The Christmas Song Dynasty: The 25 Songs of Christmas

[CrimsonFox]

This Christmas season I got a nice job as a Macy's Santa Claus. That means I've had a lot of time just sitting in the big chair stairing at the animatronic reindeer and listening to the Christmas music. It caused me to think of some of my favorite songs of the season and the versions thereof. So here it is...my favorite Christmas songs, in no particular order...



Ho Ho Ho!!!!

[Coffee Warlord]

[CrimsonFox]

Song #1: Chirstmas Don't Be Late (Hula Hoop) by Alvin and the Chipmunks

Long before the recent movies and the 80's Saturday morning cartoon, there was this 1958 Christmas novelty song sung by a trio of chipmunks with their manager David Seville, all voiced by one guy (Ross Bagdasarian). It has the right amount of humor, sentimentality and great harmony blend to be a radio staple and easily one of my favorites. And, of course, it showcases one feature of Christmas better than any Christmas song ever written: Greed! So start us off, Alvin. Alvin... Alvin? ALVIN!!!!!!!!!

[CrimsonFox]

Song #2: The Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth - Bing Crosby and David Bowie


Probably the oddest pairing in the history of duets, Bing Crosby and...David Bowie? Somehow, though, it made magic and sounds really really good. This was taken from a Christmas Special of Bing's in 1977. They actually wrote Bowie's part for him as it suited his voice better. Even the kitchy little skit before the song is kinda fun. (And it spawned a few SNL skits too)

[CrimsonFox]

Song #3: O Holy Night - Nat King Cole

From the "singers my parents listen to" department. I like religious hymns when done properly (which means not shrieked by church warblers). I really like it when they are musically haunting. (Then again, I like werewolves too). The best haunting ballad I can think of is O Holy Night (especially the middle 8) by Nat King Cole (who alone has improved MANY Christmas hymns).

[CrimsonFox]

Song #4: Frosty the Snowman - Jimmy Durante

The classic song from the even more classic cartoon by Rankin/Bass, but about the only one which used regular cell animation, not stop motion figures. "Frosty the Snowman" sung by the great Jimmy Durante! Ha-cha-cha-cha!

[CrimsonFox]

Song #5: Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney

Cheesy Paul McCartney Christmas song? Don't mind if I do! With extra sugar and treacle please! And a cherry! Ooooh a cherry! A cheery cherry!

[CrimsonFox]

Song #6: Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
Many a time the family gathered round the Christmas tree singing this sacred hymn in angelic 6 part harmony.

[CrimsonFox]

...nah not really. I was just in the mood to hear that song. I love how everytime I watch this video I see something new too!


Song #6: You're a Mean One, Mr Grinch - Thurl Ravenscroft (written by Dr Seuss/Albert Hague)

Song #6: Ooookay I know this is really an anti-Christmas Song instead of a Christmas song and I should choose the show's finale, the cheery uplifting Welcome Christmas "Dah-hoo Do-ree, Welcome Christmas", but that song is just flat and unrememorable, unlike Thurl Ravenscroft's treacle-dripping "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." (and who WOULDN'T want the cool name Thurl Ravenscroft) The only man ever that can get lower than Barry White. Perfect montage music too! I dig that cool clarinet as well as the line "you have termites in your smile"!



Better montage here----->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzXKWKaxt3c

[CrimsonFox]

Song #7: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams

Cheesy or not, I never think it's Christmastime until I've heard this song. As the old Beatles cartoon Ringo would say, "It sets the proper mood."

[Young Drachma]

Surely a future candidate for most original dynasty. Thanks for sharing.

[CrimsonFox]

Thank you, fan! This next long distance dedication is for you!

Song #8: Sleigh Ride - The Ronettes

Probably my favorite Christmas song of all time. (a la Casey Kasem) From 1963 coming in at number 8 we have that motown sound by a female group led by Ronnie Spector. Their name? The Ronettes. Their version of Sleigh Ride (although the straight version I probably like more I LOVE this version! maybe because of the 60s vibe and because it has a horse in it...)

