Anyone who knows me knows that my taste in music is hugely varied. And my taste in Christmas music is no exception. I love Christmas songs from many genres, from classical to country to pop to jazz, and from any time period from madrigals to...well, maybe not rap and hip hop, but certainly to contemporary times. Here are a few of my favorites from the various decades over the past century!
The 1910s
1910: "The Hallelujah Chorus" from The Messiah by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
When I think of Christmas music, I think of the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah, and when I think of the "Hallelujah Chorus," I think of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Messiah premiered in 1782, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir first performed it in 1875, but the first recording by the choir was made in 1910 and included the "Hallelujah Chorus." What more joyful noise could possibly be made at Christmas?
1913: "Hail, Hail, Day of Days!" by the Edison Mixed Quartet
I recently discovered this delightful recording from 1913 - made on a wax cylinder! I love the overly deliberate diction with the rolled Rs, and alternation of a capella passages with sparse accompaniment including pretty little chimes after each repetition of the word "hail" and simple tuba oom-pahs and long tones in the background.
The 1920s
1923: "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" by Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
Originally written in 1897 by Leon Jessel as a solo piano piece entitled, "The Parade of the Tin Soldiers," Jessel arranged it for orchestra in 1905. In 1922, Ballard McDonald added lyrics and arranged the piece into a song called, "The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers." The song was popular throughout the 1920s, but in 1933 it was used to create a Betty Boop cartoon of the same name, and the Radio City Rockettes adopted it as one of their signature numbers in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, a number they still perform today.
1929: "Savoy Christmas Medley" by Debroy Somers Band
This recording has such a 1920s sound, I can practically see them dancing the Lindy in their flared pinstriped pants during the interludes. I love the honky-sounding sax, the blatty brass, the perfectly square tempos, and the crisp diction and tight harmonies of the singers.
The 1930s
1934: "Troika" from Lieutenant Kije by Sergei Prokofiev
Although not technically a Christmas song, the word "Troika" refers to a sleigh drawn by three horses, and the sleigh bells and rousing, rhythmic percussion bring to mind horses' hooves, much like the better-known "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson. Being a brass player, I may be biased, but I love both playing and listening to this dynamic piece.
1936: "Swingin' Them Jingle Bells" by Fats Waller
"Jingle Bells" is probably one of the most played (and OVERplayed) Christmas songs ever, but you've never heard it until you've heard Fats Waller and his orchestra bring it home. "What's the matter wit' 'er?" "Jingle bells got 'er!" Priceless.
1936: "What Will Santa Claus Say?" by Louis Prima & His New Orleans Gang
Louis Prima is best known as King Louis in the original Jungle Book movie, but he had an impressive career as a bandleader and entertainer long before and after. Like many bandleaders of the era, Prima not only conducted, but also played the trumpet and provided lead vocals (with band members singing backup vocals) for many pieces, including this charming holiday song.
1939: "The Fairy on the Christmas Tree" by Gracie Fields
The chirpy sound of Fields' voice is reminiscent of Snow White in the 1937 Disney movie. This silly but sweet song is a perfect example of the style of this era, and it's a fun vintage visit to the late 1930s.
The 1940s
1942: "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby
Crosby was the ultimate crooner, and "White Christmas" is the ultimate croon. From Crosby's rich baritone to the women's backup harmonies to the sweet little whistled interlude, this song is about as perfect as it can get. There have been innumerable covers recorded since, but none of them can touch Crosby's original.
1944: "Holiday for Strings" by Glen Miller and the Army Air Force Orchestra
What I love most about this piece is how effortlessly it changes from peppy jazz to orchestral pizzicato to smooth swinging strings. I can picture someone rushing out to do their holiday shopping, then coming home and sitting by the fire wrapping presents. It doesn't include any recognizable holiday tunes, but it is still unmistakably Christmas.
1949: "Sleigh Ride" by The Boston Pops
The Boston Pops first recorded Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" under the baton of Arthur Fiedler, one year after its composition in 1948, and it quickly became one of the group's signature numbers. The Pops released four additional recordings of the piece under Fiedler's direction, another conducted by John Williams, and three more by the current Pops conductor, Keith Lockhart. The piece was originally purely instrumental, with lyrics by Mitchell Parish added in 1950. The first recording with lyrics was released by the Andrews Sisters that same year. If you're from anywhere near Boston, it's not Christmas until you've heard the trumpeter in the Pops play that distinctive whinny.
