Oh and the two standards that I hate more than anything are Barbra Streisand's take on Jingle Bells (it gives me a headache in its manic-ness) and Stevie Nicks' Silent Night (absolutely the wrong song for her voice, it comes out a croak).
My current fave is O Holy Night by the LoveMongers (Heart, without the dudes and gone accoustic).
Never have seen the commercial, but I absolutely despise the song. Have no idea why, but that song will bring out the Scrooge in me every time.
On ER a few years back, Carter's grandmother provided a Christmas tree for Hathaway's clinic toward the end of the show. They played Gladys Knight singing "Do You Hear What I Hear?". Beautifully done and fit the moment perfectly.
"(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays - Perry Como It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Cathy Ryan It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - Amy Grant Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree - Amy Grant
An Old Christmas Card - Cahal Dunne (Irish singer from Pgh, Pa.) some of the most heartwarming lyrics:
There's an Old Christmas Card in an old dusty trunk And it brings back sweet memories dear to me 'Though it's faded and worn, it's as precious as the morn When I found it 'neath our first Christmas tree
Chorus: I thrill with every word, every line Guess I'm always sentimental 'round this time Pardon me if a tear falls among my Christmas cheer It's the memory of an Old Christmas Card
(Recitation) You know, I don't know why I get to feeling sentimental About this time, every year But every time I see a Christmas card, I somehow can't help reminiscing About the very first Christmas that you and I spent together What a beautiful Christmas card you gave me that year Why I know you must have looked through thousands of cards To find that wonderful poem that still brings a tear to my eyes
Favs: Dean Martin's "Let it Snow"; Eartha Kitt's version of "Santa Baby", (RIP), Carol of the Bells (most performers), old English carols and many others... check out Diana Krall's new Christmas album, can't believe I just discovered her. "Mary's Boy Child" made more playlists this year. I did not like it much before, but I'd like to hear Belafonte doing that one more time. I find that it's not in my collection. Somehow the Carpenters old albums bring back Christmas, even their non-xmas songs. I still like Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad". Chuck Barry's song about Rudolph. What's that title?
Disgusting: Madonna singing anything. Or performing in any manner, in any media. "Little Drummer Boy", "Do You Hear What I Hear?" (no, I don't theenk so...); Burl Ives' "Holly Jolly Christmas". What a bore. He should stick to "Jimmy Crack Corn" and forget it. Jingle Bells. I was sick of that by second semester Kindergarten. Brenda Lee singing anything. Whew.
Run Rudolph Run (even though that phrase is never once uttered during the sung. Many people mistakenly think the song's title is Run, Run, Rudolph).
Oh. And about Diana Krall, John...I've been singing her praises for years here! That Elvis Costello is one lucky dude! She is ultra-talented...and very easy on the eyes!