Tag Archives: 25 Days Of Christmas Music

25 Days Of Christmas Music: Day 14

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

2025 was the year I finally entered the Marvel universe-i.e., I watched the first two phases of the Marvel movies. I do realize I am 17 years late to the party but since I was never a comic book fan, watching movies about comic book characters-even the non animated kind-did not really appeal to me. But once I started I made it all the way to Phase 3 in three months time and got halfway through that before stopping when winter turned to spring and my hibernation ended.

Three words were the impetus for me to start the franchise: Robert Downey Jr. I have adored him F-O-R-E-V-E-R yet I had zero clue he was Iron Man (and sold out by Jeff Bridges in the first movie…..Dude!!!). I also missed Downey when he played Larry Paul in “Ally McBeal” in seasons 4 & 5.

The future Tony Stark showed us yet another of his remarkable skills when he performed today’s song during S4 episode 6 and it was quite beautiful. When the track was released in 2000 as part of A Very Ally Christmas, it featured a cello arrangement that when combined with Downey’s pensive vocal turned the song into an absolutely exquisite moment. There does not seem to be anything that man cannot do.

The same year he started on “Ally”-2000-was the same year Linda Ronstadt released A Merry Little Christmas. She included a cover of the same song, done with a lovely delicate string arrangement that is quite stunning. And given her immense talent, it is no surprise that Ronstadt made this song her own as well.

Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Linda Ronstadt circa 1975. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The writer of today’s song-Joni Mitchell-recorded it for her 1971 album, Blue. Since then it has been covered by an array of artists including one who played on that album (although not on this song). And 25 years later in October 2006, he released his own version on James Taylor at Christmas.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Joni Mitchell: “River” (1971, written by Joni Mitchell).

Robert Downey Jr.: “River” (2000, written by Joni Mitchell).

Linda Ronstadt: “River” (2000, written by Joni Mitchell).

James Taylor: “River” (2006, written by Joni Mitchell).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music: Day 13

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

As much as I adore today’s artist & her take on this song, the first thought I have when I hear this song is of Will Ferrell as Buddy in “Elf”. And that makes me think of The Code Of The Elves:

1.  Treat every day like Christmas.
2.  There’s room for everyone on the Nice List.  
3.  The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.  

On other days, I think of the four main food groups elves stick to:

1.  Candy.
2.  Candy canes.   
3.  Candy corn.
4.  Syrup.   

Buddy The Elf (Will Ferrell) sleeping in Gimbel’s store window while his dad Walter (James Caan) looks on in disbelief. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Ella Fitzgerald circa 1948. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Ella Fitzgerald: “Sleigh Ride” (1960, written by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music: Day 12

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Francis Albert Sinatra was born 110 years ago on December 12, 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey. The singer, actor & entertainer known as “The Chairman Of The Board” and as a member of The Rat Pack, started his career as a big band vocalist in the swing era when he was 24 years old. In 1946 he released his debut album, The Voice of Frank Sinatra, which started his 52 year career in music, movies, stage & the small screen.

He won numerous awards & honors throughout his career including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Private Angelo Maggio in 1953’s “From Here to Eternity”. His songs reached the charts over 40 times including two #1 records-“Strangers In The Night” in 1966 and “Something Stupid”, a duet with his daughter, Nancy Sinatra, in 1967.

All that and his bigger than life persona gave him legendary pop culture status that flourishes today, more than 25 years after his death in 1998. He also remains a staple of the holiday season, having contributed several Christmas albums including two collaborations, one with Bing Crosby and Fred Waring in 1964 and another with the three Sinatra children in 1968.

Francis Albert Sinatra: December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998.

Frank Sinatra circa 1958. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack standing in the order they are listed on a Las Vegas marquee circa 1964. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Frank Sinatra’s three children joined him for this 1968 Christmas album (L-R): Tina Sinatra, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra Jr. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Frank Sinatra: “Mistletoe And Holly” (1957, written by Hank Sanicola, Frank Sinatra and Dok Stanford).

