If you don’t think that Boston has a proud history of Christmas music, you weren’t there on that jolly night in 1857 at the Simpson Tavern in Medford, when a regular named James Lord Pierpont wrote a winter-themed drinking song and called it “The One Horse Open Sleigh,” though it soon became much better known as “Jingle Bells.” And this was just a few years after one of the most haunting religious carols, “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” was written by a Unitarian pastor in Wayland.

It’s a long jump from those holiday chestnuts to the songs on this year’s all-Boston Christmas playlist, which honors this city’s history of Christmas music, from seasonal depression to bawdy celebration. (You can find every song on Youtube, even if the records are long gone). We go in roughly chronological order and start way back in 1962:

Bobby Boris Pickett:  “Monsters Holiday”

You thought he was from Transylvania, but the “Monster Mash” guy really hailed from Somerville. He had his second and last hit with this ’62 number, where the monster gang plans a robbery of Santa Claus’ sleigh. All works out well of course, and Dracula still gets a new cape for Christmas.

Canned Heat & the Chipmunks: “The Chipmunk Song”

In the most bizarre Christmas collaboration ever, the ‘60s blues-rock group (cofounded by Arlington native Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson) crashes an Alvin & the Chipmunks recording session and enlists them for a “Christmas boogie.”  Proof that you could get away with anything after playing Woodstock.

The Snowballs:  “Come On to the Christmas Party”

Speaking of the Chipmunks, this festive blues number was secretly delivered to Boston radio station WBCN in the ‘80s. Even with the sped-up vocals, it was pretty easy to recognize the J. Geils Band as the true artists. Never appeared on vinyl or CD— but Youtube now hosts the original Chipmunky version and a digitally tweaked one where Peter Wolf sounds more like himself.

Billy Squier, “Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You”

It wasn’t that hip for rock stars to do Christmas tunes in the 80s, but Wellesley native Billy Squier was having too good a time to care. This is one of the merriest and lustiest of all rock Christmas tunes, though its daredevil high notes make it tough to sing.

Kristin Hersh:  “Jesus Christ”

This joyous song, written by indie-rock hero Alex Chilton for his then-band Big Star, is perhaps the king of alternative rock Christmas carols. Even the Monkees wound up recording it, but there is no lovelier version than the one done in the ‘90s by the Throwing Muses frontwoman.

The Gravel Pit:  “Marshmallow World”

The local Q Division studio released its own compilation album “Viva Noel” in ’99; the surprise was that many of the artists gravitated toward the more downcast Christmas songs. This fondly remembered band was an exception, stomping their way through a tune originally done by a guy who knew how to celebrate: Dean Martin.

Juliana Hatfield, “Make It Home”

This was Hatfield’s big moment as a singing actress, singing this haunting original tune on the Christmas episode of 90’s TV sensation “My So-Called Life.” If you remember the episode, it’s still near-impossible to hear the song without tearing up.

Boston, “God Rest Ye Metal Gentlemen”

The band Boston aren’t capable of sounding like anything but Boston, even when playing a Christmas carol. This instrumental version, released online in 2013, features plenty of soaring guitar work and big, grandiose drumming.

Letters to Cleo, “Christmas Song”

The beloved Boston band did a full Christmas EP in 2019, but this track comes from their earlier days. Kay Hanley delivers one of her most attitudinal vocals, as she asks the question on everybody’s mind: “Where the (expletive) are my presents?”

Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers: “Drink and Get Drunk”

The local blueswoman does love the bawdier tunes, and this one (from her splendid Christmas Swing album) imagines a holiday romance fueled by whiskey and gin. Just stay sober enough to appreciate her tasty, Delta-inspired guitar work.

Cold Expectations, “Coat of Snow”

Lovely bit of shimmering pop from this current band, whose male/female chorus harmonies project wintry moodiness and hope in the distance. From 2021, but harks back to the best of ‘80s new wave.

The Peppermint Kicks, “It’s a Peppermint Christmas”

Released last year, this is a worthy addition to the local holiday canon. The Peppermint Kicks are two local MVPs — Dan Kopko (Watts, Shang Hi Los) and Sal Baglio (the Stompers), getting in touch with their classic pop roots. This tune is pure high spirits; it starts out sweet and wintery, and turns into a guitar-slinging strut.

The American League East is always an arms race, and the New York Yankees acquired some serious firepower on Friday.

Will the Boston Red Sox respond in kind?

