3 Country Songs From the 1970s We Hear All the Time Around Thanksgiving and Christmas
The article highlights three country songs from the 1970s that are often heard around Thanksgiving and Christmas, describing how each suits the season. It presents them as music that can make holiday moments feel warmer and more memorable.
The songs are Willie Nelson’s “Pretty Paper”, first recorded by Roy Orbison; Merle Haggard’s 1974 single “If We Make It Through December”; and Charley Pride’s Christmas recordings, including “Jingle Bells” and “Christmas In My Home Town”. The article links Nelson’s gentle performance to gift-wrapping, Haggard’s song to the pressures of the season, and Pride’s clear singing voice to the appeal of holiday music.
In short
- Three 1970s country favourites return each holiday season.
- Nelson’s “Pretty Paper” suits the gift-wrapping mood.
- Haggard and Pride offer songs for seasonal reflection and cheer.
Explained simply
Country music covers a wide range of styles, from songs about everyday working life to recordings made for Christmas. In the 1970s, artists such as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Charley Pride released music that became part of many listeners’ seasonal playlists.
“Pretty Paper” was first recorded by Roy Orbison before Nelson made his version; its title refers to a street seller offering wrapping paper. Haggard’s “If We Make It Through December” follows someone facing financial hardship during the holiday season, while Pride recorded familiar Christmas songs including “Jingle Bells” and “Christmas In My Home Town”.
These songs connect holiday music with different parts of the season: preparing gifts, managing money and spending time at home. Their continued airplay reflects how popular recordings can become familiar features of annual celebrations.
Celebrity Culture Entertainment Music Travel