Christmas Favorites
by Sheldon Rocha Leal
On this Christmas Eve I thought I would write an article based on my favorite Christmas songs. Whilst there are some songs I can’t bear to listen to, like, Silent Night, Oh Christmas Tree, O Come All Ye Faithful and My Favorite Things, and whilst there is no way I’m going anywhere near anything that sounds like Boney M, there are many more that I can hear over and over again. So what follows is my list of my favorite Christmas songs:
Mariah Carey: All I Want For Christmas Is You (1994)
No Christmas list should be without this song. This is the biggest selling Christmas song of the modern era, having sold over 14million units internationally and being a perennial favorite. This song was written by Mariah and Walter Afanasieff and was released in 1994. To date it has generated over $50million in Royalties.
Mariah Carey: Miss You Most At Christmas Time (1994)
Another Mariah/Afanasieff composition from 1994. This song is not as big as the previous song, but it’s a beautiful Christmas ballad. I just love this song. It appeared on the Mariah Carey album Merry Christmas.
Celine Dion: These Are The Special Times (1998)
This is the title track from Celine Dion’s 1998 Christmas album. The song was composed by the legendary songwriter: Diane Warren. It has been covered by many artists and has become a Christmas classic amongst many musicians.
Celine Dion: Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day (1998)
This song also appeared on the 1998 Christmas album: These Are The Special Times. This is one of the very few songs in Celine Dion’s career in which she has had a hand in composing. This is a traditional Celine Dion power ballad with a Christmas flair.
Celine Dion: I Met An Angel (On Christmas Day) (1999)
This song was a b-side included on Celine Dion’s 1999 single, That’s The Way It Is. This is a fun, 1950s sounding song.
Dolly Parton: Hard Candy Christmas (1982)
This song was released in 1982 and was included on the soundtrack for the movie The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. This is a traditional Country ballad, I.e. Very sad. Love Dolly’s voice on this song.
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers: Christmas Without You (1984)
This song was released in 1984 and was included on an album entitled Once Upon A Christmas, produced by David Foster. I love the music video version of this song and not the one on the album. The video version is a ballad duet with Kenny Rogers.
Kylie Minogue: Christmas Isn’t Christmas Til You Get Here (2015)
This song was included on the 2015 Christmas album, Kylie Christmas. This is a fun song written by Kylie Minogue, Karen Poole and Steve Anderson. I just love the festive mood on this song.
Kylie Minogue: White December (2015)
This is another song from the Kylie Christmas album. This song was written by Kylie Minogue, Karen Poole and Matt Prime. This is a 1960s sounding Christmas song, with a similar sound to My Girl, but with Christmas dust sprinkled all over it.
Natalie Cole: Grown-Up Christmas List (1990)
This song was written by the husband and wife songwriting team, David Foster and Linda Thompson. This, was the original release of the song, by the Jazz singer, Natalie Cole and was released on her album: River Of Love. This is one of my all time favorite songs. It is probably one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard.
Natalie Cole and Nat “King” Cole: The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) (1994)
The song was originally recorded by Nat “King” Cole in 1946 and was written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells. I really enjoy the Natalie Cole version that appeared on the album: The Holly and The Ivy released in 1994. The song appeared once again as a duet between Natalie Cole and her dad on the 1999 Christmas album: The Magic of Christmas.
Madonna: Santa Baby (1987)
This song was originally recorded by Eartha Kitt in 1953. This version was recorded by Madonna in 1987 for a charity album that would benefit the Special Olympics entitled A Very Special Christmas. The album generated over $100million for the charity. I also love the Eartha Kitt version.
Jimmy Boyd: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (1952)
This song was released by Jimmy Boyd in 1952. He was 13 years old when he released the song. The Catholic Church condemned the song and only lifted the ban on the song when Jimmy met with the church to explain the significance of the song.
José Feliciano: Feliz Navidad (1970)
This song was released by the Puerto Rican artist José Feliciano in 1970. The song was included on a Christmas album, by the artist, of the same name. The song is one of the best selling Christmas songs of all time.
Luther Vandross and Darlene Love: I Listen To The Bells (1995)
This duet between Luther Vandross and Darlene Love (from 20 Feet From Stardom fame) was released in 1995 and included on Luther Vandross’ festive album This Is Christmas. I find the song sounds a little midi, but it’s a brilliant song nonetheless. Hopefully someone will someday soon record a live version.
Christina Aguilera: Christmas Time (2000)
This song was included on Christina Aguilera’s 2000 Christmas album: My Kinda Christmas. The song has an uptempo festive feel. It has a 1990s teen pop sound, but it is a very good song nonetheless.
The Carpenters: Merry Christmas Darling (1970)
I love Karen Carpenter’s voice on this song. It makes me happy and sad at the same time. Richard Carpenter says that this is one of her best recordings ever. The song was released in 1970 and is considered to be a Christmas classic.
Elvis Presley: Blue Christmas (1964)
This song was released by The King in 1964 and was included on the album: Elvis’ Christmas Album. The song has been covered by many artists. One of my favorite versions is sung by Celine Dion.
Gloria Estefan: Christmas Through Your Eyes (1993)
This song was released in 1993 by the Queen of Latin Music. This song was title track on Gloria Estefan’s Christmas album. The song was written by Gloria Estefan and the legendary Diane Warren.
Donny Hathaway: This Christmas (1970)
This song was released as a single, by the late, Donny Hathaway in 1970. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, but Donny’s version is the best.
Prince: Another Lonely Christmas (1984)
This song was the B-Side of the Prince single I Would Die 4 U, from the Purple Rain album. The song was released in 1984 and is one of Prince’s lesser known singles.
Toni Braxton: Snowflakes Of Love (2001)
This song is featured on Toni Braxton’s Christmas album: Snowflakes. Snowflakes Of Love marry Toni’s beautifully mellow voice with some Christmas spirit. Brilliant combination. The song was written by Toni Braxton and Keri Lewis and contains a sample of an old Isaac Hayes song entitled Now We’re One.
Kenny Loggins: Celebrate Me Home (1977)
This song appeared on Kenny Loggins’ debut album of the same name. The song was written by Kenny Loggins and Bob James and was later covered by Ruben Studdard as the exit song for American Idols Season 7. It is, however a Christmas song. This song is pure Folk, Christmas brilliance.
Kelly Clarkson: Underneath The Tree (2013)
This song appeared on the Kelly Clarkson Christmas album: Wrapped In Red, released in 2013. The song was written by Kelly Clarkson and Greg Kurstin. Although the song was released in 2013, it has an older sound and that could be as a result of the Wall Of Sound treatment it received. This was a sound effect devised by Phil Spector in the 1960s.
Bing Crosby: I’ll Be Home For Christmas (1943)
This song was written and performed by Bing Crosby in 1943. The song was written for the soldiers who were at war, during the Second World War. The song has been recorded by many people. I generally love any version of the song, but this was the original.
This is my list of favorite Christmas songs, I’m sure that over the years, I’ll be adding to this list and I’m sure I’ve forgotten many more songs, but these were the first ones that popped into my head when deciding to make this list of my Favorite Christmas Songs.
