Can you believe Christmas is only a hop, skip and a jump away? Scary isn't it. Have you ever wondered what Christmas is really about? For some it’s the thrill of getting away with spending as much money as possible with the rationalization that it’s Christmas. For others, it’s about spending time with those you love and celebrating the birth of baby Jesus.
This was recently voted the top Christmas tune of all time and I’ve got to agree with it. The biggest selling single of all time, this is probably the epitome of Christmas. While I live in a country where hell is more likely to freeze over than a White Christmas happening, that doesn’t change the fact my vision of Christmas is always winter and snowy.
I love this song. This is the song for me. This is the one that puts me straight into the Christmas spirit. I’m talking about The Band Aid version- not the piece of crap versions that came out a few years back and even further back than that. Let’s face it, if the original is the best you just don’t try and cover it again and again. They’ve covered it twice now, and I’m hoping that they’ve now decided to give up and accept that the original rocks. A Charity single, it soared to the charts and is still played on radio here at Christmas time.
This song is as old as the hills and another personal favorite. It’s also another that gets played repeatedly at Christmas. I was about 7 the first time I heard this tune. It was in Ms Hart’s class at Brown Owl Primary School (Yes I actually went to a primary school named Brown Owl but let’s get past that fact shall we?) and it caught me as soon as I heard it. We actually had to learn how to sing it for a performance. I don’t know why it stuck with me but it just has. It’s a cheerful little tune about Snoopy and the Red Baron and how Christmas is a time of forgiveness. Maybe it gives me hope in a world where there is not much of that- I don’t know. It’s just a beautiful tune.
This is another overplayed tune that I still love. I grew up on this song. Hearing this tune was an indication that Christmas was coming. I have to admit I have a soft spot for anything Beatlesque. Written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, it is actually a protest tune (as with so many of Lennon’s signature tunes) and is actually based on a campaign that Lennon and Ono launched in late 1969 – posting billboards around the world stating War is Over (If You Want It). While that may not have worked, the song quickly has become a Christmas standard.
Another holiday favorite of mine, it’s been redone over and over by many artists but there is nothing better than the original. Released in 1984, it reached #2 on the British charts (Beaten by Geldof’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’), it seems to make a habit of re-entering the musical charts around the world each December.
Any version of this song is gorgeous and a must have. Again, it’s the ‘White Christmas’ version. One of the reasons I love this tune so much is that it is pretty much just vocals and harmonies. No jingly instruments- nothing but stripped vocals. It’s peaceful, it’s beautiful and the guys from Rascal Flatts have amazing voices.
For me, it’s about the music. Christmas does not begin to feel like Christmas until I heard the sounds of “White Christmas” or my clear favorite “Do They know It’s Christmas?”
No matter how awful I’m feeling that little switch plug inside turns neon red and green all my protests of how much I hate Christmas disappear and I’m suddenly flooded with feelings of joy.
In the Spirit of all things Christmas, here are my top ten Christmas songs that should be on anyone’s playlist.
01. White Christmas- Bing Crosby
This was recently voted the top Christmas tune of all time and I’ve got to agree with it. The biggest selling single of all time, this is probably the epitome of Christmas. While I live in a country where hell is more likely to freeze over than a White Christmas happening, that doesn’t change the fact my vision of Christmas is always winter and snowy.
This song has been done by many artists- from The Drifters to Twisted Sister (No, folks I am not kidding you, although I seriously wish I was!), Bing is still the man when it comes to this song. His vocals are smooth, and wistful- the perfect start to the Christmas season.
02. Do They Know It’s Christmas? –Band Aid
I love this song. This is the song for me. This is the one that puts me straight into the Christmas spirit. I’m talking about The Band Aid version- not the piece of crap versions that came out a few years back and even further back than that. Let’s face it, if the original is the best you just don’t try and cover it again and again. They’ve covered it twice now, and I’m hoping that they’ve now decided to give up and accept that the original rocks. A Charity single, it soared to the charts and is still played on radio here at Christmas time.
