Bring On The Christmas Music!

Though Christmas comes but once a year, the plethora of Christmas songs that have been written over the years would lead one to believe that its a year-round event.

Whether the songs are from generations past, or new to the year at hand; whether they're traditional, or barely resemble a holiday tune, they're all out there, just waiting for someone to come along and have a listen.

Sometimes the old is meshed with the new, literally, and those old songs get a breath of life and return to the airwaves during the holidays.

A couple of great examples, (at least in my opinion), are "Baby It's Cold Outside", originally recorded by Dean Martin, and years later, re-released as a duet with country artist, Martina McBride; and Frank Sinatra's "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", updated as a duet with Cyndi Lauper.

Rather than being re-recordings of these songs, Martina and Cyndi's vocals were actually recorded, then blended with Martin's and Sinatra's original recordings.

It seems that every year I hear a new song, or version of a song, that catches my attention, and becomes a new favorite.  And each time I think, "I've never heard that before, it must be brand new", only to find out it *isn't* brand new at all; it's usually been out a few years, and I'm just hearing it for the first time.

The 2015 holiday season is no different for this happening to me.  In the past month I've heard two remakes of songs that I hadn't heard before; and each has actually been around a few years.

The first song is the John Lennon classic, "Happy Christmas".  While I've heard several versions of the tune, none have quite lived up to the original.  Then I heard Maroon 5 do the song, and wow!  Still maybe not quite as good as Lennon, but still the only other version I've liked well enough to want to hear again and again.

The second song is "Mele Kalikimaka", written by Robert Alex Anderson in 1949.

While there have been many versions of this song over the decades, my current favorite is by country artist, Jake Owen. Like with Maroon 5, Jake's rendition has been around for a while, and I'm just now hearing it.

Funny thing too, as a fan, I usually can recognize Jake's voice, but I didn't, and was surprised to hear the DJ on the radio say it was him.

With only a few more days until Christmas, I'm not sure I'll hear anything new  this season.  I look forward already to next year though, to see what treasures will be unearthed for my listening pleasure.

That Wonderful, Glorious Time of Year

(Today's word will be in red and bold.)



Thanksgiving 2012 is past, and we've moved on to my absolute favorite time of year:  Christmas time!

For me, Christmas isn't about presents and getting stuff; it's about the *feeling* of Christmas. It's the sights, the sounds, the smells, and all the warm fuzzies the holiday is supposed to encompass.

It's the Christmas trees, the lights, the decorations; everything that helps make this time of year seem magical.

Whether it's tradional things, or a more modern approach to something, this time of season embraces, and shares it all.

Like Christmas carols/songs.  Radio stations play all genres of music at this time of year, from big band, to new Christmas tunes; from classics, to new twists on classics.  Until I heard them, I never knew how many versions of "Last Christmas" there are out there!



I myself lean more towards nontraditional Christmas music, my all-time favorite tune being Elton John's "Step Into Christmas".

Yes, I did use this same video when I wrote about Christmas last year; that's how much I love this song!

Phil Vassar just came out with a new Christmas tune this season, "Santa's Gone Hollywood".  While I realize that some people may not see this as a true "Christmas" song, it is a fun, and funny little ditty that adds a new meaning to "holiday spirit".

I love the whole Christmas spirit thing!

Okay, not so much the one of the future.  Even the one in the Mr. Magoo version of "A Christmas Carol" kind of creeps me out.

Aside from that though, as I said, I love this time of year!

There will always be those who are Scrooges, or Grinches about the season; some for legitimate reasons, and others just because that's how they are.   Nonetheless, Christmas time is a wonderful time of year; so forget the commercialism, and consumerism, and just soak up all the good cheer the season has to offer.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

(Today's word will be in ALL CAPS, BOLD, ITALIC, and STRIKETHROUGH.)

Christmas songs seem to be one of those things people either love or hate; with very few being in between. Personally, I love Christmas songs, enough that I've been known to play them in the middle of summer if I feel in the mood.

Then again, I'm not one for the more "traditional" Christmas music. Probably the closest I get to anything traditional are songs from Christmas shows, like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".

My all-time favorite Christmas song is "Step Into Christmas", by Elton John. Christmas time isn't official until I hear this song.


Even my favorite traditional Christmas song isn't done in a traditional style. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts make the oldie, but goodie, "Little Drummer Boy" rock!


I listen to country music 99% of the time now, so naturally I have some favorite country Christmas songs also. Staying in the offbeat vein, I have to share Montgomery Gentry's version of "Merry Christmas From the Family".


Country artist, Deborah Allen, released a song in 1984 that, in my opinion, is more rock than country. Not that it matters, because "Rockin' Little Christmas", definitely is on my list of favorites. Looking back at the video though, you can definitely tell it was the 80's!


Then again, I can think of at least three Christmas songs I like that aren't wild or crazy. I couldn't find a full video of the song, "An Angel Gets It's Wings", by Vince Gill and Trisha Yearwood; instead, I found a Target commercial from 1993. That was the year the store was promoting the movie "It's A Wonderful Life", and used the Gill/Yearwood duet in their TV ads. Anyone who bought a CD at Target, by either artist, received a free cassette tape of the entire song used in the ads.


While on the subject of angels, "The Angels Cried" by Alan Jackson and Alison Krauss also makes my list of favorite holiday tunes.


A list of Christmas music wouldn't be complete without at least one George Strait song. With that said, I present my favorite one, "Christmas Cookies".


I could go on and on with all the different Christmas songs I like and have to hear at least once every year. I think by now though you know, my idea of Christmas music is definitely not NORMAL; and I wouldn't have it any other way!