Splent's top 100 and bottom 25 Christmas songs... wanna guess?

[hefdaddy42]

I'll be honest.  I have never, ever liked Manheim Steamroller.

Ever.

[splent]

27. Angels We Have Heard on High - First Call
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FHpQv3yIM4

I'ma be honest, I haven't listened to Pentatonix new album yet, so they haven't been on my list. A lot of my friends are all about them, and I LIKE them, but I just haven't gotten into them or been completely blown away by anything they've released. This has been one of my favorites for a long time, even though technically it has percussion and some synth so it's not completely acapella.

26. What Child Is This - Vince Guaraldi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2HFIDW8DdM

That opening arpeggiated chord always gets me. It's just so unique to this very old song. I love it. This is one of my favorite arrangements of this.

55. Christmas Time Is Here - Vince Guaraldi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PzetPqepXA

Come on random.org, dont' give away all charlie brown christmas right away.

38. Born on a New Day - The King's Singers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhDpp4iz2dQ

You are the New Day is one of my favorite choral tracks by the men's vocal ensemble, and they recently arranged it for the holidays. That's all I'm going to say. Countertenors for the mf win.

64. O Holy Night - David Phelps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElJ0fiD0lkc

My dad is a huge gaither vocal band fan, and he's their tenor. Man he just annihilates this song. Yes this is their Live Christmas arrangement so lots of praisin' Jesus, so if you aren't a fan of that, just turn off your monitor and listen. He KILLS it.

BOTTOM 13. Rudoph - Dean Martin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPCvyJod0WM

I'm sorry I hate this version. The background singers are stupid, he's obviously plastered, and that "Rudy that red-beaked reindeer" just is dumb. I usually like the rat pack, don't get me wrong, but I've always loathed this version as affected.

[T-ski]

my OCD is having issues with this thread.

[splent]

my OCD is having issues with this thread.

 Sorry. Trying something new. Just take a look at the opening post and you will see where I'm at so far

[Prog Snob]

BOTTOM 13. Rudoph - Dean Martin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPCvyJod0WM

I'm sorry I hate this version. The background singers are stupid, he's obviously plastered, and that "Rudy that red-beaked reindeer" just is dumb. I usually like the rat pack, don't get me wrong, but I've always loathed this version as affected.

I don't know how to process that.

[splent]

BOTTOM 13. Rudoph - Dean Martin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPCvyJod0WM

I'm sorry I hate this version. The background singers are stupid, he's obviously plastered, and that "Rudy that red-beaked reindeer" just is dumb. I usually like the rat pack, don't get me wrong, but I've always loathed this version as affected.

I don't know how to process that.

I knew I'd get a little questioning on that one. But I've never liked it. Ever. I mean I really don't like the song period (there's only one version I really like), but this is my least favorite by far. Nothing against Dean, I love him, his Let It Snow is timeless, but this one is just meh for me.

[splent]

My playlist on spotify got a little out of whack because I forgot to put a song on there but everything should still line up all right. Back to the mixed up countdown.

57. Wonderful Christmastime - The Shins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qReziqBwEr4
Many have mixed feelings on the original (you'll find my opinion soon enough) but I love the play they put on it making it seem like a late 60s Beach Boys/psychadelic pop cover. It's fun and unique.

70. Snowfall - Manhattan Transfer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WouGmkkXp4Y
I love this vocal jazz ensemble, and this is my favorite holiday song by them. It captures a classic sound and brings it forward to a more modern time. The slow laid back tempo just fits the calm that a nice light snow can bring. At least when you are inside.

60. We Five Kings - Jethro Tull
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxak1EJ4CW0
We Three Kings. In 5/4 time. YAAAS. Not to mention the accordian.

72. Soul Cake - Sting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu8H5rA9HuA
I love this song. It captures that folk style that Sting has been associated with for much of his later career with a very old holiday tune. Love it.

15. Joy to the World - Mannheim Steamroller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX5M9n7vrrg
Sorry Hef. Dont' worry this is the top Mannheim Steamroller track on my countdown.

