The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time: December 25

Here are the final eight songs for Christmas to wrap up our Top 200 Songs of Christmas*.  

"Christmas Canon"

by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra

This song is set to Johann Pachelbel's Canon in D Major with new lyrics.  It is notable in its departure of TSO's famous rock arrangements, instead being performed with a children's choir with light accompaniment from piano and strings.  It was first featured on the album The Christmas Attic in 1998 and is now one of the top three downloaded Christmas songs of all-time.

"Home for the Holidays"

by Perry Como

This was originally featured on the 1954 album Four Christmases.  As is the case with nearly all of his releases, its tough to beat a Como version.  And nothing like being Home for the Holidays!

 

 "The Prayer"

by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli

This is one of the newest songs to make The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time*.  It was written by David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager, Albert Testa and Tony Renis.  It was featured on Celine Dion's album These Are Special Times and was also included in the move Quest for Camelot in 1999.  The song won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song in 1999 and for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with vocals in 2000.

 

 "This Christmas"

by Donny Hathaway

You might remember Donny Hathaway as a singing partner of Roberta Flack's ("The Closer I Get To You") before he died tragically in 1979.  Many feel his version of this song is the best one out there.

"Merry Christmas Darling"

by the Carpenters

This standard was written in 1946 by Frank Pooler while in his teens.  Pooler went on to become musical director at California-Long Beach and it was there that Richard and Karen took a class in the mid-60's.  Pooler played the song for them, commenting that he'd never been happy with the melody.  Richard re-worked the song and the duo released it first in 1970, then again in 1978 with a re-recording.  The nostalgic feel is perfect for the season and is certainly one of the most romantic of Christmas songs.

 

 "The Little Drummer Boy"

by the Harry Simeone Chorale

Although this version by the Harry Simeone Chorale is not the original, it is nonetheless far and away the standard.  The Chorale give the song its most holy sound, even recorded in a Greenwich Village cathedral to give it a signature authentic feel.  It made the charts for five consecutive Christmases. 

 

 "Let It Snow"/"Count Your Blessings"/"We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

by the Ray Conniff Singers

The album We Wish You a Merry Christmas was recorded in 1962 featuring the Singers on several medleys.  One of the most popular is this one.  "Count Your Blessings" conveys a message that we all should be thankful for what we have, and the Singers perform "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" with sincerity and joy.  And it is that feeling that I wish to express in hoping that you have enjoyed this Christmas special and in hoping you and your family enjoy the magic of Christmas, both today and through the year.

 

 "The Lord's Prayer"

by Barbra Streisand

We close our Christmas special of The Top 200 Christmas Songs of All-Time* with this, because He is the One we can thank that there is a Christmas at all.  It is on the album Barbra Streisand/A Christmas Album.  Barbra's mastering of tone, enunciation, every little inflection of her voice - draws the listener in closer and you feel as if she's singing just to you.  She gives a spectacular performance on this song that wraps up our special with reverence and a grand finish. 

We hope you have enjoyed this past 25 days, and hope that you and yours can find inner peace.  Here's hoping God gets through to those among us who have been infecting and killing others with their carelessness and lack of concern for others during the pandemic and that we have a much better 2022!

The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time: December 24

Musical tastes are as diverse as the number of people in the world.  We have listened to thousands of Christmas songs, not only over the years but in preparation for this Inside the Rock Era special.  We do hope that we've touched upon songs that you find enjoyable.  Only one more day to go, 16 more songs, so let's get right to them!

"Oh Holy Night"

Martina McBride

The best versions of this are always the most holy, because that is what the lyrics convey.  If you're not holy yourself, it's not going to come across that way.  No doubt from her vocals that Martina "gets it".

 

"Opera of the Bells"

by Destiny's Child

"Carol of the Bells" was the original Ukrainian composition.  An alternate English version features more Nativity-based lyrics.  Destiny's Child renamed it "Opera of the Bells" for inclusion on their album 8 Days of Christmas.  

