Tag: Switching styles

Where To Put Immersion; Lilja Dalgaard Adventures

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With all switching styles articles talking about immersion, there isn’t a lot explaining how it’s used when it’s more than just ambience. Here are some more details on how to employ immersion in your RPG, board, or card games. whatever story you’re leading your characters through, music and sound effects can make the game seem more real. That’s what immersion is. Below we dive into the story of Lilja Dalgaard, a barbarian were bear created by Switching Style’s main writer, Dylanna Fisher for a GURPS game played with her family and friends.

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Introduction To Immersion

A game’s immersion draws you in. The act of immersing yourself in something or having a profound mental interest is referred to as immersion. It’s not only about playing the game and getting lost in the dream. It’s about being inside the world itself. Whether you’re in a world of fantasy and magic or a world of science fiction and robots, there are sound effects and tunes that make it seem all that more realistic. We know it’s just a game but they’re called escapes from reality for a reason.

Music is a perfect example of immersion. To get a deeper look into using music to immerse your players into your game, we’re using a direct example. Here’s a character’s (Lilja Dalgaard) first-person perspective of the first game of the story arc. She’s never met these other people before in her life, but fate has brought them together for a reason. Accidents don’t happen in her mind.

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We’ll be going through her adventure and adding in points to change to a different ambience or soundscape. This is a story for Lilja Dalgaard, which will be different than your stories and characters. Remember these are just suggestions inside of a very specific example. Make sure that you tell your story your way. Let us know your playlist by tagging us on social media!!

Lilja Dalgaard’s Prayer in The Tower to Freyja

A generic fantasy setting or a quiet night with crickets is a wonderful place to start. Some fantastic options include “A Forgotten Path 🍃 Chill Lo-fi Beats” By The Bootleg Boy, “Misty Forest ✢ Acoustic Celtic Harp Lullaby – Binaural Rain And Thunder And Ambience” By Blissful Existence Or “Relaxing Zelda Music With Campfire Ambience” By Sam Cisco. Our favourite one for here is “Position Music – Fantasmagora” By Trailer Music World I.

In the following write-up, we’ve added some background music where there is a change of scene. This is one of Lilja Dalsgaard’s very first travels.

I placed the symbols of Freya by my head. As I kneeled, I began to recount my past adventure to her. I told her of the great storm brought down by Thor. At the time I grumbled over the inconvenience. I admitted to Freya that it was a great occurrence.  Without the intervention, I would not have begun this new journey. At the time, I was between contracts. I was heading east, in the direction of wind when the storm hit. It was abrupt and got very violent extremely fast. It forced me to abandon my previous journey and head south. I kept going through the storm attempting to reach a town before it got too bad.  There was a run-down tower ahead of me. It was sketchy and I was sure of my ability that I could make it to a town in one piece.

“Relaxing Ambience Music – Fire Camp at Midnight” By Musiki

Something changed my mind. I strode towards the crumbling building. While there, I met four very odd, different characters, an elf and three humans. All short compared to me. I still can’t remember their names. I am sure I will in time. At first, I was unsure what to think of them, the small one the most. Besides me, she was the only other woman. She was ridiculously small and made me think of Loki. She makes me a bit nervous. Not that she is unhonourable, merely mischievous. The elf didn’t share much about himself, however neither did I. The next male came in with a lavish cloak. He was obviously of some wealth. I was not surprised when he shared the fact that he was a well-to-do merchant.  The other human was excitable. It reminded me of my brother when he was younger. I chuckled at the Comparison.

“Medieval Lo-Fi Vibes” By Llamaloops

Later, he would perform a sleep spell on me. I only picked up the ring by chance. He assaulted me even though I had no intention of keeping it for myself. I was not outraged that he had assaulted me, but rather why he had attacked me. In retrospect, I might have been too harsh on him. He later informed the shopkeeper that he had misplaced the ring. It didn’t matter to me who possessed the ring, but I’m concerned that the short man lied about its whereabouts. I shall, of course, treat him with courtesy, but how can one be honourable if he lies?

“Mighty Vibes Vol 5: Zephrah Radio” By Critical Role

We weren’t there for long before we were attacked by a group of rats. There was one for each of us plus a few. I took one out with one hit. It made a smear on the stoned walls. It was admittedly an underwhelming attack. The event wasn’t all bad though, I had a hearty laugh. One of the rats had spun around and attacked one of its own. I shook my head at them and giggled.

Next, I helped the elf barricade the door at the suggestion of the tiny girl of Loki’s. The elf was taken a bit off guard by my battle axe. I chuckled to my self. I barely noticed the merchant’s absence until I heard a scream. If I hadn’t shoved past the only other female, I would have thought that she was screaming. I burst into the room where he was being attacked by a lesser vagul. I shoved the shocked man to the ground, not causing too many bruises and attacked the beast. It, like the rats, was finished in a moment.

