Listen: David Byrne Shares Eclectic Christmas Playlist

Talking Heads’ originator, David Byrne has shared an eclectic collection of songs as a part of a new Christmas Playlist, shared in partnership with NPR’s Fresh Air series. The 19-track presentation boasts an array of material, including his seasonal tune, “Fat Man’s Comin’,” and others from LCD Soundsystem, The Pogues and more.

Building off an eccentric blend of sounds and eras, Byrne presents Clarence Carter’s funk jam “Back Door Santa” along with Red Simpson’s “Truckin’ Trees For Christmas.” Elsewhere on the list, are favored covers such as Phoebe Bridger’s version of Merle Haggard’s “If We Make It Through December” and Neko Case performing “Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis” by Tom Waits.

Also on display is Byrne’s knack for keeping up with younger artists in his selections such as 100 Gecs, Sabrina Carpenter and Tierra Whack. Notably, Whack and Byrne interviewed each other for Rolling Stone’s “Musicians on Musicians” in 2019. Speaking to his choice numbers, Byrne told Terry Gross: “I wanted to not take it too seriously.”

“Let’s give them something that will bring a little joy in the holidays because the holidays can be stressful for a lot of people,” the artist continued. Scroll down to stream Byrne’s Christmas selections.

Scroll down to stream the playlist via Spotify.