'Tis the Season! Share the Music of the Season

So we usually have threads with Christmas/Holiday music in them. I thought I'd do one with favorite and least favorite Christmas music. You can post you songs an explain why you like them.



"Carol of the Bells" is one of my favs. I like this version, but any will do.



This one is very good too.



And then this is also one of my favs. This time it's a combo of the song and voice. There is something about Karen Carpenter singing this song that just clicks for me. Unlike "Carol of the Bells" which can pretty much work in almost any version, this has to be this version.

Now the dishonorable mentions ...



DO NOT LIKE! I knew I disliked the Angela Landsbury version because it evokes bad memories of working the Christmas shopping season at a small gift shop when I was in college, and they had one Christmas music CD and this was on it. Every time it came on, I just found it to be a really abrasive and obnoxious sounding song. But then, I heard a different rendition the other day and realized I just plain dislike the song, period.



This is the opposite of the Carpenter song above. This is also a family legend and joke!

The music and the way the song is sung are a total mismatch except for one brief section in the middle of the song, but the entire way the impression somehow exists that any minute now the song will pick up its pace from funeral dirge to peppy trot in the sleigh. Even though we all agree it might be the worst version of "Jingle Bells" in existence, we still end up listening to it and laughing every year.

I've always loved this one. It makes you choke up and cry a little when you listen to it.



Sal
a reply to: ketsuko

Always loved this band and especially this song!

I'm going nonsecular. From the time I was a child, I loved this carol. We sang it when visiting the nursing homes with the Girl Scouts, and when caroling at night in town. Do people still carol? The first version is my favorite: The Vienna Boys Choir. The second version is a faster tempo. Pavarotti always brings the emotion to the words. The final version is a tribute to two greats.

a reply to: ketsuko

Tinsley Ellis - Santa Clause Wants Some Lovin'

It is just a great song. I think I saw him on Austin City Limits and bought an album. Then the Alligator Records Christmas album came out. I said, "Hey, I know that dude!" So bought a copy. I think it is my favorite unknown Christmas song.

Blues and Christmas go together so well!

Eggnog

originally posted by: ketsuko
So we usually have threads with Christmas/Holiday music in them. I thought I'd do one with favorite and least favorite Christmas music. You can post you songs an explain why you like them.

I'm blessed with a perfect pitch and cursed with no talent at all in music. I like acapella because to me it's aurally ~clean~.

I've followed this band since their formation and really hope they go far.

Merry "the jokes on everybody" mass.

What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

The Son of Mary

-William Chatterton Dix, 1865

a reply to: EightAhoy

Ironically enough, that one was one of my grandfathers' least favs. It wasn't because he was irreligious, far from it, there was just something about it that he found irritating in the music.

I also like "What Child Is This." The melody really is nice.

a reply to: ketsuko

The 2 most annoying Christmas songs of all time.




And one for the sadists...

One of my favorites....oh...it's also a few posts up



Well, here's two more.

Rudolf the red nosed reindeer



the Cheech and Chong version