The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Elton John, the last three to be featured in The Top 100 Artists of the Rock Era* have already gone over the 2,000-page view mark, joining a select few to reach that milestone. As they are the #1, #2 and #3 artists of all-time, that is expected, but they join a group whose music and story were featured 9-10 months ago!
The Beatles, Elvis and Elton join #61 Rihanna, #65 Taylor Swift, #83 Jackson Browne and #102 Dan Fogelberg as the first artists to top 2,000.
'Twas the week before Christmas! Eight more ofThe Top 200* await you!
"The First Noel"
by Andy Williams
He sold over 45 million records and was active in the music industry for 70 years. He recorded some of the best songs of the Rock Era in "Butterfly", "Can't Get Used To Losing You", and two of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*--"Days Of Wine And Roses" (the flip side of "Can't Get Used To Losing You") and "More".
Williams owns three songs in this special of elite Christmas songs. "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" was ranked by Billboard as The #5 Christmas Song of All-Time and "Happy Holidays" is a standard as well. This song has been gaining steam, having charted on the Christmas chart the last three years in a row.
"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"
by Perry Como
One of the best Christmas artists ever (he has six among The Top 200*), here is Perry Como's version of the song that gets us all thinking about the season. It was recorded September 18, 1951 in New York City and made it to #12 that year. Como's Christmas television specials ranked right up there with those of Bing Crosby and Andy Williams as being the epitome of holiday spirit.
"It Came Upon A Midnight Clear"
by Anne Murray
Murray's version of this Christmas standard was included on the album What a Wonderful Christmas.
"Pretty Paper" by Roy Orbison
This Christmas favorite was written by Willie Nelson, and recorded by Orbison in 1963. It reached #15 on the chart that year.
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
Hozier
Irish musician Hozier covered this popular Christmas song in 2015 that fit his Blues roots. The arrangement is superb.
"I'll Be Home For Christmas"
by the Carpenters
No question Karen has one of the best Christmas voices that will likely ever be heard. She's very reflective and her interpretation fits the tone of the song. Many people think she was an angel sent to us for a brief time. Great arrangement, as usual, by Richard on this one.
"Do You Hear What I Hear"
by Carrie Underwood
Another of the newest singles to make The Top 200*, the acoustic guitar background gives a nice touch and Carrie sings it beautifully.
"The Prayer"
Pentatonix
It is Mitch Grassi, and not Kirstin Maldonado, who sings the high part of this song originally made popular by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. It is one of the highlights of the group's new album, Evergreen.
Join us tomorrow for eight more of The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time*!
Today's eight songs will put us over 135 ofThe Best Christmas Songs of All-Time*that we have presented thus far since December 1. We have listened to thousands of Christmas songs over the last 45 years and these are the ones that consistently rate as the most popular. Unlike most lists of this type, we actually let you listen to the songs so you can decide on your personal favorites.
"Please Come Home for Christmas" by Charles Brown
This is one of the few early Christmas standards (done in 1947) to be topped by a remake (the Eagles has displaced it as the favorite version), but any list that doesn't still include it as one of the best probably was put together by a young person not aware of the first great version of the song. The ringing of the Church bells, the understated but memorable guitar solo, and Brown's great sad style make this a Christmas favorite.
"Jingle Bell Rock"
by Hall & Oates
Whether it be Christmas music or conventional, the old adage is always true--it is extremely tough to remake a classic--you're always going to be compared to the original. Very few can do it successfully and most should not attempt it. But Hall & Oates pulled it off and their version continues to be played 38 years after first released.
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love
This song was originally scheduled to sung by Ronnie Spector, but Darlene Love was called in and she delivered. It was written by the famous team of Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. Leon Russell adds his magic piano part at the end.
"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" by Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
Springsteen thinks it's funny he's singing a Christmas song; he laughs several times during the song. Nevertheless, it is one of the most-played songs of the season.
"Oh Holy Night"
by John Denver
John Denver is another of the best Christmas artists of the Rock Era. He gave an amazing performance on this somber song.
"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"
by Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme
This was included on the 1964 album That Holiday Feeling. There are three versions of the popular favorite among The Top 150*. This one shares the standard-bearing with Dean Martin's version.
"Frosty The Snowman"
by Gene Autry
After Autry enjoyed such success with "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" in 1949, Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson wrote this one and pitched it to Gene the following year. Like "Rudolph", it too was featured in a television special.
"Jingle Bells"
by the Ray Conniff Singers
This, like so many others that we've featured, is on the great album Christmas with Conniff. The Singers bring a cheerful, crisp approach to everything they do and frankly, a lot of the memories we have of Christmas involves the Conniff Singers.
