Author Topic: Splent's Top 25 and Bottom 25 Christmas Songs (Read 8995 times)

splent · « **Reply #70 on:** December 12, 2011, 07:57:10 PM »

OK I typed it out... I remembered most of it, although I KNOW some of those songs between #12 and #4 were in different orders. I'm missing one number from best and five from worst... they will probably come back fairly fast.

Anyways, here we go.

NUMBER 13

BEST
Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9BZDpni56Y

Yes, I do realize this ends of on a LOT of people's worst lists (for some weird reason, imo)... but I love this song. Yes, it's dated. But I LOVE early synth sounds. McCartney is awesome, I really do like this song even though it's repetitive... it's one of my favorites to listen to. This one is just hard to explain.

WORST
Christmas In Killarney - Bing Crosby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un8tX_mi7wc

I really dislike songs pre-1960 or so take take traditional orchestral instruments and record them as folk songs from other countries like Ireland, France, or Italy. That's ONE reason this song is up here. Another one... Bing's deep, smooth voice sounds so out of place in this song... it's a very choppy, upbeat song, and he's just so laid back. Doesn't sit right with me. If you want to listen to a good version of this song, listen to the Irish Rover's version.

Ultimetalhead · « **Reply #71 on:** December 12, 2011, 08:14:02 PM »

Fucking despise that song (Wonderful Christmas Time). As much as I appreciate that it doesn't have the same chords and structure as the rest of the holiday's soundtrack, it still manages to be horrendously annoying.

splent · « **Reply #72 on:** December 13, 2011, 09:46:25 PM »

Tomorrow is another top 5 list... I need ideas!

NUMBER 12

BEST
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0NmxxBmFV0

This is the original version, and it's the best. I love the story about how the words were orignally "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas/It May Be Your Last/From Now On Our Troubles will be in the past" and Judy Garland was like I can't sing this to a little girl!! Change it NOW!

WORST
Pure Imagination/White Christmas - The Blenders

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX2CQxdBp5A

Whoever decided to put a song from Willy Wonka in a Christmas song was stupid.

ZKX-2099 · « **Reply #73 on:** December 14, 2011, 01:50:39 AM »

If Octavarium isn't the best on everybodys list I will be genuinely offended.

Also...

Quote from: Ultimetalhead on December 12, 2011, 08:14:02 PM

Fucking despise that song (Wonderful Christmas Time). it still manages to be horrendously annoying.

Well said.

skydivingninja · « **Reply #74 on:** December 14, 2011, 08:42:48 AM »

I fucking love Springsteen and I fucking love his cover of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Its a live version, and it does a great job of capturing his stage persona and the fun he's having.

hefdaddy42 · « **Reply #75 on:** December 14, 2011, 09:47:21 AM »

Quote from: splent on December 12, 2011, 07:57:10 PM

NUMBER 13

BEST
Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9BZDpni56Y

Yes, I do realize this ends of on a LOT of people's worst lists (for some weird reason, imo)... but I love this song. Yes, it's dated. But I LOVE early synth sounds. McCartney is awesome, I really do like this song even though it's repetitive... it's one of my favorites to listen to. This one is just hard to explain.

*throws up*

splent · « **Reply #76 on:** December 14, 2011, 04:00:26 PM »

Yeah I knew people wouldn't like Wonderful Christmastime on there. I honestly don't understand all the hate it gets, because as you will see you can do a LOT worse.

Speaking of which, you are going to see honorable mention lists coming up. I don't know when I'm gong to do it. Perhaps on the day with Number 6. In which case... I know what I'm posting for today.

Check that. I'm posting something else. If I post my top 5 albums, it will give away most of my top 10.

Here's another list.

Top 5 Traditional Christmas Carols
These aren't any particular version, these are just my favorite carols.

