My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #1 White Christmas (Bing Crosby)

If there was ever the perfect marriage between song and singer this is it. It is the best selling recording of all time. Christmas would not feel like Christmas without Bing's baritone voice making us believe that frozen rain will make the holiday complete. There are some other really great versions of this song but none compares to this one. 

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #2 The Christmas Song (Nat King Cole)

If  Nat King Cole had sung The Wheels on the Bus it would have sounded amazing. Give him not only one of the best Christmas songs but one of the best songs period ever written and you get something really special. You  could put this on a continuous loop for hours on  end and I would not get sick of listening it. Also if any aspiring pop singers happen to read this please listen and note that it is possible to create a mesmerizing performance by simply singing a song in it's actual tune without embellishing it with an endless barrage of runs and flourishes. Show them how it's done Nat.

The list so far:

2. The Christmas Song (Nat King Cole)

3. The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth (Bing Crosby, David Bowie)

4. Silent Night (Mannheim Steamroller)

5. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree (Brenda Lee)

6. Let It Snow (Dean Martin)

7. Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley)

8. Sleigh Ride (The Boston Pops)

9. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Gene Autry)

10. Here Comes Santa Claus (Elvis Presley)

11. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas (Burl Ives)

12. Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio)

13. Christmas [Baby Please Come Home] (Darlene Love)

14. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Barenaked Ladies)

15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)

16. Deck the Halls (Mannheim Steamroller)

17. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby)

18. We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

My Top 25 Christmas Recordiings #3 The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth (Bing Crosby and David Bowie)

This is possibly one of the most unlikely pairings in music history. It was recorded in September of 1977 for the Bing Crosby Christmas Special. (Bowie supposedly agreed to make the appearance because his mom was a big fan of Crosby.) From the accounts of those involved they only spent about an hour rehearsing and then made the recording. A month later Bing died and the special was aired on November 30th. I can remember watching it on TV and not understanding the historical significance of what I was seeing and hearing. This is what can happen when two vastly different yet tremendously talented artists collaborate. (By the way after you listen to this check out the shot for shot parody that Will Ferrell and John C Reilly did for Funny or Die here.)

 

 

The list so far:

3. The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth (Bing Crosby, David Bowie)

4. Silent Night (Mannheim Steamroller)

5. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree (Brenda Lee)

6. Let It Snow (Dean Martin)

7. Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley)

8. Sleigh Ride (The Boston Pops)

9. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Gene Autry)

10. Here Comes Santa Claus (Elvis Presley)

11. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas (Burl Ives)

12. Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio)

13. Christmas [Baby Please Come Home] (Darlene Love)

14. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Barenaked Ladies)

15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)

16. Deck the Halls (Mannheim Steamroller)

17. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby)

18. We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #4 Silent Night (Mannheim Steamroller)

Silent Night is my favorite Christmas song. I have so many memories tangled up in this song from so many Christmases. Hearing it brings a flood of reminiscence and emotion. This particular rendition is quiet and slow but had a story like feel to it. It is best listened to in a room at night, lit only by a Christmas tree preferably with snow falling outside the window. 

The list so far:

4. Silent Night (Mannheim Steamroller)

5. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree (Brenda Lee)

6. Let It Snow (Dean Martin)

7. Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley)

8. Sleigh Ride (The Boston Pops)

9. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Gene Autry)

10. Here Comes Santa Claus (Elvis Presley)

11. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas (Burl Ives)

12. Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio)

13. Christmas [Baby Please Come Home] (Darlene Love)

14. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Barenaked Ladies)

15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)

16. Deck the Halls (Mannheim Steamroller)

17. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby)

18. We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #6 Let It Snow (Dean Martin)

The great crooners make singing seem effortless. Nobody had as relaxed a demeanor as Dean Martin. That laid back style is on full display here. He comes across as so care free but every note is spot on. Many artists have given this song a go but none did it better than Dino. 

The list so far:

6. Let It Snow (Dean Martin)

7. Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley)

8. Sleigh Ride (The Boston Pops)

9. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Gene Autry)

10. Here Comes Santa Claus (Elvis Presley)

11. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas (Burl Ives)

12. Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio)

13. Christmas [Baby Please Come Home] (Darlene Love)

14. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Barenaked Ladies)

15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)

16. Deck the Halls (Mannheim Steamroller)

17. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby)

18. We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #7 Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley)

It's been a long day of traveling. I'll just say this, Elvis owns this song.

The list so far:

7. Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley)

8.Sleigh Ride (The Boston Pops)

9. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Gene Autry)

10. Here Comes Santa Claus (Elvis Presley)

11. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas (Burl Ives)

12. Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio)

13. Christmas [Baby Please Come Home] (Darlene Love)

14. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Barenaked Ladies)

15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)

16. Deck the Halls (Mannheim Steamroller)

17. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby)

18. We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #8 Sleigh Ride (The Boston Pops)

There are a lot of good versions of this song. Any number of them deserves to be included on this list. This is the one I look forward to hearing as the Christmas season approaches. It just sounds like Christmas. I also have some fun memories tied to this arrangement but I won't go into that right now. So bundle up and enjoy the ride. 