The Yankees made their second huge move of the week, acquiring former Milwaukee Brewers All-Star closer Devin Williams for pitcher Nestor Cortes and infielder Caleb Durbin. After adding a new ace in Max Fried earlier in the week, the Yankees added a true lockdown reliever.

When the Yankees signed Fried, the Red Sox responded less than 24 hours later by trading for fellow lefty Garrett Crochet. Will history repeat itself, and will the Red Sox now go out and add another bullpen weapon to shore up one of their biggest roster holes?

On Friday, NESN’s Tim Crowley released a roster projection for the 2025 Red Sox, and it included the signing of lefty reliever Tanner Scott, who was an All-Star in 2024 with the Miami Marlins before being traded to the San Diego Padres.

“Boston already made a pair of additions to this group this offseason with the signings of Wilson and Chapman,” Crowley said. “Whitlock and Winckowski should respond well to work in the middle innings.”

“The final addition should absolutely be Scott.”

Scott has been positively dominant since the start of the 2023 season, posting a 2.04 ERA and 7.6 bWAR in 150 innings of work. He’s struck out 188 batters in that span, proving particularly effective at shutting down Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani in the playoffs.

With Justin Slaten and Liam Hendriks currently slated as the main two options to hold the closer role, Scott would have a very strong case as the new ninth-inning man for Alex Cora to deploy. He’s projected for a four-year, $64 million contract by Tim Britton of The Athletic.

Boston gave Kenley Jansen $32 million to be their closer two years ago, so spending double that is a big ask from Craig Breslow and the ownership group. Now is the time to prove the talk about spending big this winter wasn’t just talk, and land a new stud for the bullpen.

More MLB: Red Sox Predicted To Acquire $260 Million Superstar, Move Rafael Devers Off Third Base

WBUR announced Friday that it would be cancelling “Radio Boston,” a midday talk show that has been part of the station for 17 years.

The decision was made in order to enable a wider weekday programming shakeup that will include a longer “Morning Edition,” new times for “BBC NewsHour” and “On Point,” and an emphasis on original, local journalism, the station announced.

This was characterized as a “strategic move,” and no staff members are being cut.

“The exceptional work of the Radio Boston team will continue, but in a new way that goes beyond the confines of an hour-long daily radio show,” Dan Mauzy, executive editor of WBUR’s local newsroom, said in a statement. “This shift is a more contemporary approach to daily journalism — and will fuel our public news service throughout the day and across platforms.”

“Radio Boston” became a daily show in 2010, and has since served listeners as WBUR’s only show dedicated entirely to local news. The final show will be on Dec. 20.

In March, WBUR leadership said the station was struggling after losing close to half of its on-air sponsorship income over the last five years. By late April, seven staff members were laid off and 24 chose to take voluntary buyouts, affecting some 14% of the station’s staff.

“We want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can with the resources that we have, and having the biggest impact with our audiences,” Mauzy told WBUR reporters for a story on the situation.

Earlier this year, WBUR announced that “Radio Boston” host Tiziana Dearing would become the host of “Morning Edition.” In that role, she is continuing to interview local leaders like Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

“Morning Edition,” which also includes national and global news, will broadcast on WBUR from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays. “BBC NewsHour” will air at 10 a.m., “On Point” will shift to 11 a.m., and “Here & Now” will add an updated hour at 3 p.m.

The station says the new lineup is meant to bring “national and international shows together while supercharging local news throughout the day and on WBUR’s digital platforms.”

The current producers of “Radio Boston” will shift to work on “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered,” which WBUR says will allow them to focus more on local reporting and arranging interviews with high-profile guests.

Both WBUR and GBH, Boston’s other NPR news station, struggled this year to brave financial headwinds. GBH laid off 31 employees in May, leaving some newsroom staff “blindsided.” WBUR generally has higher ratings than GBH, but the latter dominates midday hours with its popular “Boston Public Radio” program hosted by Jim Braude and Margery Eagan.

“This move is not in response to any competition,” Mauzy told a WBUR reporter. “We think that this is a smarter way for us to produce journalism.”

The following daily schedule will go into effect on Jan. 6:

• “Morning Edition,” 5 – 10 a.m.
• “BBC NewsHour,” 10 – 11 a.m.
• “On Point,” 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• “Here & Now,” 12 – 2 p.m.
• “Fresh Air,” 2 – 3 p.m.
• “Here & Now” (third hour), 3 – 4 p.m.
• “All Things Considered,” 4 – 6:30 p.m.
• “Marketplace,” 6:30 – 7 p.m.