You’ve Probably Never Heard Of the #1 Christmas Song On This List
During our holiday run on Lite 98.7, when we turn into Your Christmas Music Station, we go wall-to-wall holiday music for Central New York. If you're like me, you probably love some of the Christmas songs we play, while some others...meh.
Naomi Lynn recently posted a list of Central New York's Top 10 Holiday Favorites, culled from all the requests she receives during her midday show on Lite 98.7. Here's a list of my favorite Christmas songs, some of which we play on Lite 98.7, and some of which are my own additions:
10. The 12 Pains of Christmas
One of the many great parodies put together by morning radio and parody god Bob Rivers:
9. Christmas in Hollis
The classic from Run-DMC was featured in the movie Die Hard. The nice beat was lifted from a naughty Christmas song by Clarence Carter, called "Back Door Santa." Here's the official video from Run-DMC. The song kicks in at about the :45 mark...
8. Good King Wenceslas
The only the version that'll do is the one sung by actors Hugh Grant and Colin Coull in the movie Love Actually:
7. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings
This version by the Barenaked Ladies with Sarah McLachlan is brilliant:
6. Little Drummer Boy
The ease with which late performers David Bowie and Bing Crosby blended their talents (below) on this song still amazes. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly did their own version more recently for Funny or Die.
5. Mele Kalikimaka
Bing Crosby's version is great, and so is Jimmy Buffet's:
4. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Bruce Springsteen's classic was recorded December 12, 1975 during a concert at C.W. Post College in Long Island. Hearing Clarence Clemons "Ho Ho Ho-ing" and the Boss failing to contain his laugh while finishing the lyrics is irresistible:
3. All I Want For Christmas Is You
Mariah Carey's crowning achievement:
2. I'll Be Home For Christmas
A live version of the Eagles' holiday hit:
1. I'm Dressing Up Like Santa Claus For Christmas (When I Get Out On Parole)
My favorite all-time holiday song, written and produced by Bob Rivers:
If you want to share YOUR holiday favorites, especially any unusual ones, please feel free.