Well , they started the Christmas songs around here,24/7. Can you name the best and the worst Christmas songs. Mine are

[debm55]

Best _Carol of the Bells, Worst__Dominic the Donkey

What is your Best and Worst. Edit

[Ilsa]

1. Grandma got run over by a reindeer. -- worst.

Best: choral piece "Night of Silence/Silent Night"

?si=k47_-8tqF269BB_0

[debm55]

20. Thank you very much, lisa, I agree with your choices.

[FM123]

2. "Sleigh Ride" gets my vote for best!

And "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" gets my vote for worst.

[debm55]

21. FM123, thank you very much. I have many bests and "Sleigh Ride" is one of them.

[Grins]

180. ...where the word Christmas is never used.

[Ocelot II]

3. OK, here goes.

I hate "The Little Drummer Boy," "Do You hear What I Hear," and "Mary, Do You Know." They're maudlin and sentimental, and have been made even worse by terrible arrangements. And this might be heresy, but I also hate "Silent Night." Not because it's an especially bad song, but because when it turns up in a Christmas Eve service (and it always does), it's sung in candlelight and the organ stops playing and most people can't carry a tune in a basket unless there's some accompaniment and it gets slooowerr and slllooooooweerrr and flatter and flatter until it sounds like an out-of-tune dirge.

I like a lot of the traditional carols, as long as they're not all Hollywooded-up. Mostly I prefer classical stuff, like Bach's Christmas Oratorio.

[Big Blue Marble]

17. Very well said.

"The Little Drummer Boy," "Do You hear What I Hear," are both awful.
Do you know about the challenge: https://littledrummerboychallenge.com
There is also a Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/LittleDrummerBoyChallenge

Be assured there are others who share your opinion.

[Ocelot II]

51. Hahahaha! Thanks!

I knew I wasn't not alone in my loathing of The Little Drummer Boy, but there seem to be multitudes!

[debm55]

22. Thank you very much, Ocelot II, I agree with you post.

[genxlib]

26. I was going to say "Silent Night" as the worst as well

At the risk of pissing off some purists.

Sorry but it is a dirge. Often performed too slowly.

The low point was Stevie Nicks covering it on A Very Special Christmas album. I like Stevie but it is just dreadful

[wcmagumba]

103. My 2nd grade teacher taught our class to sing "Silent Night" in German, don't know why but I liked that version...

I don't remember it and I don't care for the English version...

[Ocelot II]

158. The original is German, so the words fit the melody better.

I know it in Norwegian also. But I still don't like it in any language when it's sung like a funeral march, which it usually is.

[wcmagumba]

162. That makes sense. Couldn't remember from 2nd grade but Mrs. Pettus probably told us...

She was a fun teacher, taught us how to make candles by dipping a string into wax and she taught us how to make hot pads on little metal frames and stretchy loop material. Seems like we made other things but I can't remember what...

[Grins]

178. We sang "Oh, Christmas Tree" in German

German title, 'O Tannenbaum'

[electric_blue68]

182. Another favorite

❤️🎄❤️

[Tom Dyer]

107. But when it is sung by Dinah Washington...

Just sayin’.

[Grins]

181. One exception...

I never cared for it either - with one "But..."

About 1958.

Aunt comes over for Christmas dinner. Her habit was to go to bed at night listening to Larry King on the radio. Christmas Eve, Jewish Larry King signed off saying he was not a Christian but wanted his audience to hear "...a 16-year old Jewish girl from Brooklyn," sing.

I recall my aunt saying the opening notes were mesmerizing!

It took a while before I would hear it. She was right.

The song: Silent Night.
The 16-year old girl? Barbra Streisand.

If you have never heard it...!

[electric_blue68]

148. That was very funny description of your Silent Night Christmas Eve Mass experience!

[rurallib]

187. Hate Little Drummer Boy but love that counterpoint(?) David Bowie did w/ Bing Crosby

I think it was called "Peace On Earth Can It Be"

Singing starts at @ 1:55

?si=-H0WiFHZwPzOJMdy

[debm55]

195. Thank you rurallib, A beautiful blend of songs and voices.

[Rigpa108]

4. Best - Jethro Tull - A Christmas Song

[debm55]

23. Thank you very much, Rigpa 108

[SheltieLover]

5. Best: Someday at Christmas, Stevie Wonder

?si=BOWAGS9h-6klyEYS

[debm55]

24. Thank you, SheltieLover. I so enjoy anything by Stevie Wonder.

[FM123]

27. Oh how I love that song!

Touches my heart every time I hear it.

[SheltieLover]

46. Sadly radio stations avoid playing it...patriarchy, you know.

[electric_blue68]

149. Never heard this. Very nice.

[SheltieLover]

151. Glad you enjoyed!

As you might have guessed, radio stations avoid playing it...

[electric_blue68]

159. Heh.

[msongs]

6. oppression of religious minorities is well under way nt

[debm55]

113. Thank you for your concern.msongs.

[DBoon]

7. My best

?list=RDj9jbdgZidu8

[debm55]

25. Thank you very much, DBoon. Lovely song.

[amerikat]

8. My current fave and second fave.

&list=RD0BIBvul7_jg&start_radio=1

&list=RDXa-hTXE72G0&start_radio=1

[debm55]

36. Thank you very much for your wonderful choices.

[Coventina]

9. I love xmas music, i also loathe a lot it as well.

So my naughty and nice lists would both the long!!


