Christmas is fast approaching. Very fast approaching; I feel like yesterday was Thanksgiving. Christmas is truly is the most wonderful time of the year. I’m a sucker for Christmas lights, old Christmas movies, and all that happy stuff. To celebrate Christmas, I thought I’d countdown my 5 favorite Christmas songs.
For #5, I’m going to go with Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! By Frank Sinatra. Frank is truly the voice of the 50s, and he has a lot of covers that could go on the list. Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, and of course how could you forget Jingle Bells. But for me, Let it Snow Has stood out to me. While the other ones are fun and cheery, Let it Snow feels cozy, like there is a blizzard roaring down outside to the point where you can’t even see the street, but you just don’t care because you’re just sipping hot chocolate by a fireplace. Frank also does a great job with his performance, making it truly unique. It’s just super easy to enjoy this song, which is why it is my #5.
For #4, I’m going to go with Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives. I don’t know Burl personally, but I almost wish I did, because by the way he sings, it’s almost like he is the voice of Santa. He has a booming voice that fills the room, and you can tell he just has a big smile when he sings. He definitely isn’t the most talented singer, but his voice has almost a feel of a brass instrument. Loud and rustic, but yet beautiful and majestic. Holly Jolly Christmas is the perfect song for Burl. A song about wishing someone a Merry Christmas, just because you feel like everyone should. Burl doesn’t just want you to have a joyful Christmas, his charisma almost forces you to drop whatever you’re doing and get in the holly jolly mood.
For #3, I’m going to go with It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams. There isn’t a ton to say here. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year is in my opinion, the mission statement of Christmas. There is no other time of the year, where everyone is happy, everyone is enjoying themselves, parties and presents are all around, and no school or work. Andy gives a loud, gleeful performance, with loud instrumentation. It isn’t quite as inviting as when Burl Ives sings, but the song is so fun and in your face that you can’t help but like it. The way it is presented, every other Christmas song is just the backdrop, and Andy gives us the main attraction. It can be a little too much, and I don’t think it is a super casual listen, which is why it isn’t higher on the list.
For #2 I chose Winter Wonderland by Bing Crosby. In this performance, Bing delivers a performance that is the right amount of powerful and cozy at the same time. At times Bing is super chill, taking in the sweet sounds and sights of Christmas. As the song progresses, Bing gets more and more animated. The song just ties up everything Christmas is to me. Sleigh bells, family, snowmen, and so much more. This song is so much fun every time I listen to it, which is why it gets my #2 spot.
For #1, I am choosing Perry Como’s It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. This song highlights those first moments of the season, when you walk into the mall to Christmas shop and you see Christmas trees and reefs, and lights are up all around town. It captures that feeling of Christmas in it’s early stages. When you have all the festivities to look forward to, but yet snow is falling, and it is time to celebrate Christmas. Not to mention Perry gives a super animated performance that just bounces from start to finish. It makes me want to make Christmas cookies or go caroling or something corny like that. The song is almost too much fun, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously, which really strikes a chord with me. It may not hit other people like it does me, but I just can’t get enough of this song, which is why it is my #1.
So there is my list. Christmas music, being that it is usually the same thing over and over again, just presented a little each time, is always going to be subjective. Everyone looks for there own thing in Christmas music, so I don’t expect most people to agree with my list, but I just hope you give these songs a try.
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