Definitive versions of Christmas Songs

Cafe Society
1

It’s that time of year again, where random awful radio stations convert to all Christmas music until you end up humming “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” while attempting to strangle the cat.

So, to pass the time from singing the few Hanukkah songs in existence I think about the definitive versions of the classics. What do you think is classic version of each one? This should apply to songs that are covered often and don’t have just a few versions.

I’ll start:

White Christmas - Bing Crosby

Christmas (Baby please come home) - Darlene Love

2

You’re a Mean One, Mister Grinch: Thurl Ravenscroft (though I really prefer the Whirling Dervishes).

3

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Surrey
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms

4

I’ll Be Home For Christmas–The Carpenters
The Christmas Song–Nat King Cole

5

For Rudolph, I meant Gene Autrey. Damn auto-correct! :mad:

6

While not the definitive version, the video of Mary’s Boy Child/O My Lord by Boney M can’t be topped.

7

12 Days of Christmas - Bob & Doug McKenzie
O Come All Ye Faithful - Twisted Sister
Winter Wonderland - Stryper

8

Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt

9

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - Andy Williams
(There’s No Place Like) Home For The Holidays - Perry Como
Do You Hear What I Hear? - Bing Crosby

10

Sleigh Ride - Johnny Mathis, although I really love the version by The Ronettes

I’ll be Home for Christmas - Bing Crosby, but the Carpenters version is really nice as well.

11

The real definitive version is by John Denver and the Muppets

12

White Christmas - The Drifters (Bing’s is a close 2nd)
O Holy Night - John Berry

13

Great choice! I had heard Dee Snider used O Come All Ye Faithful as the inspiration for the melody of We’re Not Gonna Take It.

14

Damn you, cochrane! For the rest of the day now I’m going to be singing:
OH! Come all ye FAITH FUL
JOY!
-ful and tri-uuuuuum-phant!

15

ooooo, White Christmas by the Drifters. (I could listen to this on a loop until New Years Eve.)

Run Run Rudolph - Chuck Berry

Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt

O Holy Night by Celine Dionne OR Michael Crawford.

Ring Christmas Bells by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Annie Lenox (her pagan youtube video is one of the most beautiful videos in existence, breathtaking. And has a hurdy-gurdy!)

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams

Mary’s Boy Child by Bony M. (an old disco group from the 70’s - their version is so exquisite it brings tears to my eyes.)

Jingle Bell Rock by Hall and Oates. (Come on in with those presents, Darryl darlin’, put them right under the tree - send John Oates out Christmas carolling or something)

16

Nope - Allan Sherman

17

A few obvious ones:

“A Holly Jolly Christmas” – Burl Ives
“The Little Drummer Boy” – Harry Simeone Chorale
“Christmas Time Is Here” - Vince Guaraldi

18

Have Youself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland
Sleigh Ride - Boston Pops instrumental version
Good King Wenceslas - Mel Torme

19

I am prepared to accept your derision:

I love Madonna’s bimbo version of Santa Baby.

20

We’re missing these:

Let it Snow
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Deck the Halls
Here Comes Santa Claus
Baby It’s Cold Outside
Silver Bells
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Carol of the Bells