The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time, December 11

We continue our Christmas special with eight more Christmas favorites.

 

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

by Bing Crosby

There are many versions of this standard, but Bing's 1951 version is one of the most-played of the bunch.

"Jingle Bells"

by the Singing Dogs

Don Charles of Copenhagen, Denmark recorded this version in 1955.  If you have a dog, you know they are an important part of Christmas and you will smile listening to this song.

  "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"

by James Taylor

This is from Taylor's second Christmas album in 2006.  It has been gaining in popularity ever since to the point where some believe it is the best version of the song ever recorded.

 

 "(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays"

by the Carpenters

Al Stillman wrote the words and Robert Allen contributed the music to this song, first made popular by Perry Como.  The Carpenters' version is right up there as well.

"Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"

Crystals

The Crystals recorded this holiday favorite in 1963.

"Baby, It's Cold Outside"

by Margaret Whiting & Johnny Mercer

Frank Loesser wrote the words and music to this back-and-forth duet (the vocals on the printed score are titled Mouse and Wolf) about a man trying to talk a woman into staying at his home and the woman insisting she needs to go.

This version hit #4 in 1949.

"Sleigh Ride"

Boston Pops Orchestra

Here is the famous version of this song first written by Leroy Anderson. It was first recorded by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops in 1949 and has since become something of a signature song for the orchestra. The clippity-clop of horses hooves and the light crack of the whip add atmosphere.

"Ave Maria"

by Barbra Streisand

The words were taken by the Walter Scott poem "The Lady and the Lake".  Barbra Streisand's amazing voice and range gave this song the lift it needed to make The Top 200 Christmas Songs of the Rock Era*.