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50 Things You Ought to Have on Your Christmas Playlist
Posted by Stephen Green · 29 November 2005
'Zat You, Santa Claus?, Louis Armstrong
My collection of Christmas tunes is pretty extensive, even after a pretty good go at weeding out all the crap. What I've tried to do here is give you the best of the songs most everybody knows - without leaning too hard on any one artist. If it weren't for that rule, I'd probably have almost nothing but Lou Rawls on here. If you want a selection of quality Christmas music old and new, you can find most of these songs on iTunes, and the rest you can probably find in the five dollar bin at MediaPlay. Did I leave out "White Christmas" on purpose? Kind of. Most everyone has recorded that one, and most of those have been pretty good -- it's a tough song to mess up. Pick your own favorite version. Two more things. "Mr Grinch" has been recorded by people other than Thurl Ravenscroft, and those people should be taken out and shot. And if you listen to anyone sing "The Christmas Song" who isn't Mel Tormé, that'd be like going out for a five-star dinner and asking the dishwasher to make your soufflé. Comments
Ahem, but I'm rather partial to the Nat King Cole version of "The Christmas Song." I also have a soft spot for "Christmas in Killarney" and "Mele Kelikimaka," and Greg Lake's "Father Christmas," though the last doesn't really fit the spirit of the season, as generally perceived. Posted by: Tom at November 29, 2005 11:34 PMDon't forget 'No Presents for Christmas' by King Diamond Posted by: GyorgLyquor at November 29, 2005 11:38 PMAfter 20 years, is it safe to call "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" a classic? And why isn't it on the list? J. Last Christmas by Wham?? C'mon! Posted by: Bob at November 30, 2005 01:16 AM"Christmas Wrapping," by The Waitresses. Posted by: cirby at November 30, 2005 04:42 AM>>Baby, It's Cold Outside, Al Hirt & Ann Margaret Umm, I've got to respectivly disagree. No version of "Baby" can hold a candle to the one done by Ray Charles and Betty Carter. Posted by: Doug at November 30, 2005 05:08 AMExcuse me? No "Twelve Days Of Christmas" by Bob & Doug McKenzie? I don't even know who you are any more... Posted by: Will Collier at November 30, 2005 05:14 AMWrong version of Frosty the Snowman. It's gotta be the Ronette's Frosty, complete with Phil Spector's Wall of Sound. Posted by: James Wigderson at November 30, 2005 05:54 AMI'll second "Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses and add "Back Door Santa" by Clarence Carter. Also, "The Jackson 5 Christmas Album" is practically perfect in every way. Every song is a gem. One more, Duke Ellington's rearrangement of the Nutcracker Suite. Posted by: bill at November 30, 2005 06:28 AMI'll Third Christmas Wrapping and add Christmas Sucks by Peter Murphy. Posted by: Alan at November 30, 2005 06:34 AMRay Charles' version of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is an all-time favorite. He saves the best "sweet little Rudolph" for the very end, so listen all the way through. And Montgomery Gentry's cover of "Merry Christmas From The Family" will make you howl. I try to put off listening to it until Christmas is closer--the anticipation of hearing it for the first time each year is that terrific. Posted by: Beth at November 30, 2005 06:47 AMDamn--cirby, bill and alan beat me to it. Christmas Wrapping needs to be on the list. Posted by: joel at November 30, 2005 06:48 AMI have never bought any Christmas music, or any music for any holiday, ever, and I have no intentions to ever do so. Because, honestly, after six weeks of non-stop holiday music everywhere you go in public, who wants to willingly submit themselves to the crooning of Christmas tunes in their own home? Not me. And I'm one of the few people still brave enough to admit to unabashedly liking Christmas. But Christmas music? No friggin' way, no friggin' way. Through that door madness lies... Posted by: William Young at November 30, 2005 06:50 AMI think I'll stick with the Christmas music that I like. But thanks. Posted by: LNS at November 30, 2005 07:59 AMMore nominees: Blue Christmas, Mel Blanc (as Porky Pig) Also missing from the list are two of my recent favorites: and Christmas by Blues Traveler Posted by: Doug Stewart at November 30, 2005 08:36 AMI am a big fan of "Father Christmas" by The Kinks and "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues. I also get a chill every time I hear Bono sing "tonight thank God it's them instead of you" from "Do They Know It's Christmas." Posted by: tibor at November 30, 2005 08:39 AMGreat list! For the last several years my wife and I have made a point of collecting holiday tunes that aren't necessarily performed in the "traditional" manner. Of those, I recommend the following CDs: The Brian Setzer Orchestra: Boogie Woogie Christmas The Brian Setzer Orchestra: Dig That Crazy Christmas Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails Part 2 Squirrel Nut Zippers: Christmas Caravan Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: Everything You Want For Christmas Esquivel: Merry Xmas from the Space-Age Bachelor Pad Reverend Horton Heat: We Three Kings Los Straitjackets: 'Tis the Season for Los Straitjackets (this CD contains what I consider to be the best version of "The Little Drummer Boy" ever recorded) Happy Holidays!