[CrimsonFox]

Song #9: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - John Denver and Rowlf the Muppet

When I was in 2nd grade, I got the record album (LP) John Denver and the Muppets - A Christmas Together and played it a LOT! I even took it into show and tell and Mrs. Holloway played it on a small old record player that skipped a LOT, like every 3 seconds. I liked Mrs. Holloway a lot less after that. But I never stopped liking that album, especially this nice duet between John and Rowlf of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

[CrimsonFox]

Song #10: O Tannenbaum - The Vince Guaraldi Trio

Probably the most popular and well-known Christmas special there is is the Charlie Brown Christmas special. Sure it's some of Schultz's best work (especially on TV) about commercialism vs the true meaning meaning of Christmas. But putting that aside, there is one reason and one reason alone this special is so popular AND so good: The incredible score of songs from the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Such good music and it created an atmosphere that allowed Schultz to do a lot of nice silent vignettes and supported the feel of the show. One of the main ones was their version of O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree).

[CrimsonFox]

Song #11: Winter Wonderland - Johnny Mathis

I've never understood this song, especially the conversation with the re-animated snowman-of-the-cloth. But Johnny Mathis' voice sounds awesome on it. And I love how he laughs in the face of every vocal teacher he ever had by holding out his "N's" forever. Even longer than John Lennon on Tomorrow Never Knows. Anyway he just sounds really good on this song and does more with it than the song probably deserves otherwise.

[CrimsonFox]

Song #12: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Probably the most Dickensian song ever. (It's even mentioned in A Christmas Carol) Brings to mind Victorian garbed quartets standing on snowy street corners while the poor beg for tuppence and whole families are hauled away by the king's militia for not paying their taxes and all. All dark and depressing. And it's SCARY too! It's got Satan right smackdab in the first verse! That's scary! And it's sung in G-minor: the scariest of keys. I, for some reason, remember Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck singing it once and am scared by the thought of both of them saying Satan at the same time. And it has 7 verses to sit through. That's even more scary. Yet this dark song is also very beautiful. Comfort and joy sung in a minor scary chord. Who'da thunk it? There have been many versions of this (the scariest of which is by the Glee cast) Here are a few versions of this including Bing Crosby, Annie Lennox, and a non-scary version mishmash by the Bare NakedLadies with We Three Kings.

[CrimsonFox]

Song #13: Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - Fred Astaire (& the Westminster Choir)

I had better put a Santa song on here! And I'm not talking about the insipid Jackson 5 version or even the throat-exploding Springsteen version, but the simple to the point version from the Rankin/Bass classic sung very nicely by hoofer Fred Astaire. And just to have a little competition I'll post Frank Sinatra's version as well and youz guyz can decidez for yourselves which you like better. (But I still like Fred's as he is backed by some nice crisp flutes.)

[CrimsonFox]

Song #14: Feliz Navidad - Jose Feliciano

From the Puerto Rican born guitar virtuoso Jose Feliciano…Who? Yeah I didn’t actually know his name until this year. But this song makes me happy and makes me want to sing along every time I hear it.Which is a good thing that I like it because I hear it everywhere. So sure it’s overexposed but who cares? And if you are sitting there saying how much you hate this song, then learn something else I didn’t know about Jose before this month. He has been blind since birth. How can you hate a song written by someone that’s blind? Shame on you! Oh yeah, he also wrote and performed the theme for Chico and the Man! So that makes him even cooler. Just love the line “I wanna wish you a merry Christmas!” Wanna shout that sometimes.

[CrimsonFox]

Song #15: Good King Winceslas

Being a Progressive Rock aficionado, I love a good story song. That's why I like the nice little tale told in Good King Winceslas. Good harmonies in it too. I nice medieval sound to it, even though it wasn't written until 1853 (but was written to emulate a 13th century song). Found a few good versions and choirs singing it, including this one by the Irish Rovers. The pictures used in the video fit the song well too. My favorite part of the carol is when the lawful good cleric casts the "Heat Footprints" spell so that his servant doesn't freeze to death. That's worth 50 XP! And it speaks from the heart about the greatest gift one can give another: a free lunch!

[CrimsonFox]

Another version from Robert Shaw. I don't know if it's THE Robert Shaw tho.




This version cracks me up. From a Beatles cover band using the tune of "Tell Me What You See"

[CrimsonFox]

Song #16: Put One Foot In Front of the Other - Mickey Rooney & Keenyn Wynn

Also from the Rankin/Bass classic "Santa Claus is Comin' To Town", a song with a moral and lesson. Usually that means boring and lifeless. But this toe-tapping number is probably the one more people remember. It's a pretty simple message not only about its intent of equating changing from bad to good being as easy as walking one step at a time...that's actually kind of a good way to think about everything hard in life. (Not to mention it has a penguin in it!) (Note: this video isn't the original but a reproduction of the original someone made at home)

[CrimsonFox]

Song #17: Christmas is Coming - Miss Piggy, Scooter, Gonzo, and Robin the Muppets

I think I've liked every version I've ever heard of this song. This song is total nonsense and that's what I love about it. I envision the March Hare and Mad Hatter singing it frequently. That's why it was perfect for the muppets...and in rounds . And yes Miss Piggy, I know. I'm totally with you. You HAVE to explain what a round is to people that just won't get it (especially ADD cases like Gonzo). Yet, I find it hilarious that it is you, Miss Piggy, yes, you, who is the one that messes it up at the end.

