There’s been some recent flutter of activity on a post from two years ago regarding my favorite Christmas songs. I felt that it was necessary for me to update the list and add some new ones and take away some others.
Here’s the deal: I was a little rash in picking my favorites and I perhaps jumped to a few conclusions. I still maintain that these are my least favorite holiday jingles:
- Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney
- Happy Christmas (War is Over) – John & Yoko and the Plastic Ono Band & the Harlem Children’s Choir
- Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town – Bruce Springsteen
- Santa Baby – Kylie Minogue
- I Want a Hippopottamus for Christmas – Gayla Peevey
- Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer – Elmo & Patsy
There’s one I would like to add…the “Christmas in Kansas City” song on Star 102. I HATE that song…only because it is tailored to the city and it is sung poorly. I imagine that some dude is holed up in a cabin in Idaho taking orders from radio stations across the nation…”Honey, we got an order from Little Rock! Fire up the synthesizer!”
I don’t know what it is about that song that grinds my gears, but I just can’t stand it.
On a happier note, there are some songs I would like to single out as some of my recent favorites. First, if you haven’t heard Sarah McLachlan’s new album, Wintersong, you should check it out. Her take on these timeless classics (particularly Gordon Lightfoot’s Wintersong and the remake of River…beautiful) is so great and she brings her unique voice to songs I had really lost hope in (mostly Happy Christmas/War is Over, which opens the album).
Past that, I’ve got some other new favorites:
- Guster’s “Donde Esta Santa Claus” is a great fun pop Christmas Song from Nettwerk’s Christmas compilation
- Anything off the John Denver & the Muppets album
- Coldplay’s version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” on the NBC Sounds of the Season album
- The Christmas Song by The Dave Matthews Band (can be found here or here)
I’m sure that I could think of more if given time, but I just wanted to put this post up to get you in the Christmas spirit. I hope that you’re enjoying this time of year.
I just wish it would snow.
*sigh*
One of my all-time favorites is the “Mr. Hanky the Christmas Poo” song from South Park. This is one of the all-time Christmas great funny songs…probably even better than grandma got run over by a reindeer.
If you like Sarah M. you will love the Jewel Christmas CD. By far, it is the best Christmas CD!
“Because it’s Christmas….Kansas City Christmas.” that song rocks!!! Just kidding. Q104 plays this song called “Dear Santa”…it’s freakin hilarious. This guy sings as though he’s kids from all over the world and sings their list to Santa(obviously making fun of other countries). I hope you’ve heard it.
when i started reading i was thinking maybe i should borrow the Sarah M CD = sounds good – than i read that you rate the John Denver and Muppets as great – i’m thinking something totally different now. have a merry christmas – are you ever going to come back to church?
Dude, what about TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA??
C’mon, you gotta love that little slice of Spinal Tap/Dream Theater/Queensryche meets Manheim Steamroller that gets played by Johnny Dare and his crew every Christmas. I mean, who doesn’t want a forty-minute, face-melting, guitar-wielding version of Carol of the Bells to wake up to on Christmas?
Yes, I admit it, I bought “Christmas Eve and Other Stories” when it came out. And I dig it.
Mike – Mr. Hanky is definitely a Christmas classic…maybe not a top-tenner, though.
Jackie – Jewel CD…own it. Love it. Good stuff. Her Christmas version of “Hands” is fantastic.
Brett – Country is stupid. I don’t listen to Q104.
Brad – Don’t knock John Denver & the Muppets…BEST. CHRISTMAS. ALBUM. EVER.
Jim – Trans-Siberian Orchestra is OK, but when I got “The Christmas Attic” I got really freaked out when there were songs with words. Just give me the Christmas Rock’N'Roll, you know?
Wait…did you just claim that the John Denver and the Muppet’s Christmas Album (which I happen to have on vinyl) is the best Christmas album ever AND then state that country music is stupid? Have you not heard any of JD’s other work?
Oh well, it’s your blog. You can contradict yourself all you want. I’ll stop bogarting the mic now.