1. O Holy Night
2. Ding Dong Merrily On High
3. Joy to the World
4. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
5. What Child Is This?

splent · « **Reply #77 on:** December 14, 2011, 04:10:16 PM »

NUMBER 11

BEST
Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth - Bing Crosby and David Bowie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiXjbI3kRus

This is one of the best versions of this song, because of the countermelody by David Bowie. Two generations of music stars bridging the gap the 20th century. It's awesome. I love it.

WORST
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - Dean Martin

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

Rudolph is my least favorite traditional holiday song. I hate it. Overly commercialized, I just hate it. It's like vomit to me. And this version is just terrible. I know a lot of people like it, I'm not knocking on Dean, but when he's like "Rudy that red beaked reindeer" it's just like he's just standing there in the studio thinking "This song is stupid, I gotta get out of here to fill up my scotch glass" And how the hell is Santa GERMAN in the second time the bridge comes in... "won't you guide mein sleigh tonight..." And the background singers starting on "Rudolph..... Rudolph...." GAH

Zook · « **Reply #78 on:** December 14, 2011, 04:58:31 PM »

So Paul McCartney is the one annoying the shit out of me at work? Figures.

Orbert · « **Reply #79 on:** December 14, 2011, 05:31:48 PM »

Quote from: splent on December 14, 2011, 04:10:16 PM

BEST
Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth - Bing Crosby and David Bowie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiXjbI3kRus

This is one of the best versions of this song, because of the countermelody by David Bowie. Two generations of music stars bridging the gap the 20th century. It's awesome. I love it.

Splent, are you old enough to remember the Bing Crosby Christmas Special on which this originally appeared? I saw it, and then it must've been 10 years before the recording surfaced again, and now you hear it all the time.

splent · « **Reply #80 on:** December 14, 2011, 06:14:58 PM »

Quote from: Orbert on December 14, 2011, 05:31:48 PM

Quote from: splent on December 14, 2011, 04:10:16 PM
BEST
Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth - Bing Crosby and David Bowie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiXjbI3kRus

This is one of the best versions of this song, because of the countermelody by David Bowie. Two generations of music stars bridging the gap the 20th century. It's awesome. I love it.

Splent, are you old enough to remember the Bing Crosby Christmas Special on which this originally appeared? I saw it, and then it must've been 10 years before the recording surfaced again, and now you hear it all the time.

No, it was on before I was born. This originally appeared in the mid 70s I think.

hefdaddy42 · « **Reply #81 on:** December 14, 2011, 07:22:31 PM »

Quote from: splent on December 14, 2011, 04:00:26 PM

2. Ding Dong Merrily On High

What is that?

Durg · « **Reply #82 on:** December 15, 2011, 06:24:43 AM »

Quote from: Orbert on December 14, 2011, 05:31:48 PM

Quote from: splent on December 14, 2011, 04:10:16 PM
BEST
Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth - Bing Crosby and David Bowie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiXjbI3kRus

This is one of the best versions of this song, because of the countermelody by David Bowie. Two generations of music stars bridging the gap the 20th century. It's awesome. I love it.

Splent, are you old enough to remember the Bing Crosby Christmas Special on which this originally appeared? I saw it, and then it must've been 10 years before the recording surfaced again, and now you hear it all the time.

I saw it too.

ZKX-2099 · « **Reply #83 on:** December 15, 2011, 06:30:32 AM »

Quote from: Zook on December 14, 2011, 04:58:31 PM

So Paul McCartney is the one annoying the shit out of me at work? Figures.

Oh you work at CVS too?

Orbert · « **Reply #84 on:** December 15, 2011, 06:58:16 AM »

Quote from: splent on December 14, 2011, 06:14:58 PM

Quote from: Orbert on December 14, 2011, 05:31:48 PM
Quote from: splent on December 14, 2011, 04:10:16 PM
BEST
Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth - Bing Crosby and David Bowie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiXjbI3kRus

This is one of the best versions of this song, because of the countermelody by David Bowie. Two generations of music stars bridging the gap the 20th century. It's awesome. I love it.

Splent, are you old enough to remember the Bing Crosby Christmas Special on which this originally appeared? I saw it, and then it must've been 10 years before the recording surfaced again, and now you hear it all the time.

