Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

An adorable rustic Christmas tree with vintage Shiny Brite ornaments featured in Country Home Magazine.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

For someone who has loved-worshipped, actually-music her whole life, I had no idea until this year that classic Christmas songs could chart in the Billboard Hot 100. I do not know why I did not realize it, as many old songs have made the charts again when their songs were introduced to a new crowd by way of a TV show or movie (like Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” after it was featured in the 1986 movie of the same name). I always thought holiday songs had their own chart (which they do). 

The #1 song in the country right now on both charts is Brenda Lee’s “Rocking Around The Christmas Tree“, which was recorded in 1958. It got a boost when the 79 year old singer introduced a video for the song last month in honor of the 65th anniversary of its release (she is now the oldest artist to have a top-selling record).

There are five more holiday songs currently in the Top Ten, including today’s first pick which is #6. It is from the iconic Rankin-Bass TV special, “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer”. Every song on that 1964 soundtrack was written by Johnny Marks, the same man who wrote Lee’s tune. What an incredible legacy to have such a hold on the holiday. 

The two songs from the “Rudolph” soundtrack which have been my favorites forever were both sung by the wise dapper snowman, Sam. Voiced by the Burl Ives, I wait for the first of today’s songs to consider it to be the official start of the Christmas season (along with Bruce’s take on another TV special song). The second of Sam’s songs is a bonus in a very big way. Watching the nearly 60 year old special & singing along to the same songs I sang along with as a child is both a comfort and bittersweet memory of a time when all was right in my world.

Top: Burl Ives (L) and songwriter Johnny Marks (R) circa 1964. Bottom: Ives’ Christmas alter ego, Sam The Snowman. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Burl Ives: ”Holly Jolly Christmas” (1964, written by Johnny Marks). 

Burl Ives: ”Silver and Gold” (1964, written by Johnny Marks). 

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!