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!