# The Christmas Music Recommendations Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 1, 2015, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079 "2015-12-01T00:03:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/21 "2015-12-02T00:58:24Z")
Also Bruce Cockburn and Jorma Kaukonen. > **[Bruce Cockburn - Christmas - Amazon.com Music](https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Bruce-Cockburn/dp/B0000028TK)** > > Bruce Cockburn - Christmas - Amazon.com Music > **[Kaukonen, Jorma - Christmas - Amazon.com Music](https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Jorma-Kaukonen/dp/B000000SUR)** > > Kaukonen, Jorma - Christmas - Amazon.com Music ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/22 "2015-12-02T01:08:06Z")
Simon and Garfunkel: Silent Night/7o’clock News [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WgYFXCUEL4Y/hqdefault.jpg "Simon & Garfunkel - Silent Night/7 O' Clock News") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgYFXCUEL4Y) ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/23 "2015-12-02T01:10:08Z")
Another anti-vietnam war xmas song from around the same time (novelty type): [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Mamr3K6G_Ew/hqdefault.jpg "Becky Lamb - LITTLE BECKY'S CHRISTMAS WISH (1967)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mamr3K6G_Ew) ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/24 "2015-12-02T02:27:33Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Did anyone else look forward to the “[A Very Special Christmas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Very_Special_Christmas)” albums? My mom usually bought them and we’d listen to them in the car a lot. We have the very first one, and play it every year. It’s a perfect combination of tunes we like matched with artists who do a great job with their chosen song. Particular favorites are the Stevie Nicks version of ‘Silent Night’ and Madonna’s ‘Santa Baby’. I also like [The Gift](http://www.amazon.com/The-Gift-Acoustic-Offerings-Holiday/dp/B000005P18), [Mannheim Steamroller Christmas](http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Mannheim-Steamroller/dp/B0000005MT/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1449023103&sr=1-1&keywords=mannheim+steamroller+christmas) and Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s [Christmas Eve and Other Stories](http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Other-Stories-Trans-Siberian-Orchestra/dp/B000002JX6/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1449023151&sr=1-2&keywords=trans+siberian+orchestra) (which is kind of cheesy, but in a good way). ---
**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 2, 2015, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/25 "2015-12-02T02:30:17Z")
Funny stuff: [Dr. Demento Presents: The Greatest Christmas Novelty CD Of All Time](http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Demento-Presents-Greatest-Christmas/dp/B00000348G/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1449023331&sr=1-2&keywords=dr+demento) My faves: “I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas” and “I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus.” ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/26 "2015-12-02T02:34:09Z")
Pentatonix’s “That’s Christmas To Me” album, one of the biggest selling albums of last year (and again this year already). https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tp_Fpyk4sj0?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=PLZmiuwmMQUHPV1i9mezE218_aEs-hM4Vq ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/27 "2015-12-02T02:37:54Z")
[Straight No Chaser](http://www.sncmusic.com/music) has a couple good holiday albums too - I have the first one. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/28 "2015-12-02T02:44:21Z")
[Bob Rivers & Twisted Radio.](http://www.amazon.com/Santa-Claus-Rivers-Twisted-Radio/dp/B000002IX7/ref=pd_sim_15_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=418Z6269AJL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=16GHXX2152DVMMYB018D) Contains such classics as: I Am Santa Claus Walking 'Round In Women’s Underwear I Came Upon A Roadkill Deer and many others. ---
**Author:** ![5\_time\_champ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/278dde/32.png) [@5\_time\_champ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5_time_champ)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/29 "2015-12-02T02:52:18Z")
From the sublime, **The Medieval Babes** : [The Holly & the Ivy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7Oik2yl6wE) [In Dulce Jubilo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4-3GfW1paw) [Coventry Carol](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhCLwwmtKjs) to the ridiculous, [Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E0DpdSPo2Y) sung to the melody of Free Bird by **Rocket Park** ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/30 "2015-12-02T02:53:16Z")
Kate Miller-Heidke covering Tim Minchin’s [White Wine In The Sun](https://youtu.be/PLp2DfsW5Cw). Tripod’s [I Hate Your Family](https://youtu.be/gGm7mZJw5jc). Jump to about 35 seconds in. ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/31 "2015-12-02T04:46:25Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Gary Hoey > > [Carol Of The Bells](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqDsSC5w5KU) > [Deck The Halls](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzcvrJXNOb8) > [You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mio07zb1vM) I came in here to recommend Gary Hoey’s “Ho! Ho! Hoey: the Complete Collection.” That is the best rendition of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” you’ll ever hear. Also, everyone needs to hear King Diamond’s [No Presents For Christmas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a5fHMlb4V0). Although it’s not very cheery. I’d say Trans Siberian Orchestra, too, but they’re hardly below the radar. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/32 "2015-12-02T06:28:46Z")
Loreena McKennitt has recorded plenty of non-standard Christmas songs…_Midwinter Night’s Dream_ is one of my favorite albums. And because there’s no tradition like a new tradition, how about the acapella chorus version of [(Let’s Have) A Patrick Swayze Christmas](https://youtu.be/Lq8WhYTRbC8)? ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/33 "2015-12-02T08:13:05Z")
