the ultimate Xmas music mix!

[Temis the Vorta]

The countdown begins...to distract us from the shopping and mailing we should have done before now, let's compile the best versions of Xmas classics, both pop and classical.

For instance:

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - Judy Garland? Ella Fitzgerald? Frank Sinatra? Kermit the Frog?

"O Holy Night" - Mariah Carey? Nat King Cole? Aaron Neville? Kathleen Battle? Clay Aiken?

 

[bigdaddy]

GRANDMA GOT RAN OVER BY A REINDEER!

Best X-Mas song ever!

I also like Christmas Day by Dido.

 

[The Old Mixer]

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Judy Garland

"O Holy Night"

Eric Cartman

 

[Temis the Vorta]

"Christmas Don't Be Late" - Alvin & the Chipmunks.

A song which no one has dared cover. The original being perfection.

 

[M'Sharak]

The Kinks - Father Christmas
The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping

 

[Neroon]

"O Holy Night" - Celtic Woman, Johnny Mathis.

"The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting...)" - Nat King Cole

"Breath of Heaven" - Amy Grant

 

[auntiehill]

"Winter Wonderland" by the Eurythmics
"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by John Mellencamp.
"The Twelve Pains of Christmas" by Bob Rivers
"Please Come Home for Christmas" by The Eagles
"White Christmas" Bing Crosy
"Little Drummer Boy" Bing Crosby & David Bowie
"Christmas in Sarajevo" by Trans Siberian Orchestra
"Coventry Carol" by Alison Moyet
"I Saw 3 Ships" by Sting
"Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You" Billy Squier

 

[QuasarVM]

A few that I consider essentials...

1. Step Into Christmas -- Elton John
2. Christmas All Over -- Tom Petty
3. Christmas Is The Time -- Billy Squier
4. Christmas In Sarajevo -- Trans-Siberian Orchestra
5. Blue Christmas -- Elvis
6. Please Come Home For Christmas -- The Eagles
7. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) -- U2
8. Winter Wonderland -- Eurythmics
9. Gabriel's Message -- Sting
10. Run Run Rudolph -- Chuck Berry
11. Little Saint Nick -- The Beach Boys
12. Little Drummer Boy -- The Dandy Warhols

 

[nevermore]

Christmas in Hollis - RUN DMC

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Eric Cartman is still leading the pack, but there are some great suggestions here!

"Winter Wonderland" by the Eurythmics

That's a great one, but Elvis has 'em beat, I think...

Here's another one:

"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" - Bruce Springsteen

 

[Reverend]

"Fairy Tale Of New York" -- Pogues & Kirsty MacColl
Best Christmas song ever...ok, now I have to go play it.

 

[Sakrysta]

"O Holy Night" - Jewel - the only version of the song I've ever heard that doesn't go over the top with sappy dramatics.

"The Christmas Song" - The Carpenters

"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" - Rockapella

"Christmastime Is Here" - Peanuts Gang

I need to sit down one of these days and make my own list. I keep meaning to, but just haven't gotten to it.

 

[M'Sharak]

"Fairy Tale Of New York" -- Pogues & Kirsty MacColl
Best Christmas song ever...ok, now I have to go play it.

Forgot about that one, but it must be on the list, so seconded.

Also to add: Chanticleer's recording of "Ríu, Ríu, Chíu"

"Winter Wonderland" by the Eurythmics

That's a great one, but Elvis has 'em beat, I think...

I haven't heard it, but I just saw mentioned in another forum a version of "Winter Wonderland" by The Roches which pretty much has to be good, just because.

Here's another one:

"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" - Bruce Springsteen

Gah. No matter how you feel about Springsteen, this has to be the single most-overplayed pop Christmas song of all time. It makes me grind my teeth every time I hear it.

 

[Haggis and tatties]

Merry Xmas John Lennon
Shakin Stevens Merry xmas everyone
Mel(smith) and Kim(Wilde) Rock around the xmas tree

 

[Neroon]

"O Holy Night" - Jewel - the only version of the song I've ever heard that doesn't go over the top with sappy dramatics.

That can happen for sure... but it is a song that is made for soaring vocals. The trick is knowing "when to say when".

"The Christmas Song" - The Carpenters

The Carpenters don't get enough love for there talent.

"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" - Rockapella

Excellent! Have you ever heard the version by The Whirlign Dervishes? It almost has a rock edge to it, whic sounds weird.... but it works well, imho.

"Christmastime Is Here" - Peanuts Gang

That entire CD is filled with marvelous music, evoking such memories......

 

[The Old Mixer]

Before this thread, I had considered starting my own thread for a pet subject of mine this time of year...my own personal Christmas music mix. Currently an iPod playlist, it took shape as three CDs packed with favorites and essentials culled from various compilations, arranged in a rough chronology to evoke the Christmas season. Disc 1: Christmas Is Coming; Disc 2: Christmas Eve; Disc 3: Christmas Day through New Year's. I haven't got the time and energy to type it all out right now, but maybe this thread would be the proper place to share it...?

 

[Sakrysta]

"O Holy Night" - Jewel - the only version of the song I've ever heard that doesn't go over the top with sappy dramatics.

That can happen for sure... but it is a song that is made for soaring vocals. The trick is knowing "when to say when".

But you see, until I heard Jewel's version, I had never imagined it as anything other than a barn-burner. And frankly, if you've heard one version like that, you've heard them all. I would say that Jewel's interpretation does indeed "soar" - but without the sonic boom. She produces the high notes with such a pure, clear tone, it'll take your breath away.

Here, try it - Jewel - "O Holy Night"

 

[Neroon]

No, I've heard Jewel's version, and while I agree it is very nice, and an excellent variant, I tend to prefer some of my songs with a soaring nature to them. Some of those can indeed go into overkill mode quickly, with people oversinging badly. IOW. sounding as if they're saying "listen to what I can do with this note" instead of letting you enjoy the song.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Gah. No matter how you feel about Springsteen, this has to be the single most-overplayed pop Christmas song of all time.

Good thing I don't listen to anything but the classical station. I think I've heard it a grand total of once or twice. My obliviousness to pop music comes in handy to keep me from burning out on songs.

Here's a gem I just uncovered:

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" - Reliant k. Only tolerable version of that song I've ever heard.

"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" - Rockapella

Good one, and I also like their take on “The Christmas Song.”

Here's a challenge: what's the best version of "I'll Be Home for Christmas"?

 

[The Old Mixer]

^I've got Tony Bennett's on my playlist. Much more agreeably upbeat than most versions.