 

 "The First Noel"

by Pentatonix

Of the nine songs Pentatonix places in The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time*, this one is respected as one of their best that will give most people chills.

"Handel's Messiah"

by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

No list of the Top Christmas Songs would be complete without this song, an oratorio written by George Frideric Handel in 1741.  It includes a scriptural text written by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer.  It was first performed in Dublin, Ireland on April 13, 1742 and has since become one of the best-known and most performed choral works in Western music.

"Same Old Lang Syne"

by Dan Fogelberg

This autobiographical song tells the story of a man meeting his old flame and the two getting over the awkwardness of the encounter.  Fogelberg based the melody on the "1812 Overture" by Tchaikovsky.  

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
by Brenda Lee

I'm sure you and yours will do some rocking around the Christmas tree while this song is played in the background.  It was written by Johnny Marks, who has three of his compositions in The Top 150*.  When Brenda first introduced this in 1958, it didn't do much but finally in 1960, after she had enjoyed success with "I'm Sorry" and "Sweet Nothin's", the song took off and hasn't looked back.  It has now gone over eight million in sales.

 

 "The Christmas Song"

by Nat King Cole

Cole originally recorded this song in 1946, then re-recorded it later in the year with a small string section.  It became a massive hit.  He then recorded a third version in 1953 and this one, on March 30, 1961 at Capitol Studios in New York City.  It is this fourth recording that is the most famous.  The instrumentation is nearly identical to that of the 1953 recording, but the vocals are much deeper.  It has remained not only the definitive version of the song, but one of The Top 10 Christmas Songs of All-Time ever since.

  
"White Christmas"

by Bing Crosby

This all-time favorite written by Irving Berlin reached #1 in 1942, 1945 and 1946 although the version you are used to hearing isn't the original.  There was so much demand for the song at the record plant that the original master was actually destroyed from overuse!  So Bing and group went into the studio and re-recorded it in 1947, essentially remaking the song perfectly.  This song is the biggest-selling single of all-time.

We have reserved eight excellent songs for you tomorrow--join us exclusively on Inside The Rock Era!

The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time: December 23

We've sifted through all of the Christmas songs and are featuring what we believe to be the cream of the Christmas crop.  We began on December 1 and by Christmas Day will have presented The Top 200 Christmas Songs of All-Time*.

"Have A Holly Jolly Christmas"

by Burl Ives

Ives recorded this in July of 1964 for the animated feature Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer which he also narrated.  It reached #13 and is one of the most cheerful, infectious Christmas songs of them all.

"Away In A Manger"

by John Denver

   "Baby, It's Cold Outside"
by Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme

Frank Loesser wrote this song in 1944 and premiered it with his wife, Lynn Garland, at their Navarro Hotel housewarming.    Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme recorded what is regarded as one of the best versions of the song and included it on the album That Holiday Feeling.

  

"All I Want for Christmas Is You"

by Mariah Carey

 

The song was written by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff. It reached #2 in Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway and the U.K. and charted in six other countries. Since then, it has reappeared on the charts in four different years and has quickly become a Christmas standard, selling over four million copies.

 

 "My Grown-Up Christmas List"

by Amy Grant

The song was written by Linda Thompson-Jenner and David Foster, originally recorded by Foster with Natalie Cole in 1990.  It was this version, included on Amy Grant's second Christmas album Home for Christmas, featuring altered lyrics and an additional verse that Grant wrote, that caught on.

Amy gives us a message away from materialism and added maturity to Christmas with a Christmas List That Matters.

"Jingle Bells"

by Diana Krall

This song was first copyrighted under the title "One Horse Open Sleigh".  Included on Krall's album Christmas Songs and gifted with her signature voice and style, the version has become one of the most-played Christmas songs in recent years.

  
"Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy"

by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote a two-act ballet called The Nutcracker. Originally, the ballet was not a success, but the suite that Tchaikovsky extracted from the ballet was. Of course now, The Nutcracker is extremely popular and is performed by ballet companies all over the world. This is one of the best versions of "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" performed by the Royal Symphony Orchestra.