I can't stand "12 Days of Christmas"

I like a lot of the traditional carols.

[debm55]

38. Thank you very much, Coventina. I also don't like the 12 Days of Chirstmas. too boring, I like the tradition carols also

[yellowdogintexas]

64. I will always enjoy Twelve Days of Christmas because of one event: A Christmas Parade

Our city has a Christmas parade every year; it is "The Parade of Lights" and every entry has to have lights - the more the better.

Our Sunday School class decided to join the annual Christmas parade as a social event for the whole class including our kids. (Ft Worth has an annual "Parade of Lights" and all entries have to have lights of some sort as part of the decorations)

The theme of the parade was "The Twelve Days of Christmas" Well, instead of just marching with lights and singing the song, we were the 12 days - with a slight twist

One of our class members was pregnant at the time ;she wore a bird suit and rode on a flatbed with all the little kids (the flatbed was covered with leaves and branches and lots of lights). She really did look like a plump little partridge.

How about........
Two Ninja Turtledoves
Four calling birds - four women with princess phone handsets and feather boas
5 gold rings = gold spray painted hula hoops
Swans a swimming - snorkel gear
geese a laying -- straw wreaths around the waist with giant plastic eggs glued on
Pipers: bubble flutes
Dancing ladies: all our pre teen daughters in various dance recital outfits.
Milk maids: just ordinary milk maid outfits except two of our maids were men in drag also included was a woman in a cow suit.
a back row of 12 men( Lords a Leaping) in white long johns with red or green silk boxer shorts Leaping in unison
We all wore those little battery powered white lights

So whenever I hear it, I visualize that parade and all the fun we had. It is a cherished memory for all who participated. We still sing it at our Christmas Carol Sunday with the kids and grandkids and if we were in the parade, we act out our parts.

Thirty some odd years later, we are still having fun

[debm55]

75. Now that version is not boring, thank you for posting that. Thank you , very much. Yellowdogintexas.

[electric_blue68]

150. Oh, that was very fun and clever!

[yellowdogintexas]

212. It was a wonderful evening and lots of fun for everyone.

Those two 10 year old boys in the Ninja Turtledove outfits were a hoot

[Hassler]

10. Best: Carol of the Bells. Worst: too many to name

But any version of "All I Want for Christmas" is in the mix.

[debm55]

40. Thank you very much Hassler. Love, Love, Love the Carol of the Bells in any version. There are a lot for me then

Dominic the Donkey as the worst.

[yellowdogintexas]

70. Have you seen the Ukrainian versions on YouTube? They are beautiful

The melody is from Ukraine and the original song is not about Christmas.
Anyway the versions on YouTube are sung in Ukrainian and the singers are all in national costume. Beautiful!!!

&list=RDGqeJ38DThVc&start_radio=1

interesting history video

[debm55]

74. Dyakuna. yellowdogintexas. As an Ukrainian American. I thank you very much for the history of the Carol of the Bells

Love, Devora(debm55)

[yellowdogintexas]

215. I did not know your Ukrainian heritage! Here is a sweet something for you

&t=207s

This is at the finals of the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition held in Fort Worth Texas every 4 years.

The pianist is Ukraninan Vadim Kholodenko, Gold Medalist at the 2013 competition.

The Competition is at the end of May every 4 years and this was right after the invasion. This was the opening of the awards ceremony, and I do not believe anyone in the audience knew it was coming.

This just stopped the audience cold. I was watching on live TV and it made me cry.

Vadim makes his home in Fort Worth, and is now an American citizen.

PS if you love piano music, the Van CLiburn channel on YouTube will keep you enthralled.

[debm55]

219. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart yellowdogintexas.

[yellowdogintexas]

222. You are quite welcome!!! nt

[electric_blue68]

141. TY!

I'm half Ukrainian American, and I didn't know any of this this either.

I love her dad telling her that a piece of background music in Die Hard 2 was Ukrainian!

[av8rdave]

11. OK, this is weird, but here goes

Favorites: Leon Redbone’s cover of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and John Lennon’s “Happy Christmas”

Worst: that &$#@ Paul McCartney “Wonderful Christmas Time.” It sounds like a nursery rhyme with terrible lyrics. The repetition is a dry Chinese water torture.

[debm55]

42. I agree with you, av8rdave. Your best are great choices. and your worst , I absolutley agree with. It's a stinker.

[3catwoman3]

12. My favorite is a good majestic instrumental version of O Come All Ye Faithful.

Some years ago, I was Christmas shopping at Nordstrom’s and the gentleman playing piano was taking requests. He played a stirring version of this, with at least 5 different key changes. It was magnificent.

3 way tie for most despised - Dominic the Christmas Donkey/ Grandma Got Runover/ The Christmas Shoes

[Nittersing]

35. I love memories like your piano guy

Such a wonderful moment.

