Over the past few years I've been putting together my favorite versions of Christmas and winter holiday songs as well as new works. There's a lot of holiday music out there! Below is my 2009 version of this work in perpetual progress, in no particular order. I'd love to hear your favorites.
Must be Santa Claus - Bob Dylan. This just came out and I love it! So far I've heard three music critics use it as an example of how awful Dylan's Christmas album is. Yes, it's cheesy, silly and ridiculous - I have no problem with that. (See "Thank god it's Christmas" below if you need further proof!)
I've got my love to keep me warm - The Ink Spots
Oh holy night - Tracy Chapman
The Christmas song - Nat King Cole. This version is the only Christmas song I know of that has only one definitive version - I mean no other version even comes close. Having said that, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Shelby Lynne also do a very nice version.
The Christmas Song - The Ravonettes (Though it shares the name with the Mel Torme written song mentioned above, it's completely different).
It doesn't often snow at Christmas - The Pet Shop Boys. This is one of my absolute favorite modern Christmas songs.
You're A Mean One, Mr Grinch - Albert Hague
Silent Night - Johnny Cash, The Temptations, Willie Nelson. The Simon & Garfunkel 7 o'clock news version is very moving, but I usually don't include it in my holiday collections - too somber.
White Christmas - The Darlene Love version the only one I know of that beats out Bing Crosby.
Happy X-mas (war is over) - John Lennon. There are other interesting versions out there (The Polyphonic Spree comes to mind), but none I need to hear every year. I can't get enough of the original.
Christmas (Baby please come home) - Darlene Love. The Death Cab for Cutie version is great, too.
Christmas must be tonight. - The Band
Shake hands with Santa Claus- Louis Prima
Pretty paper - Willie Nelson
Donna & Blitzen - Badly Drawn Boy
Thank god it's Christmas - Queen
Merry Xmas Everybody - Slade
Little Drummer Boy - I absolutely love the David Bowie & Bing Crosby version. Other good versions: The Dandy Warhols, Johnny Cash and Neil Young.
Let it snow! - I like a lot of versions of this including Luscious Jackson, Dean Martin, and Ella Fitzgerald. Great song!
A change at Christmas - The Flaming Lips
That Old Christmas Moon - Leon Redbone
Christmastime - Aimee Mann
Christmastime- Smashing Pumpkins (completely different song from Aimee's)
Merry Christmas, baby - Otis Redding version is #1 for me. Other good ones: Lou Rawls, BB King, and James Brown.
Pine Cones and Holly Berries - The Osmonds
Purple Snowflakes - Marvin Gaye
Feliz Navidad - El Vez
Jingle Bells- The Electric Prunes and Lena Horne's versions are my faves. And yes, Prunes, Christmas is the "most psychedelic time of the year"!
All I want for Christmas - Maria Carey. What can I say - she turns out an awesome version of this song.
Rudy - The Be Good Tanyas
Feels like Christmas - Al Green
2,000 miles - The Pretenders
It doesn't have to be that way - Jim Croce
Cool Yule- Louis Armstrong
Joy to the world - Sufjan Stevens
Christmas won't be the same this year - The Jackson Five
Fairytale of New York - The Pogues
White winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes. Not really a holiday song, but a great song and every time I hear it I think of the season and being outside this time of year - close enough for me.
My evergreen - The Squirel Nut Zippers
Winter Weather - Peggy Lee, Fats Waller and Squirel Nut Zippers are among my favorite versions.
Carol of the bells - The Bird and The Bee
Santa baby - Eartha Kitt, Macy Gray, and Vanessa Williams.
Light One Candle - Peter, Paul & Mary
Put the lights on the Tree - Sufjan Stevens
Santa Clause is coming to town - I'm not sure which is my favorite version, but I like the takes by The Jackson Five, The Crystals, & Bruce's live version (even though it's really over played this time of year).
I've longed for Christmas - Los Lonely Boys
Jingle Bell Rock - Brenda Lee is still the definitive version for me.
Spotlight on Christmas - Rufus Wainwright. A great melody and an interesting lyrical take on the holidays and liberalism in general.
Christmas in Hollis - Run DMC
Father Christmas - The Kinks
Love came down at Christmas - Shawn Colvin
Have yourself a merry little Christmas - Another of my favorite traditional Chrsitmas songs. I love the versions by James Taylor, The Isley Brothers, Perry Como, Aimee Mann, and Carly Simon.
Merry Chrsitmas, baby (I don't want to fight) - The Ramones
A Christmas to remember - Amy Grant.
Frosty the snowman - Gene Autry, Fiona Apple versions.
Santa Claus go straight to the ghetto - Belle & Sabastian
What are you doing new year's eve?- Diana Krall
Presents for Christmas - Solomon Burke
The Gift of Giving - Bill Withers
Come on Christmas - Dwight Yoakam
Here It Is Christmas - Old 97s
All My Bells Are Ringing - Lenka
Home for the holidays - The Carpenters
Chrsitmas wrapping - The Waitresses
I'll be home for Christmas - Perry Como, Glen Campbell, and Sarah McLachlan.
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