracted the band’s first record deal.

“The Rocky Road to Dublin” by The High Kings

This 19th-century folk song—about a man traveling from Tuam, in western Ireland, to Liverpool—has been covered countless times, including renditions by The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys, and even The Rolling Stones.

“Brewing Up A Storm” by The Stunning

The Galway-based rock band released this song in 1990 on their debut album. It remains their biggest hit, thanks in part to the song’s being regularly played in sports stadiums.  

Check out our Happy St. Patrick’s Day playlist for some of these classics and more tunes to fuel your celebrations. Plus, for a more contemporary look at music from Ireland, try A Breath of Fresh Éire, The New Éire, Hands In The Éire and An Alternative Éire.

8 Popular Christmas Songs That Have Nothing to Do With Christmas

December 19, 2018

You’ve heard “All I Want for Christmas is You” approximately 150 times since your last plate of Thanksgiving leftovers, Hulu has a new crop of Christmas movies every time you log in, and your holiday playlists are on heavy rotation. But you may not have noticed that some of the most iconic songs of the season never actually mention decking the halls or trimming the tree.

So how do those tunes make it sound a lot like Christmas? It’s because many of those wintertime favorites are also part of some serious holiday movie magic. Whether part of an original soundtrack or playing in the background of a pivotal scene, here are some classics that have become synonymous with Christmas.

“Pennies from Heaven” – Elf (2003)

Louis Prima’s croony tune might not say much about the North Pole, but whenever you hear “shoob doobie,” there’s a good chance that visions of Buddy the Elf hopping across New York City crosswalks will dance in your head.

“God Only Knows” – Love Actually (2003)

The finale of this holiday fave featuring a collage of sentimental characters at Heathrow airport is enough to make any grinch’s heart grow three sizes. It only makes sense that The Beach Boys’ soul-warming tune has become just as associated with the holidays as the film itself.

“Heat Miser/Snow Miser Song” – The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)

“Whatever I touch starts to melt in my clutch” might not seem very aligned with the joyous spirit of December, but the Miser brothers’ bickering is the perfect (and unshakably catchy) comic touch to a beautiful Christmas story about the importance of believing in yourself.

“Put a Little Love in Your Heart” – Scrooged (1988)

This call for kindness highlights the end scene of Richard Donner’s modern take on Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol. Although it never mentions the holiday or time of year, the song appears on many a Christmas playlist.

“My Favorite Things” – The Sound of Music (1965)

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “My Favorite Things” has become a December-feeling tune, despite the fact that the song is not linked to Christmas at all. But woolen mittens, sleigh bells, and snowflakes … when you’re feeling sad, this does the trick.

“Catch My Disease”– Just Friends (2005)

Don’t let the name fool you—this upbeat tune accentuated the holiday romcom with its consistent, festive, jingle bell beat. And you can’t say that interlude at 2:20 doesn’t sound at least a little bit like Christmas.  

“The Polar Express” – The Polar Express (2004)

It’s a movie about a train chugging through the cold on Christmas Eve, but the melody of “The Polar Express” reminds everyone that you’re never too old to believe in Santa.

“Thankful Heart” – The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

The lyrics, “With an open smile and with open doors I will bid you welcome, what is mine is yours” might not say “Christmas,” but the sentiment is the same.

All of these are classics—but if you’re looking for something different to stream this Christmastime, check out our New Music Holiday playlist.

5 Tips for Crafting the Perfect Holiday Party Playlist

December 17, 2018

The most wonderful time of the year calls for a wonderful holiday party—and finally, the time has come. You’ve cleaned your house and gotten the food squared away in the kitchen, and now all you need is a solid, holiday-themed playlist.

Whether you’re an annual party host or cutting the crudité for the first time, anyone can use a hand when making a playlist fit for an evening of holiday cheer. Check out our five recommendations for a party playlist that will liven up the party until it’s time to leave.

  1. Think outside the (gift) box

While every store you wander into this time of year may be blasting Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé, or Bing Crosby, that doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Outside the popular classics, there are some great—and slightly more subtle—options. Consider famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma’s album “Songs of Joy and Peace,” which includes a really cool version of “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” with ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro. She & Him’s “The Christmas Song” is irresistibly slow and bluesy, while Fleet Foxes’ “White Winter Hymnal” is a popular offbeat choice. Then there’s Rufus Wainwright’s folky “Spotlight on Christmas.” Go exploring—there’s as much holiday music out there as there are presents in Santa’s workshop.

  1. Consider your audience

Your guest list should determine the tone of your playlist. If your friends are more rock-leaning, look to harder-edge Christmas songs like The Killers’ “A Great Big Sled” and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Christmas All Over Again.” (Shameless plug: We’re pretty satisfied with Joan Jett’s cover of “Little Drummer Boy,” which she recorded for our Spotify Singles: Christmas Collection). There’s an abundance of awesome country music holiday tracks, too, Lady Antebellum’s “Holly Jolly Christmas” and Kacey Musgraves’ “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” among them. And if you’re hosting a sophisticated cocktail bash, you can’t go wrong with Jane Monheit’s “Moonlight in Vermont” or Frank Sinatra’s “Jingle Bells.”

  1. Get personal

It’s always fun to work in some tracks that will appeal to specific party guests. If one of your friends is nuts about Bruce Springsteen, why not add The Boss’s version of “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town”? Or if you have some Ariana Grande fans in the room (and what room doesn’t have at least three?), there are plenty of tracks to choose from on her 2015 album “Christmas and Chill.”

If kids will be at the party, be sure to include some favorites like “Frosty the Snowman,” and maybe skip any adult-themed tracks, like Albert King’s “Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin’” (great jam, though).

  1. Get on the a cappella train

While it’s always a good idea to mix up genres and eras in a party playlist, if you do plan to group songs a certain way—holiday classics, rocking Christmas, Bublé ballads—a good strategy for creating a transition is to pop in an a cappella track. There’s a crisp, layered feel to this type of vocal music, and it serves as a good palate cleanser before a shift in tone. Pentatonix’s “Mary Did You Know” and “Winter Wonderland/Don’t Worry Be Happy” are popular holiday-themed a cappella tracks with Spotify listeners. Also check out Straight No Chaser’s cheeky “Text Me Merry Christmas” (featuring Kristen Bell).

And finally …

  1. Don’t overthink it

Holiday parties are supposed to be lighthearted. Just as a guest showing up in a deliberately awful Christmas sweater shouldn’t be mocked, nor should you be for grabbing a hairbrush and jumping on the couch to sing along to Wham’s “Last Christmas.” If fun is what you’re after, don’t shy away from the fun songs! If in doubt, position the “cheesier” selections further down so they coincide when the eggnog has truly kicked in.

Find even more inspiration in Spotify’s suite of holiday-themed playlists including Christmas Hits, Christmas Pop, and Christmas Classics.