It reminded me of the time a good friend and I were xmas visiting and looking at gifts and lights and friends.... we both started singing xmas songs... but different songs... and they ended up harmonizing!! Wish I could remember the songs, but we sang through them and then both looked at each other, a bit startled!

[debm55]

43. Thank you very much 3catwoman3 I love the grand instrumental songs also, I still have to find the The Christmas Shoes.

It must be very bad as a couple of posters mentioned it. Luckily, I have never heard it.

[3catwoman3]

59. I would recommend not wasting your time listening to it.

A little boy is trying to buy pretty shoes for his dying mother on Christmas Eve so she looks good in her coffin when she meets Jesus. Mawkishly depressing.

The donkey and grandma songs are just stupid, so the shoes song probably is the worst.

People talk about needing eye bleach after seeing a disgusting picture. You'd need ear bleach after listening to this dreck.

[debm55]

60. Thank you 3catwoman. That is a very depressing song. I don't need depressing now. How could that in heaven's name be

considered a Christmas song.

[Wiz Imp]

123. Patton Oswalt's comedy routine on the Christmas Shoes is hilarious though.

[Diamond_Dog]

139. Christmas Shoes is the most depressing syrupy dreck ever!

I do like Greg Lake’s “I Believe in Father Christmas”

https://m.

[debm55]

143. I Believe in Father Christmas. It is a beautiful and meaning song, Thank you for posting it Diamond_Dog.

[Permanut]

13. There are some I love to sing with a caroling group.

Oh Come All Ye Faithful

Oh Holy Night

Because the harmonies are so cool.

Maybe Ishould join a barber shop quartet.

[debm55]

44. Thank you very much, Permanut. Beautiful songs/carols.

[marble falls]

14. The worst Christmas song, the theme to "Die Hard".

[debm55]

45. Thank you very much,marble falls. I have never seen the movie. I guess that is why some consider it a Christmas movie.

[marble falls]

112. Back in the early DU days, there were some angry arguments about whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not ...

... It came out at Christmas, it takes place at an office Christmas party at Christmans, Bruce willis wore a Sant hat in some scenes.

It's a Christmas movie.

https://www.newsweek.com/die-hard-christmas-movie-americans-have-their-say-poll-action-2005223

[debm55]

120. Thank you marble falls, I didn't go into the thread because I didn't see the Movie. but i do remember a number of thread

about it.

[marble falls]

171. Special effects, lots of shooting, Bruce Willis and Christmas: what more does one need? No watching necessary.

[debm55]

173. Thank you marble falls and have a wonder Thanksgiving.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

15. Very Best: Grown Up Christmas List

?si=bTKqKO3AuhR0-lZY

[debm55]

65. Thank you very much, MorbidButterfly. Great carol.

[moniss]

16. I'll give you two of my favorites

but there are more.

[debm55]

67. Thank you very much, moniss . Both beautiful songs.

[LisaM]

18. Two categories for me, carols and Christmas songs.

For carols, I like:
Bring the Torch, Jeanette Isabella
The Holly and the Ivy
Angels we Have Heard on High
Adeste Fidelis

For Christmas songs, I like:

Fairytale of New York
I Believe in Father Christmas (Greg Lake)
Feed the World
I Wish I Had a River (I Could Skate Away On)

I also generally like classic songs done by famous singers like Ray Charles, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Karen Carpenter, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, Mel Tormé, etc.

I detest novelty songs and "I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus" is at the bottom of the list along with "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth".

[debm55]

68. Thank you LisaM, I like the classic songs and carols too. The novelty songs are among the worst.

[yourout]

19. My favorite...

?si=175jNXZIgxocJFIS

The worst is anything by Mel torme.

Also love the Muppets version.

?si=4E8xFouV-e6-hiWM

Favorite version of o holy night... Non English.

?si=zXxAmDE3gjZxu_GC

[debm55]

29. Thank you very much for your beautiful selections, yourout.

[yourout]

37. Brenda Lee is also one of my favorites. This one in particular.

?si=_TIN9-6alOwLj4FO

[debm55]

144. Thank you very much yourout for your selection. Have a great Thanksgiving my friend.

[LisaM]

71. What's wrong with the Velvet Fog?

I don't seek him out, but he had a pleasant voice and he wrote "The Christmas Song".

[Mad_Dem_X]

28. Best - "Sleigh Ride"; Worst - "The Christmas Shoes"

I'm an Atheist, but I like most Xmas songs. But "The Christmas Shoes" makes me want to

[debm55]

31. Mad_Dem_X Thank you you very much for your selections. I have never heard "The Christmas Shoes" I will have to

YouTube and see if I get the same reaction.

[Mad_Dem_X]

108. To me, it's just an over-the-top tearjerker.

You may feel differently.

[yellowdogintexas]

58. I love "Sleigh Ride"! The composer was LeRoy Anderson

We have an album of his works and it is one of our favorites.

I do not think of this as a Christmas song; it is a winter song. We only hear it at Christmas but it is a great song any time. According to Wiki, he wrote it during a heat wave.

[debm55]

146. Thank you very much , yellowdogintexas. Yes it is can be used all winter.

[electric_blue68]

153. If true he was trying to think "Cold" thoughts!

[lark]

30. I an totally nboard with your Carole of the Bells choice, whih version do ou prefer?

Transsiberian Orchestra is certainly the most dramatic and a great rendition, but also love Manheim Steamroller and the Salt Lake City Orchestras' version too. It's a marvelous song, done in so many wonderful ways.

