My mother has many Christmas records. We listen to them until they’re in shreds.
I don’t remember what it’s called, but I’ll always like the record I have of the Muppets singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Personally, I hate that song, but I like this version.
A Jolly Christmas by Frank Sinatra is one of my favorites. When he croons “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” I get tears in my eyes. Then again, last December when Dad was in the hospital, every Christmas song I heard made me sad.
I like almost any rendition of “O Holy Night,” ever since hearing it on Home Alone. I also like, "What Child is This?,’ especially when played on a flute-type instrument.
I can’t believe no one has said Mannheim Steamroller yet! I simply adore their music, except for the really techno songs (ex. “Deck the Halls”).
Oh…and I love "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas!" Aren’t I terrible?
I have a CD featuring many of the songs from the old Rankin-Bass animated TV specials from years back (“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, “The Little Drummer Boy”, etc.) Gems such as “The First Toymaker to the King”, “Put One Foot in Front of the Other,” “We’re a Couple of Misfits” and “There’s Always Tomorrow” are included and always bring a wistful, nostalgic grin to my face.
Dissolved into hooting, howling laughter on that one! I hereby nominate Kilt-wearin’ man as the best Elvis impersonater in print.
I’m not much for Christmas music, but thanks for the reminder how much I like Bells of Dublin. Maybe I’ll have to un-Scrooge myself enough to buy a copy.
Bob and Doug’s Christmas Song…from their Great White North Album, eh?
Im partial to the spoof Xmas songs…
Walking Round in Womens Underwear
I am Santa Claus (instead of Ironman by Sabbath)
Oh Come all ye Grateful Deadheads
I like “Christmas Wrapping” by the Waitresses. My favorite Christmas album is one I picked up at a used-CD store - it’s a promotional album put out by Rhino Records. It has Christmas Wrapping, Father Christmas (Kinks), the Bob & Doug Christmas song, Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt), Thanks for Christmas (XTC) and a bunch of other fun stuff. Played it this weekend.
The Christmas album that I play first every year is A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector featuring such artists as the Crystals, the Ronettes, Bob B. Sox and the Blue Jeans, and Darlene Love.
Having been a teenager in the 80s, I have a special place in my heart for “Do They Know It’s Christmas.” In the extended version, some of the artists add their holiday wishes. David Bowie says “it’s Christmas, 1984” which always makes me think “1984??? I got old! How did that happen?”
The U2 version of “Christmas(Baby Please Come Home)” that Kilt wearin man mentioned is from the first A Very Special Christmas album. It should be easy to find, and has a red cover. The second volume has a green cover.
I torture myself by not playing any Christmas music until December 1. I already have my stack of holiday CDs waiting next to the stereo!
BTW, that Phil Spector Christmas album, IIRC, contains Darlene Love’s original version of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” which I prefer to the U2 version. That would be my pick. Also, “Christmas In Hollis” (Run-DMC) and “Thanks for Christmas” (XTC) as already mentioned, and “Fairytale of New York” by the Pogues (if that counts as a Christmas song).
I don’t know why but I’ve always loved the classics. My singing voice is horrible so never ask me to sing for you. But I love “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Winter Wonderland”
If you want humor then I love Blink182’s “I Won’t Be Home for Christmas”
There is a song called “A Christmas Gift” that I absolutely love. It is a very sad, touching story recorded by Pinkard and Bowden. Normally these guys do parodies of country songs, but on this one, they turned serious. It is generally not available to the public, being released as a promotional item, but most larger country radio stations have it, and will play it by request. I know, some of you are rolling your eyes and groaning because it is country, but I love it all the same.
My favorite christmas album is still the John Denver and the Muppets, Christmas Together I’m not a big fan of John Denver, but A) there was just the right level of serious to humorous in the album, and B) Jim Henson is a ghod.
My favorite single Xmas song is probably The Holly and the Ivy done by George Winston.
