Those Warm and Fuzzy Holiday Songs
For me, one of the best things about the holidays is having an excuse to listen to all my favorite Christmas songs again. This lens is dedicated to my favorites, those best of the best that I love hearing during the holiday season. See which ones you recognize, and maybe you'll find a new favorite, too!
(Christmas is December 25, 2009)
Why Do I Love Christmas Songs?
Getting Personal
Singing those songs every single year, I definitely grew to love a few above the rest. Add to this the fact that my mother has always loved Christmas and devoutly listens to those radio stations that play nonstop holiday music from November to January, and I probably didn't have much of a choice.
Over the years, a few versions have risen to the top of the list for me, so on my list you'll find a nice mix of the old classics and a few newer ones, songs that have just struck a chord with me, ones that I love to listen to, and ones that I will gladly sing at the top of my lungs while cruising down the highway.
Great Collections of Christmas Carols
Sing, Sing, Sing!
What Child Is This?
The Josh Groban Version
In 1865, twenty-nine-year-old William Chatterton Dix was struck with an illness and bedridden for many months. While this doesn't sound like a good thing, it gave him time to write a few hymns, one of which has gone on to become a Christmas classic and one of my favorites: "What Child Is This?"Perhaps one of the reasons I love this one so much is that it's set to the melody of Greensleeves, which was always one of my favorite songs to play on piano. It's a flowing melody, easy to catch on to and sing along with, and yet still has the power necessary for a song about the birth of Christ. You can find the lyrics here on Wikipedia.
Several artists have done versions of it, but one of my favorites is Josh Groban's, from his 2007 CD, Noel.
Buy the CD: Noel
by Josh Groban
Noel
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/23/2009)
Not only does he sing some amazing renditions of some Christmas classics, but this CD also features duets with Faith Hill, Brian McKnight, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It's a beautiful collection, with everything from "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "The Christmas Song" to "Angels We Have Heard On High" and "Silent Night" sung in Josh's amazing voice. A must-have for your Christmas collection!
Do You Hear What I Hear?
The Bing Crosby Version
I was surprised to find out that this one was written fairly recently - only in 1962. Having grown up with it, I always thought it was at least from the time of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (the poem, not the claymation Christmas special). Instead, it was written during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis by the husband and wife duo of Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne Baker as a plea for peace.A year later, Bing Crosby adopted the song and turned it into a Christmas favorite with his powerful voice. I know, I know: he's more famous for his "White Christmas" and "Silverbells," but I've always had a fondness for his version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" It's a beautiful song with a message of peace... and it's a great one for the kids, too.
Do You Hear What I Hear Lyrics
Bing Crosby: Do You Hear What I Hear?
Buy the CD: Bing Crosby's Christmas Classics
by Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby's Christmas Classics
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 12/23/2009)
This crooner was famous for his Christmas songs, and this CD features a great selection, from his 1957 "White Christmas" performance on The Frank Sinatra Show to his 1977 "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" duet with David Bowie... and, of course, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" A welcome addition to any classic holiday collection.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings
The Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan Version
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is one of the old traditional Christmas songs. And by old, I mean old. While its lyrics weren't recorded until 1833, it was sung in Britain for centuries before then. It's not known who its composer is, but the song was featured in Dicken's A Christmas Carol in 1843."We Three Kings of Orient Are," on the other hand, does have a known composer: Rev. John Henry Hopkins, Jr., of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He wrote it for a Christmas pageant in 1857, and it has since gone on to become a Christmas classic. It was also my favorite song to play in my grade school's handbell choir.
Now, you may be wondering why I smushed these two together rather than giving them each their own little section. There's a very simple reason for it... because one of my favorite songs does just that! The Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan released a version in 2004 that combined "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "We Three Kings" - two traditionally rather solemn songs - into a quirky, upbeat song that will get your toes tapping and your body moving. Just see if you can sit still through it!
Christmas Songs
by Various Artists
Christmas Songs
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 12/23/2009)
I'll admit it - I bought this entirely because of The Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan's "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." I was pleasently surprised by some of the others, such as Dido's "Christmas Day" and McLachlan's "Song for a Winter's Night." Overall, a quirky, unusual CD to add to your Christmas collection.
