There are only 14 days until Christmas. Hopefully you’ve gotten my gift by now. If not, get with it! Anyway, in an effort to spread more holiday cheer, this week’s list is a collection of my all time favorite Christmas songs. I’ve compiled 14 songs in all, (one for each day until Christmas) and I suspect you’re all very familiar with these tunes. Click on any image to listen to a sample of the song.
Enya: Oiche Chiun (Silent Night)
The song is a staple of Christmas time; just about everybody knows the words by heart. Enya’s version of the song, performed is Irish, is beautiful, quiet, and haunting — haunting in the sense it stays with you.
Michael Buble: Grown Up Christmas List
We all have our own Christmas lists, but the message behind this particular list gives voice to what it is we should all be after.
Bing Crosby: White Christmas
I shouldn’t even need to explain why this song is a Christmas staple.
Newsong: You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch
We all know and love the classic anthem from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. The group Newsong (of Christmas Shoes fame) applies an over-the-top, big bang style to it.
The Dandy Warhols: The Little Drummer Boy
Don’t let the name of the bad fool you (seriously, “dandy”?), this is the funkiest version of the song I’ve ever heard and I thoroughly enjoy it.
Elvis Presley: Blue Christmas
The song is timeless; and though many artists have covered it in a plethora of ways, none of the beat out the original sung by the King himself.
Kevin Max: Hark The Herald Angels Sing! & God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
I like Kevin Max’s take on these classic carols as they sound very traditional, and yet at the same time very modern. I love the songs because of the lyrics: “God and sinner reconciled“, and “To save us all from Satan’s power” I can’t think of more beautifully penned phrases.
Norm McDonald: The 12 Days of Christmas
Bringing a little humor into mix is Norm McDonald and his spoof of the classic Christmas carol. I usually feature this on my website’s side bar every year because I think the song is so darn funny! For me, it isn’t Christmas time until I hear this and laugh.
Wham!: Last Christmas
I guess you could call this one a “new” classic; or at least a recent classic. It was originally recorded by Wham!, but I also enjoy the Taylor Swift remake:
Lady Antebellum: Baby It’s Cold Outside
This is more of a “season” song than a Christmas song, but it still gets me in the Christmas mood. It’s a good song to cuddle up to. I picked the Lady Antebellum song to showcase simply because I know the drummer. (Name dropping and all that.)
Faith Hill: Where Are You Christmas?
This is one of the few modern Christmas songs I enjoy. It’s really hard to make a new carol “stick”, but I think this song has proven it has staying power.
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Christmas Don’t Be Late
Part of the joy of Christmas for me is remembering Christmas past. A huge part of that for me would be rockin’ out to Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas music. There holiday album is one of the first cassette tapes (!!) I remember ever owning. It’s a trip down memory lane.
Nat King Cole: O Holy Night
Without a doubt, my favorite Christmas carol of all time — one of my favorite songs of all time! It’s been recorded by literally dozens of artists and I really haven’t comes across one voice that doesn’t do the song justice. I am particularly fond of the version by Nat King Cole.
So, that’s my list of favorites… am I missing anything?
