Dec 19, 2012

My Favorite Versions of the Best Christmas Music

{{ Absolute Top Favorite Christmas Song:  Snoopy's Christmas }}

So I've been listening to Christmas music on Spotify and refining my Christmas Playlist now for a few weeks.   Listed below are my favorite versions and must-haves I recommend for you.  Click on the song to listen.   Leave a comment with your favorite Christmas music!

Angel Medley, Wayne Watson
Angels We Have Heard on High, Third Day
Auld Lang Syne, Colbie Caillat  -  You MUST play list New Years Eve, it makes me cry, btw.

Baby, It's Cold Outside. Anne Murray/Michael Buble' ~  This was a tough one.  I chose Anne Murray's over the very nice Colbie Caillat/Gavin DeGaw version.  They are both linked here, make your own decision.

Breath of Heaven, Amy Grant.  Unbelievable and Unbeatable.

Carol of the Kings, Toby Mac, Gabe Real, Liquid.  Holy cow.  I LOVE this message.  It does contain a tiny bit of very slow rap.  The crescendo and the message takes my heart on a journey every time I listen.  It's irresistible.
Many more songs........


Child of Bethlehem, Wayne Watson.  Another oldie that can't be replaced.

Christmas Canon, Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  Once you get past the annoying first few seconds, it's beautiful.
Christmas Eva/Sarajevo, Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  Classic.
Christmas Time is Here, Vince Guaraldi Trio, Charlie Brown version.
Do You Hear What I Hear, Third Day, Crazy Good Remix!!
Fur Elise, Vince Guaraldi Trio, Charlie Brown version.
Go Tell It On the Mountain, James Taylor
Grown Up Christmas List, Anthony Evans
Hallelujah the Lord Has Come, Jadon Lavik
Hark the Hearld Angels Sing, Take 6

Tough call, these are my favorites for
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Toby Keith & Sarah McLachlan
   and
I'll be Home for Christmas -  Toby Keith and Blake Shelton

In a Bleak Mid Winter, Sarah McLachlan.  Outstanding.
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Mercy Me
It Must've Been Ol' Santa Claus, Harry Connick, Jr.
It's Christmas, Mandisa  WOW
Joy to the World, Mariah Carey ~ Gets a little crazy.
Last Christmas, Glee Cast Version ~ Yowza! You have to get up and move.
Light of the World, Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman.  The lyrics!!!
Linus & Lucy, Vince Guaraldi Trio, More Charlie Brown!

More tough calls:
Little Drummer Boy:  Toby Mac (My fave -most artistic, creative version), Lincoln Brewster (hard rock version, the way a drummer ought to play), Mannheim Steamroller (crazy, electronic version)

Mary's Boy Child, Toby Mac, Jamie Grace - FUN!!
Mele Kalikimaka, Jadon Lavik.  More fun!
Merry Christmas, Baby! - The Boss
Miraculum - Instrumental.  Lincoln Brewster, master of the screaming guitar
Feliz Navidad.  Michael Buble' - I love this.
My Soul Magnifies the Lord, Chris Tomlin
O Come All Ye Faithful, Take 6
O Holy Night, Third Day
O Tannenbaum,  You know it - Vince Guaraldi Trio,  Charlie Brown version
Oklahoma Christmas, Blake Shelton and Reba
On Christmas Day (Ave Maria), Smalltown Poets  WOW.
One Little Christmas Tree.  Sister Hazel.
Peace. Norah Jones. Listen to this at night before bed, in the shadow of the tree lights.
Please Come Home for Christmas, Willie Nelson.  I know, right? But still.
River, Sister Hazel.  Amazing.
Rudolph, Jack Johnson.
Silent Night, Lincoln Brewster, but he's quiet, not his usual loud self.
Silver Bells, Colbie Caillat
Silver Bells, Blake Shelton, Xenia   Also, Lou Rawls has a classic Silver Bells.
Stuck at the Airport, Money Mark.  Just because we've all been there.
Chestnuts Roasting on the Open Fire, James Taylor, Toots Thielemans
The First Noel, Toby Mac, Owl City
The Man in the Santa Suit, Neil Halstead
What Are you Doing New Years Eve, Diana Krall
What Child is This, Sarah McLachlan - very unique, beautiful.
White Christmas, Michael Buble' with Shania Twain
Winter Wonderland, Jason Mraz.  Crazy unique and creative version.
Winter Wonderland, Dolly Parton.  Just can't leave this one off the list. Traditional, classic.
Wintersong, Sarah McLachlan - great ending.  Merry Christmas!


1 comment:

Unknown said...

Great List.

This year I like "All I want for Christmas" - Mariah Carey and for 2 years "This is Christmas" - Kutless