“D&D/RPG Combat Music” By Michael Ghelfi Studios

At that moment, I was coming down from berserker. Of all things to ask at a time like that, the merchant offers me a job as a sort of bodyguard. Even funnier than that was his face at my response. I felt no foolishness as I laughed aloud at the memory. Next, we travelled down a corridor and were face to face with a pair of hobgoblins. They barely readied their short swords before I attacked. It took one hit to topple the pair of them. Above us was their camp. They had escaped the storm just as we had.

These were all stories of great strength but there was no bravery, or cunning. Then I sighed, we came upon the undead bugbear. This is a truly worthy story of your Valkyrie. We attacked the massive beast head-on. I was content using my human form to banish this creature back to the depths. Then he made an insult my mother, and I could no longer take it. I bashed my chest and turned into a massive bear.  Then I attacked. I took two attacks and he retaliated. He wounded me. Victory was close I was a few swings away when I felt a sharp pain from a backstabbing arrow. I fell to the ground as the sounds of battle raged around me. The worst part was that I knew I could have defeated him if I had only more time.

“Gladiator | Tranquil Ambient Soundscape with Iconic Music from The Epic Film” By Ambient Worlds

Then I launched an assault. I took two attacks, and he replied. He hurt me. Victory was within reach. I was only a few strokes away when I felt a stinging ache from a backstabbing arrow. As the noises of war erupted around me, I slumped to the ground. The saddest thing was that I knew I could have defeated him if only I had more time.

“D&D Ambience – Generic Dungeon” By Sword Coast Soundscapes

I could tell that he did not intend for his arrow to pierce my pelt. He looked genuinely apologetic. Instead of scaring him like I did to the magic user, I merely called him a runkisse. My mother used to scold me for my mouth. I have learned that there is a place and a time for cursing. Anyhow it is usually difficult to use a bear mouth for human speech, but I had a lot of childhood practice. I chuckle at the memories of Yorick and Karine. As siblings, we would have many play fights where we would taunt each other in bear form. I chuckled

“Nordic Mythical & Pre-Viking Ancestral Ambient” By Paleowolf

I pawed and felt the blonde handprint on my head. I knew what happened that day. The Valkyrie did not choose me. You came down as Val Freya. As a goddess with seidr, you respun my destiny. My life was changed. With that handprint permanently on my brow I will continue to gather stories that can compare to the best of your Valkyrie. The stars are out now Freya. Soon, I will speak to you again. I finished my prayer and opened my eyes. That’s when I came face to face with the small girl. She attempted in vain to make me a pillow, I refused. She kept insisting, eventually, she was satisfied with my undershirt as a blanket. I turned into a bear and snuggled against my cloak for a long night’s sleep.

“8 Hrs Soothing Lake Waves & Birds Chirping for Relaxation – 4k Summer Ambience at Mt St Helens” By Nature Soundscapes

Concluding Thoughts on Lilja Dalgaard

Let me know what you think in the comments below about these examples of immersive background music for the adventures of Lilja Dalgaard. Do you have a favourite song to suggest to us? Thanks for reading switching styles today! It means a lot to the writers. Follow the blog on WordPress or our social media and never miss an update or contest!

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Reviews

Introducing Casey Jones Costello

With beautiful voices of princes, princesses, villains and sidekicks, there’s so much musical wonder in the world of Disney. From the musical notes of Literal Disney Lyrics, Hakuna Matata in different languages, Sleeping beauty cover songs, Disney medleys, Hellfire cover songs, and much more!

Casey Costello with The Voice of a Prince

Follow the movie magic with these soundtrack covers and his magical TikTok account @caseyjcostello. We first saw Costello in Switching Styles in an article about Disney’s snow white soundtrack. The article “Disney and Dreams: Snow White Cover Songs” included his work. Here’s the beautiful cover song that he did of “Some Day My Prince Will Come”. In this profound and powerful duet, Casey Jones Costello and Yunjin Audrey Kim blend their gorgeous vocals with Yunjin’s stunning piano talents.

Introducing The Music Of Casey Costello

“As you might have guessed from my performance of “Some Day My Prince Will Come,” I love to perform a variety of Disney songs, and my repertoire includes Disney songs from different eras, from the 1930s through today. However, I perform a large repertoire of songs in different styles as part of themed programs that I do, and I also compose original songs.” Casey Costello explains to switching styles writer, Dylanna Fisher.

Casey Costello Disney Covers

He has a great amount of music on his YouTube channel right here. We’d love to showcase some of Switching Styles’ favourites of Costello’s Disney parody songs. Let us know in the comments below which one is your favourite. Switching Styles has compiled a list of fantastic and nostalgic music created by Costello.