I also love the old spiritual Christmas songs.

My family likes Dominic theChristmas Donkey (lol) but we don't like "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas".

[debm55]

33. Thank you lark. I like the Transsiberian Orchesstra version the best. But it is a song you just can't go wrong with. My

church bell chorus does it with bells. And it is beautiful. HAHHAHAH.a vote for Dominic --hehaw, hehaw.

[3catwoman3]

63. The TSO rendition totally rocks. When you get to the part near...

...near the end with the wild violin strains, I feel it in my very cells, almost like I am one of the violin strings being bowed so vigorously. Exhilarating!

[debm55]

154. Thank you 3catwoman3 I totally agree

[31st Street Bridge]

32. There are so many of each, but ...

The best: "Father Christmas" by Greg Lake. "Mary's Boy Child" by Harry Bellafonte

The worst: Any version of "Rudolph"!

Honorable mention worst: "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by the Brits for Band-Aid.
These lyrics always make be scream:
"There won't be snow in Africa this Christmas ..." No! It's summer there.
"Do they know it's Christmas ..." Uh, they're Moslems!
"Thank God it's them, instead of you!" Uh, that's kinda harsh, guys.
OK, I'm done.

[debm55]

78. Thank you very much for your list. Love, Father Christmas by Greg Lake. You don't like Rudolph!!!!!!! Hey are you in

the Pittsburgh area as we have a 31th Street Bridge.

[31st Street Bridge]

88. Yes, I'm in Glenshaw!

I know that bridge! (And so many others. lol.)

[debm55]

92. thank you very much. 31st Bridge. I live in Jefferson Hills about 10 miles south of Pittsburgh.

[31st Street Bridge]

96. Thank you, very much!

I know where that is!!

[FakeNoose]

172. Small world ... I grew up in Pleasant Hills

Graduated from TJ a long time ago.... Now I'm living on the Northside for the last 30 years.
I love Pittsburgh but I don't enjoy driving around the South Hills so much.

[debm55]

174. Yes, lots of construction around here. I live very near where they are bringing the turnpike up from WV to Pittsburgh.

[thomski64]

34. My best is Christmas Eve

by the Siberian Orchestra...

.....hard to believe they could all
be trans...

[debm55]

79. Oh you, Thank you very much for your selection, thomski664.

[Chasstev365]

39. In Chicago on 93.9 FM they started the Monday after Halloween.

[debm55]

72. Oh wow , that is early. Thank you for sharing with us Chasstev365.

[Chasstev365]

41. Best Christmas cover version ever: Jack Johnson doing Stevie Wonder's Someday at Christmas

?si=flAT46np_ZCuypSv

[debm55]

52. Thank you very much for sharing with us. Chasstev365

[mwmisses4289]

47. I enjoy most christmas carols/songs,

just don't like that they are played in stores 24/7 from October to January!

My least favorite is the Hallelujah Chrous (wonder how many know that was actually composed as an Easter peice celebrating Jesus rising from the dead?). Somehow, that symbolizes everything that is wrong about Christmas- gaudy flashing lights; the buy, buy, buy mentality retailers try to push; the over the top decorating.

My favorites are the quieter songs such as: O holy night, What child is this, Away in the Manger. Silent Night only if it is played on the instrument it was original composed for, the guitar.
Most others are kinda meh, though I do love the humor in Grandma got run over by a reindeer.

[debm55]

49. Thank you very much, mwmisses4389. You are right correct about the Hallelujay Chorus. Yes the quieter songs are very

songs are very soothing. HAHAHAHHA. about the Grandma song.

[get the red out]

48. My very favorite is "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"

I LOVE the minor key! My second favorite is "Ring Christmas Bells".

I can't stand "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" or "I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"

[debm55]

50. Thank you very much get the red out. I agree with you on your favorite songs- mellow.

[Polly Hennessey]

53. Two of the worst for me: The Little Drummer Boy and Silent Night.

When I hear them my jaw begins to hurt.

All the others, I love. Especially like, The First Noel.

[debm55]

83. Thank you very much my Polly Hennessey. I like The First Noel.too.

[sop]

54. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is my favorite.

I love Frank Sinatra's version:

[debm55]

84. I agree, sop, I love the song with Frank singing it.

[MIButterfly]

55. I love "Snoopy's Christmas" because I like the chorus and

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" because it's so sentimental it brings tears to my eyes. "Through the years, we all will be together, if the fates allow" gets me every time. What can I say? Sometimes I can be really sappy.

I also love the music from "The Nutcracker."

I never liked "The Little Drummer Boy" but there was a church in another town that had a Christmas show each year and they performed that song so beautifully it was the only time I liked it. I also dislike that Christmas shoes song. Mommy needs new shoes if she meets Jesus tonight. Talk about corny. I'm not that sappy.

[debm55]

147. Love your selections and reasons you selected Thank you very much, MIButterfly. Love ya.

[MIButterfly]

152. Right back at ya, debm55!

Happy Thanksgiving, my friend!