The 1950s
1952: "The Christmas Waltz" by Frank Sinatra
Like "White Christmas," "The Christmas Waltz" has been covered by many other artists, but Sinatra's laid-back version with swinging strings and soaring sopranos is still the one by which all others are measured.
1953: "Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt
This song has been re-recorded umpteen times, usually in a very cutesy manner (see: Madonna, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande), but Eartha's version is the only one that makes me believe that Santa did, indeed, bring her the entire contents of the Tiffany's catalog. And a yacht.
1957: "I Love Those J-I-N-G-L-E Bells" by Frank Sinatra
Another laid-back Sinatra carol, Frank is once again accompanied by a chorus of chirping sopranos and "bong"-ing basses. You can practically hear the ice jingle in his glass and see him waving his cigarette while he sings. Bong!
1958: "The Little Drummer Boy" by the Harry Simeone Chorale
Although this song, which is based on a traditional Czech carol, was written in 1940, the first recording wasn't released until 1951, performed by the Von Trapp Family Singers! But it was this 1958 recording by the Harry Simeone Chorale that really made it popular. This arrangement is so evocative of the 1950s age of chorale singing.
1959: "Christmas Festival" by the Boston Pops
Another Boston Pops Christmas classic by Leroy Anderson that the Pops have both performed and recorded numerous times, the 1959 recording under the baton of Arthur Fiedler is one of the best. Every Christmas I perform with a group that uses a slightly abbreviated version of this piece as their overture, and there is nothing quite as wonderful as standing at the back of the theater, waiting for my entrance, listening to this lovely medley of Christmas favorites.
The 1960s
1960: "Children, Go Where I Send Thee" by the Kingston Trio
If I were marooned on an island and could bring only one Christmas album, it would, without a doubt, be "The Last Month of the Year" by the Kingston Trio, and if I could listen to only one track, it would be "Children, Go Where I Send Thee." A counting song in the vein of "The 12 Days of Christmas," each number represents a Biblical concept, person, or group (for example, "3 for the Hebrew children" refers to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were saved from the fiery furnace in the book of Daniel).
1961: "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole
Although it was written by Mel Torme and Bob Wells, Nat King Cole's version far outshone Torme's own recording. Cole's smooth vocals invite you to join him and sit right down by that open faaaahr - er, fire. It's just not Christmas without Cole's rendition of "The Christmas Song."
1966: "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" by Thorl Ravenscroft
Not only is it from a classic children's book and television special by Dr. Seuss, featuring delicious lyrics like, "You have all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile" and "Your heart is full of unwashed socks," it is also performed by Thorl Ravenscroft, the voice of Tony the Tiger himself. Jim Carrey's version is fun, but it doesn't resonate in your soul the way Ravenscroft's does.
1967: "That's What Christmas Means to Me" by Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder's takes on various Christmas songs are often too non-traditional for me, but there's something so sincere about this song that I love it in all its Stevie Wonder poppiness. You can't help but boogie along to the beat while you're baking your Christmas cookies. The 1970s
1970: "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by the Jackson 5
Christmas and Motown can be a weird combination, but Michael Jackson was at the height of his little-boy cuteness and was the perfect voice for this song. Add in the tight harmonies from the other brothers and you can practically see their bell-bottom choreography. This is the rare combination of a less than fantastic song and a less than fantastic genre combining to somehow make a great recording.
1976: "Pine Cones and Holly Berries/It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" by the Osmonds
I love the way they take a classic Christmas song and combine it with a lesser-known tune for a much more fun and upbeat arrangement. I get this version stuck in my head every Christmas.
1977: "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" by Bing Crosby and David Bowie
As odd as this pairing seemed on the surface, and as cheesy as the setup was in the 1977 television special where they first performed the medley, it was a beautiful and moving piece, and Crosby's and Bowie's voices blended unexpectedly well. There was something touching about the two men from such widely varied backgrounds, genres, and generations coming together.
1978: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by the Carpenters
Many other singers recorded this song before and after the Carpenters, most notably Judy Garland, but as much as I love Judy's poignant version, it's Karen Carpenter's throaty purr that tugs at my heartstrings. To me, this version is the best of the best.
The 1980s
1981: "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" by the Cambridge Singers
There's nothing like the sound of a capella men's voices echoing throughout a stone cathedral. John Rutter's lovely arrangement of this traditional carol is haunting, yet festive.
1984: "Sleigh Ride/Winter Wonderland" by Dolly Parton
I'm the first to admit that Dolly's voice and style sometimes grate on me. But somehow this recording hits all the right notes for me. She sounds more like she's singing in her living room than in a recording studio - it's so natural and relaxed, just like Christmas should be..
