The holiday season is synonymous with classic tunes – Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” or Frank Sinatra’s “White Christmas” instantly evoke festive cheer. While these songs are comforting in their familiarity, the idea of a custom-made Christmas soundtrack is now within reach thanks to artificial intelligence. But does AI music stack up against the real thing?
The Rise of AI Music Tools
Just as AI is transforming gift wrapping, card design, and even leftover recipes, it can now generate original music. Adobe Firefly, launched in March 2023, offers a soundtrack-generating tool capable of creating fully licensed, studio-quality instrumental tracks. The service is available through Adobe’s subscription tiers (starting at $10/month) but also provides limited free access.
The process is straightforward: users can upload videos to have AI suggest a vibe, style, or purpose, or start from scratch using preset tags. Energy, tempo, and duration are customizable, allowing for tailored compositions. The key is to first consider where the music will be played, who it’s for, and what feeling you want to evoke.
Testing the Waters
To test Firefly, the author generated a track based on footage of a recent snow day. Selecting “Peaceful,” “Cinematic,” and “Personal” as parameters, the AI produced four options, though none felt distinctly Christmassy. The results were more suited for background music in a social media video than a festive singalong.
Further experimentation with custom prompts—including requests for a Mariah Carey-style song—yielded passable but generic results. While the AI can generate music, it lacks the emotional depth and cultural resonance of established artists.
The Verdict: Human Touch Still Matters
Despite the novelty, AI-generated Christmas music falls short when compared to timeless classics. The author concludes that while it’s fun to say you made a song, the end product is unlikely to replace curated playlists or live performances. The human element—the emotion, artistry, and cultural impact—remains irreplaceable.
Ultimately, sticking with the human artists delivers a far more satisfying and spirited holiday soundtrack.
