The 25 Songs of Christmas

Oh, my God, they didn't delete this thing after seven months of non-usage?

Well, hello friends. And happy holidays! The holiday season got me going on this blog again last year, and the "100 Favorite Songs of the Decade" countdown was both fun to do and well-received. I like countdowns and "best of" lists; it's how I think.

So I figure, let me bring it back for Christmas this year and see what happens. To kick off: a Christmas-themed list. I'll be publishing more lists as the days, weeks, months, etc. go by. For now, enjoy the...


Twenty-Five Christmas Songs I'd Listen To Any Day Of The Year
(yes. I think about this.)


25. Whitney Houston -- "Do You Hear What I Hear?" [1987]

A decade before "crack is whack," five years before The Bodyguard, and coming off two HUGE albums, from whence came a billion #1 singles. The Voice at the peak of her career.

24. Bing Crosby & David Bowie -- "Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy" [1977]

There is NO WAY this collaboration should have ever made any sense, let alone worked. Bing goes out with a bang; Ziggy at his least weird.

23. Jose Feliciano -- "Feliz Navidad" [1970]

Because it's easier to say than "Mele Kalikimaka." Plus, Google "Jose Feliciano" and "Star-Spangled Banner." A true trailblazer.

22. Eagles -- "Please Come Home For Christmas" [1978]

Frequently recorded, and the Eagles weren't the first. But the breezy So-Cal arrangement of this version has been adopted for most subsequent covers. Absolutely made for Don Henley's voice.

21. Johnny Mercer & Margaret Whiting -- "Baby, It's Cold Outside" [1949]

An endearing, enduring classic, and the playful innocence of this, one of many "original" versions (Dinah Shore participated in another), is priceless. AND...Frank Loesser wrote it!

20. Peggy Lee -- "Happy Holiday" [1965]

What makes this version so special? Is it Peggy Lee's vocal? Is it the swinging, Bacharach-esque arrangement? Is it the fact that there's no "The Holiday Season" tag, like the version by...

19. Andy Williams -- "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" [1963]

Despite his definitive interpolation of "Happy Holiday," "Wonderful Time" remains Williams' signature Christmas song. I used to know the kid in the Staples commercial, too.

18. John Lennon & the Plastic Ono Band -- "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" [1971]

War is over, if you want it. Just as profound as "I am he as you are he as you are me..."


SPECIAL PLACEMENT: NON-CHRISTMAS SONG I'D LISTEN TO ANY DAY
Adam Sandler -- "The Chanukah Song"
Has had the unintended effect, at least in my life, of popping into my head whenever one of the celebrities mentioned comes up in conversation. That includes Hall of Famer Rod Carew.


17. The Waitresses -- "Christmas Wrapping" [1981]

It's one thing to be a one-hit wonder, quite another to be a two-hit wonder with one of the hits being a Christmas song. As far as I know, The Waitresses are the only band to which this applies.

16. Band Aid -- "Do They Know It's Christmas?" [1984]

If we're talking "single version," number 16. If we're talking "6-minute extended version with Phil Collins drum solo, Paul McCartney phone call, and eerie David Bowie speech," well...

15. Brenda Lee -- "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" [1958]

Cardboard cutout of Michael Jordan attached to a model train set. Need I say more?

14. Mariah Carey -- "All I Want For Christmas Is You" [1994]

An instant classic. As with Whitney (#25), this was Mariah at the height of her prowess. In fact, for somebody with EIGHTEEN #1 hits, this is probably her most recognizable song.

13. Paul McCartney -- "Wonderful Christmastime" [1979]

One of the most critically panned Christmas songs out there, if only because this is the same guy who wrote "Yesterday" and "Band On The Run." Lighten up, people.

12. Trans-Siberian Orchestra -- "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24" [1996]

Just about everybody's favorite TSO song. And yet, I'll recommend that you check out "Old City Bar" from the same album. Absolutely beautiful.

11. Nat King Cole -- "The Christmas Song" [1946]

[String section swells] Chestnuts roasting on an open fire... [descending piano figure] Jack Frost nipping at your nose... [Another swell] THIS is the very essence of Christmas music.


SPECIAL PLACEMENT: CHRISTMAS VIDEO I'D WATCH ANY DAY
"Turkey Lurkey Time" from Promises, Promises
With all apologies to the revival, and the version from "Camp"...respect. Respect.


10. The Beach Boys -- "Little Saint Nick" [1963]

From the weird, wonderful mind of Brian Wilson (people named Brian Wilson seem to be this way, don't they?), a holiday sequel to "Little Deuce Coupe." Santa's sleigh was never so stylish.

9. Wham! -- "Last Christmas" [1984]

Irresistible. George Michael's most heartfelt songs ("Careless Whisper," "One More Try," "Freedom '90") were always long-winded affairs. "Last Christmas" clocks in at 6:45.

8. Stevie Wonder -- "What Christmas Means To Me" [1967]

Recorded at age 17, with a better groove than most R&B artists can achieve at 27 (Stevie not included) or 37 (Stevie included). All these things and more.

7. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band -- "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" [1975]

Taking a cue from the Phil Spector treatment (see #6, #4) given it by the Crystals in 1963, Bruce and the boys turn out a perennial classic. MUCH better than "Merry Christmas, Baby."

6. Darlene Love -- "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" [1963]

If scheduling goes as expected, 72-year-old Darlene will be back on the David Letterman show the week before Christmas to perform this for about the 30th year in a row. Great tradition.

5. Vince Guaraldi Trio -- "Linus And Lucy" [1965]

First gained fame in A Charlie Brown Christmas. The rare "Christmas" song that's permeated the rest-of-the-year conscience, it's augmented in the TV show by "Christmas Time Is Here."

4. The Ronettes -- "Sleigh Ride" [1963]

Crazy Phil Spector. Who cares if they cut a verse? The vocal arrangements are unbelievable, including the never-ending modulations. "Be My Baby" is Ronnie's only superior performance.

3. Kermit the Frog -- "One More Sleep 'Til Christmas" [1992]

I could listen to this song on, say, August 4th and it would still give me goosebumps. Without fail. Of course, this comes from my favorite holiday movie, The Muppet Christmas Carol.

2. Run-D.M.C. -- "Christmas In Hollis" [1987]

I was at the Jay-Z/Eminem concert at Yankee Stadium in September, and it's unacceptable that they didn't invite either Rev Run or Darryl McDaniels. Most creative Christmas song EVER.

1. The Pretenders -- "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" [1987]

I know, I know, everyone does this song, and there's nothing really special about it. Until you put it in the hands of somebody like Chrissie Hynde. It'll make ya cry every time.


So there you have it. I could listen to any of these songs at any point during any given year, and I'd be a happy man. Hope your holidays are off to a great start! More to come...

-- pl