Various Artists: S
This index presents a selected discography of the best and/or most important various artist Christmas albums and soundtracks, organized by album name. Whenever possible, the listings are accompanied by links to the album art; to a place to buy the album (usually Amazon); and to my review of the album. Admittedly, the list skews heavily towards my preference for all things that rock, roll, swing, and twang. But, nothing's perfect - especially me and my crazy list. Please send additions, submissions, corrections, criticisms, and suggestions via email.
| Title | Date | Image | Buy | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety Harbor Kids Holiday Collection - star-studded collection benefits orphans & homeless children; CD sold exclusively at Southern California Best Buy stores |
2009 | image | buy | |
| Sampler Claus: A Columbia Stocking Stuffer (promotional) | 1992 | image | buy | |
| Return Of Sampler Claus (promotional) | 1993 | image | buy | |
| Return Of Sampler Claus: Hits From The North Pole (promotional) - not the same as above, with different tracks and artwork |
1994 | image | buy | |
| Sampler Claus Volume III (promotional) - note that this is actually the fourth volume... |
1998 | image | buy | |
| Sampler Claus 2006 (promotional) - above five issued by Sony-distributed Columbia Records; series includes a few rare or previously unreleased tracks |
2006 | image | buy | |
| Santa & Satan: One And The Same? - alternative- and punk-leaning compilation from Dr. Dream Records |
1994 | image | buy | |
| Santa, Baby! (soundtrack) - animated film with Eartha Kitt, Vannessa Williams, Patti LaBelle |
2001 | image | buy | |
| Santa Baby: 24 Festive Favorites - imported collection of hip-leaning lounge favorites |
2005 | image | buy | |
| Santa Cause: It's A Punk Rock Christmas - benefits the Pediatric AIDS Foundation |
2003 | image | buy | |
| Santa Cause Vol. 2 - benefits Cure Autism Now |
2006 | image | buy | |
| Santa Cause Vols. 1-2 - benefits Cure Autism Now; includes both of above; second volume slightly reconfigured with several new tracks |
2007 | image | buy | |
| Santa Causes: It's A Pop Rock Christmas - Japanese release on the Twilight label continuing the "Santa Cause" series (above) |
2012 | image | buy | |
| Santa Claus Blues - 23 tracks of vintage jazz and swing from Jass Records |
1988 | image | buy | |
| Santa Claus Is Coming To Town: A Family Christmas - Compass Productions budget compilation licensed through Sony/BMG |
2007 | image | buy | |
| Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town/Frosty The Snowman - soundtracks of two Rankin & Bass animated TV specials released 1970 and 1969, respectively |
2002 | image | buy | |
| Santa Claus Is Rockin' & Swinging - imported 2-CD set chock full of 50's rock |
2009 | image | buy | |
| Santa Claus: The Movie - film score by Henry Mancini; limited edition, 3-CD reissue offered by www.screenarchives.com (2009) |
1985 | image | buy | |
| The Santa Clause (soundtrack) | 1995 | image | buy | |
| The Santa Clause II (soundtrack) - above two Tim Allen comedies |
2002 | image | buy | |
| Santa Swings - hot wax from 1930's and 40's digitally converted into stereo |
1999 | image | buy | |
| Santa Swings... The Windup: A Stocking Full Of Shellac Dust - part of Bear Family's larger Season's Greetings series |
2023 | image | buy | |
| Santa's Bag: An All-Star Jazz Christmas - new recordings from distinguished roster of Telarc Records |
1994 | image | buy | |
| Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party | 2011 | image | buy | |
| Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party Vol. 2 | 2013 | image | buy | |
| Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party Vol. 3 | 2015 | image | buy | |
| Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party Vols. 1-3 - digtital-only compilation sold only on Bandcamp |
2018 | image | buy | |
| Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party Vol. 4 - above five compile rare rhythm & blues; released by German label Tramp Records |
2022 | image | buy | |
| Santa's Got A GTO: Rodney On The ROQ's Fav X-mas
Songs - compiled by Los Angeles modern rock DJ Rodney Bingenheimer; second volume released in 2017 |
1997 | image | buy | review |
| Santa's Got Mojo: An Electro-Fi Christmas Blues Celebration | 2002 | image | buy | |