Let It Go Originally From “Frozen”

Love Is a Song Originally From “Bambi”

Part Of Your World Originally From “The Little Mermaid”

Fixer Upper Originally From “Frozen”

When You Wish Upon a Star Originally From “Pinocchio”

Part Of Your World Originally From “The Little Mermaid” Piano Karaoke with Lyrics

How Deep Is the Ocean

Make Them Hear You Originally From “Ragtime”

Background Music and Immersion: Top Ten Tips

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Immersion can be hard to master. However, with practice, expertise, and the proper tune for background music, it becomes simpler. Music or sound effects to increase the ambience are one factor that adds to the overall immersion.

Background sounds to add to your game’s immersion. A survey shows that nearly all of the larping respondents felt that background music and sound effects increased their overall sense of immersion (the computer games journal). Use these scene and music changes to improve your game.

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Top Ten Tips for Immersive Background Music

We’ve compiled a list of the top ten tips for adding immersive music to any kind of game. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

  • Set the playlist up ahead of time and just click play to start and next when the next scene change comes up
  • Putter on forums related to TTRPGS or social groups on social media. You don’t need to be active in the groups to learn more tips, tricks, and background music or soundscape suggestions.
  • Change it up each game to keep your players on their toes
  • Try having scene-specific soundscapes. If your players are inside a rowdy tavern, play a soundscape that’s crowded and noisy.
  • Find new sounds. Try different styles, or artists when compiling your playlists. There’s always something new to add to your games.
  • Listen to them beforehand to anticipate any changes in volume or loud bursts of noise.
  • Consider your audience’s preferences and take their advice. The playlist is for immersion for you as much as it is for your players. Collaborate with your players to find new and exciting music.
  • Branch out. It may seem counterintuitive but try different genres for your game. Your western style game could benefit from some spooky soundtracks during a specifically scary night scene.
  • Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. If the song doesn’t work at the moment or isn’t vibing with your players, take it as a learning opportunity. It’s not a mistake if you learn from it.
  • Follow switchingstyles.ca to get updates on fun and quirky music to add to your game.

Immersive Soundscape Playlist

Here are some ambient playlists, soundscapes, and background tracks to make your game as immersive as possible.

“Jurassic Park Music & Ambience – Amazing Soundscapes and Music” By Ambient Worlds

“Full Hour of Avatar the Last Airbender and Korra Amazing Soundtracks!” By Red Life

“11 HOURS of Rainforest Birds in 4K – Colorful Breathtaking Birds with Sound” by Nature Relaxation Films

“Uncle Iroh Plays Tsungi Horn For 20 Minutes” By Saimo

“Deep Ocean: 10 Hours of Relaxing Oceanscapes” By BBC Earth

Last Thoughts

Additional immersion information, recommendations, and methods may be found at switchingstyles.ca. Let me know in the comments what your favourite music recommendation was! Thank you for taking the time to read today’s update! It means a great deal to the writers. To never miss an update or a contest, follow the blog on WordPress or our social media!

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Inspiration Songs of my Were-Bear Barbarian GURPS Character

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I created a character that’s as fierce as a mama bear and twice as big. This is her story and the music that she uses for inspiration. Read below for the Inspiration Songs of my Were-Bear Barbarian GURPS Character!

Introducing Lilja Dalgaard

My name is Lilja Dalgaard. Some people call me half-fish. I was born in the north in a village called Oland. It had short harsh winters, mild summers, and long rainy seasons. I remember playing in the rain as a cub. Our village bordered a river. We had an abundance of ships and an almost endless supply of fish. My mouth waters just thinking of a great white tuna. I know that it may seem as if we just open our doors to pillaging, but what can I say we welcomed a challenge. Our village is one of were-bears. We weren’t concerned. Since we are all bears, we have a sense of community that no other Norse village could have. We belonged and were understood with more than just mere understanding but a twin-like empathy.

Family Life

They say home is where the heart is and with our village it couldn’t be truer. I lived in the longhouse with my parents and my siblings. My brother, Yorick, is just as strong as I am. We are about the same age give or take a few moon cycles.

We always got along like we were best friends. He is the darkest were bear of our family, with a pelt as dark as cold molasses. My father says that he gets the color from his father. My sister has a light tan coat just like my father. She has proven herself as a skilled archer. She is the baby of the family, for now. On my last visit home, my parents told me they are preparing for another baby. The child should be born in about four moons from now. My mother and father met during one of my father’s pillages. He went Viking and came upon her village. Their eyes met and it was love at first sight. She went with my father willingly, and they have been madly in love ever since. I and my mother share the same deep red pelt. Father says that her deep red is one of the things that he fell in love with. My mother, Ronia, and my father, Henrik, are the best that I could ever have asked Odin for.

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I chose to leave my village, not because something was wrong with it, but because I wanted more. I found less and less challenges and inspirations. Freya and Thor aren’t impressed with meagre stories of an easy victory. I needed a new spark. That spark came at the ceremony of my second decade.

Celebration of my Second Decade

There were many others in the village celebrating their second decade. The whole village gathered around the fire and had a feast. We took turns telling stories while we passed around delicious food. It came time for my parent’s story of me.

