Alright, so with the melting snow, we all need a little more Christmas cheer, so yes, I'm providing you with yet another Holiday Blog. I've been listening to Majic 100 at work, which is our local Holiday Station, and I've been taking note of the songs that I like the most. I've taken the opportunity to play DJ and I have compiled a list of Christmas Favourites to share with you. So here, in no particular order, is my Top 22 Holiday Mix:
Merry Christmas, Baby by Bruce Springsteen - They've been playing the live version, and it just makes me want to get up and dance. Bruce's voice is at it's hot & raspy best, and it's an awesome song to have playing at a Christmas Party...with lots of festive drinks!
White Christmas by Bing Crosby - I love this song. Of course, around here, the guys are singing "Green Christmas" and that's depressing. But even if there is no snow on the ground on the 25th, this song will lift my spirits no matter what.
O Holy Night - It's quite possibly my favourite Christmas song, when sung by a strong voice (they've been playing Josh Groban, but he's not my favourite). If you've got the pipes, it's a good one to belt - it starts off so softly, but gets increasingly dramatic, and it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
New York City Christmas by Matchbox 20 - I believe the boys in Matchbox 20 wrote this song after 9/11 to bring a city some Christmas spirit when they were desperately in need of some. I love the line: "And the sidewalk angels whisper 'Hallelujah'" - it captures a moment of hope amidst so much fear.
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town by the Pointer Sisters - It's upbeat, it's fun, and it's all about knowing the Big Guy is watching you all year long. I heard the Pointer Sisters' rendition yesterday, and it's my new favourite. "You better watch out, you better not cry..."
What a Miracle by Gail Gavan - This is the title song off Gail's Christmas Album, which I listen to every year while wrapping gifts. She's a Quyon girl, so of course she had to make the list. It's an uplifting song and it puts me in the Christmas mood everytime I hear it.
Do They Know It's Christmas? by Band-Aid - Seems like every music superstar from the '80's got together to do this track to raise awareness that people are starving in Africa everyday. While we're sitting down to our big festive dinners, it's important to remember those who are less fortunate, and to make every effort to give them support year-round.
Away in a Manger - Almost every year at church, the kids get up to sing Away in a Manger, and it's always a highlight. It's a sweet lullaby for Baby Jesus, and you can almost imagine a group of children standing by the manger singing it to Him.
Little St. Nick by the Beach Boys - It's next-to-impossible for me to imagine spending Christmas on a beach, but if I were to be stranded on some desert isle for the holidays, I would hope I'd have this Beach Boys tune with me to keep me feeling festive!
Frosty the Snowman by Gene Autry - I think it may be the only Christmas song my dad could ever play on the guitar, and I'm not sure he or Uncle Garry actually know the words, but when all else fails, they can just give 'er the ol' "Thumpity-thump-thump, thumpity-thump-thump"...and nobody even notices.
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by Gayla Peevey -I just heard this song for the first time last year, and I love it! It's kind of a tongue twister, and I giggle everytime I hear it. I tried singing it to Caden last year and he just cried, so I'm hoping for better results this year.
Christmas Time by Bryan Adams - I'm a fan of Mr. Adams, and I really like his seasonal offering. When he says, "It makes me wish it was Christmas all year long," I can't help but think, "I'm with ya on that, Bry."
Christmas in Sarajevo by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra - This is the rockin' instrumental from the Home Alone movies that is supposedly one of the most requested songs for radio play during the holidays. Once it's in your head, you won't be able to shake it. It's almost like a head-banging song...Awesome.
Old Toy Trains by Roger Miller - I learned this song last year on the guitar to sing to Caden on Christmas Eve. Of course, it didn't mean much to him last year, but I have the feeling this year when I sing, "Little boy, don't you think it's time you were in bed?", his mommy & daddy might be thinking the same thing...
Christmas in the Valley by Wayne Ronstadt - You know the tape. You've all got one, or your moms do. The original that spawned so many volumes here in the Ottawa Valley has become a local classic. It's about the only Wayne Ronstadt song I know, and he even played it at Jam Fest a few years ago. In July.
Silent Night - Christmas Eve just isn't Christmas Eve unless Rolly Bernier plays this on his guitar with the lights dimmed at the end of the church service. It gives me chills every year. We all hold candles and sing along, and then he just keeps playing as everyone gets up and leaves the church. It's magical.
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee - What a festive, spirited song - you just can't stand still when you hear it. In that American Dreams episode I mentioned in the Christmas Special Blog, Kelly Clarkson kicks off the show by singing it on Bandstand as Brenda Lee, and I would have loved to have been in that audience for real.
Christmas Day by Dido - Dido's got such a hauntingly beautiful voice, and this song is perfect for her to sing. It's sort of a wistful, bittersweet song about a girl waiting for a boy, who has promised to come back for her on Christmas Day. It's another one that has recently become one of my all-time faves.
Jingle Bell Rock by Bill Haley & His Comets - It's like the Christmas version of Rock Around the Clock, and it's a great tune to dance around to. "What a bright time, it's the right time, to rock the night away..." Sounds like every Christmas Eve party I've ever been to!
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer by Corey Hart - OK, anybody singing this is fun, but they play Corey Hart's live version on Majic, and I love Corey Hart, so I'm picking that one for the list. Every kid loves this song, because you get shout out things, such as "Like a lightbulb!" and "Like Monopoly!" and "Like George Washington!"
Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley - You guys know I love the King, and this is one of my favourites, but if you're not an Elvis fan, you're guaranteed to split a gut laughing at the Porky Pig version. Recently, on the Team 1200, this song was in the running for worst Christmas song ever - not because of Elvis, but because of the loopy background singers. But seriously, who doesn't love to join in on the "Oooo-ooo-ooo" parts?
The Coconut Song - Bet you're saying, "Hey, that's not a Christmas song!" Wanna bet? Ever been to a Young Family Christmas Eve party? Lots of feet stomping, lots of roaring voices, and everybody belting "A-roll a bowl a ball a penny a pitch!" It's just not Christmas without it. One more time!!...
And that, folks, is my Top 22 Holiday Mix. I know, I know, there's so many songs missing...But these are the ones I thought of in the past few days. Feel free to add to the set list in the comments section. If nothing else, I hope you were humming along at some point!
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