The American Spectator : My Twelve Favorite Christmas Songs

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The Nation's Pulse

My Twelve Favorite Christmas Songs

By Aaron Goldstein on 12.20.11 @ 6:05AM

Most of these you haven’t been hearing on the radio every day since Thanksgiving.

Although I do not celebrate Christmas I do enjoy many of the songs that have been written about it. Granted, I think it’s a bit much when I start hearing Christmas songs in October. If it were up to me, the playing of Christmas songs would begin after Thanksgiving. With that, here are my twelve favorite Christmas recordings.

12. Twelve Days of Christmas – Straight No Chaser
In 1998, a men’s a cappella group at Indiana University performed a comedic version of the “Twelve Days of Christmas” that had been arranged more than three decades earlier at Williston Prep School in Easthampton, Massachusetts. But Straight No Chaser added a mix of “Dreidel” and Toto’s “Africa” and made the parody their own. It would unexpectedly go viral on YouTube in 2006 and resulted in a recording contract from Atlantic Records.

11. Happy X-Mas (War is Over) – John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
O.K., I know this is an anti-war song. But it manages to transcend its political message with the young voices of the Harlem Community Choir.

10. Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Bruce Springsteen
Recorded during a concert in December 1975, The Boss begins by gently teasing the now departed Clarence Clemons and other members of the E Street Band if they’ve been good this year. But what stands out most about this version of this Christmas classic is how Springsteen sings the song. While most pause between “you better watch out/you better not cry/you better not pout/I’m telling you why,” he sings it like it was a continuous sentence. In a clever twist, the song ends with the first few bars of “Jingle Bells.”

9. Jingle Bells – Frank Sinatra
It was the lead track on the Chairman of the Board’s 1957 Christmas album A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra. The song begins with backup vocals by The Brewster Singers which were arranged by Gordon Jenkins and make this recording a cut above. “I love those J-I-N-G-L-E Bells.”

8. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Dean Martin
Ol’ Blue Eyes wasn’t the only Rat Pack member to get into the Christmas spirit. In 1966, Dean Martin recorded a Christmas album of his own. How can you not like someone who sings, “Rudy the Red Beaked Reindeer”?

7. White Christmas – America
At the risk of sacrilege, while the Bing Crosby recording of the Irving Berlin classic is memorable I prefer a more contemporary version. In 2002, the pop duo America recorded an album of Christmas songs titled Holiday Harmony. The arrangements of several of the Christmas songs they recorded were similar to those of some of their biggest hits. In the case of “White Christmas,” the sound was reminiscent of their 1974 hit “Tin Man.” Indeed, when they perform “White Christmas” in concert it segues into “Tin Man.”

6. Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth – Bing Crosby & David Bowie
On paper, this is the strangest duet in the history of recorded music. Bing & Ziggy Stardust on the same song? While taping his annual TV Christmas special in London in September 1977, the producers arranged for Bowie to sing “Little Drummer Boy” with Crosby. The only problem was that Bowie detested the song. The producers came up with a compromise. Bing & Bowie would sing “Little Drummer Boy” but composed a song called “Peace on Earth” that Bowie would sing as a counterpoint and wove it into the melody. Yet somehow it worked.

This would prove be Crosby’s last Christmas special. Sadly, a month after the recording, Crosby died of a heart attack after playing a round of golf in Madrid.

5. Remember (Christmas) – Nilsson
When Bing Crosby asked David Bowie if he listened “to any of the older fellas,” Bowie replied, “John Lennon and the other one, Harry Nilsson.” While Lennon is remembered for “Happy X-Mas (War is Over),” Nilsson was far less remembered for “Remember (Christmas)” from his 1972 album Son of Schmilsson. Although the song doesn’t actually have the word Christmas in it, the arrangements take you to December and make you think of a time that is very likely never to return.

4. Wonderful Christmas Time – Paul McCartney
The former Beatle wrote and recorded this song in 1979 without Wings although they would appear in the music video with him. I’ve always loved the warmth and good cheer that emanated from this song. I could never find this record in the stores. One night I remember leaving my radio on in the hope of hearing the song so I could record it onto a cassette and at about 4:45 a.m. I leapt out of bed and pressed the record button.

3. Merry Christmas Baby – Charles Brown
This is Christmas at its most bluesy. I like Brown’s understated piano and the soft rhythm guitar. Whenever I hear this song on the radio I feel like I’m front of a cozy fire.

2. Merry Christmas Baby – Otis Redding
The arrangement is 180 degrees away from Charles Brown’s version but every bit as good. Released in 1968, the year following his death in a plane crash, Lord only knows how many Christmas songs the King of Soul could have left with his vocal imprint.

1. I Believe in Father Christmas – Greg Lake
Released in 1975, it was the only solo hit for Greg Lake who is best known as the lead singer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. It does take a rather cynical look at Christmas. “They said there’ll be snow at Christmas/They said there’ll be peace on Earth/But instead it just kept on raining/A veil of tears for the Virgin’s birth.” It is a reminder that we can do better in the New Year, though it seems that New Year has yet to come.

About the Author

Aaron Goldstein writes from Boston, Massachusetts.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (126) | Leave a comment Leave a comment

Vincent Mohan| 12.20.11 @ 7:04AM

Well, Mr. Goldstein, here in the New York area both Happy Xmas/War is over and Wonderful Christmas Time are played to the point of inducing nausea. It is easy to not like someone who sings "Rudy the red beaked reindeer", and Bruce Springsteen was simply over emoting, which is part of his shtick. I will grant you Sinatra's Jingle Bells, but that is also played around here. Perhaps you should change radio stations to hear your songs more often.