Story Time: The Monster Under My Bed

When I was little, I was convinced there was a monster under my bed. I was a bit afraid, but I was mostly annoyed.

My parents went back and forth, telling the story. They finished each other’s sentences. They spoke together, with one voice. I found this fascinating. I wanted a love like that; I was convinced I would not find it here.

Anyway, my father had tried to tell me there was nothing there; he tried to scare it away. Still, I was sure it was there. My mother then came in and sat down and told me about a place to the south where girls are told they are weak and need to be protected by men. She laughed and said that we are not those women. We will be handmaidens of Freya and we can’t be afraid. They left and I was alone. Unknown to me at the time, they had stayed by my door to see what I would do. They heard me talking to the monster, telling it to get out from under my bed because it was bothering me and my brother’s sleeping. I put my hands on my hips and told it that if it didn’t stop bugging us, I would turn into a bear. So, I did, I turned into a bear and growled at my bed. With the minster vanquished, I went to bed in bear form.

The circle roared with a chorus of chuckles and cuteness noises. I was a bit embarrassed but there were worse stories.

On The Way Home

While we were on our way home father handed me a leather strap. Dangling from the strap was a large cleric gobbling tooth. It was polished and tattooed with goblin magic runes. He said that when I was a wee babe, a large party of goblins raided the village. In the heat of the battle, I was separated from my mother, who was pregnant with my brother. They found me after the fight was over. I was contently sitting between corpses. holding the tooth and one of the eating knives from that night’s feast. There I was, waving them around, and occasionally sticking the dagger hilt in my mouth. He told me that this was the first of many Freya-worthy stories. From then on, I knew that I wanted to gather honour and victories. Unfortunately, I did not know where.

Starting my Adventures

I had heard of adventurers of distant lands, but I didn’t dwell on them. One day that changed. I met a traveller one day; he was in the inn of our village. We had taken a liking to him even though he was a foreigner. He told such grand stories; the entire inn was listening. I heard tales of ferocious creatures I had never encountered. I had found a spark. There was a land beyond our borders full of stories worthy of Freya and I was going to get them.

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Inspiration Songs for Lilja Dalgaard, my Were-Bear Barbarian GURPS Character

There’s a long list of adventuring music that all adventurers share. There are battle songs and clerical hymns that all characters can relate to. But we’re not talking about any adventurers here. The playlist below is curated for a hardened Norse barbarian with everything to prove.

“If I had a heart” by Colm McGuinness

“Surface Pressure” By Our Last Night Originally By Jessica Darrow

“My Mother Told Me” by Peyton Parrish

“Wolf Totem” Originally by the Hu

“Carry on my Wayward Son” covered by Anthrax Originally by Kansas

“Far over the Misty Mountain Cold” by Geoff Castellucci

“The Call” Originally by Regina Spektor


Final Thoughts

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What are your thoughts on these songs? Are these the songs of a Were-Bear Barbarian GURPS Character? Whose battle ballad held the most pizazz for you? Let us know in the comments below!

Bardic Inspiration; Themed Songs For All Classes To Belt Out

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Whether you’re a bard in the middle of combat or a barbarian enjoying a late-night campfire, here are songs to belt out during a LARP game. Here is some Bardic Inspiration with examples of Bardic Songs.

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Sing Bardic Inspiration Aloud for Your Guild.

When it comes to any kind of traditional Roleplaying game be it D&D, GURPS, Pathfinder, Quest, Coyote and  Crow, there’s a bard or a bard-like class. They are the ones that are typically oozing charisma with entertainment. Usually, this is musical entertainment. Bards also appear in many LARP games. Take Refuge LARP or Underworld LARP for example, these two Canadian LARPs have a fantastic and creative community including bards.

Why Would You Sing At A Roleplaying Game?

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That’s honestly a good question. Singing randomly can seem like a weird thing to do that only happens in Disney movies, musicals and that one episode of Buffy the vampire slayer. Despite the love for musical theatre, there are a few varied reasons you’d sing at a LARP.

  • Singing is something your character would do.
  • Performing in real life adds to realism.
  • Impressing the party, the dm, and the plot team with your singing and improv skills.
  • Engaging with the other characters and with the plot.
  • Help your character stand out. This could be either a good or a bad thing.
  • Acts as an excuse to add in a musical number.

Finding The Song for Bardic Inspiration

Fantasy songs for folks to sing during a D&D game or a LARP can be hard to find and even harder to perform. We’ve compiled a list of fantasy songs perfect for your bard! Here are some lively songs to sing around the campfire. Don’t worry, we’ve provided links to the lyrics to help you practice before the game.

“Sunshine” by  Charles Mitchell and Jimmie Davis

Want to convince your players that you’re less evil than they think you are? Sing a song like “that can make even the most roguish character seem trusting and in touch with their emotions.

“Holding Out For A Hero” by Bonnie Tyler.