1987: "Do You Hear What I Hear" by Whitney Houston
It's rare that a classic Christmas song is ever recorded in a very different arrangement yet becomes as much of a classic as the original, but Whitney's tour de force performance of "Do You Hear What I Hear" is one of the most powerful and moving Christmas songs I've ever heard. I still get chillbumps every time I listen to it. Oh, those pipes.
The 1990s
1992: "My Grownup Christmas List" by Amy Grant
If this song doesn't move you, you have a heart of stone. A beautiful melody; poignant, heartfelt lyrics; and Amy's gentle alto and soft Tennessee drawl are sure to melt the hardest of hearts.
1993: "(It Must Have Been Ol') Santa Claus" by Harry Connick, Jr.
Connick's music is a contemporary take on 1940s swing music, and this arrangement is no exception. With bright brasses, percussive rhythms, the band singing backup and clapping, and rocking piano licks, this jazzy number has it all. The 2000s
2002: "The Nutcracker Suite" by the Brian Setzer Orchestra
BSO released the song in 2002 but it grew in popularity the following year when it was included on the soundtrack of the film "Elf." It's a jazzy, contemporary take on the traditional Nutcracker, including just enough traditional bits in between jazzing it up to please highbrow and lowbrow alike.
2004: "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen/We Three Kings" by the Barenaked Ladies ft. Sarah McLachlan
Another unexpected pairing, I love the way the BNLs start off, then McLachlan slips in underneath with subtle harmonies before taking a verse in her own style, then the BNLs slip in under her with harmonies, finally ending with a canon-style repeat. The arrangement has something of an Appalachian feel with the simple guitar accompaniment and McLachlan's trademark near-yodel singing style.
2007: "What Child is This?" by Carrie Underwood
Sometimes I like it when an artist plays around with a traditional arrangement, adding their own embellishments and interpretations. But sometimes I like it when someone with a beautiful voice simply sings the traditional arrangement without feeling a need to muck around with it. Underwood does exactly that on this simple arrangement that starts with solo voice and guitar, then builds to a full orchestra and backing vocals, but keeps the traditional melody intact. No melisma, no glory notes, no unexpected harmonies (or melodies). Just a lovely voice singing a lovely song.
The 2010s
2012: "Carol of the Bells" by Pentatonix
Carol of the Bells. Pentatonix. 'Nough said.
2013: "Underneath the Tree" by Kelly Clarkson
I kind of love this song in spite of myself. It's a little angsty and overly belty, but Kelly sells it like nobody's business. I'd love to hang out underneath her Christmas tree, drinking spiked eggnog and dishing on guys. Yeah, it surprises me, too.
2014: "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Michael Buble and Idina Menzel
A lot of people get their knickers in a twist over this song, claiming it's about date rape (it's not; it's about slut shaming, but that's another blog entirely). But Buble and Menzel change a few lyrics and add a couple of adorable lip-synching tweens to the video and the whole song becomes as sweet and Christmassy as a candy cane.
2015: "The Man with the Bag" by Jessie J
Kay Starr's original jazz version was great, but Jessie J's brassy, bold belt manages to outdo the original.
2016: "Mary Did You Know?" by Voctave ft. Mark Lowry
If you're not familiar with the group "Voctave," check them out. Amazing voices, amazing arrangements. This is one of my favorite arrangements of one of my favorite Christmas songs. (Side note: That crazy high soprano? I've heard her in person. Yeah, she really sings those notes. Yeah, she really sounds like that in person. No autotuning, no electronic sweetening. It's mind-blowing. Plus, she's just a doll.)
So that's my take on the last century of Christmas music. What era is your favorite?
Thanksgiving Eve is when I traditionally begin listening to Christmas music. I like to put on some of my old favorites while I'm chopping up onions and celery and bread for the stuffing, and baking pumpkin pie, and picking out my serving dishes, and setting the table. There's something wonderfully festive about preparing for company and listening to the same holiday music I've listened to and loved for years. But over the past few holiday seasons, I've discovered some wonderful new versions of some of my favorite classic Christmas songs, and I'd like to share them with you.
If you love Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," try listening to Michael Buble's funky version:
Based on The Drifters' 1954 arrangement, Buble adds jazzy rhythms, backup singers doot-dooting 50s harmonies, and Shania Twain chiming in with a delightfully retro falsetto verse and some lovely harmonies.
If you love Nat King Cole's recording of Mel Torme's classic "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)," check out Andrea Bocelli and Natalie Cole's live concert recording from 2009.