Ed White| 12.20.11 @ 9:49AM

Mr. Goldstein's pop list of favorite "Christmas Songs" (songs, not carols) reveals a lowbrow (very low) musical sensibility.

My favorite 12 in no particular order:

1. O' Come All Ye Faithful
2. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
3. O' Holy Night
4. Cantique de Noel
5. Joy to the World
6. Angels We Have Heard on High
7. Carol of the Bells
8. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
9. We Three Kings
10. Silent Night
11. O' Little Town of Bethlehem
12. Away in a Manger

No rock 'n' roll ditties (X-mas "songs") for me. Although I like the secular Christmas songs, the religious carols are my favorites.

Many of the sacred carols are immortal works of art. Well, maybe not immortal because our "culture" is dumbing down at alarming supersonic speed.

Mr. Goldstein's list is made up mostly of poorly-crafted pop tunes that would appeal mostly to teeny boppers.

The more I read AmSpec, the more I am convinced that it is a magazine for uncultivated dimwits.

Anyway, Merry Christmas, y'all! "Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock . . ." ad nauseum.

Evelyn R.| 12.20.11 @ 10:04AM

Ed, you express my thoughts exactly.

Goldstein's list is a reflection of where our culture is at this moment. We are bombarded with musical twaddle everytime we enter a commercial space, even at Christmas.

I had to listen to "Grandma got run over by a Reindeer" while shopping recently at an upscale mall. "Merry Christmas Darling" was another piece of syrupy rubbish I had to endure.

Yes, the culture is going down the drain. No taste. No brains. No nothing of quality.

American entertainment (movies, music, etc.), in my opinion, has lowered the standards of culture, not just here in the goood ol' USA, but all over the world.

It's gone to hell, in fact.

Merry Whatever . . .

Enzo Panyetti| 12.20.11 @ 10:08AM

I'm not much of a hunter, but hearing Paul McCartney's 'A Wonderful Christmas Time' makes me want to go out and shoot some reindeer.

Junk, junk, junk.

And Merry Whatever, as Evelyn says . . .

$$$yes,yes,yes$$$| 12.20.11 @ 10:10AM

More, more, more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Merry Chri$tmas
Jingle Bells
Christ is born
The devil's in hell
Hearts they shrink
Pockets swell
Everybody know
Nobody tell
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Randall| 12.20.11 @ 10:13AM

Shouldn't have read this stupid blog.

There goes my Christmas spirit . . . what little I had.

"Merry Christmas Baby" Goldstein's favorite, for Christ's sake.

God help us all.

(00)| 12.20.11 @ 10:14AM

Whadda you expect from this wretched rag? Something beautiful?

Randall| 12.20.11 @ 10:19AM

No. I read this drivel infrequently, and I always get what I expect: the same old sh*t.

And man is it on here today.

Merry Whatever! And pass it on.

rightasrain| 12.20.11 @ 10:19AM

Humbug, Ed. There'a always been a mix of religious and secular music at Christmas. It's fine to prefer the carols but a lot of the secular songs are worthwhile too.

Randall| 12.20.11 @ 10:37AM

Yes, there are many wonderful secular Christmas songs, but you will find only five on Goldstein's list: Jingle Bells, Rudolph, Santa Claus is coming to Town, Twelve Days of Christmas, White Christmas.

How about

I'll be Home for Christmas
The Holly and the Ivey
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Silver Bells
Winter Wonderland
Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas

The point Ed is making (and others) is that Goldstein's list is made up mostly of crap. CRAP.

Happy Holidays to all! And take time to listen to some QUALITY CHRISTMAS SONGS.

Heavy Medal of Achievement| 12.20.11 @ 10:52AM

I think Whoopi Goldberg's version of "Rappin' Round the Krismas Tree" should be on anyone's list.

kicking, kicking,kinky,kinky| 12.20.11 @ 10:54AM

That Whoopi is a gas!

Anna K. from Emory U.| 12.20.11 @ 12:20PM

With the exception of a few posters--Ed, Enzo,Evelyn, and Randall and a few more--most of you, I must say, have appalling bad taste in music (and all other arts, I suspect).

You have inadvertently proven the popular belief that right-wing conservatives (traditional conservatives excepted) are dumb, uncouth, and uncultivated.

Sorry to say this, but after reading Goldstein's stupid post and the reactions, I just felt compelled to add my opinion, like it or not.

Depressing. I expected to read something in the holiday spirit, but . . . Sorry I clicked on to this putrid holiday post.

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee| 12.20.11 @ 12:21PM

You're not the only one, Anna.

rightasrain| 12.20.11 @ 12:27PM

And you have appallingly bad manners.

kingsmill| 12.20.11 @ 1:51PM

It's a kitsch list. Did you expect a non-Christian to recommend Bach's Christmas Oratorio?

Untwist your panties. Maybe if you take your kitsch with a little arugula-like BHO-it will be more palatable.

Allen Cohen| 12.20.11 @ 6:45PM

Two of our greatest carols were composed by Jews: O' Holy Night and Carol of the Bells. Of course Jews wrote many of our secular Christmas songs, including White Christmas (Irving Berlin).

I'm Jewish, and I love the carols best. We have always played them in our house. I have also sung in Christmas cantatas.

