The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time, December 8

 Welcome to our updated version of the special we first produced in 2011.  Here are eight more great Christmas songs!

 

 "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful"

by Pentatonix

We lead off today with the group named after the pentatonic scale, a scale with just five notes per octave.  Although they do cover versions of popular songs as well as original material, the group is best known for their renditions of Christmas standards.

 "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"

by U2

U2's version of the standard by Darlene Love makes our list!  Phil Joanou, who was making the film Rattle and Hum at the time for the group, directed this video, which was filmed in November of 1987 at the Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where the group was set to perform.

  

"A Marshmallow World"

by Johnny Mathis

This song was written by Carl Sigman and Peter DeRose in 1949.  Bing Crosby had the first hit with it but when Mathis included it on his Sounds of Christmas album in 1963 it became the most popular version.

 "Believe"

by Josh Groban

Here is another of the most recent additions to The Top Christmas Songs of All-Time*, which gives Josh Groban 5 entries.  Written by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri, "Believe" was featured in the 2004 movie The Polar Express.

 

 "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"

by the Jackson 5

This legendary group covered Jimmy Boyd's song for their Christmas album in 1970.

 

 "The First Noel"

by Kenny G

Here we have a traditional carol, generally thought to be from the 18th century.  The word Noel is from the French word meaning "Birthday".  The song was first published in 1823 in Carols Ancient and Modern, edited by William B. Sandys and arranged, edited and with extra lyrics added by Davies Gilbert.

Kenny G included it on Faith:  A Holiday album and his special touch generated interest enough to include it in this special.

 "Winter Wonderland"

by Aretha Franklin

A young Aretha recorded an exciting and passionate version of this song in 1964.  It was good enough to make The Top 200*.

 "Silent Night"

by Perry Como

This was on the album Perry Como Sings Christmas.  Como's reverent tone is not lost on listeners and is the reason for its great appeal.