Don’t hesitate to stick with the classics. They’re classics for a reason. There will be both Bonnie Tyler and Shrek fans in the audience. you’re sure to have a few folks singing along. It’s a great idea to add in-game immersion for everyone. Listen to it on Spotify.

“Here There Be Witches” by Creature Feature.


Here’s another beautiful and heartfelt classic that’s not just for the bards. Show off your cleric or paladins’ pipes while singing out loud and making all the magic users around nervous. Listen on Spotify!

“Wellerman”by Nathan Evans

When it comes to classics, there’s nothing wrong with giving the audience what they want. I promise you someone will want this song whether they specifically request it or not. Sea Shanty’s rule. Save it on Spotify or Deezer.

“Save My Soul“ by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Just because it’s a new song doesn’t mean it won’t work for a medieval fantasy setting. Check out this fantastic modern swing revival band from Southern California.

“Give That Wench a Sonnet”  by The Poxy Boggards

The combination of Irish folk singing, lively instrumentals, and iambic pentameter makes this song a perfect fit for your bard. especially if they’re very charismatic if you catch my drift.

“Come Little Children” by Erutan

Now this song is quite simple and sweet. Around the campfire, this is an ideal song to lull the characters to sleep or into a false sense of security. Either way, “Come little children” is a hauntingly beautiful song.

“ Mariner’s Revenge Song”, by The Decemberists

Listen to it on Spotify. Ready to go into battle? Not without singing about your motivation, you’re not. Take it from me belting out a woeful song before the war is as effective as an orc barbarian war cry.

 “My Mother Told Me”, an Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Cover, by Alina Gingertail

It’s not only bards that could benefit from singing. Consider your lonely barbarian that just happens to have a lovely baritone singing voice. Give them a chance to shine with a song already from within a game. From  Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, this song is sure to give everyone goosebumps or chicken skin.

‘Misty Mountains”, by Glenn Yarbrough, Rankin And  Bass From The Movie ‘Hobbit’

If you didn’t expect this song to be on the list, then I don’t know what to tell you. Of course, it’s on the list, it’s from Tolkien, one of the main fantasy authors that inspired characters to this day.

Now we only had room for 10 because our writers thought that nobody would read to the bottom of a list of 176 fantasy-inspired songs. Nonetheless, here are our honourable mentions for your listening (and singing) pleasure.

Bardic Inspiration Conclusion

Make any event a spontaneous musical. Whether you’re heading into battle humming one of these or providing a healing word to a tune or even running into battle shrieking music at the top of your lungs, it adds to the immersion of the event. Support Switching Styles and sharing our song suggestions far and wide. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, on our email newsletter. Share your favourite song suggestions in the comments below.

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Reviews

Supernatural Soundscape and Ambient Music

The SPN fandom still has a way to engage with the Winchester family with Supernatural soundscape and ambience audio. Check out some of our favourites in the article below.

Introducing Supernatural the series

Supernatural, the series has been a topic of conversation throughout Switching Styles. Partly because our main writer thoroughly enjoys the SPN fandom. Seriously, check out her work over at medium.com with essays like, “Fandoms Saving the World One Altruistic Step at A Time; Online Activism Within the Supernatural Fandom”.

The SPN Family specifically is known for being active. This fan community is more like a family, a sentiment that started when Jared Padalecki referred to the fandom as his family (Fitzpatrick, 2017, para. 9). There are several authors writing about the way that the Supernatural Fandom is as close-knit as a family including Mary Frances Casper or Zubernis and Katherine Larsen. These authors discuss how fandom is akin to a family because of the interactions and connections between not only the fans themselves but between them and the cast and crew (Casper 2014; Zubernis and Larsen, 2012). Those interactions and relationships have merely become stronger as the show continues (PicklePegg, 2011, ch. 5, para. 32). The SPN Family is described affectionately and accurately as the SPN Family.

Comparative to others, the Supernatural Fandom goes beyond and has become an altruistic force in a way that other fan cultures haven’t (Casper 2014, Jackson 2015; PicklePegg, 2011, ch. 5, para. 31–32). The ideals of the show Supernatural transfer to the fans, “It’s this unshakeable commitment to family, regardless of circumstance, which resonates with fans and creates the fandom’s underlying personality” (Casper 2014, pg. 79).

Dylanna Fisher, 2021 – Medium.com

Headed by the Winchester boys, Sam and Dean are played by Jared Padalecki, and Jensen Ackles, respectively. This series is a story of adventure but most importantly family. Did you know that the actors from the show have started several charity organizations over the decades? The most prominent projects are Random Acts, GISH WISES, Always Keep Fighting, T-Shirt Campaigns, and the SPN Family Crisis Support Network. (Supernatural Wiki).