BOTTOM 19. Christmas Conga - Cyndi Lauper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7E2lcx23JA
What is this. I can't even.

[splent]

I'm home sick today, but I hope to post another five today to keep getting caught up. I figure 5-10 songs a day should get me close to the top 10 by a week before christmas.

[Jester]

Hoping you feel better.

[Stadler]

And... the first track of the bottom 25!!!

15. Snoopy's christmas - The Royal Guardsmen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSFQzyNJzj0

Capitalizing on the success of their track Snoopy and the Red Baron, they did this track that told the story of Snoopy and the Red Baron stopping their fighting for Christmas, parallel with the story of German and British soldiers during WWI. They follow the same formula as Snoopy and the Red Baron. Not my favorite track at all, it's too repetative, and it's just an extension of their only hit, which is basically the same song without the christmas. Meh.

Whack.   Snoopy and the Red Baron is legit in my top 20 favorite songs ever, and this just takes that greatness and adds in Christmas.

Then again, I LOVE Christmas songs to begin with. 

I even like Wham! "Last Christmas", though, so there.

[Prog Snob]

I'm home sick today, but I hope to post another five today to keep getting caught up. I figure 5-10 songs a day should get me close to the top 10 by a week before christmas.

BOTTOM 13. Rudoph - Dean Martin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPCvyJod0WM

I'm sorry I hate this version. The background singers are stupid, he's obviously plastered, and that "Rudy that red-beaked reindeer" just is dumb. I usually like the rat pack, don't get me wrong, but I've always loathed this version as affected.

I don't know how to process that.

I knew I'd get a little questioning on that one. But I've never liked it. Ever. I mean I really don't like the song period (there's only one version I really like), but this is my least favorite by far. Nothing against Dean, I love him, his Let It Snow is timeless, but this one is just meh for me.

It begins and ends with....Baby, It's Cold Outside. 

[splent]

18. I Believe in Father Christmas - Greg Lake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPm6CheT6rs
This was not a joke, Random.org did number 18, and it was this song. How appropriate. RIP.

38. Mary's Boy Child - Little River Band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVGdgVH2_6A
Originally this was kind of a calypso-y song, but this version is nothing like that.

36. Sleigh Ride - Bela Fleck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP-q7mwiLmc
A few more tracks will be coming from this insane album.

45. O Holy Night - NSync
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXzJqRXLI08
Before you go into an uproar, this is a very mellow version of the song done legit by some very good singers. Yes there are probably better versions out there, but at this point acapella wasn't at the popularity level it is now, and they did it, and did it well. And I transcribed it for the group I was in in high school. And never sang it.

77. I Always Cry At Christmas - Richard Page
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMKI55zartk
A tender song.

BOTTOM 17. Snow Flake - Pebbles and Bamm Bamm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1b4Bp30OjY
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS.

[splent]

66. Little Saint Nick - The Beach Boys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSynDh_K0EE
I've really gotten into the Beach Boys the last few years, due to their great harmonies and not overly obvious complexity of their music (when you break some of it down it gets really really interesting). Brian Wilson is a genius.  Even though the album is still very much in that surf pop style, he's starting to try new things here (although not to the extent that he did with Pet Sounds).

51. God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman/We Three Kings - Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLaughlin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGVNzgUxE-g
Holy 90s batman. But a lot of fun. Always loved the quirkiness of the Barenaked Ladies.

68. Sleigh Ride - Andy Williams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0q_jddlhfo
Take the (white) bossa nova pattern popular in traditional pop music in the mid-60s and make it christmasy and you got this. I just imagine lots of mod decor and dancing stuff. Oh and there's more modulations in this song than a simple Dream Theater song.

42. Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Any Grant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eKIAJkkyxs
Yeah.

65. Gaudete - Erasure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grVrDsqQdXc
Take a very old Christmas hymn and add electronic music to it and you get this.

BOTTOM 12. Rocking Around the Chrismtas Tree - Jessica Simpson and Rosie ODonnell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTfYOnzSwdA
No. Just No. And stop trying to sound like Britney, Jessica Simpson. This is like a train wreck.

