I used to not like Christmas songs very much. Mostly because they;re unavoidable at the holidays but also because if you subject yourself to radio and mall versions, you get a really really bad selection of tunes. The lowest common denominator of low denominators.
Sarah is a huge fan of Christmas music (even intentionally putting on Magic ninety-eight point threeeeeeeeee) during the holiday season (which may indeed be 50/50 when it comes to music and commercials and which tends to play quite a bit off my least-favorite song list, but they at least mix it up). And, buying some of our own Christmas music (including alternate versions and new songs) has really helped get the monotony out of our mix.
This is a list that I created in 2008 and I see that it hasn’t really changed much at all. There are some albums that we have recently acquired which I haven’t digested enough to see if they rank here or not. But perhaps by the end of the holiday I’ll have a new post about new favorites.
Sarah’s comments are in red. And, interestingly, she has created her own favorites list on her site. Let’s see if anything has changed for her.
So, here’s my favorite Christmas songs circa 2008.
1. “O Holy Night”
I feel like I never really knew this song until I heard Cartman getting cattle-prodded for not knowing the words. I listened to that version all the time (but I can’t tell if I like that version or the one on Mr. Hankey’s Christmas Classics better [“Fall on your knees, and hear the angels… something” “VOICES!”]), and what it did was give me a real appreciation for what a cool song this is. The chord changes are very satisfying without being really obvious. And, it’s not an easy song to sing. But I have liked every 
version I’ve heard: from Cartman to Avril Lavigne (whose first two verses on Maybe This Christmas, Too are the most vibrato-free singing I have ever heard. I’m quite certain she’s flat all the way through, and yet her voice is so unaffected it’s totally disconcerting. Tell me what you think…it’s available here).
Sarah: This truly is a beautiful song and I love all its versions as well, from Cartman to Tracy Chapman. I’m not a religious person but I always feel a little holy when I sing this.
2. Andy Williams-”Sleigh Ride”
I’m not sure if this is the quintessential version of this song or not, but I feel like I don’t hear it that often. And it is awesome. His voice is great, the whole feeling of the song is Christmas in a nutshell: fast, happy, full of joy and fun. I don’t really know much about Andy Williams, and I can’t say that I know much else of what he’s done, but I just read a review of his age-old Christmas CD, and I just ran out and bought it for our collection.
Sarah: I’m not sure I could identify his version over others? I like the one you sometimes hear that is an orchestra with no singing and a big whip crack in it, but I also like to sing along with the words. **OK, I just listened to it and yes, this is the quintessential version of “Sleigh Ride.” I love the part where he sings “These things are the wonderful things we’ll remember all our lives”.
3. Nat “King” Cole-just about anything
My folks listened to big band when I was growing up so I got exposed to most of the best singers. And Nat “King” Cole is certainly one of the best. His voice is just stellar. It’s deep without being too bass-y. It’s smooth without being cheesy, and he emotes with the best of them. As far as I’m concerned, his version of “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” IS Christmas. And, when I mentioned “All I Want for Christmas (is My Two Front Teeth)” being irritating, it’s Nat’s version that makes the song not only bearable, but quite pretty.
Sarah: Eh. I agree that his voice is beautiful and it’s a lovely song and all, and I do like to sing along with it, but. Hmm, that is actually and awful lot of good things I’ve just said there. I guess I’d say I like this song, but wouldn’t put it in my top 12.
4. Bing Crosby-just about anything
Like Nat, Bing is one of my favorite crooners (I’m not a fan of Frank or Dean, but Bing rules). And, of course, what self respecting fan of Looney Tunes doesn’t love the Bing cartoon in “Swooner Crooner.” But Bing also means Christmas to me. His “White Christmas” is iconic and there’s not a Christmas song that he doesn’t bring wondrous class too. Sarah mentioned in the dislikes section that I don’t really like Bing and Bowie’s “Little Drummer Boy.” I love Bing and I love 
Bowie but there’s something weird about that version…I guess I feel that the two couldn’t possibly have been alive at the same time, so it creeps me out. On the other hand, Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald’s “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” is a version that I heard for the first time this year, and I adore it. Unfortunately, I’ve only heard it in a remixed version on 
Christmas Remixed 2. And so, I don’t have a really good sense of the original, although from what I can hear it sounds like they’re having an awful lot of fun. And I hope to find it for next year.
Sarah: Maybe Paul doesn’t know this but I have a tape (yeah, that’s right. a tape.) of Bing singing Christmas songs with his kids. It’s kind of weird as there are talky jokey bits. I like his singing, though, because it always sounds effortless, smooth, and fun. And “White Christmas” is tops for me.
Paul here: I did not know that and will certainly be listening to it soon.
