# 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:** 18\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2015, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/81 "2015-12-19T14:58:53Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley. Cyndi Lauper’s version on the 2013 Carols for a Cure CD will have you saying “Elvis who?” ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2015, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/82 "2015-12-19T18:40:51Z")
I’m on the lookout for a good rich (preferably SATB choir) performance of “There’s a Song in the Air”, which is one I don’t hear very often any more. There are [a fair](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seN9CcRXMjg) [number of](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPMkWLSdf3M) [performances](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiuKPijaKLA) [available](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaE1ce7JY-Q) that are very definitely not the definitive version, whatever the definitive version might be. The nicest I’ve found that I can link to is [this one by the Cape Town Ensemble](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaZdcATxVl4), which is marred by the live-performance amateur-recording detritus such as audience people coughing and rustling in their seats, plus the fact that it’s a medley and not Song in the Air done completely and by itself, which I’d prefer. ETA: [Not this alternative tune](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRJ5Nuks41I), the original. ---
**Author:** ![Arizona\_Mike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Arizona\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arizona_Mike)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/83 "2016-01-08T20:29:06Z")
> [@stanger](#): > > I know it isn’t a true Christmas song, but growing up through the 50s to 70s, Christmas time was the only time I remember hearing “Ave Maria”, so I associate it with the holidays. > > Many people have done it well, but around my house, it was never really officially Christmas until we heard Perry Como sing it on his annual Christmas specials. My favorites for Ave Maria would be either the simple, moving Warren Zevon version or the rather martial-sounding version by Chris Cornell and Eleven that appeared on one of the “A Very Special Christmas” albums. ---
**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 9, 2019, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/84 "2019-12-09T18:46:46Z")
Bumping an old thread because it’s that time of year. Up on the Housetop - Gene Autry Frankly, I’ve never noticed any other versions but there are many. Apparently this is the 2nd oldest (1864!) non-religious Christmas song, only surpassed by Jingle Bells (1857). ---
**Author:** ![MacSpon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@MacSpon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacSpon)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/85 "2019-12-09T21:41:48Z")
Just reading this thread is filling my head with the songs, and making me want to hurt small puppies. ---
**Author:** ![Periwinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Periwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Periwinkle)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/86 "2019-12-09T22:38:43Z")
Joy to the World by Whitney Houston This Christmas by Donny Hathaway Beautiful Star of Bethlehem by Emmylou Harris ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/87 "2019-12-10T01:03:48Z")
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is almost too big for Handel, but I grew up on their rendition of “For Unto Us a Child is Born” and love it still. ---
**Author:** ![txjim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f07891/32.png) [@txjim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txjim)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/88 "2019-12-10T02:39:46Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > … but the version by Leon Redbone and Zooey Deschanel ain’t good. It does count as the most lecturous version. You can almost picture Leon Redbone wearing a raincoat. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/89 "2019-12-10T02:53:47Z")
^ “Your lips taste delicious.” !!???!! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/90 "2019-12-10T03:01:06Z")
Missed edit window: “Your lips _ **look** _ delicious.” Not any better. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/91 "2019-12-10T03:08:33Z")
“Go Tell it on the Mountain” – Mahalia Jackson (possibly the greatest Gospel singer of all time). ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/92 "2019-12-10T07:24:22Z")
**Silent Night** David Sedaris in the style of Billie Holiday \*\*Somebody Stole My Santa Claus Suit\*\* Dan Hicks and the Chrsitmas Jug Band [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/UCZbsjzIyGU/maxresdefault.jpg "Somebody Stole My Santa Claus Suit") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCZbsjzIyGU) ---
**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 10, 2019, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/93 "2019-12-10T07:41:24Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Bumping an old thread because it’s that time of year. > > Up on the Housetop - Gene Autry > > Frankly, I’ve never noticed any other versions but there are many. Apparently this is the 2nd oldest (1864!) non-religious Christmas song, only surpassed by Jingle Bells (1857). I must demur. [This](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ztPy5ZNDTuQ) is how the song goes (take note of the “Ho! Ho! Ho!” part). [Here](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u52FPRHohXQ) is how Autry screwed it up. He similarly screws up Frosty the Snowman. Makes me wonder if he sang Rudolph right… ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/94 "2019-12-10T12:41:05Z")
IMO, the definitive recording of Handel’s _Messiah_ is by Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/95 "2019-12-10T14:37:28Z")
Brice & E Street OWN Saaaaaannnttttta Clause is Coming to Town. ---
**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 10, 2019, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/96 "2019-12-10T18:02:45Z")
I would very much like to learn the name of the person who came up with the notion that in order to include _Santa Claus is Coming to Town_ in a “rock’n’roll” record, one had to include those extra two iterations of the song title.\* If I ever find out, the first project I fund with my eventual lottery winnings will be the development of time travel, enabling me to . . . take steps . . . to ensure that that person is never born. \*I consider it an abomination on the same level as the Designated Hitter, regular season inter-league baseball, night games (and lights) at Wrigley Field, and bothering with a World Series when the Dodgers aren’t in it (and counting it as canon when they’re defeated). ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2019, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/97 "2019-12-11T05:44:59Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Brice & E Street OWN Saaaaaannnttttta Clause is Coming to Town. I dunno - I’m partial to the Crystals version On “A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector,” if only for Hal Blaine’s incredible drums! ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2019, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088/98 "2019-12-11T13:16:25Z")
Why am I up at this ungodly hour? Ah, to tell you all to seek out The Fab Four, _Hark!_ Christmas songs done in a Beatles style. Maybe not ‘definitive’, but certainly worth a listen. https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL-ODR7uRLzL8VgaHR6S6h4KIkpNXUoccL&wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=1&enablejsapi=1 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definitive-versions-of-christmas-songs/739088.md?page=4)