We hope you are enjoying this Christmas special--join us tomorrow!
Inside the Rock Erais presenting eight new songs each day. All of them make upThe Top 200 Christmas Songs of All-Time*.
"Baby It's Cold Outside"
by Dean Martin
Along with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr., Martin was a member of the so-called Rat Pack. Before that, Martin was, among other things, a welterweight boxer. Of his 12 bouts, he said "he won all but 11." Dean recorded this for his album A Winter Romance.
"Jingle Bells"
by Ella Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald included this on her 1960 album Ella Wishes You A Swingin' Christmas.
"All I Want For Christmas" by Vince Vance & the Valients
Vance and the Valients originally did this song in 1989 and it has continued to pick up popularity since.
"Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer"
by the Temptations
The Temptations Christmas Card, released in 1970, is one of the better Christmas albums of the Rock Era. It features both songs among The Top 200*--"Silent Night" and this cover of the Christmas favorite.
"Christmas Time Is Here"
by Diana Krall
This is from the album Christmas Songs released in 2005 by the great Diana Krall. Of course the original is from A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio but Diana adds a nice touch to the Christmas favorite with a soft, sensual, laid-back version.
"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
by John Lennon
This original song was written by Lennon and Yoko Ono and released in 1971 as a single. It was a protest song about the Vietnam War that has since been covered by many artists. It reached #4 in the U.K. for Lennon.
"We Need A Little Christmas"
by Johnny Mathis
Here is a song from the Broadway musical Mame, first performed by Angela Lansbury in 1966. In the musical, the song is performed after Mame lost her fortune in the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and decided that she, her nephew Patrick, and her two servants "need a little Christmas now" to brighten them up. This song was first released on the album Christmas Eve with Johnny Mathis in 1986.
"What Child Is This"
by Charlotte Church
Another holy and reverent song is next, that was written in 1865. English writer William Chatterton Dix suffered a near-fatal illness at age 29 and was confined to a bed for several months. Despite going into a deep depression, Dix wrote many hymns during this period, including "What Child Is This". Charlotte recorded this song on her Dream a Dream album.
Eight more great songs to improve your mood in this busy time of year. Join us tomorrow for more on Inside The Rock Era!
We've listened to thousands of Christmas songs over the years, and when you hear a 24-hour Christmas channel or satellite television channel you know there is much filler that you'd really rather not bother with. Instead, choose the cream of the crop. We've done the research so you can listen to only the best. Choose the ones that you particularly like and they make great background music for Christmas parties or on Christmas Day itself. Our family likes to sit by the Christmas tree listening to these and talking about the songs and why they are so great, sharing memories, and spending quality time together.
Here are eight more of The Top 200 Christmas Songs of All-Time*.
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Judy Garland
Judy recorded this version on April 20, 1944 and it reached #2 the following Christmas. But it first appeared in the 1943 movie Meet Me in St. Louis. Written during World War II, it had some depressing lyrics as soldiers went another Christmas being away from the ones they loved. Garland loathed one of the lines, which followed the title with "It may be your last", especially since she was singing it to a little girl in the film. It was thus changed to "Let your heart be light."
"Carol Of The Bells"
by Pentatonix
Here is one of five versions of "Carol Of The Bells" which made our list. Add in "Ring Christmas Bells" by the Ray Conniff Singers, the more religious version of the two, and that makes six.
"Mele Kalikimaka"
by Bing Crosby
R. Alex Anderson wrote this song after a stenographer in his office wondered why there were no Hawai'ian Christmas songs. When finished, Anderson played it for Crosby, who was a golf partner. Bing collaborated with the Andrews Sisters on the song and included it on his famous album Merry Christmas. Anderson's daughter Pam says the family still receives revenues from all over the world for her father's song.
"The Little Drummer Boy"
by Perry Como
Como, one of the top Christmas singers of all-time already, conveyed the deep meaning of the lyrics by slowing the song down.
"Jolly Old St. Nicholas"
by the Ray Conniff Singers
The song is mentioned in Susan Gregg's Christmas Orphans, published in 1916. It is performed to an up-tempo arrangement of "Canon in D Major" by Johann Pachelbel.
The jolly Ray Conniff Singers fit the song perfectly.
"The Christmas Waltz" by Frank Sinatra
Sammy Cahn & Jule Styne wrote this song. This is from the Sinatra Christmas Album from 1954 and is one of four that Sinatra has among The Best 150 for All-Time*. The song still stands the test of time.
"Sleigh Ride"
by the Ronettes
One of the best versions of this song comes from the 1963 release by the Ronettes heard here. The clopping and neighing of horses, the Wall of Sound, it doesn't get much better.
