I have a guilty secret - I absolutely adore Christmas songs. I don't care if they are cheesy, or non traditional.
I have a huge collection of Christmas CD's. Years ago I worked with this guy from Hawaii - who was a true Renaissance Man - we would work alone in the office on Saturdays - and play Christmas Songs all day long.
We managed to confuse quite a few individuals that managed to venture in on a hot summer's weekend to hear the Christmas strains just blaring away. He used to say that he loved Christmas - why should he limit it to just one month...
So what are my favorites?
Counting down
1. So This is Christmas, John Lennon
I've never been big fan of John Lennon, and especially not of Yoko Ono. But, this song is wonderful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBfEGETyGjs
2. 2000 Miles, The Pretenders
A song that is often forgotten and overlooked. Chrissie Hynde has never sounded better. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m6whuE6d0c
3. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), Darlene Love
Phil Spector is batshit crazy, but the man knew how to produce a song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV8x7H3DD8Y
4. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Judy Garland
So sad, but so beautifully sung. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC9o4oYMIqI
5. O Holy Night, Josh Groban
The sound quality could be better, but the dude is singing in freezing weather, live, dealing with that annoying echo/time delay thing that comes when you sing in front of large crowds. And it still makes me tear up. His being totally cute doesn't hurt either.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQWXfHzOKUU
6. Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby
Nobody does it better, she's the one and only when it comes to this song. The Madonna version - bleh! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAJAHQW_L-s
7. White Christmas, Bing Crosby
I love many songs sung by Mr. Crosby, although I don't like his persona. But this is the all-time classic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vPfOjAw5Z0
8. Silver Bells, Johnny Mathis
A hold over from my Mom. She would play Johnny Mathis constantly when she was depressed. I swear that he was all I heard the first three years after she divorced my Dad. Starting with one Christmas Eve. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9mo4yGvaIA
8. Baby, it's cold outside by ?
Can you tell I love this onethe version I pick - depends on my mood.
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkPr_iXsTO8
Ray Charles & Betty Carter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5Rbkcxiibw
James Taylor & Natalie Cole
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErsNaRTd82A
9. Little Drummer Boy, Bing Crosby and David Bowie
I hope whoever dreamed up this pairing was given a hefty raise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zMhSjDqvRs
10. The Christmas Song, Nat King Cole
That voice! That smile! Perfection! ALWAYS melts my heart - even when I'm being the GRINCH.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_W7p35SzuI
I'd love it if you would share your top ten with me.
I have a huge collection of Christmas CD's. Years ago I worked with this guy from Hawaii - who was a true Renaissance Man - we would work alone in the office on Saturdays - and play Christmas Songs all day long.
We managed to confuse quite a few individuals that managed to venture in on a hot summer's weekend to hear the Christmas strains just blaring away. He used to say that he loved Christmas - why should he limit it to just one month...
So what are my favorites?
Counting down
1. So This is Christmas, John Lennon
I've never been big fan of John Lennon, and especially not of Yoko Ono. But, this song is wonderful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBfEGETyGjs
2. 2000 Miles, The Pretenders
A song that is often forgotten and overlooked. Chrissie Hynde has never sounded better. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m6whuE6d0c
3. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), Darlene Love
Phil Spector is batshit crazy, but the man knew how to produce a song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV8x7H3DD8Y
4. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Judy Garland
So sad, but so beautifully sung. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC9o4oYMIqI
5. O Holy Night, Josh Groban
The sound quality could be better, but the dude is singing in freezing weather, live, dealing with that annoying echo/time delay thing that comes when you sing in front of large crowds. And it still makes me tear up. His being totally cute doesn't hurt either.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQWXfHzOKUU
6. Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby
Nobody does it better, she's the one and only when it comes to this song. The Madonna version - bleh! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAJAHQW_L-s
7. White Christmas, Bing Crosby
I love many songs sung by Mr. Crosby, although I don't like his persona. But this is the all-time classic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vPfOjAw5Z0
8. Silver Bells, Johnny Mathis
A hold over from my Mom. She would play Johnny Mathis constantly when she was depressed. I swear that he was all I heard the first three years after she divorced my Dad. Starting with one Christmas Eve. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9mo4yGvaIA
8. Baby, it's cold outside by ?
Can you tell I love this onethe version I pick - depends on my mood.
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkPr_iXsTO8
Ray Charles & Betty Carter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5Rbkcxiibw
James Taylor & Natalie Cole
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErsNaRTd82A
9. Little Drummer Boy, Bing Crosby and David Bowie
I hope whoever dreamed up this pairing was given a hefty raise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zMhSjDqvRs
10. The Christmas Song, Nat King Cole
That voice! That smile! Perfection! ALWAYS melts my heart - even when I'm being the GRINCH.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_W7p35SzuI
I'd love it if you would share your top ten with me.
VIEW 8 of 8 COMMENTS
I love the Ella/Louis version of 'Baby, It's Cold Outside,' but there was a film (maybe 1949 or 1950?) that made the song popular that had 2 really good versions in it, one by Ricardo (Fantasy Island) Montalbn and Esther Williams as well as an interesting take by Red Skelton and Betty Garrett. Red is AWESOME in the film, too. HysTERical! And it's probably the best Esther Williams performance I've seen (IMO). She's a professional swimmer who confuses Ricardo (a team captain she wants to meet & Red (who she thinks is Ricardo's character. they all play so well off each other. I have a VHS somewhere and watch it nearly every Christmastime (although it's not REALLY a Christmas movie; it just makes me feel good).
Oddly, I don't recall the name of the film but it is well worth googling and watching. Something about Neptune.
Neptune's Daughter!
ONly there are other older (silent) films with that title that I haven't seen and don't know if they're the same story
Someone told me that that couple who were famous for getting married and for her stupidity a few years back (I forget their names) did a version, too, but since I don't know why they're famous and don't recall either exuding any notable talent or even charisma, who cares?
I think the film also introcuded the song "Slow Boat To China," and although Cold Outside had been around for a few years, it's writer, Frank Loesser (I think I spelled it right), wrote the entire soundtrack, if I'm not mistaken.
Everyone should see the film, although I think I read a review somewhere panning it as mediocre fluff or something. It's not intended to be deep; it's, as I said a VERY well-acted feel-good piece.
And my head's fine - well, as fine it could EVER be - just the usual imperfections I'm used to.
I have a "Christmas Boogie" mix CD I send out to friends. If you want a copy PM your address.