Their styles and voices blend surprisingly well, and the combination of piano and orchestral accompaniment is beautifully balanced to swell where it should and let the voices shine where they should.
The Carpenters' beloved 1978 Christmas album, "A Christmas Portrait," includes many favorites, but Karen Carpenter's rich, mellow voice is at its best in "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." For a very different sound, listen to Sam Smith's haunting 2014 recording.
From the a cappella opening strains through the addition of a simple piano accompaniment, Smith moves from a very straight, note-for-note verse into playing around with the rhythm and the melody, yet keeping the original beauty and simplicity of the piece. Smith's rough, almost croaky voice is a huge contrast to Carpenter's caramel-smooth contralto, but it works.
Any of us who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s remembers the annual Andy Williams Christmas specials (oh, those sweaters!), which always included favorites like Williams' "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," with a full chorus "aaaahing" and "ding donging" in the background. For a perfectly harmonized a cappella version of this classic, look to the Pentatonix's 2014 recording.
The rich bass singing lead, another walking bassline underneath the melody, the boppy harmonies, the swinging beatboxing in the background...you'll find yourself waltzing around the room while you listen.
Gene Autry's "Here Comes Santa Claus" with its muted trumpet and jingle bells is another classic that's been re-recorded by many artists, including Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby. If you're willing to open your mind to a VERY different version, the mashup of "Here Comes Santa Claus" with "Winter Wonderland" performed by Snoop Dogg, Anna Kendrick, and the cast of Pitch Perfect 2 is quite a twist on the original.
Snoop (Or should I call him Dogg? Not sure if it's a first and last name or a single name like Cher or Madonna) has a surprisingly mellow and pleasant voice, and Kendrick's clear, light soprano blends well with it. The funky electronic rhythms in the background will have you bopping along. This version may not be for haters of hip hop and rap (of which I am generally one), but give it a try. You might find you like it!
Speaking of duets, one of my all-time favorite Christmas duets is, of course, "Baby, It's Cold Outside." There were no less than FIVE versions recorded in 1949 alone, including Dinah Shore and Buddy Clark, Ricardo Montalban and Esther Williams (!), and Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan, but probably the most familiar version is Dean Martin's 1959 recording with the Andrews Sisters. If you'd prefer an updated (and slightly sanitized) version, you'll love Idina Menzel and Michael Buble's 2014 recording.
Be sure to watch the sweet video that accompanies this recording. The little boy and girl are beyond adorable and the lip-synching is beautifully done. And you can't go wrong with the stunning voices of Menzel and Buble, two powerhouses whose voices reinforce each other instead of battling. Just charming.
Another Bing Crosby favorite is "I'll Be Home for Christmas," also recorded by Frank Sinatra (among countless others). Contrast their traditional, full orchestra and chorus recordings with Kelly Clarkson's 2011 version.
Clarkson's sweet, clear voice is backed by a jazz trio of piano, drums, and trumpet. She moves to a plaintive, scooping wail in the last verse that just gives me chillbumps. This recording makes me want to sit down with a glass of wine and look over family albums of Christmas photos from years gone by.
The Boston Pops performing Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" is always part of Christmas in my house, although others may prefer Johnny Mathis' 1958 recording. Blending the best of both of these versions is Harry Connick Jr.'s 1993 version.
The jazzy orchestra is reminiscent of the Pops' recording, and Connick's smooth as silk vocals play with the rhythm and the tune more than Mathis' measured, light crooning. Another version that will keep your toes tapping while you're gift wrapping!
Many classic Christmas songs from the 1950s and 1960s were performed by chorales like the Harry Simeone Chorale, Mitch Miller, and Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. Among the most well-known Christmas songs in that style was Simeone's "Little Drummer Boy". For a funky instrumental recording, you can't go wrong with Mannheim Steamroller's 1988 arrangement.
Combine orchestral tracks with unusual percussion, lots of synthesizers, funky rhythms, and a video that's kind of a trippy riff on the Nutcracker, and you get Mannheim's version of "Little Drummer Boy."
And one bonus track that's my new favorite this Christmas: "Mary Did You Know?" was written in 1991 by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene, and was recorded by various artists throughout the 90s, 00s, and teens, but really only became mainstream when the Pentatonix released a recording in 2014. If you love that version, you HAVE to listen to this year's recording of Mark Lowry singing the lead backed by the incredible vocal pyrotechnics of Voctave.
If the soaring soprano sailing above all the rich harmonies doesn't bring tears to your eyes, then you have a cold, cold heart. I could listen to this recording over and over all Christmas season and I'll still cry every time. Listen to it. TRUST ME.
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