Some from the other side of the Pond: [Jonah Lewie - Stop the Cavalry](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HkJHApgKqw): bit of an oddity, an anti-war Christmas song with a video set in the WW1 trenches released on a label better known for bands such as The Damned and The Pogues, and artists as diverse as Elvis Costello and Bob Marley. An oddly bouncy number considering the sentiment. [The Pogues - Fairytale of New York](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8): Ahh, Kirsty MacColl. Bless. [Steeleye Span - Gaudete](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN9AJj9rtlk): If plainsong sung with an occasionally West Country accent\* is your thing. [Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM_H4CAAYxc): 70’s British Glam Schlock at its “finest”. [The Darkness - Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQhuoY5h2kE): Serious rock band, or massive piss-take of 70s American hair metal - you decide. - Think British version of “redneck”. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/34 "2015-12-02T10:48:51Z")
I love good music, of all types. The only thing I cannot stand is standard Christmas music. My sister in law and a woman who sits near me at work both play this dross for weeks each year. So I introduced them both to the fine works of [Putumayo World Music](http://www.putumayo.com/product-category/holiday/) and we are all happy now. [Jazz and Blues Christmas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF49OUcIbuY), [New Orleans Christmas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4Hr6lIxzuI&list=PLL8CogljAJaRU1KUylNR4CyekHB4VI50c) and plenty of others are on youtube. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/35 "2015-12-02T11:05:20Z")
The Harry Connick, Jr. Christmas album is great. So is the one by Yo Yo Ma and friends. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/36 "2015-12-02T15:05:15Z")
I have posted a link in other years to this experimental piece from **Mom and Daddy**. It is a bit abrasive in the middle, but listening to it loud just blows me away every single time. When I used to do a radio show on the local public station, I would play this every year on my last show before Christmas and it never failed to get a response— sometimes positive and sometimes negative. If you like Christams music and are not opposed to something very out of the ordinary… give it a listen. [O Holy Night —performed by Mom and Daddy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QZJ_n1fgpA) ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/37 "2015-12-02T15:57:47Z")
The late Tommy Thompson of the Red Clay Ramblers wrote “[Hot Buttered Rum](http://www.mikecraver.com/lyricsTT.html#rum)” When chimney smoke hangs still and low across the stubbled fields of snow And angry skies reach down and seize the sorry blackened bones of trees In the dead of winter when the silent snowbirds come You’re my sweet maple sugar,honey, hot buttered rum… Moody rather than cheerful; YouTube has versions. If you don’t own any Red Clay Rambler albums… Brave Combo, that Nuclear Polka Band from Denton, has [It’s Christmas, Man.](http://bravecombo.com/bcinfo/its-christmas-man/) Their first Christmas album. Listen to some of the tunes [here](http://bravecombo.com/listen/). Or find out when they’ll play your town. Not too obscure–Joan Baez’s _Noel._ With music arranged by Peter Schickele–AKA P.D.Q Bach. Released in 1966, the album surprised many because of its simple beauty… ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/38 "2015-12-02T16:31:26Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > [Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM_H4CAAYxc): 70’s British Glam Schlock at its “finest”. My initial reaction was “70s?? Duh, it’s an 80s song!” but Wikipedia quickly informed me that I was heretofore only familiar with the [1984 re-release](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Wish_It_Could_Be_Christmas_Everyday#Re-releases). I distinctly remember watching it on _Top of the Pops_ that year, as a young teen. It will always be an 80s song to me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2015, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/39 "2015-12-02T16:45:17Z")
[Charles Brown - Please Come Home For Christmas](https://youtu.be/itdNoGtPQ3Ihttp://) The [Eagles](https://youtu.be/kNnU-8TocSIhttp://) do a great cover of it too. [Charles Brown - Merry Christmas Baby](https://youtu.be/-RJJwk-Opw4) and it sounds great when [Bonnie](https://youtu.be/ZzkOTRjjTrc) helps him out. [The Chuckster!](https://youtu.be/cCXx1Z8srYY) ---
**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 2, 2015, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079/40 "2015-12-02T17:11:40Z")
_[Snow Angels](http://www.amazon.com/Snow-Angels-Over-Rhine/dp/B000V5EY4M)_ by Over the Rhine is probably the best all-originals (i.e., no standards) Christmas album I’ve ever heard. (Well, there’s a tongue-in-cheek reworking of “Jingle Bells,” but close enough.) “Darlin’ (Christmas Is Comin’)” is one of my all-time favorites. _[The Spirit of Christmas](http://www.amazon.com/The-Spirit-Christmas-Ray-Charles/dp/B000003432)_ by Ray Charles: also stellar. Every track kills. He even makes “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” enjoyable, and I hate that song. _Paste_ magazine’s Christmas comps are usually good, and the [2012 one](http://noisetrade.com/pastemagazine/christmas-sampler) in particular was killer. [Christmas Remixed - Holiday Classics Re-Grooved](http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Remixed-Holiday-Classics-Re-Grooved/dp/B000S57MMG). Sounds like it would be cheesy, but really very good. _[Merry Christmas](http://www.amazon.com/Merry-Christmas-Johnny-Mathis/dp/B0002S94HK)_ by Johnny Mathis, for when you want to go old-school with the master. Better than Nat King Cole for my money. And what would Christmas be without James Brown to make it [funky](http://www.amazon.com/James-Browns-Funky-Christmas-Brown/dp/B000001EFD)? That takes care of the albums; here are some single tracks worth adding to your holiday mix: [“All That I Want”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FsGor-NBak) - The Weepies [“Christmas After All”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEuf0ZxyrHk) - Maria Taylor [“Why Can’t It Be Christmas Time All Year”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYtR-a356Mg) - Rosie Thomas (her album is good, if not quite a classic) [“Peace at Last”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrZam5uZu08) - Hem (almost unbearably beautiful) [“Thanks for Christmas”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DBJRSMP8Uw) - XTC [“Uncle John”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfjS_Q8o2nM) - Jonathan Coulton & John Roderick. Hilarious. [“Everything’s Changed at Christmas But You”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l5VdV5qZe0) - Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors. What Christmas means as you get old. Prepare to weep into your egg nog. I may post more if I have time. I’m a bit of a Christmas music fiend. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-christmas-music-recommendations-thread/739079.md?page=3)