Fred C. Dobbs| 12.23.11 @ 5:48PM

Emory U. is a hotbed of southern LEFTISTS. Who cares what they think? We invite you to stay the bleep off this post henceforth and forever more.

rightasrain| 12.20.11 @ 10:52AM

I agree that some of the choices might be questionable, but it is his list and, as they say, in matters of taste there can be no dispute. Plus, he was obviously going for a more rock and roll take on Christmas rather than the standards. But since this is such a nice break from the dreariness of the campaign, I'll stoke the fires further by adding The Kinks Father Christmas for some Christmas 'tude and Jackson Browne's Rebel Jesus.

Evelyn R.| 12.20.11 @ 11:05AM

So no standards can be applied to "taste." You're saying one man's taste is as good as another's.

So with this reasoning we can assume that you would say that the musical depth and quality of lyrics of Merry Christmas Baby is equal to "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jackfrost nipping at your nose, Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow will find it hard to sleep . . ."

There are criteria for craftmanship, and "The Christmas Song" is crafted far better than "Merry Christmas Baby."

A Touch of Class| 12.20.11 @ 11:20AM

At the top of my list?

Kwaanza, the Happiest Days of the Year

rightasrain| 12.20.11 @ 12:07PM

I'm saying that one man's meat is another man's poison. Within fairly wide parameters, taste is subjective. If Aaron likes Merry Christmas Baby better than The Christmas Song so be it. Debating who has the better "taste" is pointless and futile.

John McDougald| 12.20.11 @ 12:51PM

"Debating who has better 'taste' is pointless . . ."

Your attitude helps explain why standards have fallen so low, and both the intelligent left and right will agree that standards of taste are lower than ever.

The culture is becoming less civil and more coarse, and the crudeness is reflected in the bad taste in contemporary music.

We need more critics and more serious criticism of the dumbing down of our culture, what's left of it.

Culture matters.

rightasrain| 12.20.11 @ 1:18PM

Oh lighten up. we're having some fun with Aaron's list and you humorless grinches are taking this way too seriously. Culture is indeed important but as it pertains to matters as insignificant as Christmas tunes, taste is subjective and my opinion is as valid as yours. Moreover, to suggest that you get to decide what is and isn't tasteful is anti-conservative and inimical to personal freedom.

Occam's Tool| 12.20.11 @ 4:47PM

How about Eartha Kitt and "Santa Baby?"

It's around this time of the year that I grab my CD of Israeli Army Marching Music (the same one that I studied to when I studied for the MCATs to get in the proper "mood"---my score was higher than the average at Harvard Med and got me accepted as an out of stater to my alma mater, UTMB)---and bliss out thinking of Merkavas running over Paulbots, while blowing them to pieces with shells from the nifty built in mortar that can be fired from inside the tank. Is that so wrong?

caitlin| 12.21.11 @ 3:55PM

Yes! Love Jackson Browne's "Rebel Jesus." I have it on a Chieftains disc, called the Bells of Dublin. It has some really neat arrangements of traditional carols, as well as Browne's song and "St. Stephen's Day Murders sung by Elvis Costello.
Another favorite is the disc by James Taylor. I like every song on it. And Jingle Bells is quite different.

POST-American| 12.20.11 @ 6:18PM

/Bright Shining star and I'm hurtin'
/Celopatra's wig and Sir Richard Burton
/Prozac in my mind (I find)
/Slipped and fell on watermelon rind
/Hoozat? Thalidimide? By my side?
/Eugenics! Where?
/Blue streaks of Ribeye
/Streaming from the December moon
/Who? What? Where? But then? Come again?
/Obama Diorama and Eugenics
/Greatest show on earth, folks
/Plasma induced highdef star of wonder
/Star of wonder!
/Tarbaby

No need to thank me. God thanks me.

Lorrie| 12.20.11 @ 6:20PM

Beautiful.

Brings tears to my eyes, POST.

Penny| 12.20.11 @ 6:22PM

Lovely Christmas poem . . . and so deep. Touched my heart.

Another one, please? Pretty please?

Post-American| 12.20.11 @ 6:51PM

Just this couplet:

Hark! the Harley Hogs sing
Hear that pinball machine go ping, ping,

Anybody got a match? I want to set this monitor on fire. Burn the damn thing up and watch it melt.

Merry Christmas

rightasrain| 12.20.11 @ 7:26AM

I was with you until you mentioned the execrable McCartney song. I suggest you give Christmas Must Be Tonight by The Band and Fairytale Of New York by The Pogues a listen. They'll surely be on your list next year.

kEEling oVer| 12.20.11 @ 11:24AM

"Suck it Up!"

a song about xmas eggnog by the StormTroopers

it's the flavah of the month

Dave | 12.20.11 @ 7:55AM

I'll spare the snarky comments regarding Arron's Top 12 Christmas songs. I learned many moons ago that when it comes to music, "taste is in the ear of the listenee." Having said that, allow me to add one selection that really isn't that old (recorded about three year ago) but is one of America's classic holiday melodies that was given a very special treatment by the wonderful Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan. For those who don't follow this stuff, Ms McLachlan is the anti-Britney, Christina, Snoop Dog of contemporary music. Anyway, if you're inclined, give yourself a break from the "Hip-Hop Christmas at Biggy Small's House" c.d., and listen quietly to Sarah's treatment of ... Silent Night. You might enjoy it, you might not. As I said: It's an ear of the beholder thing. Me? I always keep a fresh box of Kleenex handy when that one's playing.