No, it was on before I was born. This originally appeared in the mid 70s I think.

It was pretty cheesy, as TV Christmas specials tend to be. Bing is hanging out in a set that's supposed to look like his backyard or something, David stops by. They engage in witty banter about how they're both singers, but from different generations, different times. You have to realize that mashups of this type... well, there was actually no such thing yet. But Bing starts singing, David "ad libs" a countermelody (or so it seemed to me, as I didn't know the other song), and history is made. It was actually pretty amazing, but it seemed destined to be a moment lost in time. Then, many years later, it started showing up on the radio, and my wife and I both recognized it and remembered hearing it the first time. Now it's a staple. So cool that someone had the foresight to save the tape. That doesn't always happen.

splent · « **Reply #85 on:** December 15, 2011, 04:48:30 PM »

Quote from: hefdaddy42 on December 14, 2011, 07:22:31 PM

Quote from: splent on December 14, 2011, 04:00:26 PM
2. Ding Dong Merrily On High
What is that?

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

splent · « **Reply #86 on:** December 15, 2011, 04:57:36 PM »

NUMBER 10

BEST
Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Take 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWMmIzk4onw

This is my favorite acapella version of any Christmas song. I LOVE it. It is great. I love Take 6 anyway, because their harmonies blend together so warmly and so well... but this song is so good. This video is them live... the parts ARE EXACTLY the same... this is NOT easy harmony.

WORST
Last Christmas - Wham!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI&ob=av2e

Cheesy. That's it.

Durg · « **Reply #87 on:** December 15, 2011, 06:08:13 PM »

Quote from: splent on December 15, 2011, 04:57:36 PM

NUMBER 10

BEST
Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Take 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWMmIzk4onw

This is my favorite acapella version of any Christmas song. I LOVE it. It is great. I love Take 6 anyway, because their harmonies blend together so warmly and so well... but this song is so good. This video is them live... the parts ARE EXACTLY the same... this is NOT easy harmony.

WORST
Last Christmas - Wham!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI&ob=av2e

Cheesy. That's it.

Oh man I HATE that Wham song. Gaaa! I'll kill you now because I can't get it out of my head! Aaaaaa!!! Make it stop! Make it stop! Make it stop!

splent · « **Reply #88 on:** December 16, 2011, 07:28:06 PM »

Descriptions of the song will be short as I'm so exhausted right now I could go to sleep and it's not even 8:30.

NUMBER 9

BEST
The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__kQ1PCP6B0&ob=av2n

Nat King Cole's warm voice makes this my favoirte rendition of this song.... I love it.

WORST
Do The Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5cX_ncZLls

This song is just morbid. Have you ever listened to hte lyrics?

antigoon · « **Reply #89 on:** December 16, 2011, 07:31:08 PM »

THERE WON'T BE SNOW IN AFRICA THIS CHRISTMAS TIME

Orbert · « **Reply #90 on:** December 16, 2011, 09:01:24 PM »

Quote from: splent on December 16, 2011, 07:28:06 PM

Descriptions of the song will be short as I'm so exhausted right now I could go to sleep and it's not even 8:30.

NUMBER 9

BEST
The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__kQ1PCP6B0&ob=av2n

Nat King Cole's warm voice makes this my favoirte rendition of this song.... I love it.

WORST
Do The Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5cX_ncZLls

This song is just morbid. Have you ever listened to hte lyrics?

I think I might have tried once, but gave up.

As it happens, I listened to Nat's version of The Christmas song not once, but twice today. It's on a compilation I have, and I also checked out an album of his Christmas songs. (I don't actually like it very much.)

But I agree with both the good and the bad this time.

hefdaddy42 · « **Reply #91 on:** December 17, 2011, 04:36:10 AM »

Quote from: splent on December 16, 2011, 07:28:06 PM

Descriptions of the song will be short as I'm so exhausted right now I could go to sleep and it's not even 8:30.

