Christmas  Songs -  A Modern American Tradition

   Contemporary Christmas Songs became part of our culture when Bing Crosby recorded Irving Berlins' "White Christmas" in 1942. It was featured in the movie "Holiday Inn". This beloved song become so popular that it became the top selling record of all time (until the age of the internet established itself in the mid 1990's.) Radio stations play this classic  during the Holiday season.  As a matter fact the original master recordings of "White Christmas" were worn out due to overuse! Bing Crosby was asked to come back to the studio and re-record the song (as best he could) in 1948. This is the version which is heard every year. However, if you watch "Holiday Inn", there are some subtle differences in the song!

   Here are my twenty favorite Christmas Songs:   (no particular order)

1. White Christmas  / Bing Crosby  (A most wonderful Holiday Classic)

2.  The Christmas Song  / Nat 'King' Cole.  (It was written by Mel Torme)

3.  Santa Baby  / Eartha Kitt  (No artist could ever capture this sultry style !)

4.  Blue Christmas / Elvis Presley  (Only the "King" could give this interpretation !)

5. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas / Judy Garland  (Here is a song which has been '"covered" many times. Judy's performance in "Meet Me In St. Louis" is legendary)

6.  The Little Drummer Boy / Harry Simeone Chorale  (The original and best version)

7.  Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer  / Gene Autry  (This was his biggest hit song! )

8.  Holly Jolly Christmas / Burl Ives  (This rotund actor was great in the "Rudolph" movie)

9.  Rocking Around The Christmas Tree / Brenda Lee  (Interestingly enough, this song was recorded in 1958, and was a "dud". It was not until 1960 that it got "air" play and took off!)

10.  Jingle Bell Rock / Bobby Helms   (The artist of "My Special Angel" struck gold here !)

11.  I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus / Jimmy Boyd  (Another late 1940's classic)

12.  The "Chipmunk" Song / David Seville  (Who does not know Alvin, Theodore, & Simon?)

13.  Marry Christmas Darling / Karen Carpenter  (Her wonderful voice is remembered)

14.  Mary's Boy Child / Harry Belafonte  (A great "cover" of this song is by "The Boney M")

15.  Little Saint Nick / The Beachboys  (I like the lyric "Christmas comes this time each year" at the end of the song)

16.  Oh Pretty Paper / Roy Orbison  (It was written by Willie Nelson. the country singer)

17.  All I Want For Christmas /  Spike Jones  (All he watned was his two front teeth !)

18.  Felice Navidad  / Jose Feliciano  (A very unfogettable song with a lievel beat )

19. Home For the Holidays / Perry Como  (Perry was a great 1950's - 60's crooner)

20.  The Most Wonderful Time of The Year / Andy Williams (Another annual Classic !)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Did I forget  "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer", or  "The Barking Dogs"?

Many of these songs may be found on "You Tube" !   Enjoy them!