Susannah B Releases “Christmas Time Is Here”

It’s that time of year again, folks—when stepping into any store, flipping on the radio, or innocently scrolling through a playlist means being ambushed by holiday music. Whether it’s Mariah Carey reminding you she’s still defrosting her vocal cords or Wham!’s “Last Christmas” lurking around the corner like a bad ex, there’s no escape. Christmas music is like glitter: it gets everywhere, and even if you like it, a little goes a long way. But just when you’re ready to wave a white flag (or a tinsel garland) and swear off holiday tunes, along comes Susannah B with her elegant, soulful take on Vince Guaraldi’s “Christmas Time Is Here.”

URL: https://www.susannahb.com/

Unlike the relentless cheer of Jingle Bell Rock or the grandiosity of O Holy Night (seriously, when did Christmas songs become vocal Olympics?), “Christmas Time Is Here” has always been the understated intellectual of the holiday playlist. Written for the 1965 Snoopy-centric holiday special A Charlie Brown Christmas, the song is melancholy, jazzy, and refreshingly devoid of sleigh bells. Vince Guaraldi’s delicate piano and the angelic children’s choir gave it a timeless quality, and now Susannah B steps in to reimagine it for the modern listener.

Susannah’s version is a breath of frosty winter air amid the usual holiday chaos. It keeps Guaraldi’s signature piano as the foundation, which is already a win in the “please, no more over-produced synth carols” department. But she adds a soft electric guitar that’s as smooth as a mug of spiked eggnog. It’s subtle but transformative, giving the track a contemporary edge without sacrificing the original’s wistful charm.

And let’s talk about her vocals. Susannah B’s voice is warm, soulful, and utterly relaxing—like being wrapped in a cashmere blanket while sipping cocoa by a crackling fire. She strips the song of its choral innocence and replaces it with a mature, contemplative tone. This isn’t the bright-eyed wonder of children singing about snowflakes; this is the reflective musings of someone who’s been through a few chaotic Christmas mornings and knows the true magic lies in those rare quiet moments.

In the crowded world of Christmas music, where Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is still inexplicably trotted out every year, Susannah’s choice to rework a lesser-played classic is bold and refreshing. Sure, we all know Jingle Bells (and its 47,000 remixes), but songs like “Christmas Time Is Here” offer something deeper—a chance to pause and reflect instead of just tapping your foot to a catchy beat.

Susannah’s affection for the Peanuts gang and their melancholy little leader, Charlie Brown, shines through in her interpretation. She’s spoken about how much she loves the special and its music, and you can hear it in every note. The electric guitar, in particular, feels like a love letter to Guaraldi’s jazz roots, bringing a modern twist to his minimalist brilliance.

This gorgeous rendition of “Christmas Time Is Here” is proof that Christmas music doesn’t have to be cloying, overly cheerful, or omnipresent to make an impact. Susannah B’s thoughtful approach is a much-needed reminder of what holiday music can be: reflective, nostalgic, and—dare we say—bearable on repeat. So, if you’re looking for a track to help you survive the season without succumbing to Whamageddon, give this one a listen.

Who knows? You might even find yourself pressing play again, voluntarily. And isn’t that the true Christmas miracle?

Mark Druery