# The Perfect Christmas Album **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 8, 2004, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728 "2004-11-08T22:02:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/1 "2004-11-08T22:02:24Z")
It is my first holiday season with an iPod, and I was hoping to put together “Best of” Christmas album. For the most part, I like my Christmas Music to be traditional, but I don’t mind a few more modern choices (e.g.- _Happy XMas- War is Over_ by John Lennon!) But I was hoping for some selections for the Playlist, but more importantly, I need help picking the artist. There are like a MILLION versions of Silent Night. Help me get the “standard” version of each song. It’s would be easy to just download Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (though I think the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is too high pitched for repeat listening), but I want to ones that I grew up listening to. The main radio versions. A few songs that are a must: Feliz Navidad- Jose Feliciano Please Come Home For Christmas- The Eagles Happy XMas (War Is Over)- John Lennon [Not available for Download] It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year- Andy Williams Jingle Bell Rock- Bobby Helms The Christmas Song- Nat King Cole Need an Artist Silent Night O, Holy Night Jingle Bells Joy To the World Silver Bells I’ll Be Home For Christmas Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Little Drummer Boy (The Harry Simeone Chorale seems to be the standard…) Do You Hear What I Hear? Mele Kalikimaka It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Any other obvious choices I am missing? Any recs on the artists? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/2 "2004-11-08T22:09:13Z")
Elvis did some great covers of almost all of those songs. Some of his Christmas Albulms really are top class. I’d look into his versions of the following: Silent Night O, Holy Night Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/3 "2004-11-08T22:33:19Z")
These are just the versions I like, off the top of my head. Silent Night --I’ve never found a version of this song that I actually like, though the one by the Temptations is enjoyable to me. O, Holy Night – Someone operatic. I prefer Placido Domingo. Jingle Bells – So many choices! I like the Count Basie Orchestra, or Bing Crosby with the Andrews Sisters. Joy To the World – Julie Andrews Silver Bells – I’m drawing a blank, though I know I’ve heard versions I like a lot. I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Lou Rawls has a nice version, a little jazzy and shows off that voice Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand Little Drummer Boy (The Harry Simeone Chorale seems to be the standard…) – I like the odd take by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Of course, I think the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack is the best Christmas cd ever. Do You Hear What I Hear? – Jim Nabors Mele Kalikimaka – Bing Crosby It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – I’m a broken record, but Bing Crosby Some others that are nice: I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm – Dean Martin Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt For Unto Us a Child is Born – excerpt from Handel’s Messiah (and most hummable, beware) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – Vienna Boys Choir Merry Christmas, Darling – The Carpenters Old Toy Trains – Statler Brothers The Christmas Waltz – Peggy Lee Winter Wonderland – The Platters Go Tell it on the Moutain – Mahalia Jackson Carol of the Bells – The Nylons Let it Snow! – Ella Fitzgerald A Holly, Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives Children Go Where I Send Thee – Tennessee Ernie Ford ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/4 "2004-11-08T22:35:36Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – I’m a broken record, but Bing Crosby Oops. I tracked down the version I like and it’s Perry Como, not the Bingster. ---
**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:** [November 8, 2004, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/5 "2004-11-08T23:12:49Z")
Silver Bells – Bing Crosby Silent Night – Wilson Phillips Others I like: Sleigh Ride – Leroy Anderson (that’s the orchestral version with the clip-clops and jingle bells) Home for the Holidays – Perry Como Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Bing Crosby & Ella Fitzgerald Santa Claus is Coming To Town – Frank Sinatra (by himself or paired with Cyndi Lauper) Winter Wonderland – The Eurythmics Pretty Paper – Roy Orbison Christmas All Over Again – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Merry Christmas Baby – Charles Brown The Man with the Bag – The Brian Setzer Orchestra ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/6 "2004-11-08T23:22:33Z")
I’ve always liked Bing Crosby’s and David Bowie’s duet Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy ---
