O Come All Ye Faithful Readers

A few of my favourite bloggers have been sharing their favourite Xmas music, and I thought I might as well jump on that ’ol bandwagon and share a few of my own favourites and a few interesting lesser-known ones. I’m afraid I can’t keep it to 10 (are you at all surprised by that?) so here’s a bigger list — no particular order!

• Snow — Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen — Before last year, I’d never seen White Christmas. But now I love it. Last week I watched it (in bits and pieces, admittedly) SIX TIMES. This song’s not really a Christmas song, more a winter song. Short and sweet.
  
• Baby, It’s Cold Outside — Leon Redbone & Zooey Deschanel — I’ve always been of two minds about this song, it always struck me that he was obviously getting her drunk so he could have his way with her, to put it lightly. But this version is so fantastic. You all know how I feel about Leon, and Zooey’s voice really complements his so well. And it’s such a dreamy, lazy version too.
  
• Bizarre Christmas Incident — Ben Folds — First heard this in a Leather Canary mix (sadly, that site’s gone now), and it made me giggle. And that’s a good reason, right?
  
• Santa Baby — Eartha Kitt — Yes, she’s basically selling herself for high-priced presents, but the way she sings it is enchanting. Also, don’t listen to Madonna’s version, please.
  
• Christmas In Prison — John Prine — I grew up with this song, beneath its simple lyrics is a heartwrenching, tearful plea. Not very Christmassy, maybe, but I like it.
  
• Christmas Island — Leon Redbone — This whole album is amazing, but the title track is my favourite, I picture him in Georgia, sipping a mint julep under a tree.
  
• Better Do It Right — Smash Mouth — A dark little ska number, it’s grown on me over the past few years.
  
• Christmas Time Is Here (instrumental) — Vince Guaraldi Trio — Possibly the best Christmas album ever. Melancholy and beautiful.
  
• Feliz Navidad — Jose Feliciano — I don’t know why I like this one so much. Maybe it’s the way his teeth whistle every time he says Christmas.
  
• Donde Esta Santa Claus? — Guster — I know exactly why I like this one — it’s the way he says “I know that I should be eh-sleeping,” cracks me up every time.
  
• White Christmas — The Drifters — Such a great, hip song. I’d dance to it, I would.
  
• Father Christmas — The Kinks — Such angry lads! Late ’70s financial angst, but it really could be now.
  
• Walk Out To Winter — Aztec Camera — So happy sounding. I’ve never really listened to the lyrics — I’m listening to it right now and I have no idea what they’re saying.
  
• River — Joni Mitchell — I recognize her talent, but most of the time I just find her overrated. This is an exception.
  
• Gabriel’s Message — Sting — Probably never would have gotten into this song had I not been obsessed with him at that point, but I seriously love it.
  
• Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy — Bing Crosby & David Bowie — No list is complete without it. Enough said.
  
• Fairytale Of New York — The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl — I used to cry every single time I heard it. That amused my Dad no end.
  
• Last Month Of The Year — The Blind Boys Of Alabama — My Mum really loves these guys, and for good reason. Sorta makes me wish I’d grown up going to gospel churches.
  
• 2000 Miles — The Pretenders — You know you all love it too.
  
• Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto — James Brown — The man makes it funky.
  
• Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) — Darlene Love — Is this the original? Not sure. But I love her version. The U2 version is pretty good too.
  
• Christmas Wrapping — The Waitresses — Must hear it every year. Bah humbug!
  
• Ding Dong, Ding Dong — George Harrison — “Ring out the false, ring in the true!”
  
• Christmas Must Be Tonight — The Band — I didn’t even know this one existed, but it’s so beautiful. Such a nice addition.
  
• Yo Ho Ho — Klark Kent — Yes, it’s a weird one. But I’m a Klark Kent fan so it’s gotta go on here.
  
• Santa’s Beard — They Might Be Giants — “I wish he would go, he’s breakin’ up my home!” Gotta love it.
  
• Happy Xmas (War Is Over) — John Lennon — As long as I can keep the images of starving African children out of my brain, I like this one. Sorry if that’s nasty.
  
• Christmas Is Coming — The Payolas — Another one I’d totally dance to in a club. They never disappointed.
  
• Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas — Coldplay — A nice surprise. Such a sad sounding version, but so beautiful.
  
• Thank God It’s Christmas — Queen — You can’t ever deny Freddie Mercury’s voice. Seriously.
  
• Little Saint Nick — The Beach Boys — Ever notice how every single thing they recorded sounded like them and no one else? Not necessarily a bad thing.
  
• Auld Lang Syne — Billy Idol — Yes, Billy Idol. Thanks to Reb for this one! The whole album is just weird, he’s actually done a great job with it, but it’s this one that I love. (Starts 30 seconds in)
  

I was thinking of sharing a Dropbox folder of these, but there’s really no time to get it all together. Besides, it might be too big!

What would be on your list?