And Happy Thanksgiving to all my DU family! I am so thankful for this website and the wonderful people here.

[Vogon_Glory]

56. It's not a Christmas song but I like the Pretenders' "2000 Miles."

It’s not my favorite Christmas song, but it meshes nicely with the season (Even if I live in the sunbelt and Christmas and snow are rarely concurrent.

[debm55]

157. Thank you Vogon_Glory, If it put you in the Christmas spirit it's a Christmas song.

[Dear_Prudence]

57. O Holy Night

O Holy Night is my favorite, when sung as a restrained, profound carol. It stirs the heart.

O Holy Night is my least favorite when it is belted out as an overwrought melodrama. It hurts my ears.

[debm55]

161. Thank you very much, Dear_Prudence. I understand completely.

[catbyte]

61. Favorite: O Come, O Come Emmanuel

&list=RD7xtpJ4Q_Q-4

Worst: "All I Want for Christmas Is You". Blecch.

[debm55]

85. Thank you very much, catbyte. I loved that carol from when I was young. Simply a beautiful song. At my church is was

advent song and stopped being played at Christmas. I still play it at home. It brings back good memories of me at the children's choir.

[Progressive dog]

62. Best -Oh Holy Night

Worst-Many are tied

[debm55]

94. Thank you very much, Progressive dog. I agree with your choices.

[beaglelover]

66. My absolute fav is Mariah's All I Want for Christmas is You! We went to her Christmas concert last year around

this time and it was so frickin' awesome to see her sing that song live. It was the encore of course. I still get chills!

[debm55]

166. Wow, that sounds like a great experience. Thank you for sharing beaglelover.

[3catwoman3]

69. As noted in a few other threads, there are Christmas carols, and then there are Christmas songs.

I generally prefer the traditional carols, not for religious reasons but for musical composition and complexity reasons.

A favorite Christmas song for me is Once Again It's Christmas Time This Year, written by Lee Holdridge and sung by Placido Domingo. Full orchestral accompaniment by the Vienna Symphony. In the album notes, there is this lovely comment - "At the recording session, when Placido sang it for the first time with the Symphony, I looked up and saw 60 musicians smile." I can picture this in my mind's eye.

I smile every time I read this commentary, and every time I listen to the beautiful song.

The whole album is a treat.

[debm55]

179. Thank you very much , 3catwoman3 I too like the traditional Christmas music the best.

[yellowdogintexas]

73. Favorites: Sleigh Ride; Carol of the Bells, and orchestral renditions in the Classical Style

Worst: Grandma Got Run Over and all the other stupid ones
all the maudlin and sad ones

One Exception to the stupid ones: "Merry Christmas From the Family" by Robert Earl Keene

&list=RDTn3ZfVf9_vc&start_radio=1

I first heard this on a local talk show. He was the guest and the host asked him about Christmas songs, so he sang this. I was actually at work and I had to work hard to keep from laughing out loud. It was the first time he had performed it.

At our Candlelight Communion services on Christmas Eve, we close with Silent Night after everyone's candle is lighted. Then we process out of the church singing Silent Night. It is beautiful. Our Youth Choir is the main choir for one of our services; during the offering they perform Silent Night in ASL.

I love Christmas music - but I would prefer not hearing it until after Thanksgiving.

[debm55]

197. That sounds wounderful. Thank you yellowdogintexas.

[Keepthesoulalive]

76. My favorite

I hate Christmas by Oscar the Grouch.

[debm55]

198. HAHAHAHHA. I remember that from when my son would watch their Christmas special. Thank you Keepthesoulalive.

[underpants]

77. Father Christmas by The Kinks

Basically Santa gets mugged.

But the last time I played Father Christmas
I stood outside a department store
A gang of kids came over and mugged me
And knocked my reindeer to the floor
They said
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys
We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys

?si=A4FuLbLChhBIGiI-

[debm55]

199. Thank you underpants for sharing.

[dickthegrouch]

80. Worst - The top 10! They get played FAR too often

Absolute worst Carol of the Bells (Sorry Deb)
But I despise
White Christmas
Merry little christmas
And I'll never understand why even respected orchestras have to produce albums of the most despicable ones.
(Call me a grinch)

Absolute favorites:
Silver Bells by the Canadian Brass

Shepherds Pipe Carol by John Rutter

[debm55]

98. Thank you dickthegrouch. Love the sounds of the two songs. Absolutely beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving, dear friend.

[RandomNumbers]

81. Best, by miles - the Murphs, The Season's Upon Us

(worst of course, is Grandma got run over by a reindeer .... unfortunately a family member thinks it's a fun joke to inflict that one on me ...)

[debm55]

89. Thank you very much, RandowNumbers , I love the Murphs. This is one fun song I do like. Yes worse then my family ,but

not my much.

[RandomNumbers]

90. Oh yes, I think the genius of the song

(besides that its the Murphs!) is that it has so many different angles that pretty much any family can relate to some of it.

[debm55]

91. My husband is from Boston and we have seen them a couple of times. I agree with you.

[Jilly_in_VA]

82. I like most of the traditional carols

except for Good King Wenceslaus which is not really a Christmas carol anyway (it takes place on St. Stephen's Day, which is the day after Christmas, aka Boxing Day in the UK and Commonwealth countries).

