Who to include on your Christmas Kitchen Playlist

Ahead of the hectic hosting season, analysis of Spotify reveals the ultimate songs and artists to accompany you in the kitchen. Spoiler — we love a classic bop in the kitchen!

Unsurprisingly, December is the most popular time for cooking as we host family meals and dinner parties over the festive season. According to Google data, searches for ‘cooking’ over the last three years spiked by 92% on average in December compared to the rest of the year. And there's lots of hosting expected this year as we haven’t had a proper Christmas in two years!

Add to this, interest in home-cooking is higher than ever — according to a recent Hello Fresh survey, half of Brits have increased their home cooking frequency over the past decade. 

Whilst for some cooking is a huge stress reliever and often an act of self-care, over the festive season it can become far from relaxing. This is why having the perfect playlist is crucial! 

In fact, playing the right music is vital for setting the mood — it’s scientifically proven that music affects our mood, and can even affect our taste buds (if you added too much salt, no worries, just turn up the volume!). 

Food waste disposer specialists InSinkErator, have analysed over 14,000 songs from Spotify playlists to reveal the most popular tracks and artists streamed globally to accompany people in their kitchens. Is your favourite on the list?

The 20 best songs to cook to

The data reveals the dance-in-your-kitchen ‘Put Your Records On’ by Corinne Bailey Rae is the most popular song to cook up a storm to. In second place is Earth, Wind & Fire’s groovy bop ‘September’, for your own kitchen disco. Coming in third is the upbeat anthem ‘You Make My Dreams (Come True)’ by Daryl Hall & John Oates.

The most common genre is soul (9 out of the top 20) for a chilled vibe and soft beats.

The most popular decade of release was the 1960s (8 out of the top 20) with some great melodies to sing along to. Take a look at all the classic tunes on the table below.

The 20 best artists to cook to

The artists featured in the playlists were also analysed to reveal the most frequently listened to artist in the kitchen. In the top spot it’s Stevie Wonder, a relaxed vibe for some food prep. In second place it’s The Beatles — familiar songs which listeners of all ages will recognise. And in third it’s Fleetwood Mac, great motivational rock music for a whisking frenzy.

All artists in the top 20 (apart from Amy Winehouse) were at the height of their careers pre-1990 — proving that we love cooking to nostalgic tunes to unlock some food and music memories!

How your choice of music can affect the taste of food

Not only can music make cooking more enjoyable, it can make food taste better. How can you use music to set the mood and make food taste better when hosting the perfect dinner party or cooking for fussy eaters?

Scientist Charles Spence argues ‘sound is the forgotten flavour sense’. In one of his studies the crispier bacon was rated tastier by participants and in another, crunchy crisps were seen as fresher. 

TV cook and food writer Nigella Lawson complained that music in some restaurants is too loud and ‘drowns out the taste of food’. She’s right; if music is too loud it can become a dominant influence over taste.

Charles Spence’s studies also found that you can change someone’s perception of food by playing them certain music. High music can bring out sweet tastes and low music can bring out sour tastes.

So there you go, lots of great tips on creating classic kitchen playlists this Christmas.

More to listen to this ChristmaS…

NOW The Christmas Album

Packed with crowd-pleasing Christmas hits, this compilation is one that will cover all bases. Expect all of your festive favourites, from Wham! to Wizzard, Band Aid to Bing Crosby – the perfect soundtrack to your Christmas celebrations. 

BBC 6 Music’s Alternative Christmas Playlist

If you’re not a lover of the Christmas party classic, try 6 Music’s alternative playlist instead. DJs including Mark Radcliffe and Lauren Laverne have added their own seasonal selections, including The Shins, The Flaming Lips and Bruce Springsteen, for a cooler take on Christmas.

Tis The Podcast

If you love nothing more than a feelgood festive film, or a seasonal special of your favourite TV series, then we think you’ll adore ‘Tis The Podcast’. Every episode, three self-proclaimed ‘super Christmas nerds’ take you through a Christmas film or TV show, breaking down all of that glittery goodness to bring a shimmer to your commute.

Listen at tisthepodcast.com

Ronnie Spector Best Christmas Ever 

Featuring My Christmas Wish, It’s The Time and Light One Candle, this 20 minute playlist would get Old Scrooge feeling festive. 

Christmas with the Rat Pack

Let us set the scene – soft snow falling outside, twinkling fairy lights, perhaps a cocktail or two in hand, and the smooth sounds of the Rat Pack singing all of your beloved Christmas hits in the background. A cinematic scenario that you can definitely make real with this album of gorgeous classics.