| Santa's Got Mojo 2: An Electro-Fi Christmas Blues Celebration - above two from Toronto-based Electro-Fi Records |
2012 | image | buy | |
| Santa's Greatest Hits (Hip-O) - credible stab at compiling the most popular Christmas songs |
1999 | image | buy | |
| Santa's Greatest Hits (Varese) - songs about Santa compiled from vintage radio broadcasts |
2002 | image | buy | |
| Santaclaustrophobia - Popllama cassette, probably just made for family and friends |
1983 | image | buy | |
| Santamental Journey: Pop Vocal Christmas Classics - easy listening favorites from 1940's through 1960's; one of the historic Rhino compilations |
1995 | image | buy | review |
| Savoy Christmas Blues - Savoy 17271; reissue of Christmas Blues: The Savoy Jazz Christmas Album (Savoy 241) with amended cover, reduced liner notes, and expanded track listing; both were essentially reissues of Mr. Santa's Boogie (Savoy 1157, 1985) |
2003 | image | buy | review |
| Scrooge (soundtrack) - Leslie Bricusse's musical based on Charles Dickens' "Christmas Carol" starring Albert Finney and Alec Guiness |
1970 | image | buy | |
| Scrooge's Rock n' Roll Christmas (soundtrack) - TV special starring Jack Elam with numerous 60's rockers; also issued by Radio Shack as Christmas Party |
1983 | image | buy | |
| Scrooged (soundtrack) - Richard Donner film starring Bill Murray |
1988 | image | buy | |
| A Season Of Soul: A Classic R&B Christmas - Compass Productions budget compilation licensed through Universal |
2007 | image | buy | |
| Seasons Greetings: A Jersey Boys Christmas - companion to the popular musical about the Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons who recorded a Christmas album called "Seasons Greetings" in 1962 (later reissued as Christmas Album) |
2011 | image | buy | |
| Season's Greetings - 10-song RCA CD taken mostly from their "Country Christmas" LP series 1982-1985 |
1986 | image | buy | |
| Season's Greetings: The Millennium Collection |
2000 | image | buy | |
| Season's Greetings 2: The Millennium Collection - above two Canadian 3-CD sets culled from Universal Music catalog |
2001 | image | buy | |
| Season's Greetings: The Millennium Collection - American version of above two issued by Universal's Hip-O label; above three part of Universal's 20th Century Masters series |
2001 | image | buy | |
| Season's Greetings From... - Capitol LP taken from their catalog |
1961 | image | buy | |
| Season's Greetings From Nashville - 17-track collection of country classics from Sony's vaults |
2001 | image | buy | |
| Season's Greetings From Warner/Chappell Music (promotional) - great CD sent to business associates by music publishing giant |
1998 | image | buy | |
| Seasonal Favorites - reissued with bonus tracks in 2006 |
2000 | image | buy | |
| Seasonal Favorites Vol. 2 |
2007 | image | buy | |
| Seasonal Favorites Vol. 3 | 2010 | image | buy | |
| Seasonal Favorites Vol. 4 | 2016 | image | buy | |
| Seasonal Favorites Vol. 5 - above five cool, mostly instrumental surf 'n' garage rock from Double Crown Records |
2019 | image | buy | |
| Sequel's Sixties Christmas - British reissue label compiles British rock & pop stars; issued for download in 2020 by Sanctuary Records as Sixties Christmas, but not in the United States |
1998 | image | buy | |
| Sesame Street: Merry Christmas From Sesame Street - original LP reissued in 2011 as CD-R and MP3 |
1975 | image | buy | |
| Sesame Street: Christmas Eve on Sesame Street - original PBS TV special; soundtrack album not issued until 1980; only reissued digitally as an MP3 download |
1978 | image | buy | |
| Sesame Street: A Special Sesame Street Christmas - original CBS TV special; not issued for sale until 2012 when Legendary Entertainment issued it in multiple formats |
1978 | image | buy | |
| Sesame Street: A Sesame Street Christmas - revamped, somewhat bowdlerized version of Merry Christmas From Sesame Street (1975) |
1996 | image | buy | |
| Seven Swans - seven-song EP compiled by London-based indie pop label WIAIWYA; given away on website, later archived on Soundcloud |
2011 | image | buy | |
| 70 oz. Of Christmas | 1993 | image | buy | |
| 70 oz. Of Country Christmas - above two part of extensive budget reissue series |
1993 | image | buy | |
| A Sexy Christmas - bedroom-friendly pop and R&B from Time-Life |
2008 | image | buy | |
| Share The Wonder - Children's Records benefit album sold through Nordstrom's |
1993 | image | buy | |
