OK, yesterday I listed my 10 least favorite holiday songs . . . now it's time for my all-time favorite melodies. These are the tunes that make my Christmas year after year. How many are on your list too?
10. Another Old Lang Syne by Dan Fogleberg: Who can't relate to this misty-eyed tale of bumping into a old flame on Christmas Eve?
9. Christmas Island by Jimmy Buffet: I find myself humming this non-traditional holiday tune from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. And while I prefer a white Christmas, I'd love to hang out with Jimmy on Christmas Island one of these days.
8. Chipmunk Song: All I want is a hula-hoop too, Alvin.
7. Hardrock, Coco and Joe/Suzy Snowflake/Frosty the Snowman: For any kid growing up in the Chicagoland area in the 19060 and 70s, you couldn't escape these black&white treasures that would air on Ray Raynor or Family Classics. If you hear a giggle as he turns to go, it's Coco, a snowball, and Joe! Brilliant low-tech videos!
6. Anything by Harry Connick Jr: His classic crooning and jazzy undertones make any holiday song swing. Sorry Michael Buble, you've got nothin on Harry.
5. Christmas Song by Nat King Cole: Smooth, warm and absolutely beautiful. Everything that the holidays represent and more.
4. Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Bruce Springsteen: OK, I admit, I'm a die-hard Bruuuuce fan and feel he can do no wrong. But this version of this holiday classic is truly classic Bruce. It made it cool for other rock-n-rollers to do their own holiday tunes, but no one does it better than the Boss.
3. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams: Who can't sway and twirl and smile whenever this song is played. Even my sons had to dance whenever I put this song on years ago (although they would never admit that they did -- too bad I have it on video. Ha!) Andy does it like no other!
2. Anything from Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi: This soundtrack is rich with memorable, treasured renditions of holiday classics. I still can't resist doing the Peanuts' dance during "Linus & Lucy" -- and have taught it to my daughter to keep the tradition alive.
And my FAVORITE holiday song is . . .
1. All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey: Emily and I break out in instantaneous song and dance whenever this hits the airwaves. It's a perfect Christmas rock ballad that will live on for a long time, thanks to it's prominence in one of my favorite holiday movies, Love Actually.
Honorable Mentions: These songs are also my favorites but just didn't make the top 10.
- White Christmas by Bing Crosby as well as the version by the Drifters
- This Christmas by Wham
- Jingle Bell Rock by Hall & Oats
- Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson
- Christmas Waltz by Frank Sinatra
- Merry Christmas Baby by the Carpenters
OK, I admit it. I'm a TOTAL holiday music junkie that tunes into WLIT-FM (Chicago) on the first day they start playing Jingle Bell Rock all the way through Christmas day. . . and have done so as long as they've been broadcasting wall-to-wall holiday music. So as a self-proclaimed expert, I feel it is my job to inform the world which holiday songs rock, and which ones should roll away to the island of Misfit Toys. Today, is my review of the 10 WORST holiday songs on the radio. Trust me people, avoid these at all cost!
10. Mannheim Steamroller: What is the appeal of this techno-babble called music? It sounds cold, harsh and boring -- everything that Christmas is not! Seriously.
9. Anything by Diana Ross: You've got the pipes, honey, but not the sincerity. I'm not feeling the love in any of your holiday songs, so stick to Motown, please.
8. Anything by Johnnie Mathis: Bland, contrived and just plain bad. Wasn't he a punchline in the 70's -- why are we still listening to him today?
7. Wonderful Christmastime by Paul McCartney: Sir Paul -- what the hell happened here? Were you going through a bad patch with Linda when you composed this loser? Considering I've been in love with you since I was 6 years old when I demanded, and got, the Beatles Colorform play kit and lunch box for Christmas, I'll let this slide. But please, no more attempts at Christmas kitsch!
6. Christmas Shoes by Newsong: OK, it's a touching song, mind you. But who the hell wants to cry every time they hear about momma looking pretty when she meets Jesus tonight? Yes, I admit that I do. It's Christmas, not Cry-fest.
5. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus by the Jackson Five: OK, does anyone else think it's creepy whenever Michael says "I'm gonna tell my dad!"? Knowing what we know now, this song should seriously be taken off the air.
4. I Want To See Christmas Through Your Eyes by Gloria Estefan: Sorry Gloria, you can surely do the conga but I just don't care to see Christmas through your or your child's eyes.
3. Any remix with a dead person: While novel, it's just wrong to have living people weasel their way onto a dead person's hit and make it into a "new" duet. Yes, I'm talking to you Natalie Cole and Cyndi Lauper!
2. Dominick the Donkey: Where the hell did this song come from? I never heard it as a child and I sure as heck don't want to jiggidy-jigg (hee-haw hee-haw) as an adult.
And the winner of the WORST holiday song ever is . . .
1) I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas: All I want is ear plugs and a shot gun when I hear this one! Bah humbug.
Tomorrow (or whenever I can get around to it) I'll post my top 10 FAVORITE holiday songs. In the meantime -- do you agree or disagree with my choices? Any more songs to add that I may have forgotten? Chime in please.
