By Dean LuskThe Christmas season tends to make me really happy. Except for the parts that involve shopping in the midst of hyper-populated stores (this year Hobby Lobby and Sam's Club win the "isn't this number of people a violation of fire code?" awards).
At its ideal moments, Christmas lights and music whisk my mind back to my childhood in the 70's, when my parents had green shag carpet in their room and my mom wore trendy dresses with poofy sleeves. In my mind,
though Christmas defies time and space, it exists in a few eras: 2000 years ago, the 1970's, the 1940's, the late 1800's, and the middle ages. The last three of those are particularly accessible in my imagination via music. This is why
I tend to dislike modern Christmas music. While many are about Jesus' birth, they just don't represent Christmas past to me.
My perennial favorite artist/group award goes to the
Ray Conniff Singers. They take me back to my early childhood; Ray Conniff was always on the record player during the Christmas season back then. Same thing with
Billy Vaughn. Last year I purchased the mono version of "
Christmas Carols" (this album was originally recorded in both stereo and mono versions).
Given that background, here are my five favorite Christmas songs. This list was more difficult than the one that named my least favorite ones.
- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Veni, Veni, Emmanuel)
- The Holly and the Ivy
- The Coventry Carol (the link goes to an Amazon.com freebie!)
- Pat-a-Pan
- The Sussex Carol (On Christmas Night All Christians Sing)
I wish there were room on the list for "
The Wassail Song (Here We Come A-Caroling)" and "
Sing We Now of Christmas".
Now, if I had to use songs from
this century, my list would look like this:
- Sleigh Ride (orchestral or Johnny Mathis' version)
- It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Andy Williams)
- The Christmas Song
- Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
- A Charlie Brown Christmas (the Vince Guaraldi Trio album). This 16-song album is a must-purchase download at the Amazon MP3 store -- only $5.00!
Time for your input -- share your favorite five (or more) with everyone in the comments below!
Recommend
Comments (10)
Christmas Eve/ Sarajevo by Tran-Siberian Orchestra
1. O Holy Night as sung by Celtic Woman
2. What Child Is This?
3. We Three Kings
4. Little Drummer Boy
5. Carol of the Bells as done by Metallica
Arrgh too many to choose from! I adore Christmas music.
My absolute favourite is a tie between "I Wonder As I Wander" and "Veni, Veni Emmanuel". The first song is so delicate and wistful, and it's a shame that it's not more popular. The English version of "Veni, Veni Emmanuel" is very pretty, but the original is just beautiful. I have a version of the song sung a cappella by a choir and listening to it is magical. You become so lost in the music and can almost imagine that you're in a chapel in the 13th century.
My second favourite is another tie between "O Holy Night" and "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen." I love "O Holy Night" in both English and French. "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" is, to me, the quintessential holiday spirit song.
Three is "What Child is This?" Such a beautiful song!
Four is another tie (I really like Christmas songs, okay). It's either "The First Nowell" or "Carol of the Bells".
"Good King Wenceslas" is my fifth favourite Christmas song.
There are a tonne of other songs I love, but those are my absolute favourites. It's choirs and full orchestras all the way for me. Modern Christmas music just doesn't have the same depth, beauty, and complexity that these hymns have.
Santa Claus - to the tune of Iron Man by Black Sabbath (youtube it)
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives. No one has a voice like him.
Santa Claus is coming to Town - Gene Autry
Chipmunks Roasting on an Open Fire - Bob River's Twisted Christmas (Youtube search for a bunch more of his - Like "Police Stop My Car" to the tune of Feliz Navidad, or "Walkin 'round in Women's Underwear", or "The Restroom Door Said Gentlemen" etc. ) They are all pretty good.
White Christmas - Bob Hope.
Some classic, some modern, some serious, some fun.
Also, most of Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas albums, and "Leroy, the Redneck Reindeer", which I think is only on Youtube. Pretty good country song.
we wish you a merry christmas! that has been stuck in my head the past month
"Silent Night", "Angels We Have Heard On High", "From Heaven Above", "Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel", "Good King Wenceslas", and "Oh Come All Ye Faithful".
I'm not a fan of modern Christmas music. I like my Christmas music blasting from pipe organs. :)
Christmas songs I love singing: O Holy Night, Silent Night, We Three Kings, Karácsonynak éjszakáján, Kirje, kirje kisdedecske. And since I don't celebrate Christmas, I have to add Erli, erli, Hanukkah Blessings (by the Barenaked Ladies) and the very generic snowman song in Hungarian. :D
Only song I like is
"This Christmas". The rest just put me in a bad mood.
Final lyrics of good king Weneslas:
In his master's steps he trod,
Where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod
Which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure,
Wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor,
Shall yourselves find blessing.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Occupy themes for sure.....