This Christmas I decided to compile my top-ten Christmas Songs list. Some choices might seem a little controversial to you, others might seem downright insane. Here it is nonetheless:
10. All I Want For Christmas is You by Mariah Carey
This is one of those Christmas songs that 1st hits the radio to kick off the holiday season. This song combines 90’s pop with Christmas romance. A fact that amazes me is that this is one of the very few songs that was recorded post 1970’s that somehow broke into the timeless holiday song arsenal. This song will be played every December for the next 100 years. I will always envy Mariah Carey for her precious bit of Christmas immortality.
9. Christmas Don’t Be Late by Alvin and the Chipmunks
I was slightly reluctant to sneak this song into the list. I’ve been trying to run away from this song for a couple years now. However, I cannot deny that it is a part of me. When I was younger I would have this album ready to go all year round, and when I got the go ahead from my mom in late November, I would blast it on our living room stereo. I loved it. Sometimes I would perform it at Christmas parties, sometimes with props (hula hoop, Alvin puppet)
8. Happy Christmas by The Plastic Ono Band
Only John Lennon could accidentally create a Christmas classic. This song sung by the Plastic Ono Band was originally made to protest the Vietnam War but managed to become an universally recognized Christmas song.
7.Sleigh Ride recorded by The Boston Pops
Sleigh Ride proves Christmas music to be the most versatile type of music. Where else will you find a song that invokes such specific spirit and feeling, without any lyrics. (Yeah I know there are lyrics in some versions, but everybody likes this version better)
6. Auld Lang Synge performed by Jimi Hendrix
I found this song on a Hendrix bootleg about 5 years ago. Auld Lang Syne has always been a favorite of mine and hearing this live improv brings new energy to the song. It’s from the 1969 New Years Eve show at Fillmore East. After the traditional version of the song is played over the house PA, Jimi interrupts the host and breaks into this electrifying jam. I think it is an appropriate way to say goodbye to the 60’s, ‘Out with the old, In with the new’. I know this is a Christmas list, and Auld Lang Syne is technically a new years song, but Frank Capra used it in It’s A Wonderful Life, so live with it. (The song begins at !:00 and starts to get intense at 1:50)
5.I’ll Be Home For Christmas performed by Michael Bublé
This is that song that barely comes through on your car radio all scratchy when you’re stuck in a snow storm coming home from college with nothing on your mind but to be home and in good company. Michael Bublé never ceases to amaze me.
4.Christmas Time is Here from A Charlie Brown’s Christmas
I can’t help but identify with poor Charlie Brown, over-thinking things and missing the point. Linus says it best, “Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you’re the Charlie Browniest”. To me this song has a certain charm to it that convey’s the mellowing effect of watching Christmas Eve TV.
3.White Christmas performed by The Drifters
The severe yet beautiful contrast between the deep bass vocals and the dazzling tenor vocals allows this version to overflow with Christmas magic.
2. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas performed by Chris Martin of Coldplay
This is a Christmas Eve song at its purist. It so magnificently captures the feeling of comfort you get from sitting in a comfy chair by the fire watching the snow gently accumulate on the windowsill. The ornaments on the tree glimmer in the fire light. Your troubles are far away. Your family close by. How merrier could it be?
I stumbled upon this version a few months ago off of a Coldplay bootleg. Coldplay has recently become a guilty obsession of mine. However this particular song is very uncharacteristic of Chris Martin. Usually he is very flashy with his vocal range, but in this song he tries to stay deep the entire song as if he was on the Rat Pack Christmas Album. Having said that, the song is very unique to Coldplay and simply beautiful.
1.O Holy Night performed by Celtic Woman
This song packs more punch than any other Christmas Carol. When you’re sitting in a pew with your family at midnight mass and that choir belts out that 1st chorus as if they were singing to Santa Claus himself, and your heart starts to beat out of your chest, that’s Christmas.
It’s hard to pinpoint the best version of this song. Many consider Celine Dion’s version the most supreme. Frankly I can’t stand the sight or sound of that Canadian wench. This performance stuck out in my mind. Other notable versions come from Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, and believe it or not N’Sync.
Hope you enjoyed!
Merry Christmas
-Charlie
Haiku of the Day:
My dog is the best,
She has antlers on her head,
She is a reindeer.
Yo Mama Joke of the Day:
Yo mama is so fat, Santa was going to bring her a hula hoop, but unfortunately Saturn was still using it.