| Shimmy Down the Chimney: A Country Christmas - contemporary tunes including new Alison Krauss title song |
2004 | image | buy | |
| Simply The Best Christmas - 2-CD, 39-track EU collection both traditional & contemporary |
1997 | image | buy | |
| Singers & Songwriters: Christmas - European 2-CD, 30-song version; part of extensive Time-Life series surveying 60's and 70's folk- and soft-rock |
2003 | image | buy | |
| Singers & Songwriters: Christmas Songs - American version with different cover and slightly different title than above; 2-CD, 24-song version sold by Time-Life via mail order and website; single-disc, 18-song version sold by other online retailers and in stores |
2003 | image | buy | |
| 16 Biggest Hits: Christmas | 2001 | image | buy | |
| 16 Biggest Hits Vol. 2: Country Christmas | 2004 | image | buy | |
| 16 Most Requested Songs: Christmas - above three compiled by Sony from Columbia and Epic catalogs |
1992 | image | buy | |
| Ski Jump: 31 Ice Cubes For Your Après Ski Party - winter-themed edition of Bear Family Records' extensive Season's Greetings series; tracks span 1939 to 1973 |
2022 | image | buy | |
| Sleep In Heavenly Peace: A Season Of Healing - Athens, Georgia benefit album for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program |
1995 | image | buy | |
| Sleigh Me: A Collection of Retro Holiday Classics - neo-swing presented by Atomic Magazine |
2000 | image | buy | |
| Sleighed: The Other Side Of Christmas - alternative rock and novelty songs compiled by Hip-O Records |
2000 | image | buy | review |
| Slow Jams Christmas Vol. 1 | 1996 | image | buy | |
| Slow Jams Christmas Vol. 2 | 1997 | image | buy | |
| Slow Jams Christmas Vol. 3 - above three part of R&B ballad series Slow Jams on Capitol Records imprint The Right Stuff |
2001 | image | buy | |
| Slow Jams For Christmas - Capitol updates above concept |
2007 | image | buy | |
| Slow Jams Jazz Christmas - latest installment in R&B ballad series, this time on Fantasy label Original Jazz Classics |
2013 | image | buy | |
| Smooth & Soulful Christmas Vol. 1 - YMC Records collection, reissued in 2006 as part of Universal's 20th Century Masters series; subsequent volumes never issued |
2005 | image | buy | |
| Smooth Grooves: A Sensual Christmas - one of the historic Rhino compilations; part of their Smooth Grooves series of R&B ballads |
1999 | image | buy | review |
| Snoop Dogg presents Christmas In Tha Dogghouse - music from his magical ghetto kingdom |
2008 | image | buy | review |
| Snow - The Get Easy! Christmas Collection | 2002 | image | buy | |
| Snow 2 - The Get Easy! Christmas Collection Vol. II | 2004 | image | buy | |
| Snow 3 - The Get Easy! Christmas Collection Vol. III | 2005 | image | buy | |
| The Best Of Snow: A Very Special Christmas Collection - above four part of Universal German lounge/jazz/soul series |
2008 | image | buy | |
| Snow Blossoms: Lost Country Christmas Classics - obscure 60s-era tracks from Sundazed Records |
2022 | image | buy | |
| So This Is Christmas (promotional) - 8-track alternative rock CD from Atlantic Records; cover art by Daniel Johnston |
1994 | image | buy | |
| Something Festive - A&M Records sampler sold through B.F. Goodrich tire dealerships |
1968 | image | buy | |
| Songs For A London Winter - presented by pop group Saint Etienne and Croydon Municipal, a label curated by group member Bob Stanley |
2014 | image | buy | |
| Songs Of Christmas from the Alan Lomax Collection - excerpted from historic field recordings of noted musicologist |
1998 | image | buy | |
| Songs Of Christmas Past - early CD reissue of very English vintage Christmas pop from the Decca label |
1986 | image | buy | |
| Songs Of The Architect Presents: A Very SOTA Christmas Vol. 1 - from the stable of an Atlanta-based music publisher |
2014 | image | buy | |
| Songs To Celebrate 25 Days Of Christmas - family-oriented ABC-TV soundtrack collection |
2009 | image | buy | |
| Soul Christmas (Atco) - landmark of modern Christmas music issued on Atco Records; reissued by Rhino Records in 1994 as 'Original Soul Christmas' with same cover art and three bonus tracks; original track listing reissued on vinyl in 2015 |
1968 | image | buy | review |
| Soul Christmas (Atlantic) - rare European reissue of above with completely different cover and one additional track |
1974 | image | buy | review |
| Soul Christmas (Rhino, US) - 20 tracks on Rhino/Atlantic including many of same songs as above |