5. Lounge version of Christmas songs
By definition, Christmas songs are cheesy. They’re happy, peppy, carefree and more than a little bit silly. [Big exception: ANY song with the word “holy” in the lyrics]. And lounge music is the same. So, when you merge the two, you get out-of-this-world versions of traditional Christmas songs. Whether it’s Esquivel’s Merry Xmas from the Space Age Bachelor Pad, Combustible Edison’s “Sleigh Ride” or The Capitol Studio Orchestra’s “Cha Cha All 
the Way” or, indeed, any of the awesome Ultra Lounge collections, the martini set knew how to ring in Christmas. And all these years later, nothing will enliven a party like these zany version of these songs. Boink Boink.
Sarah: Ditto. I enjoy dancing about the house to the zany tunes. Time was I couldn’t imagine listening to “non-traditional” Christmas songs–the first Very Special Christmas was about it. I grew up with albums of the Harry Simeone Chorale, which I loved and could probably sing along with still, but I really do like hearing the songs played around with.
6. The Nutcracker
About ten years ago I saw a Boston Ballet production of the Nutcracker at Christmastime. It was really great. And it confirmed what I knew: years of listening to the music in Bugs Bunny would totally pay off. Most of the “dances” in The Nutcracker are instantly familiar. And, the songs are universally great. This is another group of songs no one can mess up. Whether it’s the “original” Tchaikovsky, or some of the later renditions by Les Brown and His Band of Renowns (an AMAZING swing version), or Duke Ellington’s “Three Suites” or even Shalini’s “Nutrocker” (the only good thing on the Christmas Singles compilation disc).
7. Jack Johnson-”Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
I didn’t know anything about Jack Johnson until we got the Curious George movie soundtrack. I found his songs to be surprisingly good. He’s got a good strong voice that is not harsh at all, and his lyrics were fun. And lo, his version of “Rudolph” on Maybe This Christmas is great. He adds an extra verse, which once you hear it, makes a lot of sense.
“Well Rudolph he didn’t go for that /he said ‘I see through your silly games/
How could you look me in the face /when only yesterday you called me names?’ /Well all of the other reindeer man, /well they sure did feel ashamed, ‘Rudolph you know we’re sorry, we’re truly gonna try to change’ .
The extra lyrics do not detract from the song in any way, and in fact, they make a whole lot of sense.
Sarah: I appreciate his addition of that verse because honestly, whenever I listen to Rudolph I think those other reindeer were a bunch of dicks. This is completely reinforced by the tv show which compounds it by adding an asshole “coach”, a father ashamed of his son being different, and gives him an awful voice. Ugh.
8. Greg Lake-”I Believe in Father Christmas”
Greg Lake was one third of Emerson, Lake and Palmer. So, the fact that he could write any song and have it be under 8 minutes is amazing. And this great single comes in at under 4. But lest you think he is no longer over the top, we still have a choir, a bridge that comes from the “Troika” portion of Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kije Suite, and an ending… that… keeps… going… higher… and… higher… BOOM! The video is pretty over the top too, what with him being on a mountaintop in Jerusalem and then all the footage of the Vietnam war (!). I secretly wish the song was more over the top, but I’m always pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy this song.
9. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “White Christmas“
Both of these songs gained huge popularity during World War II. And it’s totally understandable. I’d always thought of “I’ll Be Home” as a nice song about being with one’s family for the holidays. But when I learned that it was released during the middle of World War II, it had a pretty big impact on me. My dad was stationed in the pacific during World War II, so I 
can imagine him listening to that song and thinking the same sentiments. (“If only in my dreams.”) “White Christmas” was recorded in a Bing Crosby film called Holiday Inn, during 1942, perfect for military men and women to get attached to it. And again, the sentiment makes so much more sense when it’s considered in the context of veterans overseas. I especially think of my dad 
on the atoll of Funafuti and how he clearly wouldn’t have had a White Christmas if he were there at Christmastime. (That’s a little sentimental for me, I know. Sorry).
Sarah: awww, that’s nice. I like these two a lot as well.
10. New Christmas Songs (that are good)
By my calculation there are about three dozen standard Christmas songs (that includes things like “Winter Wonderland” and “Frosty” as well as “Silent Night” and even “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” (which isn’t really a 
Christmas song, so much as a winter song). In the spirit of the season it’s nice that some artists have added new songs to the canon. But, given how many bad new Christmas songs there are (and rock compilations are full of them) it’s wonderful to get a good original song once in a while. Some of my recent favorites include: Rufus Wainwright-”Spotlight on Christmas,” XTC-“Thanks for Christmas” (you do hear this one once in a while), They Might Be Giants-”Santa’s Beard,” Barenaked Ladies-”Green Christmas,” Jane Siberry-”Hockey,” Dan Wilson-”What a Year for a New Year,” Brian Wilson-”Christmasey,” the always amazing Fishbone with “It’s a Wonderful Life (Gonna Have a Good Time)” and of course, The Ramones-”Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight).” And I would be remiss if I didn’t include The Pogues-”Fairytale of New York” the only Christmas song with the line, “You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot, Merry Christmas me arse, I pray God it’s our last.” I also like to throw in the occasional Hannukah song for balance. Barenaked Ladies come through again with “Hanukkah Blessings,” and I love to throw some klezmer on too (especially Shirim–Klezmer Nutcracker). Too bad there aren’t really any klezmer Christmas discs!
