Let’s make a list of classic Christmas songs which have definitive versions among the many versions that have been recorded. Some easy examples:
[ul]
[li]“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Gene Autry[/li][li]“The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts roasting/on an open fire) by Nat “King” Cole[/li][li]“Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano[/li][li]“White Christmas” by Bing Crosby[/li][/ul]
There are some songs that we can perhaps debate just which version is definitive. Did Bing Crosby and David Bowie’s version of “Little Drummer Boy” eclipse all previous versions (I’d say “yes”). It’s hard to say that Bruce Springsteen’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” is the definitive version, but it is a very famous one … and for a while, it seemed to get the most radio airplay (at least on the stations I was listening to in the 1980s).
Oh – I didn’t make clear in the OP: This isn’t really about the “best” versions of these songs. It’s more about which version of given songs have most saturated the public conciousness.
I’m writing from an American perspective … but I’d be interested to read about how definitive versions of any given songs might differ in other countries.
I think Johnny Mathis’ version of “Winter Wonderland” is pretty definitive, although that’s debatable; there are a lot of good versions of that song. (His take on “The Christmas Song,” IMHO, is equal to Nat King Cole’s.)
The Harry Simeon Chorale’s version of “Little Drummer Boy.”
Peggy Lee’s take on “The Christmas Waltz.”
Elvis’ version of “Here Comes Santa Claus.”
Eartha Kitt, “Santa Baby” (a no-brainer).
Bing Crosby’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”
“Jingle Bells” seems to lack a definitive version, but I’d argue Frank Sinatra’s comes closest.
“Sleigh Ride” was written and first performed by Leroy Anderson. While Fiedler and the Boston Pops might have more name recognition as performers, argument can be made that Aderson’s version is equally or more definitive.
“Little Drummer Boy” by the Harry Simeon Chorale was the only version I ever heard of, much less heard, until a few years ago (Simeon co-wrote the song). I can’t imagine any other version even approaching it in definitiveness. And all the others I have heard suck big time in comparison.
Darlene Love’s version of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” puts anyone else’s to shame. One highlight of the holiday season is her annual performance of this song on Letterman right before Christmas.
Upon first read, I thought this was the same song as Charles Brown’s classic “Please Come Home for Christmas” (Bells will be ringing …). Brown owns that song, I think most will agree – though Aaron Neville does a worthy cover.
Whose version of “Sleigh Ride” has the semi-annoying female or child’s vocals singing “I like to sleigh ride” throughout the song? Or is that every version?
Niether Fiedler’s nor Anderson’s – they’re both instrumentals, which is how Anderson composed it in 1948. Words were added a couple of years later by Mitchell Parish .
I don’t know who did the vocal version you’re referring to – in fact I may not have heard it, as I don’t recall that line (and it does sound like it would be annoying). I have heard a vocal version that I recognize as my favorite, but I have no idea who did it, either.
Google confirms that some versions of “Jingle Bells” do throw in the extra lyric “I like to sleigh ride” after every few verses (plus a few iterations at the beginning of the song). I conflated “Sleigh Ride” with these versions of “Jingle Bells”. I believe that you’re correct … the version I have in mind may well be Aretha … though if it’s her, she’s taking a lot of zip off of her fastball in her vocal delivery (well done, just more sweet than soulful).
The “Sleigh Ride” song Gary T is posting about is the one that (now) includes the lyrics “Come on it’s lovely weather / For a sleigh ride together with you”.