"Silent Night"
by Josh Groban
Josh Groban has quickly become one of the world's most beloved singers. When he sings a song, it's usually fabulous and that's the case here. Groban successfully captures the magical awesomeness of the occasion. The backing choir is also wisely chosen.
10 days left--with these songs to sing to as you do your shopping!
We are a little more than halfway in our Christmas spectacular in 2011--The Top 200 Christmas Songs of All-Time*. Here are eight more great ones:
"O Tannenbaum"
by Vince Guaraldi
This is a German Christmas song which evolved from a traditional Folk song unrelated to Christmas. By the middle of the 19th century, it became associated with the traditional Christmas tree and sung as a carol.
Organist, teacher and composer Ernst Anschütz wrote the modern lyrics to the song in 1824. A Tannenbaum is a fir tree, and Anschütz's yrics refer to the fir's evergreen quality as a symbol of constancy and faithfulness. The lyrics are based on a 16th-century Silesian Folk song called "Ach Tannenbaum" by Melchior Franck. In 1819, August Zarnack wrote a tragic love song inspired by this folk song, contrasting the faithful fir tree with a faithless lover. Anschütz added two verses of his own to the first, traditional verse, first associating the Folk song with Christmas.
Guaraldi's instrumental version is among those featured in the famous Christmas television special, A Charlie Brown Christmas.
"Christmas Eve Sarajevo"
by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Here we have the magical group Trans-Siberian Orchestra, which has one of the best light shows you will ever see...anywhere. This song is a medley of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Carol of the Bells" that was first released by the group Savatage as "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)". TSO was a side project of several of the members of Savatage. The subject of the medley has an interesting story as Paul O'Neill explained in Christianity Today.com:
...We heard about this cello player born in
Sarajevo many years ago who left when he
was fairly young to go on to become a
well-respected musician, playing with
various symphonies throughout Europe.
Many decades later, he returned to
Sarajevo as an elderly man—at the height
of the Bosnian War, only to find his city in
complete ruins.
I think what most broke this man's heart
was that the destruction was not done by
some outside invader or natural disaster—
it was done by his own people. At that time,
Serbs were shelling Sarajevo every night.
Rather than head for the bomb shelters like
his family and neighbors, this man went to
the town square, climbed onto a pile of
rubble that had once been the fountain,
took out his cello, and played Mozart and
Beethoven as the city was bombed.
"Where Are You Christmas?"
by Faith Hill
This great song was written by James Horner and Will Jennings and sung by Taylor Momsen in the great movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas, starring Jim Carrey, in 2000. Mariah Carey co-wrote a longer version and originally recorded it, but because of a legal matter with her ex-husband Tommy Mottola could not release it. So she gave it to Faith Hill, who did an excellent job with it and it is that song that you hear over the closing credits.
"I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day"
by Three Irish Tenors
This trio began in 1998 for a PBS television special The Irish Tenors. Declan Kelly, Anthony Kearns and Ronan Tynan recorded five such specials and eight albums as Three Irish Tenors.
This song contains some of the most important and best lyrics of all Christmas songs, acknowledging the tragedy that was the American Civil War while also expressing optimism that we will come out of it OK.
The song is based on the 1863 poem "Christmas Bells" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and tells the story of hearing Christmas bells during that senseless war. While the narrator acknowledges that "hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men", he concludes with the message that "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep".
Obviously from the debacle that was "the Trump Administration", the hate is still very much alive. But rather than see progress from each of these disasters as if they are a straight line on a graph, it is much more accurate to see history as a constant ebb and flow; that while we came out of the American Civil War with legislation and good social progress, evil always gravitates to the weak-minded, and people of the world will always have to deal with low-life's in society such as Trump supporters.
So while 70% of America and 95% of the world cannot understand how people could be filled with so much hate, the overlying message is that, just as we came out of the Civil War with good will that lasted decades, so will we after the Trump supporters die off. Even though Trump supporters mock God's message of love, God is not dead.
"River"
by Sarah McLachlan
This song about the recent breakup of a romantic relationship is the second-most covered of all of Joni Mitchell's great songs. McLachlan does a great job with it here.
This song was first copyrighted on August 24, 1943 as soldiers first thought they would be home for Christmas, then realized it would be "in my dreams". Kent and James Gannon wrote the song, first recorded by Bing Crosby. But it is this version by Elvis that has taken over in popularity.
"Joy To The World"
by Anne Murray
Anne Murray checks in again with her great version of this Christmas classic. Somehow Murray gives it great empathy and sincerity because she is singing from the heart.
And now you have all the hope and promise of the Christmas season to carry with you the rest of the day!
