Holiday songs, carols, and all that....

Whenever this song played on the radio, I would immediately crank the volume.  The key that it is played in (D Major?), the way the song develops, and the building of the crescendo with the fills of orchestral sounds and choir are fantastic.  Greg Lake, at such a young age, and his lyrics partner created a musical pop masterpiece of its time.

Here's my holiday ear worm: 

Waitresses: Christmas Wrapping

While I'm enjoying singing along with the new Carrie Underwood version of The Sound of Music, my favorite is "Mary Did You Know?"

I'm a bit of a snob about it, though. I think only Mark Lowry gives it the emotion it deserves.

Love I heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Casting Crowns. It expresses some of what I believe in Father Christmas does. Lyrics based on a poem by Longfellow in 1863.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,

and wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along

The unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime,

A chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,

And with the sound

The carols drowned

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,

And made forlorn

The households born

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;

"For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men."

One we've fallen upon recently is "How Many Kings" by the group Downhere. This is a pretty good live in studio version.

I prefer to call it Christmas Music. 

Here's one of my favorites. 

Wizards of Winter

My all-time favorite - The Hallelujah Chorus  (just one example provided):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usfiAsWR4qU

Wait............someone sang a Christmas song besides Bing Crosby's White Christmas?  Who knew?

Some that I consider favorites:

• Winter Wonderland in General, but Annie Lenox's version could be my favorite (Very Special Christmas 1)
• I believe in Father Christmas - Funny story (well, to me and my wife).  My XM radio has a limited display size so that comes up as "I believe in fat", which when my wife and I saw that driving, just tickled us.  Seemed appropriate for the holidays.  We chuckle at that years later.  Stupid, I know.
• I really like Andy Williams' Most Wonderful time of the year.
• Carol of the bells (bell version and the Lawrence Welk singing version is cool)

For more recent stuff (not covers)

• Colbie Callat Mistletoe
• Smashing Pumpkins Christmastime
• I found some fantastic techno mixes of Bing Crosby, Nutcracker Songs, etc in Japan.  You know, if you want a Christmas Rave.
• I should search for some dubstep Christmas songs this year!

Father Christmas by The Kinks

Traditional: Carol of the Bells, so many great renditions of it to choose from.

More modern: The Pogues & Kirsty McColl "Fairytale Of New York"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwHyuraau4Q

John Gorka did a version about 25 years ago, that I like even better.  (Love the Gorka!)

The only other 2 Christmas songs I can stand to listen to are: 

Martina McBride singing "O Holy Night"

the Barenaked Ladies teaming up with Sarah MacLaughlin for a great "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings" mashup.

I heard this last night and it brought me back to childhood.

Linus and Lucy

Quite possibly the best Christmas album ever released.

Agreed.

IMO, every version after that, though decent, NEVER came close to standing up to this one.

x2

it's the ONLY christmas music i tolerate!