Top 10 Favorite Christmas Songs
Some like it naughty and some like it nice. Whatever your taste, you are bound to find something that will jingle your bells.
I posted the question “What is your favorite Xmas song?” on Twitter and Facebook earlier this week and received an avalanche (trying to stay with the winter theme) of nominations. Here is the list of your favorites:
1. Santa Baby (1953) This naughty favorite was originally recorded by Eartha Kitt and has been covered by a slew of recording artists including Madonna and Kylie Minogue. Put a little “Ho” in your Christmas and give this a listen.
2. O Holy Night (1847) Chances are if you’ve recorded a Christmas album this song is probably one of the tracks. Favorite versions are from Celine Dion and Josh Groban.
3. White Christmas (1940) Written by Irving Berlin, it is the most recorded Christmas song with more than 500 versions in multiple languages. Bing Crosby’s version is the best selling single of all time.
4. The Christmas Song (1944) I’ve always wondered if chestnuts roasting on an open fire were a popular holiday treat before this song was written. Nat “King” Cole’s version is most popular with my social media peeps but I’ve always been partial to the Johnny Mathis cut myself.
5. Carol of the Bells (1916) Possibly the most parodied of all the Christmas songs, the original is based on a traditional Ukrainian folk chant.
6. All I Want for Christmas is You (1994) Mariah Carey will have you dancing around the tree with the song that the New Yorker calls “one of the few worthy modern additions to the holiday canon.”
7. Last Christmas (1984) The biggest selling single in the UK to not hit #1, Wham originally released it on the “B” side of “Everything She Wants”. Jimmy Eats World has a pretty awesome version of this one.
8. Baby, It’s Cold Outside (1944) Popular duet that really has nothing to do with Christmas at all but gets a lot of airtime in December due to the flirty “cold” theme. Check out Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme’s recording.
9. Winter Wonderland (1934) This Christmas standard has been recorded numerous times yet never mentions the holiday itself. Popular versions frequently played on the radio are by The Eurythmics, Jewel and Air Supply.
10. Little Drummer Boy (1941) The song inspired a popular stop action animated Christmas special by the same name in 1968. Originally known as “Carol of the Drum” it was first made famous by the Harry Simeone Chorale. I personally love the Vanessa Williams version myself.
This list could go on and on but really who has time for that. “It’s Christmas Time” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. There is “Christmas Wrapping” to be done, “Christmas Shoes” to shine, “Silver Bells” to polish and “Mistletoe and Holly” to hang. “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” after all.
To you and yours, “Happy Holidays”, “Feliz Navidad” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”.
as usual great stuff here my dear J. i’ll be thinking of my so. cal. family as you gather for glad tidings and seasonal merriment 2day. peace & much love!
I’m a big fan of O’ Holy Night and personally that is my favorite! Oh, by the way, love your haircut on your home page…let’s go with that one again on your next cut…