[CrimsonFox]

Song #18: What Child Is This?

Throughout history there have been asked very important musical questions: Why do fools fall in love? Do you believe in love? Who are you? ...but a century before that,even before the Supremes, Huey Lewis, or Pete Townsend existed, THIS important question was asked: What Child is This? It was written by an English writer during a near death illness and deep depression and set to the melody of the 16th century Olde English folk song Greensleeves. This marriage is just very very pretty. And here's an excellent rare version by the Moody Blues.

[CrimsonFox]

Song #19 Caroling Caroling

This year, I was exposed to (re: was forced to learn) many Christmas carols, some of which I had never heard before (at least while conscious). My favorite of these is Caroling Caroling. In researching the song whilst learning it, I found several plodding, near tuneless versions by such famous singers as Nat King Cole and Johnny Mathis, but then stumbled upon this BRILLIANT rendition by some unknown quartet singing in an empty room...which is really what caroling is all about when you think of it. Sure they may LOOK like a bunch of creepy postal workers and preschool teachers, but this group's got pipes! (the tenor truly shines) Love how they swing this song in the 2nd and 3rd verse!

[CrimsonFox]

Song #20: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Burl Ives

In 1939, copyrighter Robert May wrote a story that would create an annoying debate amongst Christmas geeks and internet know-it-alls alike that would be set to music by his brother in law Johnny Marks and sung by cowpoke Gene Autry. The song...Rudolph the red nosed reindeer about an outcast reindeer that saves Christmas. The controversy? Is it Donder or Donner? Well actually smartipantses, it's neither. In Clement Moore's 1823 poem (A visit from Saint Nicholas), it's DUNDER (and Blixem). This was then mistranslated by another publisher and then republished by Moore with the changes to Donder and Blitzen. Then Marks changed it to Donner for some reason. Anyway who cares that Autry's version went to #1? It's as slow as a narcoleptic tumbleweed. I enjoy Burl Ives bubbly version from the 1964 Rankin Bass classic (featuring characters like Yukon Cornelius, The Bumble, and a talking Snowman) much better.

[CrimsonFox]

#21 Riu Riu Chiu - The Monkees

An example of a Spanish villancico and written in the mid-1500s century. I had somewhat forgotten about it a friend posted it, then I remembered how brilliant this song is when the Monkees got ahold of it and performed it live during their 1967 Christmas Special. Themes of the song include the Nativity of Christ The Immaculate Conception, and Christmas. And the title "Riu Riu Chiu",well that's just the "sound or song" a nightingale is thought to make. Great singing all the way around. (and it's better than "Zilch"

[CrimsonFox]

#22 - Even A Miracle Needs A Hand - Joel Grey (and Tammy Grimes)

From the often-played Christmas animated special (also from Rankin/Bass) Twas the Night Before Christmas. While the original poem is recited twice in it, the plot of this show was all made up. It tells the tale of a mouse (Hollywood Square George Gobel) whose son insults Santa Claus, so a clockmaker (Joel Grey) builds a clock to play a Santa song to beg the old jolly elf to come back and give the town presents after all (yeah it wasn't MUCH of a plot ). While that clock particular song is boring and somewhat annoying, it is THIS song midway through that hits the mood just right and is just really pretty. Love Joel Grey's singing and touch on every single syllable. Then again the man's a pro. (Included is the mouse son's (Tammy Grimes who was Molly in Last Unicorn) reprise)

[CrimsonFox]

#23 Christmas Day - Squeeze

Before Jools Holland became known as a respected broadcaster, conductor, and overall musical guru, he made stupid faces and played keyboards in a band called Squeeze (or UK Squeeze to us yanks). This song was their one attempt at a memorable Christmas hit. Admittedly it doesn't have much of a memorable tune, but I like it nonetheless. The crazy bassline especially. And the video I think really sells it for me. This represents lots of rock groups that attempted a Christmas hit really and I'm sure there are a lot of them.

