Christmas music

[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

[RJNorton]

(12-01-2013 12:48 PM)Rob Wick Wrote:  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

Over the years my wife got so sick of my playing Phil Spector's Christmas Album over and over in the car she has formally banned it! So nowadays I can only play it when I'm driving alone.

[brtmchl]

Thanks Rob those are great. I remember being a kid when MTV just came out. I remember how big a deal the Crosby and Bowie version was but I never liked it. At least until I got older and it grew on me. My favorite version of " The Little Drummer Boy," was by Ray Charles.

I also believe that there are great versions of songs that should be outlawed to sing by other artists.

Blue Christmas - Elvis
White Christmas - Bing Crosby
Oh Holy Night - Faith Hill ( debatable )
Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland
Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives
The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
Do You Hear What I Hear - Johnny Mathis
Baby It's Cold Outside - Ray Charles and Betty Carter

I'm sure there will be some disagreement.

[Rob Wick]

(12-01-2013 01:00 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(12-01-2013 12:48 PM)Rob Wick Wrote:  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

Over the years my wife got so sick of my playing Phil Spector's Christmas Album over and over in the car she has formally banned it! So nowadays I can only play it when I'm driving alone.

It's amazing to me how someone who is so talented is also so crazy, but I guess sometimes that goes hand in hand.

Best
Rob

---

(12-01-2013 01:23 PM)brtmchl Wrote:  Thanks Rob those are great. I remember being a kid when MTV just came out. I remember how big a deal the Crosby and Bowie version was but I never liked it. At least until I got older and it grew on me. My favorite version of " The Little Drummer Boy," was by Ray Charles.

I also believe that there are great versions of songs that should be outlawed to sing by other artists.

Blue Christmas - Elvis
White Christmas - Bing Crosby
Oh Holy Night - Faith Hill ( debatable )
Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland
Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives
The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
Do You Hear What I Hear - Johnny Mathis
Baby It's Cold Outside - Ray Charles and Betty Carter

I'm sure there will be some disagreement.

I have to agree with you on those, Mike. There are also a number of songs I would love never to hear again. "Last Christmas" by Wham tops that list.

Best
Rob

[Hess1865]

It ain't Christmas in this house until I hear Keith Richards singing Chuck Berry's 'Run Run Rudolph'!!!

[brtmchl]

(12-01-2013 03:36 PM)Rob Wick Wrote:  

(12-01-2013 01:00 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(12-01-2013 12:48 PM)Rob Wick Wrote:  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

Over the years my wife got so sick of my playing Phil Spector's Christmas Album over and over in the car she has formally banned it! So nowadays I can only play it when I'm driving alone.

It's amazing to me how someone who is so talented is also so crazy, but I guess sometimes that goes hand in hand.

Best
Rob

---

(12-01-2013 01:23 PM)brtmchl Wrote:  Thanks Rob those are great. I remember being a kid when MTV just came out. I remember how big a deal the Crosby and Bowie version was but I never liked it. At least until I got older and it grew on me. My favorite version of " The Little Drummer Boy," was by Ray Charles.

I also believe that there are great versions of songs that should be outlawed to sing by other artists.

Blue Christmas - Elvis
White Christmas - Bing Crosby
Oh Holy Night - Faith Hill ( debatable )
Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland
Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives
The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
Do You Hear What I Hear - Johnny Mathis
Baby It's Cold Outside - Ray Charles and Betty Carter

I'm sure there will be some disagreement.

I have to agree with you on those, Mike. There are also a number of songs I would love never to hear again. "Last Christmas" by Wham tops that list.

Best
Rob

I would have to go with The Chipmonks Christmas album. The whole thing. I am going to be hearing it in my sleep. The kids love it and today has been the day we got out the tree. It should be classified as a torture technique. Another one I could go without ever hearing again is the one with the Italian Christmas Donkey.

[LincolnMan]

At the Nash house, it's Elvis all the way. However, we also love that Christmas CD by the Carpenters. You can't beat Karen Carpenter's vocals. I wonder if the Lincolns sang Christmas songs together at home?

[Eva Elisabeth]

I love all the oldies. And Xmas time is the season to attend the Nutcracker at least once.

[LincolnMan]

Eva: yes, the Nutcracker! How right you are. My daughter and I attended a performance of the Nutcracker last Christmas holiday at the Detroit Opera House. What a memorable night!

[Hess1865]

Also worth listening to is the 'Blue Yule' comp, a bunch of old r&b Xmas tunes

[LincolnMan]

Available on CD?

[Hess1865]

(12-01-2013 08:49 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Available on CD?

I bought my copy back around 1990-haven't seen it in stores for quite a few years now-try Amazon
Its a good one, trust me!!

[LincolnMan]

Yup, Amazon has it! $10.91.

[Angela]

Can we please talk about this epic Christmas moment? (Clarence!!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSgEDKjmT5o

Then again - it's a tie between the Boss and Mario Lanza:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT9d9JnDmRA

Does that make sense?

Great thread - I'm SO in Christmas spirit!!!

[Gene C]

Then you'll enjoy this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HsdRbNMnRM

and this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6CKJ_Kj7sA