The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time, December 19

 Six days away, here are eight more great ones to add to our list plus two bonus songs!

 "Adeste Fidelis"

by Bing Crosby

The history of this song was shrouded in mystery for many years.  Some thought St. Bonaventura, a 13th century Italian scholar, wrote the lyrics; others thought it was the Portuguese, or the Germans or Spanish, while still others thought they were written by the Cistercian order of monks.  No one knew for sure who wrote the music either, with it being attributed to several composers, including English organist John Reading, Sr., John Reading, Jr., Handel, and Marcos Antonio da Fonseca.  

In 1946, the Reverend Maurice Frost of Oxford discovered a new manuscript of the hymn.  The next year, Dom John Stephan published a 32-page monograph, The Adeste Fideles:  A Study On ITs Origin and Development.  Stephan concluded that the music and lyrics were both written by John Francis Wade, born circa 1711 in England. 

 "Amen"

Impressions

Jester Hairston wrote "Amen" for the Sidney Poitier movie Lilies of the Field in 1963.  Curtis Mayfield of the Impressions saw the movie and was inspired to have the group record it.  It was the first Impressions song that Mayfield did not write.

 "Silver and Gold"

by Burl Ives

This song appeared in the animated Christmas feature that has become a classic in our culture--Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, specifically written about Yukon's greedy behavior. Some people worship silver and gold, but, as Ives sings, the best use of silver and gold is when it adorns the Christmas tree.

 "Carol Of The Bells"

by Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Here is one of at least three songs in this segment that are right up there in the running for the best versions of their tunes.  Trans-Siberian has really made its mark at Christmas.  "Even without words, 'Carol Of The Bells' is laden with irony," Matt Thompson of The Atlantic, writes.  "The epic, Wagnerian Trans-Siberian Orchestra adaptation that's packed arenas for the last decade takes as its subject a cellist playing Christmas carols in the town square of a devastated Sarajevo."

"It was just such a powerful image," said TSO founder Paul O'Neill, "a white-haired man silhouetted against the cannon fire, playing timeless melodies to both sides of the conflict amid the rubble and devastation of the city he loves." 

 

 "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
by Kenny G

Kenny's great talent is that he can hold a note forever.  In fact, he made the Guinness Book of World Records in that category, holding a note on his saxophone for 45 minutes and 47 seconds in 1997.  He also plays with more feeling than many singers have.

 "Sleigh Ride"

by the New Christy Minstrels

This version of the popular song is from Christmas with the Christies from 1966.  The enthusiastic and cheerful adaption and unique presentation (there is no other version like it!) gets the Minstrels a spot in The Best Christmas Songs of All-Time*.  Many people think it is the best version.

 "Merry Christmas Baby"
by Otis Redding

This is the flip side of Redding's cover of "White Christmas".  It stole the show in the end, with many also voting for Otis as the best version of this song.

 "Jingle Bells"

by St. Nick


You get a bonus song today--just to put you in a good mood all day!

  

"A Marshmallow World"

by Dean Martin

Dean adds fun to Christmas with his swinging style to this song.  You can be depressed because of the snow and aggravated by it or you can embrace it.

 "Silver Bells

by the Supremes

The great trio the Supremes recorded this holiday favorite in November, 1965 and it became one of the most popular versions of the song.  Their version is much slower and sentimental than others.

You have accumulated 154 songs so far to play for your holiday festivities.  More on the way tomorrow!

The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time, December 18

 'Twas the week before Christmas!  Eight more of The 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*!

The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time, December 17

 Today's eight songs will put us over 135 of The 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 much 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!