Merry Christmas, kids. And Happy New Year to all.

rightasrain| 12.20.11 @ 8:01AM

My favorite version of Silent Night is a duet by Karen Akers and Andrea Marcovicci on the cd A Cabaret Christmas. It will take your breath away.

Claypoole| 12.20.11 @ 6:14PM

Stevie Nicks version of 'Silent Night' is lovely.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

E. Oliver| 12.21.11 @ 8:09AM

Sarah's "Silent Night"

Sarah's "What Child is This/ Greensleeves"
As Dave stated "an ear of the beholder" kind of thing.

SuffolkVA| 12.20.11 @ 8:02AM

Not to include Joni Mitchell's "River" on a list of wonderful but off the beaten path Christmas songs is surprising!

Ken (Old Texican)| 12.20.11 @ 8:06AM

I guiess my favorite is "The Halleluiah Chorus". Perhaps second "Oh Holy Night"

Margie| 12.20.11 @ 10:41AM

My favorite is "Ave Maria."

Margie| 12.20.11 @ 12:48PM

Haha, not my post there ^^

Tra La La La La| 12.20.11 @ 1:15PM

But you do love "Ave Maria," don't you, Margie.

Guonod's and Shubert's versions are musical masterpieces. Agree?

Margie| 12.20.11 @ 3:26PM

No, I don't love it, sorry.
See my posts, below.

Calvin | 12.20.11 @ 8:10AM

Gee.
Not too many references to the baby Jesus in your A-list.
Maybe, besides having poor musical taste in general, you have missed the whole point of having Christ-mas.
(But I hope you have a Merry one nonetheless).

diskojoe| 12.20.11 @ 8:31AM

I think that Otis Redding's version of "Merry Christmas Baby" was the last truly joyous song.

Booker T. & the M.G.'s, the band that backed up Otis on that song also did a Christmas album called In the Christmas Spirit which is worth listening to.

Maus| 12.20.11 @ 11:29AM

Hey!

"Santa's Big Fat Ass" by the ShrillKills has a good beat and you can dance to it

Occam's Tool| 12.20.11 @ 4:49PM

Booker T and the MGs were the Stax records in- house band.

WRTolkas| 12.20.11 @ 8:39AM

I remember watching the Bing Crosby Christmas Special with guest performer David Bowie (1977). In my youth, I thought this was some producer's idea of a cruel joke on ol' Bing. So I waited for David to arrive in a metallic suit with heavy eye makeup - the public was introduced to a David Bowie in a sports jacket, a David Bowie we didn't know existed. Then the duet with Bing. I thought here it comes. Again shock - I listened for the first time to the tune that would be my favorite Christmas song. Don't judge a book by its cover.

Merry Christmas to All.

Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 12.20.11 @ 8:59AM

My favorite Christmas song is from an obscure Jon Anderson (of Yes fame) album named Three Ships from the 80's. He does a great version of Oh Holy Night on it, with some female singer (I don't remember her name?, but she's got a great voice). Actually, the whole album is great, because the entire album is dedicated to Christmas. So I pull it out each year, and get back into the Christmas mood, which can be hard to do here at FT Bragg, because there's no snow anywhere to be seen, and Christmas and snow are supposed to go together. Plus doing push-ups, and sit-ups, and running every day, kind of makes you forget all about Christmas too!!

rightasrain| 12.20.11 @ 9:22AM

I just youtubed this--it's really good. Jon sings with Sandra Crouch the American gospel singer.

Minuteman78| 12.20.11 @ 9:24AM

Here's three I recommend to dig up:
Winter Wonderland - Chicago. This cover is I think the best one ever - they take that patented Chicago horn style, throw in some cool alternate chords, and it just gives me chills.

Santa's Gone Surfin' - Danny M0rris Band. Starts off with a riff lifted straight from Fun,Fun,Fun, and it slides predictably but smoothly into a very well done Beach Boys style tune. (Danny is both a friend and was voted Brevard County's (FL) best guitarist a couple of years ago.)

Christmas Time is Here - Diana Krall. Probably my favorite Christmas song of all time, and she does it so beautifully. It always takes me back to when I was young and waited anxiously for the Peanuts special every year. (Before VCRs). Back when Christmas was magical and not just a financial butt-whipping.

Maus| 12.20.11 @ 11:31AM

another good one is

"Stick it on the Tree" a heavy metal classic! you never heard guitars scream like they do on this hot number

Just got off work| 12.20.11 @ 6:53PM

The toxicity is killing me. Cut it out. I'm worn out reading this mischief.

emilio lizardo, PhD| 12.20.11 @ 9:25AM

You can never go broke underestimating the taste of the American public. Hey Aaron, where's " I saw Daddy kissing Santa Claus"? Jeez what a compilation of dreck. For my my money John Fahey's virtuoso slide guitar "Silent Night"

Herb| 12.20.11 @ 10:30AM

Concern over lowering the common culture and taking Christmas with it is not a new thing.

Tom Lehrer's holiday horror "A Christmas Carol" warmed the hearts of scrooges and grinches everywhere when it was published in 1959 on his LP "An Evening (Wasted) With Tom Lehrer". Its protest of crass commercialization went unnoticed.

Of course that was the year that gave us "Jingle Bell Rock" and aluminum Christmas trees.

Anyway, I prefer the classics with sacred lyrics about the birth of our Savior. Although hearing Eartha Kitt purr her way through "Santa Baby" once a year isn't so bad.

astorian| 12.20.11 @ 9:34AM

In no special order, the Christmas songs I look forward to hearing each year include:

"Mary's Boy Child" - Harry Belafonte

"Santa Claus Is Back in Town" - Elvis Presley

"A Soalin' " - Peter, Paul & Mary

Claypoole| 12.20.11 @ 6:19PM

Yes, astorian. "...and man shall live forever more because of Christmas day."

