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JOURNAL
December 2004
KEVIN'S TOP 25 POP CHRISTMAS SONGS
There are several songs I love ("Silent Night", "Winter Wonderland", for example), but I've yet to hear a recording of them that knocks my socks off. So much Christmas music is so wonderful that certain songs have been recorded over and over again -- one really needs a transcendant performance and/or production to stand out in the crowd.
One more note: I respect Christmas, so I have certain biases. It's a sentimental holiday, so my choices lean toward schmaltz. I don't like rock in my holiday music (sorry, Bruce and Elton), I don't think it should be sung by chipmunks or dogs, and I don't like irreverence (sorry, Elmo & Patsy), and some very popular songs I just don't like (sorry, Bing, I just don't like "White Christmas").
While I have most of these on a recording, it's even more fun if they pop up on the radio! I'm allowing only one appearance per artist and one song version in my list, even if there may be multiple versions or artists that I might have chosen. With all that in mind, here's my list (2004 releases are not in the running):
25. Here Comes Santa Claus -- Gene Autry. I think this is a catchier song than his more popular "Rudolph". You'll have to sing along.
24. Sleigh Ride -- Debbie Gibson. Yes! The '80s pop princess has the most infectious version of this song I've ever heard. Good luck finding it!
23. The Christmas Song -- Nat King Cole. This "chestnut" just isn't one of my favorite songs, but Nat's version is definitive and I always listen.
22. The Man With the Bag -- Kay Starr. This song popped up on an Old Navy commercial a few years ago, and I had to find out about it. Starr recorded it back in the '50s and it's a gem.
21. Christmastime is Here -- Patti Austen. This is the slow, moving song from "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Austen's version is best. If you hear it on your car radio, you'll want to stop on the side of the road to take it in.
20. Away in a Manger -- Broadway Inspirational Voices. From 2003. Who knew this could sound so terrific with a large choir. If you get a chance to see them live, go!
19. Blue Christmas -- Tammy Wynette. Yup, I prefer her version to Elvis's. She feels it.
18. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year -- Johnny Mathis. And I prefer his version to Andy Williams's. That voice just jumps out at you.
17. Oh Holy Night -- Michael Crawford. As expected, the "phantom" soars on this, the most majestic of all the carols. Still, I'm still waiting for the definitive production.
16. Frosty the Snowman -- Ronettes. Love that Spector wall of sound on this one. Their version of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" is pretty good too.
15. Jingle Bell Rock -- Bobby Helms. Turn up the stereo and sing!
14. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) -- Darlene Love. Production and voice render this pretty amazing.
13. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town -- Maureen McGovern. Of all the versions, this little-known one is the best. Love her repartee with bassist Jay Leonhart.
12. Do You Hear What I Hear -- Whitney Houston. Her soaring voice does this underrated carol more than justice.
11. Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy -- Bing Crosby & David Bowie. Arguably the oddest pairing in pop music history and it works big time!
10. Oh Come All Ye Faithful -- Amy Grant. She wears her faith on her sleeve in this simple rendition. Put it on after everyone has gone to sleep, while looking at the tree.
9. All I Want for Christmas is You -- Mariah Carey. I'm no big fan of Mariah, but her Christmas CD is in my Top 5; this Spector-like production is a new classic.
8. Jingle Bells -- Barbra Streisand. Once you've heard Babs' jingle-bells-on-crack version, it's hard to go back to the plain arrangement!
7. Grown-up Christmas List -- Natalie Cole. It's hard to break through the pack with a new standard, but this one does it. It's already been recorded by Amy Grant, Donny Osmond and Kelly Clarkson, but Cole's version (I believe the first) stands out.
6. Feliz Navidad -- Jose Feliciano. How can you not cheer up when you hear this?
5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas -- James Taylor. Probably one of the most-recorded songs of all time at this point -- everyone records it now -- and yet this voice-and-guitar version, which is only a few years old, stops me in my tracks. Yes, I think it beats Sinatra's and Garland's.
4. Hark the Herald Angels Sing -- Vanessa Williams. A vibrant gospel rendering of the classic. Vanessa's "Star Bright" CD is the best holiday recording I've ever heard -- not a bad cut on it -- and this one is the best cut. Also check out "Go Tell it on the Mountain" on the same CD. Wow!
3. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree -- Brenda Lee. I can't live without this one. The chipper voice, the horns, that guitar vamp at the beginning . . . you must dance and sing to it.
2. Merry Christmas, Darling -- The Carpenters. Karen's voice was always at its best on heartbreaking ballads, so she's a natural when longing for a lover during the holidays. I never, ever tire of hearing this song during the holidays. Apparently, Vanessa Williams covers it on her brand new 2004 Christmas album, "Silver and Gold." I'll be running out to get it this week.
1. Happy Xmas (War is Over) -- John Lennon and Yoko Ono. I'll admit it -- I'm not even a big fan of the Beatles. But this song has so much conviction and soul, that as soon as I hear "And so this is Christmas, and what have you done . . ." the waterworks begin. I've heard it a thousand times and I'm still moved. Carly Simon did a decent version on her 2003 CD, but I wouldn't want to touch it, it's too perfect as is.
Of course, I think my own "Holiday Spirit" is destined to be a classic! I've yet to make it famous, but my little nieces and nephews have it memorized and belt it out every year. Outside of a million bucks, what more could a guy ask for?
What's Your Opinion?
KevScoHall@Verizon.net