[CrimsonFox]

#24 Silent Night - Bing Crosby

The granddaddy of all Christmas hymns. Pretty, elegant, sets the mood without being overwritten. Just a perfect song. Way too many good versions to post really but I've always liked this one from Bing Crosby in the movie "Going My Way".

[CrimsonFox]

#25 Linus and Lucy - The Vince Guaraldi Trio

This song admittedly is not really a Christmas song. It has been on a few of the Charlie Brown albums and many of the specials and basically has come to represent the whole Charlie Brown world and most widely known as the crazy song everyone dances to during the complete breakdown during the Christmas play scene in the special it was introduced in: 1965's A Charlie Brown Christmas...and to many that is what they think of when they hear it. So I defy you, even now, to remain in your chairs and not jump and and do one of the silly dances danced by any of the characters here. Just a freaking masterpiece this is. And it probably started as some jam or warmup for the band.

[CrimsonFox]

Let's Recap!

Song #1: Chirstmas Don't Be Late (Hula Hoop) by Alvin and the Chipmunks
Song #2: The Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth - Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Song #3: O Holy Night - Nat King Cole
Song #4: Frosty the Snowman - Jimmy Durante
Song #5: Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney
Song #6: You're a Mean One, Mr Grinch - Thurl Ravenscroft (written by Dr Seuss/Albert Hague)
Song #7: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams
Song #8: Sleigh Ride - The Ronettes
Song #9: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - John Denver and Rowlf the Muppet
Song #10: O Tannenbaum - The Vince Guaraldi Trio
Song #11: Winter Wonderland - Johnny Mathis
Song #12: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Song #13: Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - Fred Astaire (& the Westminster Choir)
Song #14: Feliz Navidad - Jose Feliciano
Song #15: Good King Winceslas
Song #16: Put One Foot In Front of the Other - Mickey Rooney & Keenyn Wynn
Song #17: Christmas is Coming - Miss Piggy, Scooter, Gonzo, and Robin the Muppets
Song #18: What Child Is This?
Song #19: Caroling Caroling - Random Creepy-Looking Quartet
Song #20: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Burl Ives
Song #21: Riu Riu Chiu - The Monkees
Song #22: Even A Miracle Needs A Hand - Joel Grey (and Tammy Grimes)
Song #23: Christmas Day - Squeeze
Song #24: Silent Night - Bing Crosby
Song #25: Linus and Lucy - The Vince Guaraldi Trio

[CrimsonFox]

There you have it! The 25 songs I most enjoy hearing most during Christmastime. Sure I forgot some, was reminded of some while doing this, couldn't fit others in and controversially dislike others, but there you have it!


And to finish it off here is my absolute favorite version of my absolute favorite Christmas song:

*drumroll.......*

Sleigh Ride by John Williams and the Boston Pops Orchestra

[CrimsonFox]

And already I've thought of others that didn't make the list. So away we go with some more. THere are 7 more days after Christmas we can fill in, but I'd rather pair these next ones up with some that are already on the list.

So, before I get lynched for not including someone's favorite, here are some more notable songs that didn't make it for one reason or another (some I forgot about at one point or another, some I had too many of the same kind, some I didn't think were Christmasy enough, etc...) Reasons why they weren't included are listed with each.

We'll call them DVD Extras...

[CrimsonFox]

Song 5b: Happy Christmas (War is Over) - John Lennon

Just so that the Johnians don't start a holy war and think I'm favoring the Paulites with the McCartney Christmas song, yeahyeahyeah here's John Lennon's contribution to Christmas. Like Paul's it doesn't have a lot of words. Nice chorus and he sounds great. And sure it has the deep message and all with the video and subtitle.
Reason it missed the list: I wasn't even comparing it to Paul's really. I used to like it more I think. Given more numbers I think it would appear. It's a good song. It loses points, however, whenever Yoko sings tho.

[CrimsonFox]

[CrimsonFox]

Song 10b: Christmastime is Here - The Vince Guaraldi Trio

It was a tough choice between Tannenbaum and this one to make the original list. I like the beginning of this one a little better but the otherone has a more complete feel. There's no doubting the genius of this number and its contribution to the Charlie Brown Christmas special. The thing about this one is that there is actually an instrumental version as well as a vocal version (the one you hear in the TV special).
Reason it missed the list: Yeah, the only real reason I didn't have this one in it originally is I didn't think I should include 3 songs/versions from the same source. Wanted to spread the love...