1991 | image | buy | review |
| Soul Christmas (Rhino, UK) - 19 tracks on Rhino/Atlantic including many (but not all) of songs above |
2014 | image | buy | review |
| Soul Christmas (Kent) - vintage rhythm & blues on LP, circa 1976 (actual date is unknown) |
1976 | image | buy | |
| Soul Train Christmas Starfest - rhythm & blues from the 1960's through the 1990's |
1997 | image | buy | |
| Soulful Sounds Of Christmas - hip hop, soul, and gospel from late 20th century on Rhino Records |
2004 | image | buy | |
| Sounds Of Christmas 2009 | 2009 | image | buy | |
| Sounds Of Christmas 2010 - Christmas-only label compiles rarities and new recordings for connoisseurs |
2010 | image | buy | |
| Sounds Of Christmas: Classic Rock - 2-disc compilation from European division of Time-Life |
2000 | image | buy | |
| Sounds Of The Season (BNA) - country compilation includes a rare track from the Remingtons featuring Bread's James Griffin |
1993 | image | buy | |
| Sounds Of The Season (MCA) - pop & jazz instrumental efforts from the MCA Masters Series |
1988 | image | buy | |
| Sounds of the Season (Simitar) - same as above on new label with different cover and truncated title |
1999 | image | buy | |
| Sounds Of The Season (Sony) - 11-track pop/rock CD benefits the Children's Hearing Institute; essentially a variation of Christmas Of Hope (Columbia, 1995) |
1997 | image | buy | |
| Sounds Of The Season '98 (EMI) - 11 track budget CD from EMI Music with rare and unusual tracks |
1998 | image | buy | |
| Sounds Of The Season: The Country Collection (2003) | 2003 | image | buy | |
| Sounds Of The Season: The Country Collection (2004) | 2004 | image | buy | |
| Sounds Of The Season: The Country Collection (2005) | 2005 | image | buy | |
| Sounds Of The Season: The NBC Holiday Collection (2003) | 2003 | image | buy | |
| Sounds Of The Season: The NBC Holiday Collection (2004) | 2004 | image | buy | |
| Sounds Of The Season: The NBC Holiday Collection (2005) | 2005 | image | buy | |
| Sounds Of The Season: The R&B Collection (2003) | 2003 | image | buy | |
| Sounds Of The Season: The R&B Collection (2004) | 2004 | image | buy | |
| Sounds Of The Season: The R&B Collection (2005) - above nine initially sold exclusively at Target stores; most have several exclusive tracks; after 2005 the company switched to albums dedicated to individual artists |
2005 | image | buy | |
| South Park: Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics - scatological humor from the animated Comedy Central TV show |
1999 | image | buy | |
| Southern Rock Christmas (Cleopatra) - grab bag including both country and rock artists; reissued with new cover art in 2021 |
2015 | image | buy | |
| Southern Rock Christmas (Sanctuary) - primarily latter day efforts by stars from the glory days of boogie |
2002 | image | buy | |
| Special Gift - rhythm & blues, jazz, and rap, mostly from the 1990's |
1996 | image | buy | |
| Spin Into Christmas - Australian rockers compiled by Aussie label Festival Records |
1999 | image | buy | |
| Spirit Of Christmas Past - pop & rhythm nostalgia 1930-44 from British label ASV/Living Era; complete contents included in Vintage Christmas Cracker (2003) |
1995 | image | buy | |
| Star Of Wonder: A Country Christmas Collection - contemporary country from the Arista Records roster |
1996 | image | buy | |
| Star Studded Christmas - part of the "AMC Presents: Listen To The Movies" series; compiles songs that have been featured in Christmas-themed films |
2002 | image | buy | |
| Star Wars Christmas Album: Christmas In The Stars - adapted from popular sci-fi movies; produced by Meco; featuring a young John Bon Jovi |
1980 | image | buy | |
| Stars - nine-song album compiled by London-based indie pop label WIAIWYA |
2018 | image | buy | |
| Stars & Snow: A Texas Country Christmas - collection of indie artists highlighted by Pauline Reese's lead track |
2005 | image | buy | |
| Stars Come Out For Christmas Vol. 1 | 1989 | image | buy | |
| Stars Come Out For Christmas Vol. 2 - also issued with a different cover |
1990 | image | buy | |
| Stars Come Out For Christmas Vol. 3 - also issued with a different cover |
1991 | image | buy | |
| Stars Come Out For Christmas Vol. 4 - The Best Of The Stars Come Out For Christmas And More... |
1992 | image | buy | |
| Stars Come Out For Christmas Vol. 5 | 1993 | image | buy | |