The list so far:

8.Sleigh Ride (The Boston Pops)

9. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Gene Autry)

10. Here Comes Santa Claus (Elvis Presley)

11. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas (Burl Ives)

12. Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio)

13. Christmas [Baby Please Come Home] (Darlene Love)

14. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Barenaked Ladies)

15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)

16. Deck the Halls (Mannheim Steamroller)

17. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby)

18. We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #9 Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Gene Autry)

Gene Autry had a hit with this song in 1949. Since then it has been covered by just about every recording artist on the planet. None can top his. 66 years later it's still the best. It wouldn't seem like Christmas without it. 

The list so far:

9. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Gene Autry)

10. Here Comes Santa Claus (Elvis Presley)

11. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas (Burl Ives)

12. Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio)

13. Christmas [Baby Please Come Home] (Darlene Love)

14. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Barenaked Ladies)

15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)

16. Deck the Halls (Mannheim Steamroller)

17. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby)

18. We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings 10 Here Comes Santa Claus (Elvis Presley)

Once again I faced a dilemma in selecting  which version of this song to include on the list. I considered Gene Autry's' rendition. It's simple yet it captures the fun and happiness of the song. It is (dare I say?) a classic. But in the end Elvis brings too much swagger to be ignored. So swivel those hips and swing along with the King.

The list so far:

10: Here Comes Santa Claus (Elvis Presley)

11. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas (Burl Ives)

12. Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio)

13. Christmas [Baby Please Come Home] (Darlene Love)

14. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Barenaked Ladies)

15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)

16. Deck the Halls (Mannheim Steamroller)

17. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby)

18. We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #11 Have a Holly Jolly Christmas (Burl Ives)

This song on it's own is nothing special and Burl Ives as a singer is ok but not someone I would go out of my way to see in concert (which would be hard to do anyway since I'm pretty sure he's dead). But put the two together and magic happens. Burl, we hear you and by golly we will have a  holly jolly Christmas this year. 

 

The list so far:

11. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas (Burl Ives)

12. Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio)

13. Christmas [Baby Please Come Home] (Darlene Love)

14. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Barenaked Ladies)

15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)

16. Deck the Halls (Mannheim Steamroller)

17. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby)

18. We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

 

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #12 Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio)

If you were born in the 60's or any time afterwards this song has probably been part of your childhood soundtrack. As the opener to A Charlie Brown Christmas it sets the tone for the greatest television Christmas special of all.  Can you imagine a children's Christmas special produced today having this understated somewhat mournful jazz number as it's opener? But it, like the special itself, has stood the test of time. Few numbers can get me feeling more nostalgic.

 

The list so far:

12. Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio)

13. Christmas [Baby Please Come Home] (Darlene Love)

14. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Barenaked Ladies)

15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)

16. Deck the Halls (Mannheim Steamroller)

17. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby)

18. We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #13 Christmas [Baby Please Come Home] (Darlene Love)

This was recorded as part of A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector , an album featuring Christmas songs recorded using Spector's "Wall of Sound" production technique. It includes several tracks that have become standards for Christmas season playlists, one example being  Frosty the Snowman by the Ronettes . In my opinion this is the best of the bunch. Love's heart and passion shine through the performance and makes you want to make it home for Christmas.

 

The list so far:

13. Christmas [Baby Please Come Home] (Darlene Love)

14. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Barenaked Ladies)

15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)

16. Deck the Halls (Mannheim Steamroller)

17. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby)

18. We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #14 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Barenaked Ladies)

This might be the least well known entry on this list. Also, it is not what you would call a traditional rendering of an extremely  traditional Christmas carol. It combines the title song with We Three Kings (which has never been one of my favorites) and makes it totally work. It's snappy and soulful and full of awesome. Plus, any song that features the upright bass can't help but be cool.

The list so far:

14. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Barenaked Ladies)

15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)

16. Deck the Halls (Mannheim Steamroller)

17. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby)

18. We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #15 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)

This is a song that can make you feel both festive and melancholy at the same time. I think that this is good thing. Judy Garland set the bar high for others with her performance in Meet Me in St. Louis and it still stands up. 

The list so far:

15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland)

16. Deck the Halls (Mannheim Steamroller)

17. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby)

18. We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #16 Deck the Halls (Mannheim Steamroller)

To be perfectly honest, if this list were just about my 25 favorite Christmas recordings, Mannheim Steamroller would probably fill about 20 of the slots. I thoroughly enjoy their fusion of electronic music and orchestration, of renaissance and contemporary. This song was my introduction to them and I was hooked from the first notes. When the strings hit at about the 2:30 mark I dare you to not get chills.