[splent]

53. Winter Wonderland - Steve Taylor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0bfwsCeVTI
A mariachi version? How quirky... as Steve Taylor's music is.

52. Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Chapter 6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGyd99wcfPU
I know these guys and they are amazing. Millikin alumni represent!!

73. Skating - Vince Guaraldi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn4Y3sHyfsg
Obviously

75. Riu Riu Chiu - Sixpence None The Richer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RplJcX3U9DI
I've only recently encountered this, no one ever sings this as a song unless you are in choir! I like this.

94. Angels From The Realms of Glory - Annie Lennox
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnRxH864-o0
I've always liked Annie Lennox, and this is no exception.

BOTTOM 18. Please Daddy Don't Get Drunk This Christmas - John Denver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li8GrxE1jfg
Never liked the message of this song.

[splent]

One more post quick.

BOTTOM 11. Santa Baby - Madonna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ycWObpi73Y
Yeah, this could also be Everclear's version. Or ANY version other than the original.

33. Little Drummer Boy - Harry Simeone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqaFVDqV0sc
The one that made it popular.

81. Jingle Bells? - Barbra Streisand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nq0CuUKTjc
This one is just crazy. Lots of time signature changes.

20. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Billie Holliday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSOg89IZ1ZQ
Your voice keeps me warm, Billie.

16. Sleigh Ride - Leroy Anderson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OATi34PKNPw
Love this song. Can't you tell?

69. Lux Aurumque - Eric Whitacre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j2JRcC6wBs
It means light of gold. Sang this in college. One of my favorite choral pieces.

[Prog Snob]

Two people I cannot stand - Madonna and Barbara Streisand.   

[splent]

Two people I cannot stand - Madonna and Barbara Streisand. 

I normally don't like Babs either,  but a) the wife is a big musical theatre fan (as am I, but not babs), and b) this song is like a minute and a half long so it's tolerable and c) saw this at the light show at Disney two years ago and it was cool

And Madinna is on my bottom list

[Prog Snob]

I pictured Madonna being a top. 

[splent]

I pictured Madonna being a top. 

She's kinky like that

[Cool Chris]

75. Riu Riu Chiu - Sixpence None The Richer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RplJcX3U9DI
I've only recently encountered this, no one ever sings this as a song unless you are in choir! I like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_hlYgCNFZc

My favorite version of the song, and one of my favorite songs of theirs, as it really lets their talents show. Yes. They had lots of talent. Chip Douglas was able to tap in to this, instead of just trying to make radio hits like Don Kirschner.

[splent]

14. Trains and Winter Rains - Enya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuDDPF6vE6Y
You know I love Enya. I listen to this song more every year. It's more of a Winter song than a Christmas song, but I enjoy it. Plus the fretless bass in the bridge.

12. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH9RyySpkU8
The original. I do enjoy the original lyrics a bit more than the ones most people use today (those were changed for Frank Sinatra), but you occasionally hear the original ones from time to time.

79. O Holy NIght - Apocalyptica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTubHx8ydeg
This version is beautiful.

96. Light of Christmas - Owl City w/TobyMac
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23rntfd6qC8
I don't know why I like this so much. I'm not really a fan of Owl City at all, but for some reason I always enjoy this one when it comes on. Also probably because my kid liked the Veggie Tales this was from.

44. Andra Day - Winter Wonderland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7RDqCwwR8Q
I'm really getting into Andra Day. Her voice is so unique and I love her style of singing.

BOTTOM 20. Funky Funky Christmas - New Kids on the Block
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xv28Rr4G-8
Um... the only lyrics are Funky Funky Christmas... it has no structure... why does this go on for 5 minutes???

[splent]

75. Riu Riu Chiu - Sixpence None The Richer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RplJcX3U9DI
I've only recently encountered this, no one ever sings this as a song unless you are in choir! I like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_hlYgCNFZc

My favorite version of the song, and one of my favorite songs of theirs, as it really lets their talents show. Yes. They had lots of talent. Chip Douglas was able to tap in to this, instead of just trying to make radio hits like Don Kirschner.

