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
Seriously Liz -
ReplyDeletethe Dan Fogelberg and Jimmy Buffet have to go. Fogelberg is just maudlin and having spent so many years on boats in the tropics I'm just plain Buffet-ed out. He's a cliche for me now. (and I hear he's mean to the crew on his giant yacht)
The Chipmunks I'll give you for the goofy factor. And naturally I agree about Springsteen and Guaraldi!
Shockingly enough - despite my general loathing of Mariah Carey - I love that song (and movie) too!
By the way - I have listened to a total of ZERO Xmas music this year so far. Hmmm.
I agree with your picks. Have to add Sarah McLaughlin's version of the Joni Mitchell classic, River. Also James Taylor's version of In The Bleak Mid-Winter. Also, if you're ever in Canada, check out Roch Voisine's L'Album du Noel. All the old carols sung in French by a really hot Acadian. Petit Papa Noel will get you all "verklempt" I guarantee it.
ReplyDeleteTwo things. Your Alvin comment cracks me up! And, you forgot the Carpenters. Best Christmas Music EVER. Love the posts, Liz.
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