I heard it for the first time and it struck a chord in me. Not just because it is a charity single, but because the tune is actually quite nice on the ear. With a bunch of musicians big in their heyday (some still are soaring the charts- Bono for an example), it was a brilliant marketing move that worked.
My ultimate Christmas track
03. Snoopy’s Christmas- The Royal Guardsmen.
This song is as old as the hills and another personal favorite. It’s also another that gets played repeatedly at Christmas. I was about 7 the first time I heard this tune. It was in Ms Hart’s class at Brown Owl Primary School (Yes I actually went to a primary school named Brown Owl but let’s get past that fact shall we?) and it caught me as soon as I heard it. We actually had to learn how to sing it for a performance. I don’t know why it stuck with me but it just has. It’s a cheerful little tune about Snoopy and the Red Baron and how Christmas is a time of forgiveness. Maybe it gives me hope in a world where there is not much of that- I don’t know. It’s just a beautiful tune.
04. Happy Xmas (War Is Over)- John Lennon
This is another overplayed tune that I still love. I grew up on this song. Hearing this tune was an indication that Christmas was coming. I have to admit I have a soft spot for anything Beatlesque. Written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, it is actually a protest tune (as with so many of Lennon’s signature tunes) and is actually based on a campaign that Lennon and Ono launched in late 1969 – posting billboards around the world stating War is Over (If You Want It). While that may not have worked, the song quickly has become a Christmas standard.
Interesting little factor- if you hear the beginning- most people think Yoko is whispering Happy Christmas John and Lennon whispering Happy Christmas Yoko. Ono actually whispers Happy Christmas Kyoko and Lennon Happy Christmas Julian.
05. Belleau Wood- Garth Brooks
Taken from his Sevens album, Belleau Wood is very similar in some aspects to Snoopy’s Xmas. It’s a sad tune about a truce over midnight. One of my favorite tunes- it’s another about forgetting and forgiving everything and everyone during Christmas. Christmas is always represented as a peaceful time (rather ironic really since it is a time for all family, who studiously avoid each other during the year, are expected to spend time together) although it not always is. The tune goes on about a German Soldier and an American soldier acknowledging each other at Christmas time before the clock strikes midnight and the truce is broken with the battle beginning all over again.
The song is sung with such beauty and in such a way only Brooks can that it always makes me feel like I want to cry each time I listen to it.
06. Last Christmas- Wham
Another holiday favorite of mine, it’s been redone over and over by many artists but there is nothing better than the original. Released in 1984, it reached #2 on the British charts (Beaten by Geldof’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’), it seems to make a habit of re-entering the musical charts around the world each December.
Another tune that reminds me of everything that is Christmasy- it is also a little bit about heartbreak and not being with the one you love at Christmas.
07. My Christmas Wish- Britney Spears
Yes, you did read rightly. I’m throwing Britney into the mix- something I never thought I would do but let’s face her version of this song does want to make just jump around and get all hyper. It actually inspires me to laugh and dance at Christmas and I don’t dance.
It’s an upbeat, soda-pop, bubble0gum tune but I love it anyway.
08. Merry Christmas- Butch Walker
This is an Anti-Christmas tune but I love it anyway. One of the reasons I love Butch so much is that he’s not afraid to take on the topics that no one else will. Take this song for example. Instead of singing about joy, peace and hope he strips it down and tells a tale about what real Christmas is like for some people.
Gorgeous little anti-Christmas tune and one to add to the ipod.
09. I’ll Be Home For Christmas- Rascal Flatts
Any version of this song is gorgeous and a must have. Again, it’s the ‘White Christmas’ version. One of the reasons I love this tune so much is that it is pretty much just vocals and harmonies. No jingly instruments- nothing but stripped vocals. It’s peaceful, it’s beautiful and the guys from Rascal Flatts have amazing voices.
10. Please Come Home For Christmas- Jon Bon Jovi
Again, this is another tune I have many different artists singing but I prefer Bon Jovi’s version to the rest. Released in 1992 as part of the very successful A Very Special Christmas compilation, it reached #7 on the music charts.
So, come on people with Christmas just a month or so away now, tell me what your favorite Christmas tunes are and why?
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