# Definitive versions of Christmas songs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 12, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265 "2005-12-12T15:50:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/1 "2005-12-12T15:50:12Z")
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). ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/2 "2005-12-12T15:52:01Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/3 "2005-12-12T16:03:33Z")
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Judy Garland. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/4 "2005-12-12T16:37:11Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Judy Garland. You beat me to it. I came into the thread just for that. I would like to Enya’s “Silent Night” but I am afraid most people haven’t heard it or if they have, don’t know it is her. ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/5 "2005-12-12T16:48:43Z")
Perry Como’s _Home for the Holidays_ ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/6 "2005-12-12T16:56:41Z")
> [@jrfranchi](#): > > I would like to Enya’s “Silent Night” but I am afraid most people haven’t heard it or if they have, don’t know it is her. “Silent Night” is a tough one – a lot of people have done it, but no one version strikes me as being the one most noted of them all. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/7 "2005-12-12T17:10:39Z")
[ot] **bordelond** – I _just_ got your location tag. :smack: [/ot] ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/8 "2005-12-12T17:23:01Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/9 "2005-12-12T17:34:45Z")
I’d contend that Burl Ives’ version of _Rudolph_ looms larger in the public mind due to its association with the Rankin-Bass special. ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/10 "2005-12-12T17:48:27Z")
Sleigh Ride: Arthur Fiedler & the Boston Pops ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/11 "2005-12-12T18:01:12Z")
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/12 "2005-12-12T18:03:49Z")
> [@caveman](#): > > I’d contend that Burl Ives’ version of _Rudolph_ looms larger in the public mind due to its association with the Rankin-Bass special. Regardless, his _Holly Jolly Christmas_ is definitive. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/13 "2005-12-12T18:09:55Z")
“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. “Blue Christmas” – Elvis Presley. “Mary’s Boy Child” – Harry Belafonte. “Jingle Bell Rock” – Bobby Helms. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee ---
**Author:** ![some\_white\_dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b487fb/32.png) [@some\_white\_dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/some_white_dude)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/14 "2005-12-12T19:28:14Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/15 "2005-12-12T19:39:20Z")
> [@Team of Scientists](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/16 "2005-12-12T19:41:06Z")
> [@Gary T](#): > > “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. 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? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/17 "2005-12-12T20:05:45Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > 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](http://www.leroy-anderson.com/html/hearthemusic.htm) composed it in 1948. Words were added a couple of years later by [Mitchell Parish](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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. ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/18 "2005-12-12T20:35:59Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > 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? Actually, I think this is the Aretha Franklin’s version of _Jingle Bells_. I’ll have to check when I get home. ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/19 "2005-12-12T20:58:03Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > 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? Peggy Lee’s. Much of her Christmas recordings are similar, unfortunately. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265/20 "2005-12-12T20:58:20Z")
> [@DeVena](#): > > Actually, I think this is the Aretha Franklin’s version of _Jingle Bells_. I’ll have to check when I get home. 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_”. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/335265.md?page=2)