It’s been a minute since I’ve talked about music on here...since one of my first-ever blog tags, actually...so what better way to get back into the swing of things than with CHRISTMAS SONGS?!
I’m one of those strange folk who start listening to carols in September (and, let’s face it, I never stop singing “Jingle Bells”), so suffice to say Christmas songs are some of my favorite songs, and I can’t wait to share them!
This Christmas blog collab is headed up by the lovely Lillian Keith (check out her blog here!), and there are several other amazing bloggers part of this that she’ll be sharing in her post! I’m so excited to be a part, and I hope y’all enjoy discovering some new Christmas tunes!
classic carols
You know it’s Christmas when they start trolling the classic Victorian carols—especially when you get to sing them at church! My top three carols are “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing,” “O, Holy Night” (which I used to not like, believe it or not), and “The First Noel”!
What’s your favorite Christmas carol?
christmas with you
I couldn’t pass up the chance to share some romantic Christmas tunes, since I am the captain of romance, after all! (And, yes, in case you were wondering, I do steal hearts. *winks*)
Despite the controversy, I love “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” “Merry Christmas Darling” by Carpenters, “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt, “Last Christmas” (by Wham! but I usually listen to other versions), “This Christmas,” “Merry Christmas Baby,” “Winter Wonderland” by Tony Bennett, “I Wanna Be Your Christmas” by Andrew Allen, and “Sleigh Ride”!
But my all-time favorite is “His Favorite Christmas Story” by Capital Lights! If you haven’t heard it yet...WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???
childhood favorites
To be honest, I still see myself as in my childhood (won’t be an adult until next year, after all), but my first favorite Christmas songs are “Carol of the Bells,” “Silent Night,” "Mary, Did You Know," and “Come, All Ye Faithful”!
And some classics I remember from my childhood are “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” “All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth,” “Nuttin’ For Christmas,” and “Christmas Don’t Be Late” by The Chipmunks, of course!
Which begs the question—what do you want for Christmas this year? A hippo, a pair of teeth, a hula hoop, or have you simply been too naughty to get anything but coal?
curl up by the fire
Nothing, and I mean nothing says Christmas like jazz and swing and CROONERS. The #1 song that makes me wanna curl up by the fire is hands-down “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole. I feel the warm fuzzies now… *sighs wistfully*
I also love “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” by Bing Crosby, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Frank Sinatra, and “The Christmas Waltz,” also by my man Frank. And anything instrumental (especially The Nutcracker soundtrack and Canon in D) is just so cozy!
not your average christmas
I think I could spend all day listing some of my favorite unique Christmas songs...but I’ve decided to keep this short for now.
In the #1 spot is “Christmas in Killarney” (the Bing Crosby version in case you’re not a diehard Celtic music fan). My family hates this song, but I ADORE it!!! The Celtic vibes, the warmth and coziness of the lyrics, the fun melody that makes you wanna dance a jig...it’s perfect.
#2 goes to “I Hate Christmas Parties” by Relient K (and their entire Let It Snow, Baby...Let It Reindeer album). SUCH a mood.
#3 is the classic “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” by Elmo & Patsy. So cruel and yet so hilarious. *shakes head*
#4 “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid. Such a sad but true song…
#5 “The Wassail Song” and “I Saw Three Ships” by Hawk Nelson. Both classic tunes, but with a pop-punk twist from a fantastic Christian pop-punk band!
#6 “The Christmas Shoes” by Newsong. Why is this one at the bottom of the list? BECAUSE IT IS SO FLIPPIN’ SAD. It takes a strong person not to ugly cry while listening to this one. *sobs* Despite that, it’s still so beautiful and precious.
Now, I must know...what are your favorite Christmas songs? Most unique tunes? Best-loved childhood listen? Let me know down in the comments below! THREE random commenters will win a special Christmas surprise! And make sure you stay tuned for tomorrow’s post where I share a complete playlist of Christmas songs!
I love "go tell it on the mountain"!
Used to not like "O holy night as well"! I also used to hate "Amazing Grace". (don't judge little me😅)
Baby it's cold outside is probably the only loveish Christmas song I listen too. Along with the Carpenters one.
My Christmas list consists of crochet yarn, crochet stuffing and a trash can for my room. (I am currently using a basket with a trash bag in it.)
How can your family hate "Christmas in Killarney" ?!? Masterpiece song! My family has all of Bing Crosby's songs I think. We have a ton for sure.
Have you heard the "Yodelling Ghost" song he does with the Andrew Sisters? One of my faves though…
Well, you have now officially introduced me to “Christmas in Killarney.” Love that Celtic feel! Also on the Celtic note, one of my favorites is “Going Home for Christmas” by Celtic Thunder. My favorite Christmas songs really depend on my mood. One of my favorites this year is “Christmas Angels” by Michael W. Smith—big orchestra, children’s choir, joy and wonder and zest! “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” is one of my favorite Christmas hymns, though people rarely sing all the verses, and I also love “Good Christian Men, Rejoice!” and “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen.” Of course, there are also songs that I don’t think of as personal favorites but are simply part of the fabric of Christmas—it wouldn’t be…
AAAAHHHH THESE ARE SUCH GREAT MUSIC CHOICES!!!!!! Also, I love how the Romance category had more songs than the classic Christmas songs did. XDD I just LOVE Reliant K's Let it Snow, Baby... Let it Reindeer album! I actually didn't discover it until last year when my oldest sister introduced me to it, but now it's one of my favorite Christmas albums. :) The Christmas Shoes is SUCH a beautiful and sad song. It always tugs at my heartstrings, though I'm sure you already know that I don't cry. 😝 Anyways, I've got so many good Christmas songs I need to go listen to right now!!!! Awesome post, sister!
Happy December!
I officially feel Christmas-y. I loved reading all your favourite Christmas songs!
It’s pretty cool how music can bring one back in time or bring back certain memories that only come when a certain song is played and are forgotten when the song is over… Christmas songs are especially good at this.
I love O Holy Night and O Come, O Come Emmanuel, they are so beautiful. And it wouldn’t be Christmas over here without my dad’s Bing Crosby Christmas album sounding from our old iPod— and Christmas in Killarney, yes!! And some amazing instrumental ones, like Gabriel Oboe… oh now I feel like staring out the window at snow by a roaring fireplace.
Hippos, front teeth and…
My sister adores Eartha Kitt's Santa Baby! (just told her you listed it and she said it's the best!) Lol, and I clearly remember All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth XD. Always gets stuck in my head! I do wonder though, who wants a hippo for Christmas? I don't think it'll fit in our living room XD.
I loved reading your list, Grace! Can't wait to explore these songs (especially the non-traditional ones. Poor Grandma got run over by a reindeer?! XD.)