# What Christmas songs do you look forward to?/Your favorite renditions of Christmas songs \[merged\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 21, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667 "2011-11-21T18:13:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/61 "2011-11-27T06:03:51Z")
[This thread brings back fond memories. šŸ˜ƒ](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=632189) ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/62 "2011-11-27T06:12:40Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > [This thread brings back fond memories. šŸ˜ƒ](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=632189) I must have missed that thread and now I feel a little stupid. Glad you are a fan of the Bing Bowie too. šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/63 "2011-11-27T07:54:39Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > [This thread brings back fond memories. šŸ˜ƒ](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=632189) Iā€™ve merged the two threads. ---
**Author:** ![Borderreiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@Borderreiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borderreiver)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/64 "2011-11-27T08:07:18Z")
Frankie Goes to Hollywood-The Power of Love T-Rex-Christmas Bop Greg Lake-I Believe in Father Christmas Immanuel-Put Christ in Christmas ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/65 "2011-11-27T12:47:49Z")
Oh, and another for the Crosby/Bowie duet. What a combo! ---
**Author:** ![missinformation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@missinformation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missinformation)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/66 "2011-11-27T22:20:06Z")
Silent Night sung by Stevie Nicks (or by a chorus made up of kindergarten kidsā€¦bring on the hankies) Happy Christmas (War is Over)- John Lennon ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/67 "2011-11-27T22:39:36Z")
If weā€™re talking specific renditions, a few years ago in the grocery store I heard an absolutely amazing ā€œThe Holly and the Ivyā€. It was a female vocalist, but beyond that, Iā€™venā€™t a clue who she was. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/68 "2011-11-28T00:48:32Z")
I thought it was a song about being stuck in California after breaking up with Graham Nash, but it mentions Christmas so a local station decided itā€™s a Christmas song. Good song. Just not festive. [Joni Mitchellā€™s ā€œRiverā€](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJRcbqhl0Fs) ---
**Author:** ![mac\_bolan00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@mac\_bolan00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mac_bolan00)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/69 "2011-11-28T00:51:40Z")
bing crosbyā€™s ā€˜white christmasā€™ nat king coleā€™s ā€˜three shipsā€™ karen carpenterā€™s ā€˜merry christmas darlingā€™ other than that, i prefer choir renditions ---
**Author:** ![Maiira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Maiira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maiira)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/70 "2011-11-30T06:03:30Z")
When it comes to Christmas tunes, I like 'em old school. Gimme traditional choral arrangements. No pop stars, no extra embellishments, no 40ā€™s and 50ā€™s crooners (as much as I love Bing Crosbyā€™s voice). I love this version of [We Three Kings](http://youtu.be/_39CvxinT7M). Itā€™s slow and plodding, which isnā€™t everyoneā€™s cuppa, but I think it fits here. The bass melody at around the 3:20 mark made me gasp aloud, it was so beautiful. Mediaeval Baebesā€™ version of [Gaudete](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obLayCNhbHw) is quite good. [Coventry Carol](http://youtu.be/-s_n_ycNvP8) is always very pretty. I think Iā€™m noticing a theme, here. [Carol of the Bells](http://youtu.be/1TFrO8c_kVQ). But it can ONLY be in this key. Donā€™t ask why, but for some reason I canā€™t stand to listen to it in any other key. [O Holy Night](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zh-yR0pbmU). This one Iā€™m actually more forgiving with in terms of pop singers, in that I think it sounds best as a solo piece anyway. Iā€™m quite partial to Josh Grobanā€™s rendition, here. And I actually do like [Do You Hear What I Hear?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPfCODa8ppA&feature=related) which sort of contradicts my old-school requirement a bit, but itā€™s quite pretty. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/71 "2011-11-30T07:38:53Z")