Winchester Audio Atmosphere

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Have you ever thought to yourself while watching Supernatural, ‘man if I could study beside Sam Winchester, I could ace this final exam’? That’s exactly what we’re here to provide. Need a super chill environment to study for your learners? try out the Supernatural Ambiance by Annelies Mohle. It’s designed to be relaxing. Want to focus specifically on academics like Sam Winchester before Season 1? Here’s the audio and soundscape from Bobby’s Cabin. Need something with a bit of excitement? Listen to the atmospheres of Crowley’s Personal Office!

Switching styles has compiled an extensive list of supernatural ambiances for your various focusing and relaxing needs.

Motel Soundscape/Ambience | Supernatural ASMR (With Talking) By Adri’s Ambience
Witchcore ◈ Autumn Forest 🍂 Good Witch Cabin By ASMR Weekly
Cozy Fall Coffee Shop Ambience: Relaxing Jazz Music and Rain Sounds For Studying, Relaxation, and Sleep By Calmed By Nature
Supernatural Ambience Sound ASMR | Research at Bobby’s House By Ambientcat
Supernatural ASMR || In the Bunker with Sam, Dean, Cas and Charlie By Adri’s Ambience
Research At Bobby’s House | Very Subtle Talking From Other Room By Sammitches
Supernatural Destiel ASMR | Driving Home From A Hunt With Castiel and Dean (Rain + Talking) By Moonlight ASMR Ambience
Library Sounds | Study Ambience By The Guild of Ambience
Haunted Church Ambience 👻⛈️ By The Dead of Night
Supernatural Wayward Sisters Ambient By Moonlight ASMR Ambience

Last Thoughts

Want to support Switching Styles as we grow? Check out our music-themed merchandise at Redbubble. There’s a little of everything for everyone: mugs, prints, notebooks, posters, pillows, and musically inspired fashion.

Listen to Fantastic Christmas Cover Songs by Jason Greiner

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Christmas cover songs are here to save the day. Read these switching styles articles to get the most out of your Christmas playlist.

Christmas Music

Christmas is just around the corner, but Christmas songs have been in our heads for weeks. If you’re wishing for something else, anything else, you’re not alone.

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Fun fact: According to Spotify, Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande, Andy Williams, and John Lennon were all among the top 10 songs of 2018 along with Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé.

A Spotify-backed firm called Soundtrack Your Brand polled 2,000 individuals in the US and the UK this fall about their thoughts on Christmas music. It is not at all unexpected to hear that 25% of British and 17% of US consumers “actively” dislike Christmas music. Switching styles isn’t surprising but what do we do about it? Change it up.

Once your popular Christmas song has become a meme for predictability, it’s probably time to try something else. We’re looking at you, Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé. Although this typically is a time for jolly tunes until they start getting repetitive and become a meme that nobody wants to share. Isn’t it time for some quirky Christmas covers? We think so!!

Alternative Christmas Songs

Switching Styles is back with some holiday covers to change up your Christmas playlist. We’re not telling you to add these to your work playlist right at this very second. But we’re not telling you not to.

Fun fact: Since 2020, Christmas music has grown even more in popularity. In comparison to other years, holiday music on Spotify increased by 25% during the winter of 2020.

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What could be better than some original Christmas cover songs throughout the holiday season? Jason Greiner has been a musician for a while. has created innumerable covers, some of which feature these wonderful Christmas melodies. You have a variety of tunes to choose from, including “Santa Claus Is Blitzed Tonight,” “Jingle Bell Spock,” “Frosty the Glow Man,” “Circlin’ around the Parking Lot,” and “Silver Hair.”

Comedy Christmas covers

We’re thrilled to present Jason Greiner’s Christmas album covers. He is not just a frequent musician but also one of our guest authors. For suggestions to include in your Spotify Christmas playlist, see the selections below.

“I Want A Lobotomist For Christmas” (Parody Of I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas)

“Frosty The Glow Man” (Parody Of Frosty The Snowman)

“Fleas On My Dog” (Parody Of Feliz Navidad)

“Jingle Bell Spock” (Parody Of Jingle Bell Rock)


“Silver Hair” (Parody Of Silver Bells)


“I Got A, A Leaky Faucet” (Parody Of Mele Kalikimaka)


“Circlin’ Around The Parking Lot (Parody Of Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree)

“Holiday music is one of the many things that come together to give people the full and wonderful experience of the season. Decorations, food, gift giving, they all have their part and music is no different,” explains Jason Greiner.

Greiner isn’t the only person to notice the importance and prevalence of Christmas Music. Katherine Wiles explains in an article from MArtkeplace.org, “Christmas music is a major component of the season. And with seemingly every artist putting out a Christmas album (Snoop Dogg’s “Christmas In The Dogghouse” anyone?). It’s a reliable money-maker. After all, the best way to spread holiday cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”

Happy Holidays!!

Which Christmas cover is being added to your holiday playlist?

Happy Humbug Day!! Let’s Celebrate With Anti-Christmas Songs

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Christmas is nearing but that doesn’t mean that you need to only listen to upbeat positive Christmas cheer every second of the day. For Humbug Day, let’s enjoy some anti-Christmas songs. Be warned some of these holiday humbug days anti-Christmas songs do have some profanity and mature themes.