As we approach the big day, keep checking us out for more Christmas favorites!

The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time: December 22

Welcome to our 22nd day of the cream of the crop among Christmas songs.  Here are eight more to enjoy!

  "When My Heart Finds Christmas"

by Harry Connick, Jr.

This is the title song (written by Connick) from his album of 1993, which was the top-selling Christmas album of the year (748,000 copies).  It has now gone Triple Platinum.

"Linus and Lucy"

by Vince Guaraldi

Guaraldi wrote this song in 1964 about the fictional characters Linus and Lucy Van Pelt in the Charles Schultz classic comic strip Peanuts, and it was included on the album Jazz Impressions of a Boy Named Charlie Brown.  The song was introduced in the premiere of A Charlie Brown Christmas in 1965.  Although it is an instrumental not specifically about Christmas, because of its association with the Charlie Brown special, it has become synonymous with Christmas.  In fact, it's tough to hear this song and not think of the Peanuts characters dancing in their lovable way.

"Driving Home For Christmas"

by Chris Rea

Here is another of the newest entries into The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time*.  Chris Rea, best known for his 1978 hit "Fool (If You Think It's Over)", released it first as the B-side to the single 'Hello Friend" in 1986.  He re-recorded it and released it as the featured single in 1988, when it peaked at #53 in the U.K.

That's a modest beginning for the song, which has found its way onto the U.K. chart every year since 2007 and reached a high of #11 in 2018.  In a 2012 poll, it was voted 12th among Great Britain's favorite Christmas songs.

It isn't just Rea's native U.K. in which the song is loved as a top Christmas song.  "Driving Home For Christmas" has reached #1 in Slovenia, #2 in Norway, #3 in Germany and Austria, #4 in the Netherlands, #5 in Sweden, #6 in Denmark and #7 in Poland and has charted in 21 countries.

  

 

 "We Wish You the Merriest"

by Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby & Fred Waring

Les Brown wrote this song that was included on the popular 1964 album 12 Songs of Christmas.  To have not only Frank Sinatra but Bing Crosby both wishing you the merriest has to mean that you're pretty special.

"Silver Bells"

by Anne Murray

This can be found on the album entitled Anne Murray's Christmas Album.  Since it came out, it has received great airplay year after year.  

"Sleigh Ride"

by the Ray Conniff Singers

There are some great versions of "Sleigh Ride", including the New Christy Minstrels, the Ronettes and the Carpenters.  This version really makes you want to go on the sleigh ride.  

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"

by Pentatonix

This amazing group released one of their best songs on their 2016 album A Pentatonix Christmas.  It is easy to forget while listening to this breathtaking version that their voices are the only instruments.

"Here We Come A-Caroling/We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

by Perry Como

Como is just one of those talents that sounds awesome on every thing he does.  Here's one of six that Perry has in The Top 200* to wrap up today's edition.  Join us tomorrow!

The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time: December 21

We still have 40 more songs in Inside the Rock Era's presentation of The Top 200 Christmas Songs of All-Time*.  Some of the absolute best are still to come!

 

 "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas"

by Michael Bublé

This version of a Christmas standard charted in 26 countries in 2011, evidence of worldwide appeal that earns it a spot in The Top 200*.  It ranked #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart in the U.S. and #20 overall, #3 in the Netherlands, Norway and Italy, #4 in Canada and Sweden, #6 in Switzerland and #7 in the U.K.

"Happy Holiday"/"The Holiday Season"

by Andy Williams

This is one of two songs that Irving Berlin wrote among the Top 200*.  He wrote it in 1942 and it was featured in the movie Holiday Inn.  Andy's version is by far the best.