The Little Drummer Boy
The Celtic Woman Version
The Little Drummer Boy tells the story of a little boy who goes with the shepherds and the wise men to see the newborn baby Jesus. All the others bring their finest gifts, gifts fit for a king, but the little boy only has his drum - and with Mary's blessing, he plays for the newborn, who smiles at him.It's a sweet story, a touching one that says that not all gifts fit for kings are tangible things. While the best-known version is the Harry Simeone one with the choir of children from 1958, it was originally composed by Katherine K. Davis and based on a traditional Czech carol.
There are a LOT of great versions of this one. I'm really fond of Josh Groban's from his Noel CD and Jars of Clay's version, but I decided on a version I heard for the first time on YouTube: Celtic Woman.
Celtic Woman: Little Drummer Boy
A Christmas Celebration
by Celtic Woman
A Christmas Celebration
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 12/23/2009)
I've watched several of the live performances of these songs, and these women truly have beautiful, angelic voices. If you love Celtic music, you'll appreciate the Gaelic lyrics on many of them and distinctive Celtic flare.
Mary, Did You Know?
The Clay Aiken Version
While several artists have recorded versions of it, my favorite is Clay Aiken's, from his 2006 album, Merry Christmas With Love. He has such a unique gift with his voice, and the song suits his style so well. Definitely a favorite!
Clay Aiken: Mary, Did You Know?
Feliz Navidad
The Jose Feliciano Version
Let's face it, this song is just fun to sing. And it makes up the longest phrase I know in Spanish!
And if you really need them, here are the lyrics to Feliz Navidad.
Jose Feliciano: Feliz Navidad
Time-Life Music: Treasury of Christmas
by Various Artists
Time-Life Music: Treasury of Christmas - Holiday Memories
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 12/23/2009)
This collection features a lot of the classic singers, from Bing, Gene Autry, and Perry Como to Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, and Burl Ives. And, most importantly, it's got Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad!"
What's Your Favorite Christmas Song?
Or Holiday Song, in some cases...
Learn About Your Favorite Christmas Song
For the Inquisitive Mind
Best-Loved Christmas Carols: The Stories Behind Twenty-five Yuletide Favorites
This hardcover collection presents plenty of little-known facts and tracks the history of Christmas carols, all the way back to the 1300s. This one also comes with a CD compilation of a few of the old favorites.
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 12/23/2009)
Spirit of Christmas: A History of Our Best-Loved Carols (Booknotes)
Another one with an enclosed CD of carols. This one has some beautiful artwork to accompany this history of Christmas Carols.
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 12/23/2009)
Joy to the World: The Stories Behind Your Favorite Christmas Carols
This one provides the score, lyrics, and history behind the songs. This one's less for the kids and more for the scholar.
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/23/2009)
Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas (Stories Behind Books)
This one's straight-up history on some of the best loves Christmas songs of all time, including contemporary classics. Written in an easy-to-read manner than won't have you running for the dictionary.
Amazon Price: $11.51 (as of 12/23/2009)
Christmas Songs Guestbook
Share your favorite Christmas song, or just stop by to say hi!
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- ltraider ltraider Dec 24, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
- What a great list! Merry Christmas to you.
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- Susan52 Susan52 Nov 10, 2008 @ 9:27 am
- You included my favorite, Mary Did You Know. Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without Silent Night. Very nice lens, very pretty!
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- susannaduffy susannaduffy Nov 9, 2008 @ 10:55 pm
- Ah how lovely to see all of these treasures of Christmas music together. I enjoyed your information about the composers. Merry Christmas and 5*
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- Treasures-By-Brenda Treasures-By-Brenda Nov 9, 2008 @ 6:45 am
- A beautifully done page, you've managed to pick a couple of my favorites! Lensrolled to my Christmas Music lens.
Brenda
Credit
Giving credit where credit is due!
Other artwork © A.M. Meyer
by Kitsune64
Hi! Kit here, also known as Kitsune64 and A. Meyer. I admit it, I love Christmas music. Whether it's playing in the department stores as s...
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