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Fun Fact: Did you know that most countries turn up holiday tunes by the end of November? Thanks to Christmas music research by Spotify, we know when to expect the holiday tunes to start. You’ve been warned.

Why is there so much holiday music for Christmas?

It’s once again that time of year. All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey, “Last Christmas” by Wham!, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas” by Michael Bublé, “Santa Tell Me “By Ariana Grande, and “Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber are a few of the most popular Christmas songs in both Canada and the United States.

“You either love them or you hate them: With Christmas songs, there is no in-between,” comments Statista writer, Florian Zandt. Not everyone gets into the holiday cheer by singing carols. Some folks just need something different. Some folks would rather listen to anything else.

You are aware of it. We are aware of it. Kids pick it up. Everyone acknowledges that Christmas has a monopoly on festive music. Michael Buble doesn’t perform any songs about offering thanks during Thanksgiving. During the Labor Day long weekend, Mariah Carey is not selling records.

When interviewing our guest writer and a cover artist, we asked about the reasons behind the popularity of Christmas music over other holidays.

“To be honest, I’m not sure I’ve heard any Thanksgiving songs. There are songs for Halloween, but the quantity is minor compared to the options for Christmas. I tend to avoid primarily religious-themed songs so that is all there is for Easter. I think the secular and child-friendly element of many Christmas tunes makes them so popular,” Jason answers.

If you’re ready for Christmas music that’s not quite Christmas music, then read on! Christmas music for days for hours on end. Let’s break the cycle. Here’s a playlist of our favorite anti-Christmas songs for your listening pleasure.

“Christmas Celebration” By Weezer

“Christmas Is A B!Tch” By Rudy Mancuso

“Christmas Carol” By Tom Lehrer

“December Is For Cynics” By The Matches

“Hallelujah” By No Resolve Originally By Leonard Cohen

 

“Don’t Shoot Me Santa” By The Killers

“The Night Santa Went Crazy” By Weird Al Yankovic

“Not Another Christmas Song” By Blink-182

“Disco Christmas” By Universal Robot Band

“Dear Santa (Bring Me A Man This Christmas) Cover” By Alaska, Courtney Act & Willam Originally By The Weather Girls

“This Christmas” By Set It Off

And our holiday favorite – Set It Off’s Christmas melody, “This Christmas (I’ll Burn It To The Ground)” is our main writer’s, Dylanna Fisher’s favorite Christmas tune. Very humbug if you ask me.

Happy Humbug Day!!

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Want more wonderful anti-seasonal music? To kick off the anti-holiday celebration, check out these incredible tunes!

Snowflake Appreciation Day

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Snow isn’t something everyone enjoys. Nevertheless, it is a day to recognize the individuality of each snowflake. Today is Snowflake Appreciation Day, so to celebrate, we’re playing some amazing songs with a winter theme!

Fun Fact: Snow can fall at insane speeds. A single snowflake may move at speeds between one and nine miles per hour.

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Celebrating Snowflake Appreciation Day

What is a snowflake? You may just think that a snowflake is like fluffy ice. And you are kind of right. According to BBC writer Dale Shaw, a snowflake starts as something else entirely. “Snowflakes or snow crystals don’t have nuclei in the traditional, biological way (that contains genetic information), but they all do form around one single particle whether that’s a speck of dust or a piece of pollen. This makes it completely different from sleet (which consists of frozen raindrops) or hail (which are sleet droplets that collect water as they fall). This original piece of material that formed the flake can be detected using a powerful microscope.”

With that in mind, a snowflake can develop in a variety of ways. It’s no wonder that they’re all unique and special. Appreciate snowflakes with this snow-themed playlist. Listen to these holiday favorites while staring out at the snowy landscape. Remember you’re as unique as a snowflake! You are as one-of-a-kind as any snowflake you’ll see this winter season!

“Snowblind” Is Covered by System of a Down, Originally By Black Sabbath

“Every Snowflake Is Different (Just Like You)” By My Chemical Romance

“Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow” Covered by Saw Lamb Originally by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 

“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” By Robyn Adele Anderson Originally By Billie Holiday And Irving Berlin

“Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” By Frank Sinatra Originally By Vaughn Monroe

Fun Fact: chionophobia is the fear of snow. The word is derived from the Greek word chion, which means snow.

Final Thoughts

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Would you like more for your holiday playlist? We and CBC both provide alternatives for you. Check out their curated Christmas playlists like Pop Christmas, Jazz Loves Christmas, Seasonal Favorites, and Alt Christmas. Which one of these original songs with a winter theme is your favourite? Have we missed any? Tell us in the comments section below or on our social media!

Asking About Christmas Music? Interviewing Jason Greiner

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Christmas is a time of joy, family, and of course creativity. Switching Styles has reached out to our very own guest writer, Jason Greiner to get his take on Christmas cover songs.