Praise God.

Susie Q| 12.20.11 @ 9:37AM

Yoko Ono screeching Merry Merry Christmas is more suitable for Halloween than the Yuletide.

Hearing Paul McCartney's annoying little ditty in the background at a major department store while I am shopping only puts me in a really Scroogy mood.

What? No Elvis? Blue Christmas, Santa Claus is Back in Town, and my particular favorite, Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me.

From the king to The King, I agree you must have Christ in Christmas. That said, listen to Susan Boyle's O Holy Night. Shivers.

C. S. P. Schofield| 12.20.11 @ 9:41AM

While I can tolerate a pop Christmas tune or two the only one I actually like is the last one on your list. I have a slightly different take on it, though. It contrasts the Christmas that people complain about with the Christmas ideal, and then ends with the lines "Hallelujah Noel, be it Heaven or Hell, the Christmas we get, we deserve.", which, to my ears, says "You want a Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth? Get off your fat ass and do something about it!"

A wise sentiment that both the harried shoppers and the cynical worldlings (whining bitterly about war and famine while sipping Starbucks coffee) could take to heart,

Say Baptist| 12.20.11 @ 9:51AM

Doesn't anyone remember the New York Pro Musica Antiqua's Christmas Album?

Petronius| 12.20.11 @ 10:55AM

Where can I score an LP of that? The Waverly Consort on CBS Masterworks is the closest you can get.

Anommynous| 12.20.11 @ 9:59AM

How about Gaudete:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv3ko_iAO88

John McDougald| 12.20.11 @ 12:59PM

In the Bleak Mid-Winter
Words: Christina Rosetti, poet and sister of the artist Dante Rosetti
Music: Gustav Holst

In the bleak midwinter,
frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold Him,
nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter
a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels
may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
thronged the air;
But His mother only,
in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man,
I would do my part;
Yet what I can give Him: give my heart.

Occam's Tool| 12.20.11 @ 4:56PM

In the Bleak Midwinter in Bethlehem? I mean, the poetry is awesome, but Bethlehem temperature RIGHT NOW at 11:55 PM is 63 degrees F.

Chuckup| 12.20.11 @ 6:31PM

63 degrees F

Another indication of GLOBAL WARMING, assholes!

fake but accurate| 12.20.11 @ 10:00AM

"I'm Dreamin' of a White Kwanzaa / Jus' like the Ones I Never Knew"

Margie| 12.20.11 @ 12:58PM

Haha very funny, good laugh there.

MachiasPrivateer| 12.20.11 @ 10:27AM

Michelle Wright - I Know Santa's Been Here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WGXhhcN7Uk

Lee| 12.20.11 @ 10:43AM

Mr. Goldstein's Christmas song selections completely suck, in my opinion. Listening to bruce screamstream warble "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" makes my spine crystalize. McCartney's "Having a Wonderful Christmastime" compels me to ram knitting needles in my ear. Quality Christmas recordings far-surpassing this disgusting list include those made by The Carpenters, Diana Krall, The Manhattan Transfer, Michael Franks and so many others!

Maria Horvath | 12.20.11 @ 10:46AM

How could you ignore "Merry Christmas Polka" by Jim Reeves?

Seriously, one of the most beautiful carols is by the great Mahalia Jackson, "Happy Birthday to You, Our Lord." The rest of the album, "Christmas with Mahalia" is just as wondrous.

Merry Christmas!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTP_ljLCpps

C Smith| 12.20.11 @ 11:02AM

"Joy to the World"

I always thought this was a beautiful song, but unfortunately, like so many modern songs, it was not consistent with His Word: the Savior does not reign nor “rule the world with truth and grace” at the present. And “thorns still infest the ground.”

As I looked for the words of this song on the internet tonight, I discovered something strange. I found almost a dozen lyrics, but each one different. Some “politically corrected” the word “men” to something they felt was more appropriate. Some changed the tense of the song from “is” to “was.” Some deleted or added verses in entirety. However, the words above are from an old hymnal in the organ.

As I researched it further, I discovered that the name of this song was not Joy to the World, but rather The Messiah’s Coming and Kingdom! This was both the intended meaning and the name that author Isaac Watts had originally pined. Now that I know the song’s true name, words, and intent, I must say that it is my favorite of songs.

Think about the words, and of the time when “heaven and nature” will LITERALLY sing for joy at His coming, and how He will make all things NEW!

“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isa 55:12

Peppermint Tea| 12.20.11 @ 11:15AM

Joy to the World is an Easter song. That and a Millennial song. We sing it at Easter in my congregation.

Margie| 12.20.11 @ 1:39PM

I love it when the truth comes out, especially when it brings His truth out for all to see~ great info., C Smith.
Thanks!

The World calls it Christmas, and celebrates Jesus' birth, but does it know that Jesus still lives?

Do they celebrate the risen Saviour every day for the sacrifice that He went on to make as He died in their place for their sins?

Or is He cursed under their breaths when things don't go their way?

Is He taken down off the shelf and dusted off for Christmas day alone?

Or is He cherished in their hearts continually because not only was He born, but He suffered on the Cross and took upon Him the SIN OF THE WORLD?

and then God rose Him from the dead on the third day, overcoming SIN DEATH and HELL and now lives to make intercession for us?

