If you’re tired of the same three department store carols on loop, you aren't alone. Seriously. There is only so much "Silent Night" a person can take before they want to drive their head through a gingerbread house. This is exactly why the Brian Setzer Christmas album—or rather, the whole trilogy of them—became a massive, tinsel-covered lifeline for people who actually like to have fun during the holidays.
Brian Setzer basically looked at the American Christmas songbook and decided it needed more gasoline. He didn’t just cover these songs; he "Setzer-ized" them. That means taking a 19-piece big band, a signature orange Gretsch guitar, and enough pomade to keep a hairstyle intact through a hurricane.
Honestly, nobody expected the guy from the Stray Cats to become the King of Christmas. But here we are.
The Record That Started the Riot: Boogie Woogie Christmas
Back in 2002, when everyone else was doing "unplugged" sessions or soft-pop holiday covers, Setzer dropped Boogie Woogie Christmas. It was loud. It was brassy. It felt like a 1950s Vegas lounge party crashed into a rockabilly dive bar.
The standout? Definitely "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus." It’s a cover of a 1947 Mabel Scott track, but Setzer turns it into a high-octane jump blues masterpiece. Then you’ve got his duet with Ann-Margret on "Baby, It’s Cold Outside." It’s flirty, it’s kitschy, and it feels authentic to an era that most modern artists just mimic poorly.
Why it worked (and still does)
Most Christmas music feels like it's trying to sell you a candle. Setzer's music feels like it's trying to sell you a hot rod. He took the Brian Setzer Christmas album concept and made it about the party side of the season.
- The Nutcracker Suite: This isn't your niece's ballet recital. It's a seven-minute instrumental tour de force that mixes Tchaikovsky with swing.
- Run Rudolph Run: He leans into his Chuck Berry roots here, and it's probably the definitive version of this song for anyone born after 1960.
- The Amens: A surprisingly sincere ending to a rowdy record, showing he’s not just about the flash.
Dig That Crazy Christmas: Doubling Down on the Chaos
Fast forward to 2005. Setzer realized people weren't just buying the CDs; they were showing up to his "Christmas Rocks!" tour in droves. So, he gave us Dig That Crazy Christmas.
This record is a bit more playful. You’ve got "Santa Drives a Hot Rod," which is exactly what it sounds like. It’s pure mid-century Americana. But the real genius is "Gettin' in the Mood (For Christmas)." He literally took the Glenn Miller classic "In the Mood" and wrote lyrics about Santa. It’s so simple it’s brilliant.
You’ve also got "You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." Setzer’s guitar tone on this track is filthy in the best way possible. It’s growly and menacing, perfectly capturing the vibe of everyone’s favorite holiday hater.
The Ten-Year Itch: Rockin' Rudolph
For a while, it seemed like two albums were enough. But in 2015, the world got Rockin' Rudolph. By this point, the Brian Setzer Orchestra had the holiday formula down to a science.
The production on this one feels a bit bigger, a bit crisper. "Yabba-Dabba Yuletide" is a weird, wonderful inclusion—a Flintstones-themed holiday track that somehow fits perfectly between traditional carols. It shouldn't work. It really shouldn't. But when those horns kick in, you stop asking questions and start tapping your feet.
The Evolution of the Sound
What's interesting about this third installment is how he handles the slower stuff. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" isn't just a throwaway. It shows off Setzer’s baritone, which has grown richer over the years. He knows when to shred and when to let the melody breathe.
The Secret Sauce: It’s All About the Arrangements
You might think a Brian Setzer Christmas album is just about the guitar. It’s not. It’s about the arrangements. Setzer does a lot of the heavy lifting himself, alongside guys like Frank Comstock and Mark Jones.
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Writing for a big band is a nightmare. You’re balancing four trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones, and a full rhythm section. If you get it wrong, it sounds like a muddy mess. If you get it right—like on "Angels We Have Heard on High"—it sounds like a wall of sound that can knock you off your chair.
Setzer treats these carols with a weird mix of irreverence and deep respect. He’ll change the lyrics to mention a '57 Chevy, but he’ll also keep the harmonic structure of a 200-year-old hymn intact. That's a hard line to walk.
What Most People Get Wrong About Setzer’s Holiday Music
A lot of critics dismissed this stuff as a "gimmick" early on. They thought it was just a way to sell tickets to a seasonal tour. But if you look at the longevity of these records, that argument falls apart.
People return to these albums because they fill a specific void. Most holiday music is either too "churchy" or too "mushy." Setzer provides the "Let's drink some eggnog and dance in the kitchen" alternative. It’s nostalgic without being depressing.
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Actionable Tips for Your Next Holiday Playlist
If you’re ready to dive in, don’t just hit "play" on a random compilation. Do it right.
- Start with the "Big Three": Get the original studio albums (Boogie Woogie Christmas, Dig That Crazy Christmas, and Rockin' Rudolph).
- Check out the Live recordings: Christmas Comes Alive! (2010) captures the energy of the tour. The live version of "Fishnet Stockings" mixed with "Rockabilly Rudolph" is essential.
- Mix the Genres: If you’re making a playlist, sandwich a Setzer track between a classic Bing Crosby tune and something by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. It keeps the energy levels shifting so your guests don't get bored.
- Watch the DVDs: If you can find the Christmas Extravaganza or the Christmas Rocks! live films, watch them. The visual of the orchestra in their matching suits with the giant Santa stage props is half the fun.
The reality is that Brian Setzer saved Christmas for people who still want to rock. He took a dying genre (big band) and a stale tradition (holiday covers) and smashed them together. It’s loud, it’s proud, and it’s the only thing that makes the mall-music version of "Jingle Bells" bearable.
Next Steps for the Ultimate Setzer Holiday Experience:
Listen to the instrumental version of "The Nutcracker Suite" from the Boogie Woogie Christmas album first. It’s the perfect "gateway drug" into the world of the Brian Setzer Orchestra. From there, move into his originals like "Santa Drives a Hot Rod" to see how he builds new traditions from old parts. Check your local vinyl shop for the limited red and green splatter editions—they’ve become collector's items for a reason.