Top Ten Christmas Songs
By Tom Quiner, Board President, Pulse Life Advocates
I love Christmas songs. Over the years, I have produced a dozen Christmas Galas, arranging much of the music for these shows. I have hosted Christmas sing-along parties in my home as well as attending parties at friends where party goers gather ‘round the piano to sing their favorite Christmas songs.
I have even written a number of Christmas songs, a few of which are fairly decent, although none worthy of this list.
The best Christmas songs are about Christmas. Duh, you might be thinking. But by Christmas, I mean Christ. You know, the baby Jesus.
Spotify’s top Christmas song is Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.” It’s a catchy song, but wouldn’t crack my top 25. However, there are some timeless Christmas songs that have become part of the fabric of our culture that we never tire of hearing.
The list that follows indicates the version of the song I like best. I have left off some incredible songs, simply because I like these incredible songs, arrangements, and vocals more.
#10. SHEPHERD’S PIPE CAROL — Cambridge Singers/John Rutter
I admit this is an unorthodox entry, but I simply delight in this extraordinary composition by the great John Rutter. Rutter founded the Cambridge Singers, who provide choral music on four of the songs on my list.
Many of the great religious Christmas songs, such as this, are most enjoyed when sung by choirs. This song tells the story of a shepherd boy as he journeys on his way to the Star of Bethlehem to play his pipe whistle for the baby Jesus.
It is a challenging piece of music, and Rutter’s arrangement takes it to the next level.
#9. THE WEXFORD CAROL — Alison Krause/Yo Yo Ma
Ireland’s oldest known Christmas carol tells the story of the nativity of Christ. No one knows exactly when it was first written. Best guess is 15th century. Yo Yo Ma and Alison Krause collaborated to infuse it with a haunting, Celtic sound that pulls an audience in.
I know. We performed it several times at Christmas Galas in which I was involved, and in the hands of a good singer the story being told is deeply moving.
#8. MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR — Andy Williams
This is the song that proclaims: the Christmas season is here! It tugs at the child in each of us, invoking those wonderful warm Christmas feelings that hopefully never leave us.
The key to the song are Andy Williams’ great vocals and an absolutely kick-butt arrangement by Johnny Mandel and Robert Mersey. I’ve looked at the transcription for this arrangement, and it is truly ingenious. Eddie Pola and George Wyle composed the song for Andy Williams who recorded it in 1963.
#7. HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS — Judy Garland
What a song title! The use of the word ‘little’ is so intriguing. What does it mean? The melancholic lyrics invoke nostalgia:
“Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.”
There is a warm glow to this song that I feel every time I play it at a Christmas sing along. It really unites people and touches them in a deep way.
Judy Garland’s exquisite vocals elevate the song to legendary status.
#6. JOY TO THE WORLD — Cambridge Singers/John Rutter
This is a song that proclaims that the hope that sustained the faithful down through the ages has at last been realized: The Lord has come! Joy to the world!
A song of this heft demands a booming choir, and the Cambridge Singers come through with this great John Rutter arrangement. Sing along!
#5. WHITE CHRISTMAS — Bing Crosby
Irving Berlin wrote this classic song in 1940 while living in California. Bing Crosby made it a big hit when he sang it in not one, but two different movies: Holiday Inn and White Christmas. Other artists, including Michael Bublé, jumped on the bandwagon with their own impressive number of copies sold. It is considered the biggest selling single in history. The video above features a fun version with Bublé singing this classic with his hero, Bing Crosby thanks to some technological sleight of hand.
#4. THE CHRISTMAS SONG — Nat King Cole
The timeless opening line immediately pulls you in:
“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping at your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
Folks dressed up like Eskimos.”
And Nat King Cole’s version is simply the most beloved of them all. A great song by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells.
#3. ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH —
Cambridge Singers/ John Rutter
Such a powerful presentation of the birth of Jesus Christ. Children are captivated by the presence of angels at the birth of Jesus. The drabness of the manger is overwhelmed by the presence of these marvelous celestial beings. The song stretches out the word ‘gloria’ that is very, very cool when you first hear it as a child. The coolness never goes away, especially when you hear the Cambridge Singers sing it with a John Rutter arrangement.
#2 O HOLY NIGHT — Celine Dion
The English lyrics by John Sullivan Dwight are beautiful, so dramatic, with an incredible melody by Adolphe Adam. There are so many beautiful performances of this song, that I had a tough time deciding on my favorite. Ultimately, Celine Dion’s triumphant performance edged out (barely) Nat King Cole’s timeless classic.
#1. SILENT NIGHT — Cambridge Singers/John Rutter
No words needed.
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