I know, I know. To my knowledge, I’ve never done one of these TOT things. By the time I get around to doing them, it would be Ten on Thursday, which I suppose would work. I couldn’t resist an opportunity to list my ten favorite Christmas songs, though.
We have a subscription to Rhapsody, which allows us to listen to all the music we want for a flat monthly fee. Believe me, this is cheaper by far than when I was into buying albums. And this way, they have to put the albums away, not me. My holiday playlist currently has over 3500 songs on it. How to choose just ten?
1. Gesu Bambino, my current favorite version is by Ying Huang, who has just a heavenly voice.
2. Sleigh Ride, the Mitch Miller version, from the album Holiday Sing Along With Mitch. Corny, but very singable.
3. Jing A Ling Jing A Long, by the Andrews Sisters, on the album Sing & Swing. Very catchy tune, as only the sisters can do it. Ha ha! Ho ho!
4. In Dulci Jubilo, by just about anybody who sings it.
5. Blue Christmas, only the Elvis version. Anybody else is just an imposter.
6. Merry Christmas From The Family, by Robert Earl Keen. The version on his “Live” album is the best.
7. The Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah, the Mormon Tabernacle version is my favorite.
8. Santa Baby, by Eartha Kitt. Again, anybody else singing this is just not doing it right.
9. Away In A Manger, currently I’m listening to a version by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers.
10. O Holy Night, by the Irish Tenors. Or Il Divo. I’ll take either one. Now that I think about it, pretty much anything by Il Divo would do. They could just stand there and I’d be happy. 🙂
No links, you’re on your own finding these!
Off to go find Santa baby, which has been one of my most recent brain-worms.
Oh! Sing Along with Mitch! My dad had all of those albums, and I knew every word of every single song.
Good choices, I have to say.
You are the second person to mention Merry Christmas to the Family today… Must go listen… *wonders if she should confess to really liking the Bright Eyes version of Blue Christmas but decides that might be unwise*
Lorette, you are so right about Il Divo! Anything they sing sends goosebumps down my spine! I love O Holy Night as well, and have played their Christmas CD over and over again, although I also have that particular track on a CD issued on its own. As you say, they could just stand there and I’d be happy!!
Believe it or not, Jessica Simpson actually does a decent version of Santa Baby…
cool- I like many of your choices. So, with that unlimited membership your can download, too? we have Sirus, but it’s just listening. Like the socks and the dog mittens! Bow wow!
Your list has me reminiscing. And searching for some of those songs. My Mom had the Andrews Sisters’ song on an 78 rpm record. I’ve inherited both her lack of vocal talent and the joy of singing. (Not always so nice for the others in earshot!)
CeCe Winans does a great O’ Holy Night, also.
Ahhhhh, Il Divo. My gift to myself when I turned 50 was seeing them perform with 6 of my good friends. It was a night of auditory and visual delights!
Oh my gosh! I’m a big Robert Earl Keen fan, and I know I’ve got Merry Christmas From The Family on my ipod, but it didn’t occur to me to put it into my Christmas playlist (where, btw, Eartha Kitt’s version of Santa Baby resides). Anyway — I’ll be adding Robert Earl to the Christmas playlist!
Amen on Il Divo! I could just listen to them not singing and be happy, but they have become one of the ‘fav five’ that we play as we open gifts on Christmas morning.
I let them sernanade me as I finished decorating yetsterday. Don’t we have excellent taste!
Happy holidays,
Jan in Pennsylvania
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas music! I thought I was obsessed with my 400 Christmas songs on my iPod… I will now bow down to your awesomeness with over 3000 songs! You ARE the Christmas Goddess!
I have not heard those songs…well, I have heard some of the songs, but not by those artists. The one I will whole-heartedly agree with is the Santa Baby one… No one does it like Eartha Kitt!
Heard of Reliant K? A new-er band with a cool twist on I’m Getting Nuttin for Christmas and the 12 days of Christmas…
: )
LOVE YA!
D
Blue Christmas by Elvis – YES THE one and only! BUT Brian Setzer did a great version… not on the same level as Elvis, but pretty dang close.
Now I won’t be able to get Blue Christmsa out of my head for a bit…and you’ve been tagged. Check out the blog for details
I have to say, I have finally figured out where my sister gets it from – you guys are nuts with your Christmas music!
I have an Il Divo CD with Amazing Grace on it that is amazing! They performed it on Oprah & I had to get it right away. Also, I recently saw Kelly Pickler sing Santa Baby, and she did it proud. You are awesome with so many Christmas songs!!! Kenny & Dolly’s Christmas CD “A Christmas to Remember” is still my fav, tho…listening to it as we speak. Elvis is a good second. Merry Christmas! Love, Linda