If you're a social dancer, you are well aware of the constant search for good Waltz Music.
While dances like Cha Cha and Swing can fit with anything you hear on the Radio these days, there just aren't many options for the elegant mother of all dances.
Unless you know where to look.
Waltz is the only dance that has three beats per measure. So, in English, Waltz music has a meter that's built more for lullabys than nightclubs. So finding some contemporary music in this style is challenging, to say the least.
Unless, of course, we are talking about Holiday music. One of the only genres of music that has old enough songs that enough current artists want to continue to sing that happen to fit the three beats per measure description.
"And this song of mine, in three quarter time, wishes you and your, the same thing too."
- Frank Sinatra, The Christmas Waltz
We've divided up the options: Contemporary, Classic, and The Waltz you're Looking For. We paired up Classic versions with Contemporary renditions, but in some cases - there is a one and only version, and searching for alternatives probably isn't necessary.
We hope you enjoy this treasure trove of 10 different songs, with multiple versions, and plenty of Waltz dancing potential in your Holidays to come.
The Waltz You're Looking For - Twas the Night Before Christmas - Gene Autry & Rosemary Clooney
The Classic Option - The First Noel - Frank Sinatra
The Contemporary Option - The First Noel - Pentatonix
The Classic Option - What Child is this? - Johnny Mathis
The Contemporary Option - What Child is This? - Rita Ora and the Kosovo Philharmonic Orchestra
Even though, technically, the Waltz in this rendition doesn't kick in until 2:02, it is, nevertheless, a beautiful and moving arrangement of the song.
The Classic Option - O Holy Night - Mahalia Jackson
While this song may be a bit fast for a casual social Waltz, this is still an all time classic, sung by an all time classic singer.
The Contemporary Option - O Holy Night - Celtic Woman
This group of singers had comments on this song like "I could hear angels singing", and when you listen, you will understand why.
The Waltz You're Looking For - Christmastime is Here - Charlie Brown & the Peanuts
Nothing against the likes of Tony Bennett and the other legends of song that have done their own versions of the Charlie Brown Christmas Classic, but you just can't top the angelic voices of those kids putting us all in the holiday, and Waltzing, mood.
The Classic Option - Silver Bells - Elvis Presley
The Contemporary Option - Silver Bells - Michael Buble
The Waltz You're Looking For - Silver Bells - Stevie Wonder
The Classic Option - We Three Kings - Ella Fitzgerald
The Contemporary Option - We Three Kings - Sam Tsui featuring Yasmeen Al-Mazeedi and Jason Pitts
Everything about this, from the vocals, to the accompaniment, is heartwarming and beautiful. Set this version aside for your next Holiday themed Viennese Waltz.
At times, you may have caught yourself humming this song as you watched people lose their Christmas spirit, and all decency, while Christmas shopping. Nevertheless, it's another Holiday classic, and another Holiday Waltz to add to our list.
The Waltz You're Looking For - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams
Whether you've got kids, or you want to just feel like a kid again - you can't go wrong with Alvin, Simon, Theodore, and Dave singing together. You might call it "The Chipmunk Song", or "Christmas Don't Be Late", and either way it'll put a smile on your face.
The Waltz You're Looking For -
The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) - Alvin and the Chipmunks
The Classic Option - Silent Night - Frank Sinatra
The Contemporary Option - Boys II Men
In most cases, a Frank Sinatra version of anything is the one and only, so consider this contemporary option a "contemporary deluxe". The smooth acapella rendition of Silent Night by Boys II Men is worth a dance, a listen, and a few dozen vocal lessons if you're planning this for your office party karaoke lineup.
So how did you like this list? Do you have a favorite Waltz that we should have included? Let us know in the comments below this article and maybe we'll have even more Waltz gifts in our future.
Happy Holidays, and Happy Dancing!
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