| Stars Come Out For Christmas Vol. 6 - also issued with a different cover |
1994 | image | buy | |
| Stars Come Out For Christmas: Greatest Hits - above seven produced by Steve Vaus to benefit childrens charities |
1994 | image | buy | |
| Stars Come Out For Christmas (EMI) | 1995 | image | buy | |
| Stars Come Out For Christmas 2 (EMI) - above two budget CD's compiled from Steve Vaus-produced series |
2002 | image | buy | |
| Stars Come Out for Christmas: Special Edition I | 2010 | image | buy | |
| Stars Come Out for Christmas: Special Edition II - above two MP3 albums compiled from Steve Vaus-produced series |
2010 | image | buy | |
| Stash Christmas Album: 16 Blues & Jazz Classics - LP compiled by well-regarded indie label Stash Records |
1985 | image | buy | |
| Stax Christmas - 12 tracks from legendary Memphis soul label |
2023 | image | buy | review |
| Still Believing In Christmas - new recordings by (mostly) old country stars |
2006 | image | buy | |
| Stingiest Man in Town (soundtrack) - TV adaptation of Dicken's Christmas Carol with Vic Damone, Johnny Desmond, the Four Lads, and Basil Rathbone |
1956 | image | buy | |
| Stony Plain's Christmas Blues - indie label spotlights current and classic stars of the genre |
2000 | image | buy | |
| Street Corner St. Nicks: A Doo Wop Christmas - Compass Productions budget compilation licensed through Rhino |
2007 | image | buy | |
| Stuff This In Your Stocking! Elves In Action... - alternative rock produced by Veebltronics and Skyclad Records |
1990 | image | buy | |
| Sub Pop Holiday Sound Spectacular (promotional) - five track sampler hosted by Combustible Edison's The Millionaire; includes songs from Sub Pop's "Happy Holidays" series of promo CD greeting cards featuring Combustible Edison (1994), Thornetta Davis (1995), and Mike Ireland (1997) |
1997 | image | buy | |
| Sugar Plums: Holiday Treats from Sugar Hill - folk and bluegrass from respected independent label; companion to Tinsel Tunes: More Holiday Treats (1996) |
1993 | image | buy | |
| Superstar Christmas - Sony and other major labels benefit T.J. Martell Foundation; reissued as budget CD in 2008 |
1997 | image | buy | |
| Surfin' Kitty X-Mas | 2020 | image | buy | |
| Surfin' Kitty X-Mas 2 | 2021 | image | buy | |
| Surfin' Kitty X-Mas 3 | 2022 | image | buy | |
| Surfin' Kitty X-Mas 4 - above four presented by the leader of Canadian surf punk band Mark Malibu & the Wasagas; proceeds benefit the Pinetree Stables Cat Sanctuary in Grand Bahamas |
2023 | image | buy | |
| Surviving Christmas (soundtrack) - holiday favorites and Randy Edelman score |
2004 | image | buy | |
| Swamp Dogg & Friends: Your Not So Typical Christmas - assembled by the Essential Media Group from five albums produced by Jerry "Swamp Dogg" Williams |
2013 | image | buy | |
| Sweet Tracks 2003 | 2003 | image | buy | |
| Sweet Tracks 2004 | 2004 | image | buy | |
| Sweet Tracks 2005 - above three sold only in Best Buy electronics stores; all tracks exclusive, rare, or previously unreleased; packaged in specially-designed tin cannisters; series moved to digital-only in 2006, then discontinued |
2005 | image | buy | |
| Sweethearts & Stolen Christmas Kisses | 2010 | image | buy | |
| Sweethearts & Stolen Christmas Kisses 2 | 2011 | image | buy | |
| Sweethearts & Stolen Yuletide Kisses - above three part of series of nostalgic series of 2-CD sets from UK division of Delta |
2012 | image | buy | |
| Swing Celebration - excellent UK compilation of big band and hot jazz, including several non-Christmas tracks |
1996 | image | buy | |
| Swing Into Christmas (Columbia) - soundtrack to A&E special featuring 1994 modern jazz concert |
1995 | image | buy | |
| Swing Into ChristmaS (Columbia River) - budget compilation with several rare jazz & blues tracks |
2002 | image | buy | |
| Swing Time Christmas - New York indie compiles 1950's R&B from Swing Time Records |
1995 | image | buy | review |
| Swingin' Christmas (Definitive) - 20 superb tracks of vintage jazz and blues from Spanish label |
2005 | image | buy | |
| Swingin' Christmas (Rhino) - mostly vintage lounge and swing music; one of the historic Rhino compilations |
2001 | image | buy | review |
| Swingin' Christmas Party - Bluebird Records plucks 13 treasures from the rich BMG archives |
2002 | image | buy | |
| Swingin' Songs For Santa - compiled by Collector's Choice from vintage radio broadcasts |
2003 | image | buy |