Sarah: It is fun to hear a good new song. I’d say my #1 non traditional Christmas song is “Christmas in Hollis” by Run DMC. (Paul: I love this song, too) #2 is Mr. Garrison singing “Merry F**king Christmas”. Others I like are “Merry Christmas from the Family” (Jill Sobule) (Paul: I love this one, too) and I’ll say it–I like The Waitresses’ “Merry Christmas” (I don’t need to hear it a lot-once a year is fine, just like Alvin and the Chipmunks.) I also really like the Barenaked Ladies “Hanukkah” song.
11. Songs from the (Rankin Bass) Christmas movies
You don’t hear these too often, unless you are watching the animated classics. And, it’s a shame, because it would be fun to hear “Heat Miser” coming out of the stereo (even if the original version isn’t recorded all that well). And these are instances where I don’t want a new cover version, I want the originals: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964): “Jingle, Jingle, Jingle,” “We’re a Couple of Misfits,” “The Most Wonderful Day of the Year” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas.” Frosty the Snowman (1969): 
“Frosty the Snowman” (The Jimmy Durante version). Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (1970): “Put One Foot In Front of the Other.” ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (1974): “Calling Santa” and “Even a Miracle Needs a Hand.” [Sarah : ‘Twas is my favorite Christmas show.] The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974): “Snow Miser” and “Heat Miser.” Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (1976): “Have a Hap-Hap-Happy New Year.” And, of course (although non Rankin Bass): A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) pretty much the whole thing and ow the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966): “Welcome Christmas,” “Trim Up the Tree,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”
12. “Silent Night”
Even when I was at my most cynical about Christmas, this song could always bring a tear to my eye. There are some versions that are really bad (I’m looking at you Lisa Hannigan, making this beautiful song about breaking up with a boyfriend). I’m not even sure I’m moved by the lyrics so much as the melody. And when you get a beautiful alto or soprano singing this song, it’s really moving.
Sarah: There is a lovely picture book about the creation of this hymn.
Sarah’s addendum
Sarah: I have to add in a few of my favorites that didn’t make Paul’s list. As I mentioned above I listened to very traditional Christmas music growing up and two songs that I loved were (and are) “Silver Bells” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?” [I just Googled Harry Simeon Choir and whaddaya know? I can get mp3 downloads for 89 cents of each of the songs. I am totally going to get a few so I can hear them again. There was one song, “Love Star,” that I remember loving when I was a kid. Never heard it anywhere else.] It also wouldn’t be Christmas for me without listening a few times to the complete Handel’s Messiah. (Even though technically Messiah is not a birth of Jesus specific thing as it covers his whole life.) Speaking of the religious aspect, I like a lot of hymns that don’t really get airplay, such as “Angels We Have Heard on High.” I love the Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman.” On the other end of the spectrum my remaining faves are “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Jingle Bell Rock.”
Paul’s 2 cents: I like “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” as well, but primarily because it is punctuated differently depending on who records it, and that comma changes the meaning slightly: God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen means something different than God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen. And I’m not sure which one it actually is. Christmas grammar fun!
12.5 (Boxing Day addendum) Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel–South Park
I don’t want to give the impression that my Christmas is all about South Park. But Trey Parker has an uncanny ability to write great show tunes. [Yes, that’s right, i wrote this in 2008…I predicted Broadway by THREE YEARS!]. And his version of “Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel” is hilarious and an amazing use of five voices in a fugue-like song. It starts simply enough with Kyle s
inging the dreidel song: “I have a little dreidel, I made it out of clay, and when it’s dry and ready, with dreidel I will play.” Cartman comes in and with the hilariously timed rebuttal, “Here’s a little dreidel it’s small and made of clay, but I’m not gonna play with it ’cause dreidel’s fucking gay.” But he then sings a great musical counterpoint of “Jews. Play stupid games. Jews. That’s why they’re lame.” Stan comes in next with his verse “I’ll try to make it spin. It fell, I’ll try a gain.” The three work nicely together. Next, Kyle’s mom comes in with the alto “When you learn to make the dreidel spin, you’ll know our people always win.” Lastly, Kyle’s dad comes in with the largely inaudible (until the punchline) “Courtney Cox. I love you. You’re so hot. On that show.” All five singing at once, and yet the lines are placed in such a way that they all meld beautifully. It’s kind of silly to wax poetically about a song that is, pretty much offensive to everyone, but I can listen to it again and again. See it in all its glory here.
And there it is from South Park to “Silent Night” and back again. Merry Christmas, everybody.
You can read the original post here (although it is pretty much identical).
[…] Update: Paul just posted his Favorite Christmas songs post from 2008 with a few new updates. It includes my comments from three years ago and I’d […]