Jump in Bed and Cover Up Your Head

In the spirit of the season, here are my favorite Christmas songs:


White Christmas - Elvis Presley

While most would consider Bing Crosby’s rendition of this Irving Berlin classic to be the definitive version, I always found that version to be a bit somber.  To me, it was Elvis who actually managed to capture the true mood of the song.  Of course, it certainly didn’t hurt that it was included on one of the all-time greatest Christmas albums ever released.  “Elvis’ Christmas Album” was a combination of secular & sacred songs.  The Camden reissue (which is the one I had) has sold over 10 million copies since its release 4 decades ago and contains the definitive versions of a number of favorites including “Blue Christmas”, “Here Comes Santa Claus” and “Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem”.  It was the soundtrack to my Christmas for the first 15 years of my life.

Sleigh Ride - Amy Grant

To date, Amy Grant has nearly a dozen Christmas albums to her credit, but it was her first, 1983’s “A Christmas Album”, that contained the definitive version of this Christmas classic.  She perfectly captures the childhood excitement of playing in the first snow of the season.  Make sure you add this one to your Christmas playlist.

Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney

In 1979, Sir Paul wrote one of the most memorable “contemporary” Christmas songs ever.  The lyrics paint a vivid picture of “walking in a winter wonderland” while the sparse instrumentation gives it a sort of timelessness, as made evident by its inclusion in the 1998 animated film Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer:  The Movie.  For me, it doesn’t truly feel like Christmas until I hear this song.

Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives

Written by Johnny Marks in the early 1960’s and subsequently included in the 1964 Christmas special Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, this classic was originally intended to be sung by Larry Mann (Yukon Cornelius).  Wisely, the producers decided to give it (AND “Silver & Gold”) to Burl Ives due to his singing fame.  The song has been re-recorded a handful of times, but no other version has the charm of Ives’, which continues to hit the Billboard charts well into the 21^st century.

Christmas in Dixie - Alabama

Written by the band, this song was first released in 1982 and later included on their 1985 Christmas album “Alabama Christmas”.  Despite the title, the song makes references to cities

Above the Mason-Dixon Line, as well, and paints a timeless picture of “peace on Earth tonight”.

(Christmas) Baby, Please Come Home - U2

Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich & Phil Spector in the early 1960’s and originally recorded by Darlene Love, this song was given new life when U2 recorded a hauntingly powerful version of it (with Love on backing vocals) during a sound check in Glasgow, Scotland in 1987.  It was included on the compilation “A Very Special Christmas” later that year and (with all due respect to Love) remains the definitive version.

The Christmas Song - The Carpenters

Written by Bob Wells and Mel Torme during a blistering summer in 1945, this song became a mega-hit for Nat King Cole the following year.  However, this version from 1978’s “A Christmas Portrait”, The Carpenters’ only Christmas album to be issued during Karen’s lifetime, surpasses all others.

Jingle Bell Rock - Hall & Oates

Written by Joe Beal & Jim Boothe and first released by Bobby Helms in 1957, this Christmas classic has been recorded at least a hundred times.  Hall & Oates’ 1983 version is the best of the bunch.

My Favorite Things - Lorrie Morgan

This Rodgers & Hammerstein classic was beautifully recorded by country singer Lorrie Morgan, who was backed by the New World Philharmonic & Choir, for her 1993 album “Merry Christmas from London”.  It’s still my favorite version.