NUMBER 9

BEST
The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__kQ1PCP6B0&ob=av2n

Nat King Cole's warm voice makes this my favoirte rendition of this song.... I love it.

WORST
Do The Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5cX_ncZLls

This song is just morbid. Have you ever listened to hte lyrics?

I agree with both of these. I will say that I slightly prefer Mel Torme's recording of The Christmas Song, but Cole's is the original recording (Torme wrote the song).

PlaysLikeMyung · « **Reply #92 on:** December 17, 2011, 06:50:56 AM »

Quote from: hefdaddy42 on December 14, 2011, 09:47:21 AM

Quote from: splent on December 12, 2011, 07:57:10 PM
NUMBER 13

BEST
Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9BZDpni56Y

Yes, I do realize this ends of on a LOT of people's worst lists (for some weird reason, imo)... but I love this song. Yes, it's dated. But I LOVE early synth sounds. McCartney is awesome, I really do like this song even though it's repetitive... it's one of my favorites to listen to. This one is just hard to explain.
*throws up*

There's a new version with.... liberal... use of Autotune. It's horrendous

splent · « **Reply #93 on:** December 17, 2011, 07:14:38 AM »

NUMBER 8

BEST
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Mannheim Steamroller

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhc2DSsDhG0

This is my favorite Mannheim Steamroller song. I love how it's just different enough to make it interesting, and I can also play it on the piano. The traditional version they do on the track before this one is also excellent.

WORST
Same Auld Lang Syne - Dan Fogelburg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NmdFgFyhnk

I actually don't mind Dan Fogelburg, some of his songs are very well done (Longer, Leader of the Band), but this song is just awful. Plus, is it a Christmas song or a New Years song? Or both? Or neither? Obviously enough people consider it a Christmas song for it to be played on the Christmas stations over and over... Plus the lyrics... met my old lover at the grocery store... when I first heard that lyric I laughed.

hefdaddy42 · « **Reply #94 on:** December 18, 2011, 05:59:33 AM »

I have never considered Auld Lang Syne a Christmas song, but I've seen it included on plenty of collections.

But for that matter, Jingle Bells is not and was never intended by the writer to be a Christmas song. Read the lyrics, there is nothing in them about Christmas, religious or secular. But they are wintery, and have become associated with Christmas.

Orbert · « **Reply #95 on:** December 18, 2011, 06:27:16 AM »

Yeah, "Jingle Bells" along with "Let It Snow" and "Winter Wonderland" got annexed by Christmas. End of the year, it starts getting cold and snowy, holidays are coming up, and any songs that celebrate that time of the year get lumped in with Christmas music.

ZKX-2099 · « **Reply #96 on:** December 18, 2011, 08:46:56 AM »

Quote from: Orbert on December 18, 2011, 06:27:16 AM

Yeah, "Jingle Bells" along with "Let It Snow" and "Winter Wonderland" got annexed by Christmas. End of the year, it starts getting cold and snowy, holidays are coming up, and any songs that celebrate that time of the year get lumped in with Christmas music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0i7hRUoD_c

Can that be a Christmas song then?

splent · « **Reply #97 on:** December 18, 2011, 10:22:51 AM »

Quote from: hefdaddy42 on December 18, 2011, 05:59:33 AM

I have never considered Auld Lang Syne a Christmas song, but I've seen it included on plenty of collections.

But for that matter, Jingle Bells is not and was never intended by the writer to be a Christmas song. Read the lyrics, there is nothing in them about Christmas, religious or secular. But they are wintery, and have become associated with Christmas.

Jingle Bells was originally intended to be a Thanksgiving song.

splent · « **Reply #98 on:** December 18, 2011, 10:28:32 AM »

NUMBER 7

BEST
Sleigh Ride - Boston Pops Orchestra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OATi34PKNPw

I hear this song and know it's the holiday season.

WORST
Please Daddy, Don't Get Drunk This Christmas - John Denver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzvQr8fidLo

This song is just depressing. I hate depressing Christmas songs.