"We Need a Little Christmas"

by the New Christy Minstrels

A lot of people think this is the Ray Conniff Singers but it's the Minstrels at their best.  Since they came out in the early 1960's, the New Christy Minstrels launched the careers of Kenny Rogers, Gene Clark (of the Byrds), Kim Carnes and Barry McGuire.  Rogers and Carnes were together in the group in 1966.  McGuire was the group's director and arranger beginning in 1963.  

"The First Noel"

by Josh Groban and Faith Hill

For his fourth studio album, Groban recorded a set of Christmas tunes featuring his incredible voice.  When Noël sold 3.6 million copies in 2007, it became the top-selling album of the year--it's sales are now well over 6 million.

"Jingle Bells"

by the Miracles

This song by the Miracles was good enough to make the album Motown Christmas, a high standard indeed.  Their version of the popular Christmas song has been gaining in popularity.

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"

by the Carpenters

There must be something about the letter "C" in Christmas.  I say that because four of the artists who have the most songs in The Top 200 Christmas Songs of All-Time* all start with the letter "C"; a very interesting factoid.  Bing Crosby is tied with Pentatonix for the most with 9 each.  The Ray Conniff Singers have 8, then it's the Carpenters with 7 and Perry Como with 6.  There are 41 out of 200 whose artists begin with "C", including this one from the Carpenters.

 

 "Feliz Navidad"

by Jose Feliciano

This is one of the Top 25 most-played Christmas songs and has been for quite a while.  Feliciano wrote it himself in 1970 and it was featured on the album of the same name.  Today, people of all languages and nationalities love it for its great sound, sincerity and festive tone.

"Silent Night"

by Barbra Streisand

Many people believe this to be the best version of this song, out of the thousands that are out there.  Barbra also has another song featured in The Top 200*.  We'll leave you today with this reverent, amazing performance of "Silent Night".

Sleep in heavenly peace.  See you tomorrow!

The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time: December 20

Inside the Rock Era has presented 152 of The Top 200 Christmas Songs of All-Time*.  Here are eight more to add to that list.

 

 "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem"

by Sarah McLachlan

This is from Sarah's 2006 album Wintersong. Great job of playing acoustic guitar and her interpretation of this traditional favorite has been gaining more popularity each year since its release to the point where it is now one of The Top 200 Christmas Songs of All-Time*.

"Joy To The World"

by Mariah Carey

This was released on the 1994 album Merry Christmas.  The song is a much-more upbeat version than the thousands of others that have been released.  It reached #16 on the Dance chart that year.  

 

"Let It Snow!  Let It Snow!  Let It Snow!"

by Frank Sinatra

Frank released this as a single in 1950 and it appeared on his album Christmas Songs by Sinatra.

"Winter Wonderland"

by Darlene Love

This full-sounding song is on the album Christmas Gift for You.  Love was much in demand for session work, singing backing vocals on "Johnny Angel" for Shelley Fabares and several songs for Johnny Rivers, including "Poor Side Of Town", "Baby, I Need Your Loving and "The Tracks Of My Tears".  It was actually Love, and not any of the Crystals, that sang lead on "He's A Rebel".

"River"

by Joni Mitchell

Although this song is set near Christmas, it doesn't specifically reference it, yet it has become a Christmas standard.  This is from Joni's amazing Blue album.

 

 

 "The 12 Days Of Christmas"

by the Ray Conniff Singers

Anyone who does this song needs to make it real and jubilant because otherwise, interest wanes fast.  Ray Conniff & Singers are one of a select few that have made this song popular.  There is so much vocal talent in this group and they sing it like they want to.

 

 "Oh Holy Night"

by Pentatonix

Of the nine songs among The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time* that this amazing quintet places in the special, this is one of their best--here is Pentatonix.

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

by Gene Autry

Autry released his version of this song on November 25, 1949 and it has become one of the true Christmas classics.  It reached #1 and sold 2.5 million copies its first year.  To date, the single is now over 25 million copies sold, which is the third biggest-selling song of all-time.

Some of the greatest Christmas songs ever recorded, wrapped and packaged exclusively on Inside The Rock Era!