Favorite versions of Christmas songs

I don't know about you, but I definitely have favorite versions of many of the Christmas songs out there. Some versions are classic and can never be replaced - I think a lot of Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, and Nat King Cole's stuff fits into this category. Sometimes something comes along that just knocks your socks off, or there's a version that first clues you in to a song's existence. What sorts of favorites do you have?


For me, O Holy Night is a fantastic Christmas song that needs a lot of oomph behind it, and I actually have 3 favorite versions of it: Josh Groban, Celine Dion, and Billy Gilman.

Another favorite is Michael Buble's version of Let It Snow!, which I don't think has yet been trumped. Sarah Mclachlan's take on "River" and James Taylor's "Some Children See Him" are my favorites that I've come across this year.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet band's version of Little Drummer Boy.

Not that it's all that spectactular (it's good, but nothing special), but I have the memory of hearing that song every christmas eve as we drove out to my grandparents house as a child.

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I personally prefer the Bing Crosby/David Bowie version of Little Drummer Boy. (as much as it pains me to say I prefer anything related to David Bowie)

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For me, it's Carol of the Bells.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra version has always been fun

Audio (opens WMP)

Video (ditto)

. Vocal versions are my favorite. I'm hoping I can catch a live choir carolling it this year. That stuff can be haunting.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I'm not too much of a Christmas music junkie like the rest of my family. Every year my mom breaks out the Ray Conniff records and they get spun until the needle is raw on the record player. Even though I can dig Conniff's voice in moderation there are times when I want to toss my $400 turntable out the window if it only means I don't have to hear Christmas songs ad nauseum.

However if I had to pick a favorite version of a Christmas song it's definitely going to go with The Squirrel Nut Zippers' rendition of Sleigh Ride. Nothing like a good neo-swing to go with that egg nog, right guys?

I was speaking idiomatically.

I've grown to hate Christmas music. It's so unbelievably played out. The only Christmas music that I can stand is Vince Guaraldi suff on the Charlie Brown Christmas album.

John Denver singing Christmas songs with the Muppets is also bearable.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

You really should give that Squirrel Nut Zippers Christmas album a spin. There was a point when I grew utterly sick of Christmas music too but after I listened to that album it didn't seem so bad. Plus; most of it is actually original work except for a couple of tracks. I'll upload it to the Music Exposure Club later on.

Double Post:
And here you go.

Great jazz to get jolly drunk to.

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For me, I pretty much like the original stuff from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. There is nothing better than listening to those classics during the Christmas season.

Now that my exams are done, I am pumped about going home for Christmas and listening to Christmas music while looking at the Christmas Tree.... Its great!

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Woah! Broke out my non-existant dancing shoes while listening to the Squirrel Nut Zippers. Doesn't happen often, you know. Thanks for sharing the spirit.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Enceph, thanks for the hook up! The music exposure club is awesome. I'll have to make some contributions to that thread.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I love jamming out to "Christmas Speed", a christmas album put out on the Dancemania series a few years back...

Have a Happy Hardcore Christmas!

Rose's version of "Last Christmas" is my favorite take on the song, despite being cheesy as hell!

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I think I prefer Allison Crowe's version of 'River', I think Sarah McLachlan's is too much. I found it on YouTube the other day and was seriously impressed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aB_YFW4-fU

Plus...can I just mention that Ronan Keating should be shot for slaughtering the best Christmas Song EVER, 'Fairytale of New York'. I know it is off topic but I feel better getting that out in the open.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Hmm. While I like her voice a lot (ima be huntin' down her cd), it doesn't match the song, in my opinion. The 'punch' and 'emotional bite' is misplaced - my favorite versions of this song (and the style that the song lends itself to, as I see it) are ethereal and new age-y rather than ballad-like or brash. She's impressive as a vocalist (and especially as a live performer if those vocals were untouched), but doesn't fit what I like best about the song.

If Rachel Yamagata's version of River had better enunciation it would probably be my favorite.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Even though Sting pretty much sucks these days (LOL), his version of "Gabriel's Message" is absolutely amazing. His vocals are haunting.

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Yes, Sting's version of Gabriel's Message is fantastic! I also don't mind his spin on "I Saw Three Ships." Then again, I was raised with these songs (A Very Special Christmas series) so maybe that's why I like them so much.

Also, Gary Hoey's guitar instrumental version of "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" rocks my face off.

FELIPE NO

I'm with Mango when it comes to Trans-Siberian Orchestra. They just add so much more life to the boring old christmas tunes. I actually went and saw them a few days ago... pictures and videos are in my journal if anyone is interested. They turn classic christmas tunes upside down with heavy guitars. It's awesome.

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