One of my favorite books in the Bible, the Book of Hebrews contains some of the MOST beautiful pouring out of God's Spirit concerning Jesus that you will ever read.

Jesus, the forever Priest, the One who died once for all becoming the Lamb of God so that no longer are human priests necessary:

"The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but He holds his priesthood permanently, because He continues for ever.

Consequently He is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

For it was fitting that we should have such a High Priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the Heavens.

He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for His own sins and then for those of the people; He did this once for all when he offered up Himself." Heb. 7:23-27.

Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords and King of Kings, the ONLY Mediator appointed by God between God and Man.
Let no one deceive you!

"For there is one God, and there is one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time." 1 Tim. 2:5 & 6.

Yes, Jesus was born, but He lives!

The best music there is to me, and not just at Christmas time, but always, is Handel's Messiah.

God gave him the music and he put it to the Scriptures. The entire thing is Scripture~ from verses about Jesus in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in the New Testament, which is what the Bible is all about~ God declaring the end from the beginning.

I'd say it's got to be the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. Or ever will.

Beginning with the beautiful Words of God in Is. 40:1 & 2, it starts out, "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God... says your God."

"Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins."

Thus begins the prophesying of Christ's first coming.
Open your Bibles and read it and listen...

It is just magnificent, and I cannot listen to it without weeping. Ever.

Just listen to the beginning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmknWYFr6Xk

Merry Christmas indeed.

Serenity +| 12.20.11 @ 6:33PM

Hargie has a handle on Handel's Messiah. And she can sing it to! That woman has an operatic voice! Thrilling

Serenity +| 12.20.11 @ 6:34PM

I meant Margie with an M.

All those Aiches are a nusance.

Serenity +| 12.20.11 @ 6:34PM

Make that nuisance.

Serenity +| 12.20.11 @ 6:35PM

It's my arthritic fingers that are at fault.

If only I had Margie's faith, I could be healed.

Margie| 12.20.11 @ 11:03PM

Try reading the Bible, it's how faith comes.
It's called the "implanted Word." James 1:21.
But I'm probably just casting pearls before swine.. but for anyone who's serious.

Margie| 12.20.11 @ 11:21PM

I wish!

Jensen Lee | 12.20.11 @ 11:03AM

My vote: "White Christmas" by the Drifters. More than a hundred versions of the Irving Berlin’s classic have been recorded. The song made its first appearance in the 1942 movie Holiday Inn, performed by crooner Bing Crosby. But for many, the Drifters’ 1954 version remains the gold standard. The Drifters of the early 1950s were an R&B group built around high tenor Clyde McPhatter. But it was bass man Bill Pinkney, who took a rare lead vocal turn on the song, who makes “White Christmas” unique. Rockaeology at http://bit.ly/u5LCPq tells how racism prevented most of white America from hearing the song for years.

albert constantine jr| 12.20.11 @ 1:06PM

Dip, Dip, Dip de Dip

Grubwork| 12.20.11 @ 6:36PM

ting a ling a ling

Peppermint Tea| 12.20.11 @ 11:13AM

Goldstein, are you even Christian?
Your list sucks, except Charles Brown and Otis.
Add Elvis, Groberg,
and Eartha Witt singing "Santa Baby"; some may think Santa Baby is just a list of the commercialism and greed of capitalistic society (sable, convertible, mines, deeds, jewelry) but it is really an example of the rewards that the Lord has promised those who fear him.

Peppermint Tea| 12.20.11 @ 11:14AM

And "my little saint nick" by the Beach Boys. Classic.

albert constantine jr| 12.20.11 @ 1:10PM

Sorry, but my winner for the most lame lyrics in a Christmas song is the Beach Boys entry: "Christmas comes this time each year" as a chorus (though, oooh, Merry Christmas ba-by was probably crafted in the spirit of the holiday season).

Petronius| 12.20.11 @ 11:21AM

Enough already. And not even a mention of Stille Nacht. The best Christmas music is made in Germany. Ask Michael Praetorius. It's a joy to sing his music: Est is Ein Rose entsprungen; Joseph Lieber Joseph Mein; Singet und Klinget, ihr Kindelein. Next is Gabrieli. If anybody can find music more moving than the chords of O Magnum Mysterium. I love the Coventry Carol. Infant Holy Infant Lowly. Shiloh, by William Billings. Gaudete' from Steeleye Span. There's no sonic Velveeta in this house.

John McDougald| 12.20.11 @ 12:54PM

"Sonic Velveeta"! Love it! May I use it?

Petronius| 12.20.11 @ 1:25PM

only when you listen to John Rutter.

albert constantine jr| 12.20.11 @ 1:12PM

schlaef in himmlicher ruehe (please pardon the lack of umlauts)...

JimH| 12.20.11 @ 11:47AM

I can enjoy an occasional pop Christmas song.Too many pop performances of the classic carols are more about the singer more than the song. My all time favorite carol is 'On Christmas Night'. I first heard it in a Beatrix Potter story, The Tailor of Gloucester which I had bought for my daughter some years back.

Susie Q| 12.20.11 @ 12:07PM

If we are gleefully remembering the absolute worst holiday tunes, here is my all time favorite:

"Please Daddy Don't Get Drunk This Christmas" sung by a whiny voiced kid with swollen adenoids.

rightasrain| 12.20.11 @ 12:23PM

The Christmas Shoes, All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth and those dogs barking Jingle Bells are pretty atrocious too.

