Santa has made a visit to Herald Square, the tree in Rockefeller Center has been lit, my father and I have spent a full day yelling at each other while hanging the outside lights . . . it’s officially Christmastime! The best part of Christmas is definitely the music and I have listened to nothing else since Thanksgiving. Bing Crosby, Harry Connick Jr., U2, Elvis, The Irish Tenors, it’s all so good!
What’s funny about Christmas music is that there are maybe 30 songs in total but 700 versions of each song–and everyone prefers a different one! In the spirit of Christmas let’s play a little game à la High Fidelity. I’m requesting, dear readers, that you share your top five favorite Holiday songs with us. Don’t be shy, this isn’t so much a window to your soul as “favorite books” or “desert island movies” might be, but a representation of your traditions so we can’t really judge you. I’ll start . . .
1. Ave Maria (Luciano Pavarotti)
2. Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Bruce, duh)
3. O Holy Night (Bing Crosby)
4. Baby Please Come Home (U2)
5. When My Heart Finds Christmas (Harry Connick, Jr.)
I know that Ave Maria is not really a Christmas song. I have five versions of Ave Maria on my iPod that I listen to year-round. However, that particular version reminds me of Christmas Eve and therefore gets a spot on the top five. Okay, your turn! While you’re thinking please enjoy this fabulous version of “Joy to the World” by Sufjan Stevens. Unfortunately, I have to link to it; I tried every way possible to embed the song in the post but it just wasn’t working. It’s worth taking the jump for though, I promise.
[Posted by Madeline]
six words to change the world. 
Mele Kalikimaka (Bing Crosby)
Baby it’s Cold Outside (Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel in Elf)
Christmas Don’t be Late (Alvin and the Chipmunks)
I love that version of “Baby it’s Cold Outside” too! Good one, cubicleQT! Also, I watched Elf twice this weekend . . .
I LOVE THAT VERSION OF BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE!
1. So This is Christmas (John Lennon)
2. All I Want for Christmas Is You (Mariah Carey, duh)
3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby)
4. This one song that they only play in church on Christmas. I have tried to stalk it down on the Internets with no luck. I don’t even know the name of it.
5. All That I Want (The Weepies)
YES YES YES YES
ALL THAT I WANT .. fo sho i can’t believe i forgot that. it’s been on constant repeat on my ipod and miiiight have made a couple appearances in quasi-emo AIM away messages.
“Christmas Time is Here,” from the Charlie Brown Christmas special, definitely belongs in the Top 5 — yeah, it’s slightly melancholy, and Charlie Brown is having an existential crisis, but… figure skating dogs!