# Best Christmas Carols (songs, that is) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 30, 2005, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315 "2005-11-30T02:07:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/41 "2005-12-02T23:53:17Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > it occurs to me you folks can help me > there is a Barry Manilow big band-y holiday song. In my head I can hear snipets of it but not enough to identify it. Does anyone knwo which song I am referring to? it’s been driving me crazy No guarantees, but the two Manilow titles I am familiar with are: _Because It’s Christmas_ (not big band-y in the slightest; more like anthem-y), and _Jingle Bells_, a very big band-y, but note-for-note parlor trick of a cover of the chart that Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters recorded on [this album.](http://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=1022600) ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/42 "2005-12-03T02:09:43Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > thank you \*\*Lute Skywalker \*\* for that awesome list - I will be downloading this weekend. > > \*\*Madd Maxx \*\* - as for _Santa Baby_, I much prefer Madonna’s version (and no, I did not almost type “virgin” :D) I’m not knocking Madonna’s version, but there is just something so damn sexy about Eartha’s voice. Kinda makes me wish I was a scratching post. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/43 "2005-12-03T02:17:47Z")
> [@Madd Maxx](#): > > I’m not knocking Madonna’s version, but there is just something so damn sexy about Eartha’s voice. Kinda makes me wish I was a scratching post. I AM knocking Madonna’s version. The Boopifying is horrifying. I also heard Kylie Minogue’s giggly airheaded version this season and hate that, too. Frankly, anything that plays around with Ms. Kitt’s sublime, sexy original is poo. I like Manilow and K.T. Oslin’s version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” if only for the camp value. Probably the only Christmas song you’ll ever hear where one singer calls the other “puddin’ pop”… ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/44 "2005-12-03T02:22:40Z")
I’ve been trying to get into the Christmas spirit a little bit by listening to the Christmas music on the radio, but I can’t deal with it for long…why are all the songs so freakin’ _slow_? Also, what’s the deal with all the soulful yodeling of extra notes? I keep having to turn the radio off and sing the songs myself. It’s a less than ideal solution. Just ask my kids. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/45 "2005-12-03T02:27:29Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > thank you \*\*Lute Skywalker \*\* for that awesome list - I will be downloading this weekend. You’re quite welcome. I have 835 Christmas songs (and counting) and those are some of my favorites. > [@cthiax](#): > > “Gabriel’s Message” - Sting Missed this one, should also be available via iTMS. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/46 "2005-12-03T02:30:57Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > No guarantees, but the two Manilow titles I am familiar with are: _Because It’s Christmas_ (not big band-y in the slightest; more like anthem-y), and _Jingle Bells_, a very big band-y, but note-for-note parlor trick of a cover of the chart that Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters recorded on [this album.](http://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=1022600) that’s the one! thankyou both! and i kinda like Barry’s voice better than Bing’s ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/47 "2005-12-03T02:38:22Z")
Personally, it doesn’t get much better than [A Punk Rock Christmas](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000033NG/qid=1133577289/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-9633268-2084745?v=glance&s=music) by some classic 70s and 80s punk bands, one song of which was mentioned in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/48 "2005-12-03T02:40:26Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#): > > I’ve been trying to get into the Christmas spirit a little bit by listening to the Christmas music on the radio, but I can’t deal with it for long…why are all the songs so freakin’ _slow_? Also, what’s the deal with all the soulful yodeling of extra notes? I keep having to turn the radio off and sing the songs myself. > > It’s a less than ideal solution. Just ask my kids. Try Harry Connick, Jr., The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Canadian Brass, and (if you can find them) The Music City Brass. Especially the instrumental tracks. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/49 "2005-12-03T02:54:56Z")
Aha! Turns out The Music City Brass is at iTMS after all. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/50 "2005-12-03T05:09:06Z")
[I just published an iTunes iMix](http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPublishedPlaylist?id=594168) of some of my favorite holiday songs - i’m still compiling my list, and the iMix may gt longer. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![priapus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@priapus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/priapus)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/51 "2005-12-03T09:57:16Z")
I can’t believe no one mentioned Run Run Rudolph-Chuck Berry and Santa Got the AIDs This Year-Tiny Tim(instead of ho-ho-ho,He’s saying no-no-no) ---
**Author:** ![Headrush042](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Headrush042](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Headrush042)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/52 "2005-12-03T17:19:30Z")
**Lute Skywatcher** has already mentioned “Zat You Santa Claus?” by the Brian Seltzer orchestra, but I would have to recommend the same song as done by Louis Armstrong. Nobody does it like Satchmo 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/53 "2005-12-04T03:16:01Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#): > > O Holy Night. Beautiful song if you can catch someone singing it straightforwardly; ie, without any of that stupid melisma shit. And no copping out on the high note at the end. What’s melisma? I don’t know if this has melisma, but here’s an mp3 of a pretty guitar/vocal version of the song (posted with permission): [Happy Rhodes - O Holy Night](http://wretchawry.com/happy/samples/HappyRhodes_TheKeep09_OhHolyNight.mp3) One of the best Christmas compilations I’ve ever heard (at least, it’s my favorite) is (these next links go to Amazon pages) [Count Your