# Definitive versions of Christmas Songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 1, 2015, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088 "2015-12-01T03:00:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![detlep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@detlep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detlep)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/61 "2015-12-06T19:26:07Z")
O Holy Night - [Charlotte Church](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUjJi0l_hOY) ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/62 "2015-12-06T19:29:57Z")
Did anyone else ever do “I wish it could be a wombling merry Christmas every day”? ---
**Author:** ![Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enter_the_Flagon)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/63 "2015-12-06T20:01:08Z")
Silent Night - The Temptations Please Come Home For Christmas - Charles Brown, the 1960 release Oh Holy Night - Johnny Mathis Let it Snow - Dean Martin ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2015, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/64 "2015-12-07T12:47:15Z")
> [@Teuton](#): > > Did anyone else ever do “I wish it could be a wombling merry Christmas every day”? I think Wilson Phillips did, but it doesn’t hold a candle to Roy Wood. ---
**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 13, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/65 "2015-12-13T17:56:19Z")
“'Zat You, Santa Claus” - Louis Armstrong, though the Brian Setzer Orchestra and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy covers are acceptable. Haven’t heard Buster Poindexter’s yet. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/66 "2015-12-13T18:06:45Z")
Since Bing has “White Christmas” all sewed up, I’m reluctant to give him “I’ll be Home for Christmas” too. Instead of the Carpenters, however, I’m gonna go with these guys. The Beach Boys! (Listen and keep an open mind.) ---
**Author:** ![jehan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f6c823/32.png) [@jehan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jehan)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/67 "2015-12-13T18:43:44Z")
This is the best version of the Huron carol that I have heard. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO5fBQ-4vJU) ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2015, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/68 "2015-12-13T19:09:54Z")
Adeste Fideles - Luciano Pavarotti Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney (Yes, there’s a remake, and I actually like this song.) Carol of the Bells - Mannheim Steamroller (Deck the Halls too) ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2015, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/69 "2015-12-14T18:39:42Z")
Nobody but The Waitresses should do “Christmas Wrapping” despite what the Spice Girls may tell you. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2015, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/70 "2015-12-14T19:15:33Z")
“Silver Bells” belongs to Kate Smith. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/71 "2015-12-15T05:09:51Z")
Then there’s this. Hadn't seen it in years. ---
**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 15, 2015, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/72 "2015-12-15T05:35:47Z")
I think Rosemary Clooney has Suzy Snowflake all sewn up. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/73 "2015-12-15T07:33:21Z")
“O Holy Night” is owned by Nat King Cole. “Do You Hear What I Hear” Bing Crosby “Little Drummer Boy” Harry Simeone Chorale “Christmas Song” Mel Torme “Santa Baby” Eartha Kitt ---
**Author:** ![quiltguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e47774/32.png) [@quiltguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/74 "2015-12-15T21:22:05Z")
Perry Como’s “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is the one I prefer, even though it brings back sad memories. I was in basic training, during Christmas time, many years ago. None of us were allowed to open our packages from home until Christmas Eve. The time finally arrived, and as we tore into the goodies various moms had sent, Ol’ Perry came on the TV with THAT song. Until you’ve seen sixty 18 and 19yo’s, crying in their bunks, choking down Christmas cookies et. al., you have NO idea what being home for Christmas only in your dreams means. G0sp3l: Most perceptive, my friend, Miss Kitt’s version is THE ONE. Anyone a fan of “In Old Judea”? It’s a hymn in sing and response mode. I remember it fondly from many midnight masses. I wonder if it’s ever been recorded? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/75 "2015-12-15T21:28:23Z")
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland O Come All Ye Faithful - Bing Crosby Bing and Sinatra’s Christmas albums are the definitive song versions for me. Reminds me of my childhood and hearing those albums on the radio. I like other artist’s Christmas covers too. But the OP asked about the definitive versions. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/76 "2015-12-15T22:44:39Z")
> [@quiltguy](#): > > G0sp3l: Most perceptive, my friend, Miss Kitt’s version is THE ONE. Other performers should be prevented by law from covering it. Some songs only need one version. Like [Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQrdxtWgHbE). Pretty sure that’s the definitive version. ---
**Author:** ![jrbor76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9e8a1a/32.png) [@jrbor76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jrbor76)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/77 "2015-12-16T21:29:33Z")
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. Bruce Springsteen. Game, set, and match. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2015, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/78 "2015-12-16T21:34:08Z")
“[The Twelve Days of Christmas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8)” – Straight No Chaser ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/79 "2015-12-18T00:36:08Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Is there a version of Jingle Bells that stands out? This version by [Austrian Death Machine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgVXracm_ng) ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/80 "2015-12-18T04:57:38Z")
Renee Olstead-Christmas in Love [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/AuzXBsOg-OY/hqdefault.jpg "Christmas in love (Renee Olstead)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuzXBsOg-OY) Temptations-Give Love At Christmas Elizabeth Chan-Fa La La George Michael-December Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRFIePY6LWs [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088.md?page=5)