I've never heard that one! That's great. It's pretty much a standard arrangement. Reminds me of the King's Singers version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ntpw4PJ0QM

[Cool Chris]

I've never heard that one! That's great. It's pretty much a standard arrangement. Reminds me of the King's Singers version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ntpw4PJ0QM

Cool! I saw that Monkees version on one of their shows back in the 90s, and since that was pre-internet, I don't speak Spanish, and it wasn't on any of their albums I owned, it was at least a decade before I knew what it was even called.

[splent]

35. 12 Days of Christmas - Straight No Chaser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kYEK-pxs_A
Another clever arrangement of this. Love the "Africa" at the end

67. Grown Up Christmas List - Amy Grant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmF2rsDHOZc
Kind of sappy, but grew up with it and the message is still poignant while not being completely depressing.

62. The Christmas Song - Jordan Rudess
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4mrrkE6HEM
My favorite track on his Christmas album.

80. Silent Night Holy Night Jam - Joe Satriani
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXj22WAiDPM
What a great jam of this song.

39. Feliz Navidad - Jose Feliciano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD3iGaXzFlA
Also included why I like this so much - Big Bird ice skating from the Sesame Street special I grew up with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgMXBUJFZOA

BOTTOM 21. Air Supply - The Eyes of a Child
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqwynSj6PNE
You can basically fill in any Christmas song by Air Supply and it would work. Sappy sappy sappy.

[splent]

 So over half of the list is now up. I like playing is random game, but haven't gotten very many comments. Does anyone want to  guess any of the songs that might possibly be on the list that aren't up there yet?

[Elite]

Slade - Merry X-Mas Everybody
Band-Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas?
Wizzard - I Wish It Culd Be Christmas Everyday


Judging by what we've seen in the list so far, I seriously doubt all three will make an appearance.

Also: Kevin Bloody Wilson - Ho Ho Fucking Ho

[Prog Snob]

You can basically fill in any Air Supply song, Xmas or otherwise, and it would be near the bottom. 

I love the Feliciano song. 

I have this soft spot for Amy Grant but my agnostic soul would corrupt her good spirit so it would never work between us.

[splent]

Slade - Merry X-Mas Everybody
Band-Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas?
Wizzard - I Wish It Culd Be Christmas Everyday


Judging by what we've seen in the list so far, I seriously doubt all three will make an appearance.

Also: Kevin Bloody Wilson - Ho Ho Fucking Ho

Actually do they know it's Christmas is my bottom #3 😂😂😂 I LOATHE THAT SONG. Tonight thank God it's them instead of you? Yeah that's a GREAT Christmas message. There won't be snow in Africa this Christmas. Well DUH.

[Elite]

There's snow on mount Kilimanjaro though, but yeah..

I'm pretty sure the other line is meant to be sarcatic, but I get your point. I don't like the song either to be honest, but I don't have a profound hatred for it, like you do

[Jester]

I'm guessing this one won't be on the top 100
F_ck You It's Christmas - Owl Stretching

[Prog Snob]

Slade - Merry X-Mas Everybody
Band-Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas?
Wizzard - I Wish It Culd Be Christmas Everyday


Judging by what we've seen in the list so far, I seriously doubt all three will make an appearance.

Also: Kevin Bloody Wilson - Ho Ho Fucking Ho

Actually do they know it's Christmas is my bottom #3 😂😂😂 I LOATHE THAT SONG. Tonight thank God it's them instead of you? Yeah that's a GREAT Christmas message. There won't be snow in Africa this Christmas. Well DUH.

I strongly dislike that song, too. It has the lyrical ingenuity of an 80s cock rock band. 

[Big Hath]

Perhaps we might see Russian Christmas Music?

[Prog Snob]

I sure hope so. I was just listening to The Nutcracker last week.

[Big Hath]

I mean the actual piece called "Russian Christmas Music" instead of a music category

[twosuitsluke]

Still waiting on 'Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End)' by The Darkness!! That is my Christmas jam 

Also, I never heard it, but didn't Dave Grohl release a Christmas album with loads of guest vocalists?