Orbert · « **Reply #99 on:** December 18, 2011, 01:16:40 PM »

Quote from: ZKX-2099 on December 18, 2011, 08:46:56 AM

Quote from: Orbert on December 18, 2011, 06:27:16 AM
Yeah, "Jingle Bells" along with "Let It Snow" and "Winter Wonderland" got annexed by Christmas. End of the year, it starts getting cold and snowy, holidays are coming up, and any songs that celebrate that time of the year get lumped in with Christmas music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0i7hRUoD_c

Can that be a Christmas song then?

Of course. Eventually for all songs, Winter = Christmas. It's just a matter of time.

Quote from: splent on December 18, 2011, 10:22:51 AM

Jingle Bells was originally intended to be a Thanksgiving song.

Cool, I did not know that. But too bad, it's a Christmas song now.

Quote from: splent on December 18, 2011, 10:28:32 AM

Sleigh Ride - Boston Pops Orchestra

You probably grew up with this version, but I'm still a sucker for Arthur Fiedler's version. Same arrangement, but just a hair different in spots. This one's great though, too.

Quote from: splent on December 18, 2011, 10:28:32 AM

Please Daddy, Don't Get Drunk This Christmas - John Denver

Whoa. I actually like most John Denver, but...

Dr. DTVT · « **Reply #100 on:** December 18, 2011, 02:10:32 PM »

Quote from: splent on December 18, 2011, 10:28:32 AM

WORST
Please Daddy, Don't Get Drunk This Christmas - John Denver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzvQr8fidLo

This song is just depressing. I hate depressing Christmas songs.

I'm a sick fuck, I lol'ed when I saw the title of that song.

Kosmo · « **Reply #101 on:** December 18, 2011, 02:12:52 PM »

Quote from: DTVT on December 18, 2011, 02:10:32 PM

Quote from: splent on December 18, 2011, 10:28:32 AM
WORST
Please Daddy, Don't Get Drunk This Christmas - John Denver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzvQr8fidLo

This song is just depressing. I hate depressing Christmas songs.

I'm a sick fuck, I lol'ed when I saw the title of that song.

I did too, it's so depressing that it's hilarious.

splent · « **Reply #102 on:** December 20, 2011, 07:49:34 PM »

Sorry got a day behind as my choir concert was tonight.

NUMBER 6

BEST
Oh Holy Night - Dream Theater

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NavgL2L57C4

The Acoustic version of this with John and James is one of the most beautiful versions of this song. I also chose this because it's different enough from all the other versions of this song to be interesting every time.

And just discovered this version... which I need an MP3 of NOW... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHfwtoNCSlM

WORST
Funky Funky Christmas - New Kids On The Block

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ-6N8U_or4

Seriously, what is this crap? There is like no place for this song to go, there's no harmony, no instruments...

splent · « **Reply #103 on:** December 20, 2011, 07:56:22 PM »

NUMBER 5

BEST
Three Ships - Jon Anderson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y92FAWqhQEo

Three Ships is one of my favorite Christmas albums. This is my favorite song on that album... I love this version. Very 80s/futuristic version... I used to punch my sister everytime it "banged" after each verse

BTW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2G1trha8Eg (very very cheesy official music video, but sound bad quality)

WORST
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer - Dr. Elmo

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

Since when is this funny? Never. Dumb, stupid, humor. Not my style of comedy at all... It may be for some but not for me.

BanksD · « **Reply #104 on:** December 20, 2011, 08:42:49 PM »

Quote from: splent on December 20, 2011, 07:56:22 PM

WORST
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer - Dr. Elmo

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

Since when is this funny? Never. Dumb, stupid, humor. Not my style of comedy at all... It may be for some but not for me.

Probably the Christmas song i hate the most

News: Track-by-track video for Untethered Angel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Co1_h0GtAw

Author Topic: Splent's Top 25 and Bottom 25 Christmas Songs (Read 8995 times)

Kosmo