 

The list so far:

16. Deck the Halls (Mannheim Steamroller)

17. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby)

18. We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

 

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #17 I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby)

During my school's annual Christmas program when I was in the 4th grade, there was a segment where one of the bigger 6th grade boys was posed in a chair on a dimly lit stage dressed in an army uniform. Above his head pictures of holiday scenes were projected while someone softly sang this song. Even as a nine year old this made quite the impression on me and I have always loved this song. It has been covered by just about everyone but for my money nobody sang it better than Bing.

 

The list so far:

17. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby)

18. We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

 

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #18 We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

In the near future I plan on posting some of the near miss songs that could have or should have made my list. More than one of those are sung by Johnny Mathis. For some reason his voice seems to be particularly  conducive for the holiday season. His versions of Sleigh Ride, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, and It's a Marshmallow World are all classics (there's that word again). But I believe this one is his best. If you have a touch of the holiday blahs listening to the following might just be the cure.

 

 

The list so far:

18. We Need a Little Christmas (Johnny Mathis)

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #19 There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

This was another tough decision. Perry Como's version of this song is terrific and deserves a spot on this list. But Karen Carpenter possessed one of the greatest singing voices in the history of recorded music and her brother was a gifted arranger and producer. The result here is a gorgeous take on a classic. ( I need a thesaurus. I've been using that word a lot.)

 

The list so far:

19. There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays (The Carpenters)

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

In Search Of Domestic Tranquility

Back in my pastoring days I learned that when it came to deciding things like what color we should paint the nursery or what we should serve at the Annual ( you fill in the blank) Banquet the fewer people involved the better. The reason is simple. If you paint the nursery green but Mrs. Jones prefers orange, if you did not ask her, she will simply think you picked an ugly color. But  if you ask Mrs. Jones what color she thinks you should choose, and the walls still get painted green, well now it's personal. Her input has been rejected and you may very well have to deal with her hurt feelings.

This same principle applies to putting together a list of top Christmas recordings. While compiling my list I asked for my wife's input. I showed her what I had put together and asked her if she had any suggestions. She named several songs she thought deserved consideration and some of those made the list. Some did not. In particular her favorite did not. This di not make her happy.

There are several reasons for this. For one this recording is only a couple years old and so it has not stood the test of time. It hasn't been around long enough to be considered one of the "greatest". Also, it is a reworking of a song which in its original form has nothing to do with Christmas. It's a great song. It's a beautiful song. It's an iconic song. It's not a Christmas song. When most people hear it being played their thoughts will not turn to Christmas.

Nevertheless, it is very beautiful and moving and deserves to be heard. Maybe in 10 years if I revise the list this will have made the kind of impact that it will have to be included. For now just listen and enjoy Hallelujah by Cloverton.

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #20 Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helm)

This song carries a fair amount of nostalgia for me. My kindergarten class learned and performed this for the school Christmas program. There was a bit of drama though. Much to my consternation my older brother told me that I was singing a "rock" song. My parents frowned on rock and roll music and I being a loyal son shared their disapproval. My mother took me aside and assured me that I was not going to be participating in the devil's music. I can now enjoy this song with a clear conscience.

The list so far:

20. Jingle Bell Rock (Buddy Helms)

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #21 I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

The decision on which version of this song to choose was a close one. The Ronettes rendition is a classic and definitely worth a listen.(Click on the link to hear it) In the end though I am giving the edge to the amazing vocal stylings of the young Michael Jackson. So much talent to develop. So much weirdness to come.

The list so far:

21. I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus (The Jackson 5)

22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #22 All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

I'm not exactly a Mariah Carey fan. I have a relative whose first music purchase was one of her cd's. I have made it a point to regularly mock him for this. But, even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. The song is pretty dang catchy and she sings it well. The result is a new classic.

The list so far:

                          22. All I Want for Christmas (Mariah Carey)

      23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

         25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano)

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #23 O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

 This choice is more about the song itself than it is about the rendition. It would not seem right to have any list of greatest Christmas songs that does not include O Holy Night. Mr. Groban's performance is very traditional, showing respect for a timeless classic. Well done sir, well done.

The list so far:

      23. O Holy Night (Josh Groban)

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

         25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano)

My Top 25 Christmas Recordings #24 Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

I expect to catch some flack for this one. I can understand why some people don't care for this song. At first glance it appears to be an ode to greed sung by a brainless gold-digger. I happen to think that it is a piece of hilarious satire. (My favorite line: "Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing...  a ring, I don't mean on the phone" That's funny stuff.)

One caveat though, this is the one and  only version of this song that should ever be played, All the other attempts to replicate it are crass imposters. (I'm looking at you Madonna. Are you listening Britney Spears?) So here is the original. Take a fresh listen.

The list so far:

24. Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

         25. Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano)