Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

Rob Wick · (This post was last modified: 12-01-2013 01:49 PM by Rob Wick.)

Fourteen years of working retail has pretty much killed whatever Christmas spirit I might have had. However, there's one thing that I've always enjoyed, and that is Christmas music (as long as it's not played until after Thanksgiving). For no particular reason, and with the knowledge this has nothing to do with Lincoln, I would like to present my top ten list of Christmas music.

One of the best things I remember about growing up during the holidays was watching Bob Hope's Christmas specials. One of the traditions was when he and one of his guests would sing "Silver Bells." Here's the first time he sang the song onscreen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu_vqisMD54

It's hard to beat the King on anything.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I2f1UJjiAA

I don't think I actually saw this when it first appeared, but the idea that David Bowie and Bing Crosby would do anything together is just too good to pass up. Evidently, Bowie hated the song "Little Drummer Boy" and his part was written especially for him. I've always wondered if Crosby had any idea who Bowie was?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiXjbI3kRus

John Mellencamp contributed this to the album "A Very Special Christmas." I never liked this song until I heard it performed by Mellencamp. The little girl is adorable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsat4e8jgHA

Bing Crosby makes a second appearance, even though I hate snow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yg5g_Xl-uU

Of all the classic Christmas songs, this one never fails to raise a lump in my throat when I watch it. I cannot stand to listen to anyone but Judy Garland sing this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yudgy30Dd68

If anyone has a smoother voice than Nat King Cole, I've never heard it. Ironically, he said it was smoking that gave him the velvet voice. Of course, it was also smoking that killed him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__kQ1PCP6B0

Mariah Carey's song is cheesy and schmaltzy, and I love it! Besides, there are much worse things to look at.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXQViqx6GMY

The only thing Burl Ives and I have in common is that we both went to Eastern Illinois University. I often think this song is my favorite, and others it's second on the list. I like it because it reminds me of "Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer" which is the best Christmas special (apologies to Charlie Brown).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5oFfy6jzlk

Finally, if I could only listen to one song at Christmas, this would be it. She's been singing it on David Letterman's show since 1986, and each year the production gets a little bigger. It's off of the best Christmas album ever recorded.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkaWqneQ0Tg

Best
Rob