[CrimsonFox]

First, here is the wonderful instrumental. Dig those brushes on the snare!

[CrimsonFox]

Now see how it fits into the show WITH the vocal track too...

[CrimsonFox]

Song #17b: The Twelve Days of Christmas - John Denver and the Muppets

I actually don't like this song. It is just a weird gift list set to a tune. Usually I want to turn it off by the time it gets to 5 gold rings. Yeah right...I'm going to get you FIVE gold rings on my salary. And you want slaves too? What is this? Anyway, this song is ripe for a good silly version to set it right and the muppets do just that. I love how Fozzie keeps goofing it up. And Miss Piggy's overemphasizing the rings is hilarious. Sing it Piggy! Ba-dump-bump-bump...

[CrimsonFox]

[CrimsonFox]

Oh yeah, the reason this last one wasn't included was I already had 2 muppets picks and didn't want 3 from the same source no matter how awesome they are . And as I point out below, the reason this version does it for me is because it's funny and has muppets. The song itself does nothing for me.

[CrimsonFox]

Song #16b: The Snow Miser/Heat Miser Songs - Dick Shawn and George S. Irving

There's an awful lot of Rankin/Bass stuff on my list and admittedly when growing up, that's what most put me in the Christmas spirit were those specials and my favorite songs are listed. Now if you ask any thirtysomething what their favorite Rankin/Bass song is, I'll bet you a million dollars they'd say this one. BUt I'd bet that same million, they can't name the show it was from (A Year Without A Santa Claus). I had this one in mind for the list but somehow I forgot it near the end and really it's no longer one of my favorite even though it used to be. There just isn't much song to it, even for a fun antiChristmas song (like Grinch). And it is no longer funny the way it used to be. But it still deserves a mention especially for its vaudevillian approach from its two stars, the immortal Dick Shawn (from movies like It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World and Hitler in The Producers) and George S. Irving (who was in the original production of Oklahoma as well as the the narrator in Underdog). The best part still is Shawn going v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v-v.
Reason it missed the list: This was a case of thinking of this song early and expecting to use it later, then running out of numbers. When I held it up to Grinch, I like Grinch much better. When I held it up to the more festive Rankin Bass songs, I liked THEM much better. So as famous as this one is and as much as I USED to like it, it's just not a winner for me anymore.

[CrimsonFox]

[Autumn]

This was fun to follow along, thanks CF.

[CrimsonFox]

#6b: Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer - Elmo and Patsy

I was purposely avoiding parody and comedy songs as there are many, some of them even good. Like this 1979 classic from bluegrass husband and wife Elmo and Patsy (Now divorced of course). In the past this was only heard on the Dr Demento show and broke through AM radio into the mainstream. Now, every drunk asshole relative screams this at the top of their lungs at every holiday party. I think it's best that this remains a cult classic. Musically it does have some nice points, although this video is just terrible. And I'm proud to say I know all the words.
Reason it missed the list: It probably should be on it as I do like it. I guess I just don't like it as much as some of the others. Guess I wasn't going for comedy but more "the spirit of Christmas" types of songs.

[CrimsonFox]

[CrimsonFox]

#17c: The Twelve Days of Christmas - Bob and Doug Mackenzie

My favorite parody of a Christmas song comes from Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas, better known to SCTV fans as Bob and Doug Mackenzie. (Two characters that were added as a throwaway one episode to stretch out time and unknowingly became the most famous skit of the show). Their 1982 comedy album featured this track. Yes it's stupid. That's the point of the characters. The reason the characters were created was the producers asked them to create more Canadian content and being smartasses they created the most annoying generic Canadians they could think of just my sitting on the set, drinking real beer and improvising. Well, that worked. And again I've never been fond of the real song so a parody of it is just fine.
Reason it missed the list: Wasn't going for parodies. If a song has to be a parody for me to like it, then it's not the song that I'm liking.

[CrimsonFox]

[CrimsonFox]

Song #9b - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - The Carpenters

This is simply a different version of an above song, but very very pretty. The Carpenters really nailed this song, thanks to Karen's nice voice. It's kinda unfair pitting her against muppets but it's a wonderful classic version of this classic Christmas song. If I were the Ghost of Christmas Past, I would not go back in time to Karen Carpenter and tell her to have a merry little Christmas. I would not even tell her to reform her life. I would tell her to eat a steak.
Reason it missed the list: It didn't really. I simply listed a version I liked more. Consider this a tag-a-long version.

[CrimsonFox]