One of my favorite things about the holiday season is pulling out and adding to my Christmas playlist. Here’s a look at my top ten favorite Christmas songs.
10. A Mighty Fortress/Angels We Have Heard on High – Amy Grant
Not only is “Angels We Have Heard on High” my “Favorite Christmas Hymnal” but I just love the trumpets in this version. I’m a big fan of trumpets.
9. Sleigh Ride – Boston Pops
I love the instrumental version of this song. I played this version when I was in band in junior high and again in high school. I love all the different musical pieces throughout and each time I hear it, it makes me want to take out my instruments and play along.
8. Baby it’s Cold Outside – Bette Midler
It’s either this version for the one from the movie “Elf” that are the best! But the version with Bette Midler and James Caan (a Michigan State alum – GO GREEN) is really my favorite simply because of Bette. I also have to give a shoutout to the Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey version of this song….ahhh….love.
7. Christmas Tree – Lady Gaga
This song is so bad, that it’s good. The electronic keywords, the dirty words…definitely made it to the top of my list. “My Christmas tree’s delicious…” Just gotta love that Gaga.
6. God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman/We Three Kings – Barnaked Ladies
I have previously raved about how amazing the Barenaked Ladies holiday album is in my Hanukkah music post. This wins for best all-around holiday album. I love these songs, but more importantly, I love the arrangement of these songs. I think my biggest surprise of this whole song is the fact that I love Sarah McLachlan. I normally, am not a fan. I find her music depressing and whiney. Plus she ruined Toy Story 2 for me (I always skip that song!) But in this song, she’s perfect.
5. Fairytale of New York – The Pogues
This is a song I’ve loved thanks to my husband for a long time – and only recently realized it qualifies as a Christmas song. Nothing like some drunk Irish music to get you in the spirit of the holidays.
4. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Amy Grant
For the most part, I find the Amy Grant Christmas albums depressing, which makes me sad because I love her. But this song, with the choir behind her, is just amazing and really puts you in the Christmas spirit. I also like this version so much more than others because it’s very sing-a-longable. (I also like making up words.)
3. Little Saint Nick – The Beach Boys
This is a family favorite. For some reason, this is always the first Christmas album my father would play on Christmas morning as we opened presents. All I need to hear are the first few notes of this song and immediately I want to open presents! It’s still a family favorite, but now we have it on CD and don’t have to stop mid-present opening to flip the record over.
2. Silver Bells – Stevie Wonder
This is probably my favorite Christmas song based on the lyrics – but I haven’t found a version that I LOVE more than my #1 pick. This Stevie Wonder version is probably the best. I love the words – it really reminds me of Christmas in Chicago.
Christmas in Chicago.
Strings of street lights
Even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush
home with their treasures
Hear the snow crunch
See the kids bunch
This is Santa’s big scene
And above all this bustle
You’ll hear
Silver bells, silver bells
It’s Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day
1. Mele Kalikimaka – Bette Midler
This is the only acceptable version of this song. (See Top 10 Worst Christmas Song blog for reasons.)
Not only is Bette Midler one of my favorite singers/people EVER, but this song is just perfect for Christmas in Florida. Yes, it’s about Hawaii – but Florida is just about the same.
So what do you think? What are your favorite holiday songs? Did I miss anything?
