The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time: December 16

Inside the Rock Era is presenting eight new songs each day.  All of them make up The 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!