It’s the day after Thanksgiving 2023 and I’m changing gears a bit and offering my recommendation for a playlist of Christmas songs. I haven’t ventured until now in music on my blog, so here goes …
You’ll find traditional, non-traditional and, frankly, just strange offerings of Christmas songs. Here’s the list in order I’m listening on my iPhone (the link to each song is to the offering on YouTube):
Let’s kick it off …
“Christmas in Hollis” | Run-DMC
If it’s good enough for the Christmas movie “Die Hard,” then it’s the perfect start to my play list. It was released as a single in 1987 (“Peter Piper” was the B-side) and was included on two compilation albums that same year.
Next …
“All Alone on Christmas” | Holiday Express
Here’s a wonderful song used early in the movie “Home Alone 2.” According to Wiki, it was “arranged by Steve Van Zandt, and recorded by Darlene Love with members of both The E Street Band and The Miami Horns.
Next …
“Christmas Vacation theme song” | Katie Campbell
You just have to put the title song to the best-ever Christmas movie on my playlist – “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
Next …
“Jingle Bells” | The Brian Setzer Orchestra
Here’s a traditional Christmas song with the big-band sound provided by Setzer and his group. Get up and dance! You’ll enjoy its verve and pace!
Next …
“Walkin’ ‘Round in Women’s Underwear” | Bob Rivers & Twisted Radio
OK, so … let’s not get political on this one. However, Rivers did a very interesting take on “Winter Wonderland.” If you can’t have a little fun with this one without making a political statement, you’re immediately on Santa’s “naughty” list.
Next …
“Feliz Navidad” | Jose Feliciano
Here’s the first holiday song primarily in Spanish that I heard and I enjoy it today as much as I did when it was released in 1970. Feliciano helps make the Christmas season a lot of fun.
Next …
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” | Amy Grant- “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” | Brenda Lee
Here’s a Christmas winner with country music icons Brenda Lee and Amy Grant doing their own versions. You’ve most likely heard Lee’s version the most, but Grant does a tremendous job, too. No holiday playlist is complete without one or both of these songs. I put Amy’s version above Brenda’s on my playlist simply because I like it better.
Next …
“Jingle Bell Rock” | Buddy Helms- “Jingle Bell Rock” | Neil Diamond
Here’s another winner, but with Helms doing the most popular version, while Diamond had it on his Christmas album. Rock ’n’ roll obviously had an influence on Christmas songs.
Next …
“Step into Christmas” | Elton John
It appears that many major music stars have a “Christmas” album or song. Sir Elton John is no exception. It was originally released as a single in 1973 with “Ho, Ho, Ho (Who’d Be a Turkey at Christmas)” as the B-side. Like many songs on this playlist, it is up-tempo.
Next …
“Little Saint Nick” | The Beach Boys
Here’s a Christmas song that pre-dated Elton John’s effort by 10 years and is a nice song to segue between up-tempo and more traditional, staid Christmas music selections. It was originally released as a single in 1963 and the B-side was “The Lord’s Prayer.” Thank you, Beach Boys!
Next …
“Let it Snow, Let it Snow” | Dean Martin- “Jingle Bells” | Sammy Davis Jr.
Here are two Christmas classics from members of the Rat Pack. Deano and Sammy were at the heart of the Rat Pack and, while both were nice crooners, Sammy was by far and away the better singer. Still, check out Christmas with the Rat Pack.
Next …
“Mele Kalikimaka” | Bing Crosby
Yet again, here’s a neat Christmas song highlighted on the best-ever Christmas movie (“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”). Bing recorded it in 1950 with the Andrews Sisters and it was resurrected yet again for the movie. You can’t beat a winner!
Next …
“Jingle Bells” | The Singing Dogs
I simply have to include this “barking” rendition of “Jingle Bells,” but I didn’t want to lump it together with Sammy Davis Jr.’s version. The song becomes totally annoying very quickly, but it is an iconic “song” for Christmas.
Finally …
“White Christmas” | Linda Ronstadt- “I’ll be Home for Christmas” | Linda Ronstadt
- “Away in a Manger” | Linda Ronstadt
- “Silent Night” | Linda Ronstadt
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” | Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is one-in-a-100-year singing talent and has an entire Christmas album for you to enjoy: “A Merry Little Christmas.” I’ve selected five for this playlist despite Ms. Ronstadt having her own Christmas playlist on my iPhone and iTunes.
So, there you have it! My Christmas playlist. I hope you enjoy the songs as much I’ve come to enjoy them!
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