Merry Christams From The Family - Robert Earl Keen Jr Happy Holidays Ya'll - Robert Earl Keen Jr Just for a little drunken Southern flavor. But nice list overall Steve. And I agree holeheartedly with you Mr. Grinch opinion. Posted by: Garrett at November 30, 2005 08:45 AMI don't know who Montgomery Gentry is but "Merry Christmas to the Family" should be enjoyed while drinking tall-boys on the back porch and strictly by Robert Earl Keene, Robert Earl Keene. I also am a softy for the spoken word Christmas perfomance. When Chong says "I know that dude" I tear up a little. Posted by: mike in ftw at November 30, 2005 08:48 AMChristmas at Ground Zero by Weird Al is a must. Posted by: Laurence Simon at November 30, 2005 10:06 AMNice list! Cedarmont Kids are well-loved at our house. :) Any kind of music can get tiresome, but Christmas tunes come out only a few weeks each year so we enjoy it while we can. Posted by: FL Mom at November 30, 2005 10:43 AMI'd choose Mahalia Jackson's Go Tell It On the Mountain. The Chieftain's The Holly She Bears a Berry is lovely, too. Posted by: AK at November 30, 2005 10:49 AM"Happy Christmas" by the Pogues. I'm a miserable son of a bitch. Posted by: Donald at November 30, 2005 10:58 AMMy head was about to explode till FL Mom finally mentioned Pretty Paper. And as a bonus, Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)! Nat King Cole's O Holy Night is the perfect Christmas song performance. Flawless. Chet Atkins' Do You Hear What I Hear is also exceptional. As for a song not on the list, Chris Isaak's version of Santa Bring My Baby Back is great. It's the perfect Christmas song for him. Posted by: Matt at November 30, 2005 11:07 AMPersonally, I can't believe "Do You Hear What I Hear?" by Bing Crosby isn't here, but maybe that's just me... Posted by: PSGInfinity at November 30, 2005 11:11 AMWow, no one mentioned transiberian orchestra??? If you guys never heard them, you really need to go grab a friend with their music and give it a listen. Posted by: DrObviousSo at November 30, 2005 11:42 AMWhere's 'Run, Run, Rudolph' by the King of Rock and Roll, Chuck Berry? Posted by: Jack Tanner at November 30, 2005 11:47 AMTO: Stephen Green Good items there. I also highly recommend: Fum, Fum, Fum Mannheim Steamroller We'll begin playing Christmas music on the household MP3 virtual jukebox, come tomorrow morning. The list has 375 items on it now. But that will expand with time. Merry Christmas, All... Chuck(le) Posted by: Chuck Pelto at November 30, 2005 12:16 PMDoug, I can't imagine a better version of Baby It's Cold Outside better then Anne and Al. I've never heard the other. Always on our CD player at Christmas: Marily Monroe - Santa Baby "Ssnta Claus is Coming to Town" and "Merry Christmas Baby," covered by Bruce Springsteen (bootlegs) "River" by Joni Mitchell (but not a happy song) for amazing harmonies: Many many many compilations of traditional holiday carols and wassailing songs by various English trad singers like the Watersons, and groups like Steeleye Span. Kate and Anna McGarrigle's Xmas album. The Roches' Xmas album. Posted by: Yehudit at November 30, 2005 01:03 PMLittle Drummer Boy by Ray Charles. Never a more soulful version of that or any other has been recorded. Absolutely flawless music and harmony. It's almost too good. Posted by: Dan at November 30, 2005 01:23 PMGreat list--thanks! A couple of offbeat suggestions: "I Wish it Could be Christmas Every Day" by Roy Wood. This is better known in Britain, but is a great peace of Phil Spector-inspired holiday pop. "What Will Santa Claus Say (When He Finds Everybody Swingin'?)" by Louis Prima "Christmas at the Zoo" by the Flaming Lips- not essential, but if you like quirky Christmas tunes, then why not? Posted by: DougH at November 30, 2005 01:32 PMNice list - and I know you had to limit it to 50... but for me it's not Christmas until I hear the Bowie/Bing duet: Little Drummer Boy. And Clint Black "Milk and Cookies". Posted by: Cygess at November 30, 2005 02:35 PM"Deck Us All With Boston Charlie" even tho the only recording I know of is the one by Miles Davis. A couple of the cuts on the "Merry Axemas" compilation which Stevie Vai put together are absolutely awesome, but for the life of me I can't remember which, so listen to the whole thing once, as the best outweigh the ones which suck. Posted by: triticale at November 30, 2005 02:57 PMI have a great song that you missed for your list: "Fuck Christmas" by Howard and the Deanies. Posted by: Alexander Alt at November 30, 2005 03:01 PMYou're telling me you're getting through Christmas without the Manahattan Transfer's Christmas Album? Tsk tsk, needs more Bing Crosby. Duvall (né Smoking Popes) also recorded a very good christmas album, if you like that sort of thing. Posted by: Dan Up, Baby! at November 30, 2005 07:34 PM"Mary's Boy Child", by Boney M. Posted by: Greybeard at November 30, 2005 08:09 PMXmastime in Tx - George Stait, for fans of Texas Swing. And for pity's sake, lose that lame Shania Twain cover of "All I Want for Xmas is You," and go for the original by Vince Vance and the Valiants. Posted by: Marcus at November 30, 2005 08:10 PMGreybeard, "Mary's Boy Child" is such a fun song! Boney M version is so happy. And Matt, "O Holy Night" is a beautiful song. There are many versions of it that I like. I dig Chris Isaak too but haven't kept up with his stuff. Didn't know he did any Christmas tunes. Wheee! Christmas music! Posted by: FL Mom at November 30, 2005 09:33 PM--Santa Baby, Eartha Kitt-- 1953 and 1954 versions, IIRC. Ever hear Art Carney's version of The Night Before Christmas? -- I hate Pretty Paper. Did anybody mention David Bowie and Bing Crosby singing Little Drummer Boy? That's a great one. Posted by: Kim at December 1, 2005 03:08 PMNice call on the Eartha Kit version of "Santa Baby". This song has been murdered by more would be chanteuses than you can shake a stick at. Trust me, you need to go to the link below, and buy the CD - it's the best Christmas music I've ever heard. http://www.klaritymusic.com/00068_001.html Temporary Power has an awesome Christmas CD with all original songs. cdbaby.com/power For the lovers of rock music at Christmastime. Posted by: Ralph McPhearson at December 6, 2005 01:25 PM |
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