So everyone understands the criteria for making this list: These include songs (whether released as singles or not) that have the quality to make the Top Ten but didn't. The special songs in the list are of many forms and got here for many reasons--they were outstanding album tracks never released as singles, or they were released but never caught on in a big way (too much outstanding competition at the time, lack of promotion by the record company, lack of enough radio station music directors with outstanding ears at the time with the courage to be bold and lead the industry by adding the song to playlists, a long song which really needed to be played in its entirety rather than being cut to 3 minutes in a time when many radio stations avoided playing songs longer than that, etc.)
Whatever the reason was for not making the Top Ten, these songs all deserve to be in this special category--they are all "Top Ten Quality", and some are amazing. We are glad to share them with you, as we know that within these 37 pages you will find some that are your favorites already and some that will become some of your new favorites of all-time. Enjoy!
The British Invasion begins, cars, dances, surfing, the debuts of the Beatles, the Animals, Johnny Rivers, the Dave Clark Five, Barbra Streisand, the Kinks, the Four Tops and Dusty Springfield just to name a few. What a year.
Here are the final eight songs for Christmas to wrap up ourTop 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!