**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:** [November 8, 2004, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/7 "2004-11-08T23:40:05Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Oops. I tracked down the version I like and it’s Perry Como, not the Bingster. The Bingster? The _Bingster??_ **Der Bingle** , if you please. My new favorite version of _Silver Bells_ is by Rockapella. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/8 "2004-11-08T23:57:06Z")
For a different take, check out “Little Drummer Boy” by the Dandy Warhols. A Christmas classic! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Made\_in\_Macau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@Made\_in\_Macau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Made_in_Macau)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/9 "2004-11-08T23:58:26Z")
Without Dana singing ‘Cold, Cold Christmas’, Squeeze’s ‘Christmas Day’ or Gilbert O’ Sullivan’s ‘I’m Not Dreaming of a White Christmas’, there is no Christmas. Everything else is free sweeties. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/10 "2004-11-09T00:29:43Z")
What, no “Grandma got run over by a Reindeer?” Anyway… Many tracks from [this album.](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005177I/qid=1099960187/sr=2-2/ref=pd_ka_b_2_2/104-1415431-1651940) (I’d reccomend tracks 1 and 3, especially. And 7, if you’ve got the guts.) The Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack, by Vince Guaraldi. Enya’s version of Silent Night, _Oiche Chiun_. _Walking in the Air_, from the soundtrack to _The Snowman_. (Check PBS, or your local public library.) Placido Domingo’s _Adeste Fideles_. (Almost called him Placido Flamingo. Sesame Street never quite lets you go, does it? 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/11 "2004-11-09T00:49:12Z")
Pretty much Mannheim Steamroller’s entire first two Christmas albums. Especially their Carol of the Bells. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/12 "2004-11-09T01:26:08Z")
\*\*Stille, Stille, Stille \*\* - Vienna Boys’ Choir **Snowfall** - Manhattan Transfer Most anything from the David Benoit album, if you like jazz. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/13 "2004-11-09T01:52:45Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Pretty much Mannheim Steamroller’s entire first two Christmas albums. Especially their Carol of the Bells. Carol of the Bells is one of my all time favorites too! ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/14 "2004-11-09T01:53:36Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > \*\* > Most anything from the David Benoit album, if you like jazz. I’m more of a Houston Rockets fan! 😉 Thanks for all the tips. Especially **jsgoddess**! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/15 "2004-11-09T01:55:58Z")
Johnny Mathis’ 1959 Christmas album is pretty good. Especially “Winter Wonderland”. ---
**Author:** ![Snaggletooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Snaggletooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snaggletooth)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/16 "2004-11-09T03:24:34Z")
I have always liked [Trans-Siberian Orchestra](http://www.trans-siberian.com/intro.html)🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/17 "2004-11-09T03:32:18Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Joy To the World – Julie Andrews I like Three Dog Night’s version. 😃 _“Jeremiah was a bullfrog…”_ ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/18 "2004-11-09T03:50:43Z")
The Brian Setzer Orchestra has an entire album of rockin’, swingin’, big-band hipster Christmas songs, old and new. I highly recommend it, as a swing and rockabilly fan, and as a Jew who loves Christmas cheer as much as anyone. 🆒 You can’t go wrong with Elvis’ version of “Blue Christmas,” either. Practically brings a tear to my eye every time. U2 has a neat cover of “Baby, Please Come Home For Christmas” that really shows how much they can rock out and have fun with someone else’s song. And I’ll reiterate a vote for the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Nothing makes me think of “Christmas festivities” more than that jazzy piano. ---
**Author:** ![supervenusfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@supervenusfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supervenusfreak)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/19 "2004-11-09T04:11:22Z")
Patti Austin did a beautiful version of “Christmastime is Here” for the Charlie Brown tribute album. That is one of my favorites. And for some sass try Eartha Kitt singing “Santa Baby” ---
**Author:** ![Quint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/76d3ee/32.png) [@Quint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quint)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2004, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728/20 "2004-11-09T04:21:36Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > O, Holy Night – Someone operatic. I prefer Placido Domingo. If you are looking for a spectacular version of **O Holy Night** look no further than [Jussi Bjorling](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000JYZ6/002-1265116-6632858?v=glance). The review at amazon says “the CD ends with what must be the greatest recording of ‘O Holy Night’ in ANY language, capped by an astonishing high C. In fact, when I first heard this, it was on the first track of another CD, and I replayed it 5 times before going on to the rest of the CD!” If you want a slightly more rare and absolutely unbelievable version of this song, you owe it to yourself to track down Jussi’s version. It will blow you away. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-christmas-album/273728.md?page=2)