Big Java| 12.20.11 @ 12:10PM

Mannhein Steamroller's "Silent Night" and
Judy Garland singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

kingsmill| 12.20.11 @ 12:28PM

Yorkshire folk singer, Kate Rusby, has two great Christmas albums---"Sweet Bells" and "While Mortals Sleep";

Fantastic Christmas carols from Brittany in France done by Ensemble Choral du Bout du Monde, the album entitled "Noels Celtiques". Awe inspiring!

On a lighter note The Kinks "Father Christmas"....God save the Kinks.

JimH| 12.20.11 @ 12:36PM

Your suggestions sound interesting. I will have to give them a listen. And since you mention the Kinks, I should add a song about my wife's old neighborhood, Christmas in Hollis by Run DMC.

Gary| 12.20.11 @ 12:31PM

My favorite is "Please Come Home for Christmas" by Charles Brown, a real bluesy slow dancer that brings back my fondest memories of high school in the late fifties and early sixties, and the brief lead guitar solo is sooooo smooth!

Prester John| 12.20.11 @ 12:37PM

"The Night Before Christmas", by Brandon Heath.

Magnificent.

YouTube it and have a hanky nearby.

Franco| 12.20.11 @ 12:40PM

John Rutter's arrangemnet of the carol "A Bleak Midwinter" and the Pogues "Fairytale in New York" are the only Chirstmas songs I can tolerate (and both are awesome). After reading the author's list, I greatly desired to vomit and worship Satan.

albert constantine jr| 12.20.11 @ 1:13PM

and the boys of the NYPD chorus sing Galway Bay

albert constantine jr| 12.20.11 @ 1:24PM

and who could argue that "you're an old slut on junk" doesn't summarize the sentiment of the season (at least in the drunk tank).

Cynthia from Brooklyn| 12.20.11 @ 1:25PM

And the NYC Gay Men's Chorus CHRISTMAS COMES ANEW

Gloriously musically fulfilling! Buy the album.

1. Christmas Comes Anew 2. Wassail Song
3. O Holy Night 4. I Saw Three Ships
5. Master in This Hall 6. I Wonder as I Wander 7. Lo, How a Rose 8. Trois Noëls Francais 9. Now Is the Time of Christymas 10. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 11. The Virgin's Slumber Song Listen
12. The Holly and the Ivy 13. White Christmas 14. The Twelve Days of Christmas 15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
16. Festival of Carols

A must for Christmas listening!

Bob Grant| 12.20.11 @ 1:03PM

I don't want to be a "hater" so close to Christmastime but this list is just awful. I understand Mr. Goldstein's inclusion of only songs, not carols, due to not personally celebrating the holidays, but couldn't he have devised a better list?

The only thing that could have made it an even more horrendous list would be to include that Alvin and the Chipmonks song.

Otherwise, Merry Christamas Mr. Goldstein.

Bob Grant| 12.20.11 @ 1:04PM

Corr: Christmas

Cynthia from Brooklyn| 12.20.11 @ 1:26PM

Ditto, Bob.

Margie| 12.20.11 @ 1:50PM

Alvin & the Chipmunks!
I remember my parents getting us the records. We loved it, and used to laugh our butts off.
You have to admit, to children they were cute.
And they were chipmunks, not chip monks, Mr. Grant.
LOL.

Bob Grant| 12.20.11 @ 2:03PM

OOOPs...sorry. When I rant my since of spelling goes to heck.

That would be sense.

Margie| 12.20.11 @ 2:52PM

Yes, they weren't monks.. at least not that we know of.
heh.

Claypoole| 12.20.11 @ 6:31PM

I recommend JT Eaton Answer for Chipmunks. It rid our property of chipmunks in 3 months. I fervently hope Alvin was among them.

Unfortunately, the manufacturer took it off the market.

Margie| 12.20.11 @ 11:04PM

Poor Alvin! Now we know why he disappeared!

SF_Exile| 12.20.11 @ 1:18PM

Funny, I don't dislike any of the songs Mr. Goldstein noted, and like him, I too waited for those all too few times when the Paul McCartney song was played. There is just something about the tempo and cheeriness of that song that I can't help but smile even now. And the Greg Lake "Father Christmas" is a true sleeper. I'd also throw in a Pretenders tune, too.

My biggest kvetch is that once the clock bangs midnight December 26th, all traces of Christmas songs get kicked to the curb like so many dried up and miserable looking trees, their silver icicles still dangling from random branches. The secular world says, "Ok, on with New Years! Christmas is over!" Sad but true. Why can't the radio play start a little later and continue through to New Years?

On a more humorous note, I recall in high school (many moons ago) that we foreign language students would learn Christmas songs in class and then torment each other singing them in the hallways. The Latin students would sing "Tinnitus" while we French students would sing "Tintez Cloche" at the same time. Needless to say the noise was unbearable for all of us!
(Jingle Bells never was the same for me after that!)

Margie| 12.20.11 @ 2:49PM

More from Handel's Messiah. And the words.. the words.. are taken from Isaiah 53 in the Old Testament, prophesying of His coming and of His suffering unto death:

"He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with His stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so He opened not his mouth.

By oppression and judgment He was taken away; and as for His generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of My people?

And they made His grave with the wicked and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, and there was no deceit in His Mouth.