My absolute least favorite is "Mary Did You Know", not only because it's maudlin, but because it's theologically unsound. Any halfway Christian person who's familiar with their Bible knaow that yes, she damn well DID know!

The little Drummer Boy always makes me giggle because when we sang it in my college choir, somebody proposed switching the little finger cymbals in the arrangement with the big cymbals in "The Great Gate of Kyiv" from Moussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition".

[debm55]

100. Thank you, you very much Jilly_in_VA. I agree with you on all three counts. Thank you and may you have a Happy

Thanksgiving.

[Ferrets are Cool]

86. I can only stomach ONE christmas songs...ok, make that two. In this order.

[debm55]

87. Ferrets are Cool , I want to thank you for posting these songs. I had chills watching them both, Especially Greg Lake

Last edited Wed Nov 26, 2025, 03:51 PM - Edit history (1)

Lake:s song. Thank you my friend.

[catbyte]

93. Oh, I just thought of another favorite.

&list=RD1DTwLqR071M

[debm55]

95. HAHAHAHAHAHA. that is funny. It brings the boring song to life. Thank you catbyte.

[Mad_Dem_X]

109. I love this!

[Brother Buzz]

97. The best and most irreverent is Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks - Carol of the Bells

Scat and yodeling, Baby, it doesn’t get any better than that!

[debm55]

99. OMG, that is hilarious. Thank you Brother Buzz. Love ya.

[bullimiami]

101. Best. None. Don't like Xmas songs.

Worst.
Used to work with a guy who started playing Latino Xmas music in the shop all of Dec.

[debm55]

102. Thank you for sharing with us.

[wcmagumba]

104. No best and worst for me, I really only listen to Classical Christmas music (orchestrated) on WQXR Holiday streaming...

Enjoy...

https://www.wqxr.org/shows/holiday-music/

[debm55]

105. Thank you for sharing that link, wcmagumba. Sometimes I just need soothing holiday music.

[wcmagumba]

110. Me too, just wanted to let you know I deleted my last post cause I don't want to seem pushy about this station..

but I do love what they play every year....

[debm55]

119. Oh no, you weren't too pushy , Just a sharing poster here and I thank you wcmagumba.

[wcmagumba]

121. Thanks debm55, I thought of one song I don't much care for, It's "Jingle Bells" done by the barking dogs...

[debm55]

122. Thank you wcmagumba. But I must tell you I sorta liked it when it first came out. they have one done by cats.

[wcmagumba]

132. I think when on a visit to cousins out of state as a kid the station they listened to played the dogs every 5 minutes...

[yellowdogintexas]

216. our classical station (WRR 101.1) sort of sneaks into the Christmas music

They start with playing classical holiday music maybe 6 times a day for a few days, and slowly increase it until Christmas Day. It is very nice.
They also do live performances from various venues around the area.

So much nicer.

[Tom Dyer]

111. My very favorite is Christ Was Born on Christmas Morn

by Halfpint Jackson.
I don’t know how to post a link, but the song is fantastic old, old time jazz
Worst? ANYTHING by Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Don’t play that crap. Ever.
And I will not be taking any questions on this.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.

[debm55]

118. Thank you very much Tom Dyer. I wil look for Christ Was Born on Christmas Morn. Agree with you on the Chipmunks. Have a

very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

[Dorothy V]

114. Worst - Jingle Bells barked by dogs. Best - Stille Nacht as origionally scored.

[debm55]

117. Thank you Dorothy V.. When I was in children's chorus we sang Stille Nacht in the original German. worst song --I sort

of liked it . There is one song by cats. too.

[electric_blue68]

115. My Yeas and and Nays...

I also divide between carols and songs...

Carols w big orchestras and chorus!
O Holy Night
Come All Ye Fairhful

Not sure I really dislike any carols
Maybe a few are Eh but no burning desire to shut the radio off 😄

Songs ...
We Wish you A Merry Christmas
Christmas Wrapping
Springsteen 's Santa Claus is Coming to Town (seen him do it live back in the day)

Don't care for Grandma/
Never heard Donkey or Shoes! 😄

[debm55]

116. Thank you very much for you list. electric_blue68 Dominic the Donkey is played on I guess different loops. The Red

Shoes is about a boy wanting to buy red shoes for his mom to wear in the coffin as she is dying. Have a happy thanksgiving.

[electric_blue68]

137. TY the info. Happy Thanksgiving to you!

[debm55]

124. Check out a comic view of the song by Coventina. It's funny.

[electric_blue68]

169. I just did. 😄

[Wiz Imp]

125. White Wine In The Sun - Tim Minchin

Such a beautiful song.

&list=RDfCNvZqpa-7Q&start_radio=1

[debm55]

142. Thank you very much, Wiz Imp. It is a beautiful song. Have a Great Thanksgiving.

[Borogove]

126. Anything sung by those freaking chipmunks annoyed the hell out of me.

[debm55]

196. HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHHA. Thank you Borogove.

[no_hypocrisy]

127. Deb, they ALL suck.

And I'm forced to listen to them at work (retail grocery) starting on Friday until December 24.