Blessings](http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000074Z0/qid=1133664995/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1_1/701-8704767-3269965), a recording of an extraordinary live Christmas concert with Jane Siberry, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Holly Cole, Victoria Williams and Rebecca Jenkins (with Tim Ray on piano). I’d love it dearly even if we weren’t lucky enough to be in the audience. Getting it from Canada in time for Christmas seems to be an iffy prospect according to that Amazon site. Show me some kind of receipt that you’ve bought it and I’ll tell you where to get mp3s just in case it doesn’t arrive in time. That this is so close to being out of print that it would take 4-6 weeks to deliver is a crime. Canada ought to be ashamed. Another favorite of mine is [Mary Margaret O’Hara’s wonderful Christmas EP](http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001SMN/qid=1133664912/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_2_3/701-8704767-3269965) which is out of print (fie!), so if anyone likes the samples and really wants them, contact me and I’ll give them to you. [Holly Cole has some very nice Christmas music](http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005RDIU/qid=1133665179/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/701-8704767-3269965) too. Since this usually ships within 24 hours, you’ll get no offer from me on this one. That I, as an American, care more about all this Canadian music is a subject for another thread. A Pit thread, asking why Jane Siberry and Mary Margaret O’Hara aren’t considered national treasures and sponsored to the gills. I’d expect America to be full of idiots who don’t care about their exceptionally talented home-grown gems, but Canada is supposed to better than us. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/54 "2005-12-04T03:22:18Z")
Please disregard that last bit of my post. I had second thoughts and meant to delete it since it was wildly off-topic. I got distracted and hit Submit, forgetting about it. _red face_ ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/55 "2005-12-04T04:01:41Z")
Put me down as another traditionalist… John Ritter has done a compliation of traditional carols called ‘Dancing Day’, after the last carol, and most of them are absolutely beautiful when done with a good chorus _cough_likemyoldone_cough_ and a harp. ‘On this day Earth shall ring’ in the original Latin is beautiful, and the ‘Coventry Carol’ makes me want to cry every single last time I hear it. I like the really sweet, simple, haunting ones–the Huron carol, for instance, or ‘Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming’. And of course, all the wassail tunes are fun, too. Last one, I swear: If you can get a hold of Derek Holman’s ‘Sir Christemas’ composition, give it a good listen. It’s bizarre, wacky, brilliant stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/56 "2005-12-04T04:30:18Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > What’s melisma? Excessive melodic embellishment/singing several notes on one syllable. I learned that from an American Idol thread last year. Thanks for the song. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Booker57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Booker57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Booker57)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/57 "2005-12-04T05:00:33Z")
Not sure about the real name, Jeff Foxworthys “12 days of Redneck Xmas” Twelve pack of Bud Elevian 'rasslin tickets All that good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![tarragon918](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@tarragon918](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarragon918)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/58 "2005-12-04T10:34:03Z")
I’m another “traditionalist,” preferring Christmas carols sung by choirs. “What Child is This” (aka Greensleeves) is one of my favorites, as is the Coventry Carol. My Mom had a CD that I’ve taken a liking to; it’s by Baltimore Consort and is called _Bright Day Star, Music of the Yuletide Season_. [Here](http://http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000001QAB/qid=1133691554/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-0695927-4800942?v=glance&s=classical) is a link to the CD at [amazon.com](http://amazon.com). I’ve played this CD through the year even, that’s how much I enjoy it! Listening to it also reminds me of my Mom. ---
**Author:** ![tarragon918](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@tarragon918](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarragon918)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/59 "2005-12-04T10:38:30Z")
> [@tarragon918](#): > > I’m another “traditionalist,” preferring Christmas carols sung by choirs. “What Child is This” (aka Greensleeves) is one of my favorites, as is the Coventry Carol. My Mom had a CD that I’ve taken a liking to; it’s by Baltimore Consort and is called _Bright Day Star, Music of the Yuletide Season_. [Here](http://http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000001QAB/qid=1133691554/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-0695927-4800942?v=glance&s=classical) is a link to the CD at [amazon.com](http://amazon.com). I’ve played this CD through the year even, that’s how much I enjoy it! Listening to it also reminds me of my Mom. Dang, I should have done PREVIEW! Could a kindly MOD pretty please fix that hyperlink? The CD is worth it! Thank you in advance. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tarragon918](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@tarragon918](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarragon918)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315/60 "2005-12-04T10:40:31Z")
> [@tarragon918](#): > > I’m another “traditionalist,” preferring Christmas carols sung by choirs. “What Child is This” (aka Greensleeves) is one of my favorites, as is the Coventry Carol. My Mom had a CD that I’ve taken a liking to; it’s by Baltimore Consort and is called _Bright Day Star, Music of the Yuletide Season_. [Here](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000001QAB/qid=1133691554/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-0695927-4800942?v=glance&s=classical) is a link to the CD at [amazon.com](http://amazon.com). I’ve played this CD through the year even, that’s how much I enjoy it! Listening to it also reminds me of my Mom. Dang, I should have done PREVIEW! Could a kindly MOD pretty please fix that hyperlink? The CD is worth it! Thank you in advance. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-christmas-carols-songs-that-is/333315.md?page=4)