Yet it was the will of the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief; when He makes Himself an offering for Sin, He shall see His offspring, He shall prolong His days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in His Hand; He shall see the fruit of the travail of His soul and be satisfied; by His knowledge shall the Righteous One, My Servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and He shall bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He poured out His Soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." Is. 53:3-12.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHuRD5wBF4I

Jeff| 12.20.11 @ 4:38PM

I love Christmas songs/carols. For less traditional Christmas songs, I enjoy Billy Squier's "Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You" and Twisted Sister's "Deck the Halls," along with most of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Blackmore's Night. Of most modern Christmas songs, I find McCartney's Wonderful Christmas to be rather ponderous, but can't stop my self from listening/singing.

sonny boy liston| 12.20.11 @ 6:39PM

How bout Twisted Sister's "I'll Have a Fun Christmas with My Ice Pick?

Creeps me out every time, but in a nice way.

Tina B| 12.20.11 @ 6:39PM

Comedien, singer and musician Mark Lowry wrote and sings a wonderful version of "Mary Did You Know" that Christ lovers will enjoy, take a look/listen on youtube, Merry Christmas to all.

Bale of Hay| 12.20.11 @ 6:41PM

"Mary Did You Know"? No thank you.

To my exquisite ears, it's hideous.

Dipesto| 12.20.11 @ 7:50PM

On yt you can find Fats Waller's "Swingin them Jingle Bells," and a hot swing version of "Jingle Bells" from '35 by Benny Goodman and his band. And this afternoon in a store I visited the piped in music gave us an opus I had never heard before: a girl singing "I Want a Rhinoceros for Christmas." It sounds kinda Broadwayish, but I have no idea where the song came from. And back in the '80s there was a song called "The Night Ronald Reagan Rode with Santa Claus."

albert constantine jr.| 12.20.11 @ 8:15PM

I think I've heard it as "Hippopotamus" instead of rhino, and I sounds like Shirley Temple.

Dipesto| 12.20.11 @ 8:41PM

You are right and I was wrong--it was a song about a hippo. At least it was not a song about a RINO. Re classic old Christmas songs--way back when there was a tradition of listening each Yule season for Madame Schuman Heink to sing Stille Nacht over the radio.

TW in SC| 12.20.11 @ 10:29PM

Still, Still, Still is the one for me that brings complete humility and always a profound sense of, well, sadness. Christmas is always very hard for me. But the song also serves to uplift in the midst of that sadness. I realize that may seem contradictory but...it's a very melancholy time for me.

I know what Christmas truly means and I try to hang on to that core of essence. It's the most important thing, or, should be, I suppose.

And though I have much to be grateful for and try very hard to make sure my brand of unhappiness isn't any worse nor any better than anyone else's, "Still, Still, Still" causes me to weep every time I hear it.

I think of wonderful Christmases I spent at my grandparents' lovely homes as a child, snow outside, snow days from school, the wonderful smells of Christmas, laughter, and now a time that's only vividly painted in my memories.

I live alone now. Well, with my beloved dog who thinks I invented food and air and soft places to lay down. Were it not for him, I'd be beyond rescue. He reminds me that I have obligations and that it's not all about me. And the lullaby "Still, Still, Still" is a peaceful prompt that all will be ok and to be patient and there are many wonderful things yet to come. Perhaps that's where the tears come from.

Margie| 12.20.11 @ 11:19PM

I don't remember that song at all, so I looked it up.
For you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related

Jesus loves you so much, TW.
And your pooch is fortunate to have you, and you him.
We just took in a stray ourselves with the intention of trying to adopt him out.. but now I don't want to part with him.
We thought he was a Beagle, but now we think after doing some research, think he's a Harrier, which is a Beagle on steroids.

Anyhow, Merry Christmas.
God bless you,
Margie
wehavetoomuchstuff@gmail.com.

POST American| 12.21.11 @ 12:13AM

----------------------FINAL WORD-------------------------

AS the 7th Anniversary of the SE Asian
tsunami on MAO's Birthday (Dec 26) approaches,
and as that other uncannily HAARP-esque,
agenda advancing 3/11 and 4/11 tsunami in
FUKISHIMA goes into its 10th month of cover up
and air-brushing-----time to put aside the usual,
by decree, franchise slum holiday props.

AGAIN, those interested in knowing what
it feels like to have a soul will be downloading
Akira Kurosawa's 1952 masterpice

--------------------------'IKIRU'---------------------------

Take it in ---as you contemplate

-----------------HUAC/ Nuremberg 2012--------------

henry| 12.21.11 @ 5:58AM

Try "O Holy Night" with Jussi Bjoerling. It's on You Tube

Dipesto| 12.21.11 @ 6:14PM

Try "Mille Cherubini in Coro," the very popular Italian carol, with music by Schubert. Alagna, Tibaldi, Bocelli, and Pav are on yt singing renditions of it. And for a wartime song (with the anniversaries of The Bulge, and the strange Western Front Christmas truce in 1914 on us now) there is Schuman Heink's 1918 rendition of "The Road Home." If this song does not hit you in the gut you are beyond hope.

Occam's Tool| 12.22.11 @ 3:28AM

Aaron, Aaron: How could you forget "Oy to the World" by the Klezmonauts, both song and album (a very beautiful rendition of "away in the manger" is included in the album).

A Jew selecting Christmas songs has got to know how to do it right. Kneel to Zod, Beantowner!

Vasu Murti | 12.24.11 @ 3:31PM

(The folk song below receives airplay on KFOG 104.5 here in the SF Bay Area during the holiday season.)

"Well, Jesus was a homeless lad
"With an unwed mother and an absent dad
"And I really don't think he would have gotten that far
"If Newt, Pat and Jesse had followed that star