Yeah, I know it's only a month, but it does cut into my otherwise stellar customer service.

I feel like Xmas is being shoved up my ass.

[debm55]

201. Thank you no-hypocrisy. That would be hard listing to Christmas music your whole shift. Thank you for sharing that.

[Wiz Imp]

128. A Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson

A medley of traditional Christmas carols, brilliantly arranged by Leroy Anderson (who also wrote Sleigh Ride). I first discovered it by playing it in high school band 45 years ago and have loved it ever since.

[debm55]

202. Great song. Thank you for sharing with us. I enjoyed it. and I like Sleigh Ride also. thanks Wiz Imp

[Mike Nelson]

129. I like and did not see listed...

&list=RDN_OG8CyKXO0&start_radio=1

[debm55]

203. You are right, You are the first one to post it. Thank you for sharing, Mike Nelson.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

130. Bill Murray! Paul Schaeffer with Pheonix

&t=153s

[debm55]

206. Thank you very much for sharing with us. PuraVidaDreamin

[Wiz Imp]

131. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love

The biggest highlight from Phil Spector's Christmas Album released in 1963. The whole album is great. In my opinion, it's one of the best Rock n Roll albums ever made (not just Christmas Albums). Phil Spector was a bad guy, but his production work, especially on this album, was fantastic. And Darlene Love had one of the greatest voices ever. She really should have been a superstar.

&list=RD4EvZOXEoJ84&start_radio=1

[debm55]

207. Thank you very much , Wiz Imp. I agree about Spector, yet he did put out some great music.

[Wiz Imp]

133. (There's No War On Christmas) When Christmas Is In Your Heart by The Mockers

A wonderful power pop song by a largely unknown power pop band. Great video too.

And a bonus Christmas song from The Mockers (What's A Better Present) At Christmas Time:

[debm55]

208. Thank you very much for your selections. You always introduce me to music, I have not heard of before and I thank you.

[Wiz Imp]

134. Riu Riu Chiu by the Monkees

From the one Christmas episode from their 1960's TV show.

&list=RDriG85oA6Wy4&start_radio=1

[debm55]

211. Thank you very much, Wiz Imp I didn't know that the Monkees did a Christmas song.

[madamesilverspurs]

135. I grew up listening to the Cathedral choir rehearsing with the pipe organ,

still love hymns thus performed. Mostly a traditionalist, I guess.
A favorite is Holst's "Christmas Day"; a good choir can deliver it with goosebumps.
And my dad grew up with Alfred Burt, who composed the music for "Carolling, Carolling" and "Some Children See Him"; Burt used to send new carols with his Christmas cards.
On my faves eclectic list, Bare Naked Ladies with Sarah McG, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings".

For just plain fun, this rendering of "12 Days..." that never fails to bring giggles and guffaws:

.

[electric_blue68]

145. 😄 Well done guys & kids! Ty

[debm55]

165. Thank you very much madamesilverspurs Your selections are great. Have a great Thanksgiving.to you and yours.

[Wiz Imp]

136. A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio

The best TV Soundtrack ever - so good that I can't narrow it down to a single song.

&list=RDPZtrgRejwG0&start_radio=1

[debm55]

164. thank you Wiz Imp, I would play the disk while teaching Art in December to grade schoolers. They all would say that is

Charlie Brown music.

[Morbius]

192. I forgot about Linus and Lucy.

That's a fave.

[debm55]

194. Thank you very much, Morbius. I always loved the music from the show.

[KT2000]

138. The Gifts they Gave and

Longfellow's I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - both Harry Belafonte
and Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli - What Child is This

my worst is anything by Burl Ives, especially It's Holly Jolly Christmas

[debm55]

140. Thank you KT2000 for your wonderful selections. I agree with your Holly Jolly Christmas. Have a great Thanksgiving.

[PJMcK]

155. Worst: Anything by Alvin and the Chipmunks

Best: Everything else.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[debm55]

163. HAHAH Thank you very PJMcK. I agree Your post is so funny. Happy Thanksgiving.

[buzzycrumbhunger]

156. Joni

Can’t say Xmas gives me a thrill these days but the first thing it reminds me is of this song:

?si=etKIupOIXnTStDJy

[debm55]

160. Thank you very much buzzycrumbhunger , Beautiful song and voice.

[boonecreek]

167. Carol of the Bells.

The Trans Siberian Orchestra.

One I don't like:

The version I do:

[debm55]

200. Thank you very much boonecreek.Love "Carol of the Bells" and no one can outdo Nat King Coles version.

[Morbius]

168. Seek out Excelsis (A Dark Noel).

It's a CD that came out in 1995. I have it and treasure it. Not all the songs are good or even listenable, but where it hits, it hits hard.

Welcome Christmas - Love Spirals Downwards
Channukah, Oh Channukah - Black Tape for a Blue Girl
A Winter Wassail - Faith and the Muse
Oh Come All Ye Faithful - FuchiKachis Ethu
Carol of the Bells - This Ascension

Unforgettable. If you choose to seek one out on YouTube, start with the Wassail.

