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Christmas
ditties are inescapable this time of year. And the nonstop stream of
yuletide carols being sung by a choir can become overwhelming. To keep
from turning into Ebenezer Scrooge about the whole affair, I find it
best to focus on the songs I actually look forward to hearing each
holiday season. Here’s my 2005 Christmas playlist.
“
Another Lonely Christmas” - Prince. Not your typical fare, this melancholy
1984 B-side to “I Would Die 4 U” is the tale of a man who’s
spending another yuletide missing his deceased girlfriend.
“
Blue Christmas” - Elvis Presley. The King’s holiday rhapsody
in blue is a great showcase for his velvety tenor. The cheez-whiz girl-group
backing vocals (“woo-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh”) are an added bonus.
“
The Chipmunks Christmas Song” - The Chipmunks. Alvin, Simon and Theodore — under
the capable direction of David Seville — capture perfectly the
anticipation of the season. And can someone please give Alvin a hula
hoop?
“
Christmas In Hollis” - Run-D.M.C. A rappin’ carol about Hollis,
Queens and collard greens. If you don’t think that’s Christmas,
you must be a sucka MC.
“
The Christmas Song” - Nat “King” Cole. If you’re
like me, anytime you come across the phrase “Chestnuts roasting on
an open fire” you hear it in your head as performed by the legendary
Cole. Little wonder, his signature yuletide tune was voted the top Christmas
song of all time.
“
Christmas Time Is Here” - Toni Braxton. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” may
have introduced this song to the world, but Braxton’s sultry-without-even-trying
reading is anything but kid stuff.
“
Do They Know It’s Christmas?” - Band Aid. This 1984 charity
song for African famine relief is the blueprint for every supergroup fundraising
track that’s followed — with one major difference. You actually
want to hear this one.
“
Do You Hear What I Hear” - Whitney Houston. Before Skeletor...er,
I mean Whitney, lost her damn mind to crack she was capable of sending
spirits soaring. Listen to this gem and weep...for a few reasons.
“
Feliz Navidad” - José Feliciano. A Spanglish holiday extravaganza.
Feliciano strums a mean guitar and I can never resist trying to phonetically
sing along even though I have no clue what half the words are.
“
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” - Elmo & Patsy. Yes, I know
it’s supremely silly, but it also always makes me smile. Sometimes
you just have to indulge your inner child.
“
The Hanukkah Song” - Adam Sandler. Sandler’s at his goofy best
on this charming Jews Who celebrity roll-call. Plus, it’s cool
to see the non-Christmas set get a little airtime.
“
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” - John Cougar Mellencamp. Roots-rockin’ version
of the classic that’s as authentically Americana as Jack and Diane
or those little pink houses.
“
It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” - Johnny Mathis.
Even a ubiquitous Gap holiday ad couldn’t dull the openly gay crooner’s
sparkliest Christmas gem.
“
Last Christmas” - Wham! Horndog George Michael (did you catch his “Behind
The Music” interview?) and that other guy take a careless lover to
task on this perky piece of mid-’80s bubblegum.
“
Merry Christmas, Darling” - The Carpenters. Wounded songbird Karen
left this mortal coil much too soon. At least we have performances like
this to cherish forever.
“
Put A Little Love In Your Heart” - Annie Lennox and Al Green. This
winner from “Scrooged,” Bill Murray’s ’80s update
of “A Christmas Carol,” will warm your cockles even on the
coldest of days.
“
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” - Bruce Springsteen. Another B-side
from ’84 (“My Hometown” was the flip). The Boss’s
trademark rasp raises a ruckus on this rocking version of the standard.
“
Silent Night” - Barbra Streisand. Jewish Babs interprets what is
arguably the most difficult to sing of all Christmas carols as if she
was a member of the heavenly host.
“
White Christmas” - Bing Crosby. Maybe not the boldest — or
hippest — choice, but with the possible exception of those two front
teeth, isn’t a lovely Christmas snow what everyone most hopes for?
“
Winter Wonderland” - Anne Murray. “Sleigh bells ring / are
you listening?” The answer’s a resounding “yes” when
this feel-good Christmas classic is sung by 1970s country star and lesbian
fave Murray.
info:
audiophile@q-notes.com
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