I really dislike pop arrangements of traditional Christmas music. I have recordings of the Robert Shaw Chorale singing carols _a capella_ and they are simply some of my favorite things in the world. Every year I try to listen to the live broadcast of the Christmas Eve services at the Chapel of Kingā€™s College, Cambridge. I really like [The Truth From Above](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUfcUreoZPw), a Herefordshire folk carol in a beautifully harmonized arrangement by Ralph Vaughan Williams. I think they do use it every year, so Iā€™d heard it a number of times. But it seems just recently I began to fully appreciate it and really love it, and last year it became the latest addition to my favorites. On the popular side, I also really prefer arrangements of old songs that stay close to the style of the era they were written in, e.g., [Silver Bells performed by Donny and Marie](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qKhinmoH-M). And to those who donā€™t like that or the Osmonds, Merry Christmas just the same. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/72 "2011-11-30T08:12:53Z")
I absolutely love All I Want For Christmas is You but I also have a deep affection for Drummer Boy and even Feliz Navidad. ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/73 "2011-11-30T08:25:13Z")
Trans\_siberian Orchestraā€™s Chirstmas Eve/Sarajevo. Awesome music with bonus kittens! ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/74 "2011-11-30T20:31:33Z")
I have an Xmas Pandora station and the seeds are: Little Drummer Boy by Bing Crosby/David Bowie, White Christmas by Bing Crosby, River by James Taylor, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, Adeste Fideles by Nat King Cole, Merry Christmas From the Family by Robert Earl Keen, Maryā€™s Boy Child by Boney M, and Santa Will Find You by Mindy Smith. Thumbed up tracks are North Pole Man by Over the Rhine, Itā€™s Christmas by Victoria Vox, Ding Dong Merrily by An. Hamilton, and Baby Itā€™s Cold Outside by Leon Redbone and Zooey Deschanel. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/76 "2011-12-01T02:00:34Z")
Then thereā€™s always the [Jingle Bells Santa Club Mix](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POVRz0lw5vg). ---
**Author:** ![A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a87d85/32.png) [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/77 "2011-12-03T22:36:06Z")
I really like Linda Ederā€™s version of [The Bells of St. Paulā€™s.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4Ye-32zEa0) ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/78 "2011-12-04T04:45:51Z")
ā€œIā€™ll Be Home for Christmasā€ With so many family members in the military, this became our national anthem. Judy Garlandā€™s ā€œHave Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.ā€ And all the others. I love Christmas music. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/79 "2011-12-04T05:00:37Z")
> [@Proudest\_Monkey](#): > > This cyncal atheist loves the traditional hymns, revels in the pop standards, eats up the corny and humorous take-offs with glee. > > And cringes at jingo-istic, faux patriotism. > > But I canā€™t watch this enough: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHMtgLNmiI4&feature=related](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHMtgLNmiI4&feature=related) > > I tell myself itā€™s the lovely arrangement, or the perfect vocals, but itā€™s really the emotional/holiday spirit that makes me blubber every time. Went to the linkā€¦just, wow. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/80 "2011-12-04T05:40:25Z")
Bert Janschā€™s version of In The Bleak Midwinter is superlative. ---
**Author:** ![Barking\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Barking\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barking_Dog)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667/81 "2011-12-04T06:50:13Z")
[QUOTE=Levolor the Blind;14486228[Merry Christmas from the Family] ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P37xPiRz1sg](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P37xPiRz1sg)) [/QUOTE] Donā€™t forget the sequel [Happy Holidays Yaā€™ll](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P37xPiRz1sg) [I want a hippopotamus for christmas](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oOzszFIBcE) has a lot of childhood nostalgia behind it. (The town mascot where I used to live is a hippo.) Somebody mentioned the Irish Roverā€™s xmas album ā€˜It Was a Night Like Thisā€™. Hereā€™s one of the songs off the album Iā€™ve always loved [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfbZQ0-NL0Y](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfbZQ0-NL0Y) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-christmas-songs-do-you-look-forward-to-your-favorite-renditions-of-christmas-songs-merged/603667.md?page=5)