Of late, I really like the version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Annie Lennox. And there will always be a place in my heart for Al Yankovic's Christmas at Ground Zero. My favorite Christmas carol is Adeste Fideles, but not all versions are tolerable.

I've always hated Jingle Bells. There is no good version.

[debm55]

177. Thank you very much, Morbius for your selections. I will YouTube later

[OldBaldy1701E]

170. Well, this won't be popular, but it is my answer.

Worst - 'All I Want For Christmas...' (They never get a child to do it, and when they do, they get the child to sing it off-key because they think it is 'cute'. Hearing a child butcher this tune is bad enough. Hearing a bunch of middle-aged people singing this tune is just cringe-worthy.)

Best - 'Fuck Christmas' by Eric Idle and John Du Prez. (It is on one of his albums, but I heard it on a Monty Python special. I doubt you will hear it on the store sound system while shopping.)

[debm55]

175. HAHAHHAHA. Thank is so funny, and so true. Thank you OldBaldy1701E and may you and yours have a great day.

[Wiz Imp]

218. You reminded me of this NSFW ditty by Corey Taylor - X-M@$

&list=RDod7GUy9XS7c&start_radio=1

[OldBaldy1701E]

220. I like it! (n/t)

[AllaN01Bear]

176. the secular songs started in mid july.

it came upon a midnight clear
hark the harold angels sing
go tell it on the mountain that christ was born.
o little town of bethlihem

[debm55]

190. Thank you Bear, Are those the songs you like? Here in PA , Christmas songs are played closer to the end of October.

[AllaN01Bear]

191. these are some of the hyms we sing @ church

[debm55]

193. I love them also. Bear. Thank you for sharing with us,

[Thunderbeast]

183. Good question!

Best: "Merry Christmas from the Family" Robert Earl Keen

Worst "My Favorite Things" sung by Luciano Pavarotti

[debm55]

188. Thank you very much Thunderbeast.

[Casandia]

184. Best - Have a Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives

Puts me in a good mood every time

[debm55]

189. Yes, it does, doesn't it. Thank you very much Casandia.

[B.See]

185. It's evolved over time. As a youth,

"Little Drummer Boy" (Simeone Chorus version), circa 50ish, "This Christmas" (Hathaway), over last decade, "So This Is Christmas" (Lennon).

[debm55]

186. Thank you very much B.See. Your taste in music really changed.

[Mz Pip]

204. Trans Siberian Orchestra

Love their version of Christmas Canon is probably my favorite.

All I Want for Christmas is my least favorite.

[debm55]

213. Thank you very much, Mz Pip

[bbernardini]

205. Best is Marc With A C's "All I Want For Christmas".

?si=YtRprQKigu_fdAOK

[debm55]

214. Thank you very much for sharing with us, bbernardini.

[YodaMom2]

209. An atheist's take...lol

Best: Schubert’s Ave Maria
Worst: ANY novelty song (that stupid “hippopotamus” one, Grandma Got Run Over…, All I Want, etc.). The only exception, if it can be called a novelty song, is Santa Baby, but ONLY if it’s performed by Eartha Kitt. She sounds like she’s supposed to sound - like a sultry, seductive grown-ass woman. The versions where the singers are trying to sound like pouty children? Ew. Just ew.

[debm55]

210. Thank you very much, YodaMom2 for your selections.

[yellowdogintexas]

217. Another "unusual" holiday song and one of my favorites performed by the Turtle Creek Chorale in Dallas

and the lyrics
Jalapeño, jalapeño, jalapeño, jalapeño, jalapeño
Enchiladas, corn tortillas, empanadas, guacamole, chili con queso
Bring hot tostadas and salsa rojo
And the hot sauce, and the hot sauce, jalapeño, jalapeño.
Pico de gallo and some cabrito.
And the hot sauce, and the hot sauce, jalapeño, jalapeño.
– - – - – - – - – Jalapeño
Bring me a glass of water and hurry, jalapeño, jalapeño.
Jalapeño, jalapeño, jalapeño, jalapeño, jalapeño
Jalapeño, jalapeño.
The kitchen has just closed – - – but we're starved.
The kitchen has reopened since the owner just walked in.
Then I will have refritos and tacos. -
Chalupas, and Spanish rice, and Spanish rice and Spanish rice.
Fajitas – - fajitas, fajitas, fajitas, fajitas.
Tamales, tamales, with chili
Some agua, some agua, limonada, limonada.
Sangria, sangria, margarita, margarita.
Dos Equis, Dos Equis, Carta Blanca, Carta Blanca.
Corona, Corona, no domestic, no domestic.
A praline, fried ice cream, sopapillas with honey.
No more flan, the flan's all gone.
I have not touched this chili relleno. - – -
The flan's all gone you can have some tomorrow.
Bring the check, I'll charge, I'll charge it.
No let me pay, on my Visa, on my Visa.
And bring a doggie bag for my flautas and salsa.
O what pains, frijoles bring, O what pains, frijoles bring.
And we shall burn forever, forever and ever.
Forever, and ever, forever, and ever,
Alka Seltzer, Pepto Bismol, Metamucil, Kaopectate – - Jalapeño!

[debm55]

221. Thank you, yellowdogintexas. Very funny.