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Introducing Jason

Author Jason Greiner has written several printed books as well as eBooks. Jason, who is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, currently resides in Mebane, a tiny but rapidly expanding city in central North Carolina. He has experience as a professional blogger and writer in the communication industry. But there’s more! Additionally, he offers freelance graphic design and photography services. He’s been a longtime music lover and enjoys finding new talent and discussing their creation. But that’s not all; he is also a musician in his own right.

Jason’s Christmas Songs

What are you listening to during the Christmas holiday? Something hip and trendy or something more traditional? Switching Styles has so much to offer in terms of holiday music. Check out our traditional Jingle Bells Covers Songs, Punk Goes Christmas: Deluxe Edition, Classic Silent Night Covers, and of course, Metal Christmas Songs.

He has given the holiday tunes a fresh sound with songs like “I Want a Lobotomist for Christmas,” “Jingle Bell Spock,” “Frosty the Glow Man,” “Circlin’ Around the Parking Lot,” and “Silver Hair.” To add to your Spotify Christmas playlist, choose from the selections below. Visit here to listen to these songs and many more.

Interviewing Jason

Below we’ve dived deeper into the meaning of Christmas Covers from an interview with our musical guest writer, Jason Greiner.

What inspired you to cover Christmas songs?

To be honest, I can’t remember how I got started. I guess part of it is having been a long-time fan of the nutty stuff from Weird Al Yankovic. In high school, I made some attempts to write my own mainstream songs, but I found it wasn’t for me. I thought that if I could make people laugh (hopefully) and do so with creative writing, why not give it a try? Some of the original inspirations to try my hand at Christmas songs come from the classic “Grandma Got Run Over by A Reindeer” and newer titles like the work of Bob Rivers in “Walkin’ Round in Women’s Underwear parodying “Walkin’ Round A Winter Wonderland” and “Didn’t I Get This Last Year?” parodying “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

Which one of these cover songs was your favorite to write? Why?

I’d say my favorite, which was also probably the most difficult one to write, is “Silver Hair.” First off, it was one of the longest ones so far which made it more of a challenge as opposed to simpler songs like “Fleas on My Dog” for example that have a lot of repetition in a very small number of lyrics. Personally, I just think it flows well and provides humor in a high-brow sort of manner. I know high-brow and comedy may not sound like concepts that mesh well but you need not look any farther than classic plays to know it can work.

Tell me about the process of creating a Christmas cover song?

I start out with either a song I want to focus on or a concept and work around that. It is different every time I do it. I usually start off with one line and build the rest of the song around that. Sometimes it is the title of the song like in the case of “Frosty the Glow Man” and in other’s it’s a theme.

What was the process of writing your newest one, “Santa Claus Is Blitzed Tonight”?

I was trying to figure out which song to use and my mother actually said, “you haven’t done ‘Here Comes Santa Claus yet have you?” I had the wheels in my mind start turning right away. The first line about being drunk on cheap champagne came to me almost instantly. After I had that I simply needed to build around it and keep the same rhythm.

Is the process different from other non-holiday covers?

While I have joked around with non-holiday covers, in terms of titles and lines here and there, I have yet to write any. One of the ones I have toyed with is “French Fries” instead of “Fresh Eyes” by Andy Gammer. I assume the process would be very similar.

Why is Christmas music so popular when compared with the music of other holidays like thanksgiving, or Easter?

To be honest, I’m not sure I’ve heard any Thanksgiving songs. There are songs for Halloween, but the quantity is small compared to the options for Christmas. I tend to avoid primarily religious-themed songs so that is really all there is for Easter. I think the secular and child-friendly element of many Christmas tunes is what makes them so popular.

What benefit does music bring to the holiday?

Holiday music is one of the many things that come together to give people the full and wonderful experience of the season. Decorations, food, gift giving, they all have their part and music is no different.

What is next on your list of projects?

No idea in terms of parody tunes. I usually get on my annual holiday-themed tune in late November, so I probably won’t give that much thought until around this point next year or so. As far as other creative ventures, I am always working on poetry when I have something that inspires me to do so. And I work a lot with photography and graphic design.

What would you like to say to your listeners?

Thanks. Thank you for being as goofy and silly as me, or at least to the point that you can appreciate my efforts.

What advice do you have for other musicians?

I certainly don’t consider myself a musician. I can’t play any instruments and my voice leaves a lot to be desired. I’m a writer at my core and much of my writing is poetic. Poetry lends itself to music. For those pursuing careers or even serious hobbies in music, I would first say to be realistic about what you have to offer. Don’t take on too much and develop the area(s) you excel most. You will most likely be your own worst critic at times so make sure to be as confident as you can without hitting the point of cockiness.

Conclusion

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Want to learn more about Jason Greiner? We’d love to share it with you. His work includes a wide range of fantastic music and writings. Check his work out here.