Frank Sinatra: “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” (1957, written by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin).

Frank Sinatra: “The Christmas Waltz” (1968, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2025: Day 8

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image found online.  (Original source unknown.)

When John Lennon recorded today’s holiday song in the fall on 1971, I do not know if he had any idea that over 50 years later it would still be a staple of the Christmas season. With its underlying theme about a wish for an end to a war, the track was not so much a song of the season but rather a wish for peace beyond the holidays. And Lennon was still struggling with fame-his own & that of The Beatles. Despite how much their compositions led to a change in music & culture during their years together, Lennon still saw himself simply as “John” as expressed in the song, “God”, from his first solo record released 55 years ago on December 11, 1970.

Ten years later, the last three lines of that song became a devastating reality when Lennon was killed 45 years ago today on December 8, 1980. His loss is still immeasurable, palpable and utterly heartbreaking.

Thank you for everything, John. You are missed. Every. Single. Day.

Yoko Ono (L) and John Lennon (R) along with some of the children from The Harlem Community Choir in a 1971 photo (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band-Lennon’s first solo record-was released 55 years ago in December 1970. (Image found online.  (Original source unknown.)

John Lennon & Yoko Ono and The Plastic Ono Band with The Harlem Community Choir: “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” (1971, written by John Lennon & Yoko Ono).

John Lennon: “Love” (1970, written by John Lennon).

John Lennon: “God” (1970, written by John Lennon).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2025: Day 7

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image found online.  (Original source unknown.)

In three months Christopher Anton Rea-professionally known as Chris Rea-will turn 75 years old. The English musician, singer & songwriter was born March 4, 1951 in the UK. He is best known for his lovely eloquent 1978 hit that peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 that September and it hit #1 on the Adult Contemporary Chart the same month. That makes him, by definition, a one hit wonder.

But 43 years later-in January 2021-a holiday song Rea originally released in 1988 peaked at #27 on the Billboard Global 200 chart. Three years later, that same holiday song reached #15 in January 2024 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart. While the industry standard for actual hits is any song that reaches the Top 40 on the Hot 100 chart, in my book Rea’s holiday track hitting two different charts twice in a three year period should count as a second hit. However you qualify them in your mind, we have two memorable songs to enjoy by this talented artist.

Chris Rea circa 1988. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Today’s song first appeared on Chris Rea’s 1988 album. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Chris Rea: “Driving Home For Christmas” (1988, written by Chris Rea).

Chris Rea: “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” (1978, written by Chris Rea).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2025: Day 6

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image found online.  (Original source unknown.)

We have another his & her take for today’s classic song. They were recorded 30 years apart with the first one from Arkansas native Glen Campbell who had a nearly 50 year career as a singer, musician and actor. He made about a dozen movies, had his own TV show and placed 37 songs on the Billboard charts including five Top 10 hits and two #1 records (“Rhinestone Cowboy” was in the top spot in the U.S. 50 years ago for two weeks in September 1975 & “Southern Nights” which was the #1 song for one week in April 1977). His first album of holiday music-That Christmas Feeling– was released in October 1968, just one month before the debut of his single, “Wichita Lineman”.

Three decades later, Celine Dion released These Are Special Times in October 1998. After the one-two punch of winning the Grammy for Album Of The Year for Falling Into You in February 1997 and the ginormous success of “My Heart Will Go On” later that year from the movie “Titanic”-which became the #1 song in the U.S. in February 1998 for two consecutive weeks-helped her close out that year with her first English language Christmas.

Glen Campbell’s 1968 Christmas album. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Celine Dion’s 1998 Christmas album. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Glen Campbell: “Blue Christmas” (1968, written by Billy Hayes and Jay Johnson).

Céline Dion: “Blue Christmas” (1998, written by Billy Hayes and Jay Johnson).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2025: Day 5

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today is a his & her take on my favorite carol touching on the reverence of the season. He was an R&B sensation who left us way too soon and she is a country singer by way of “American Idol” with a powerful voice and gospel roots. Both offer such beautiful renditions of this song which was first published in 1751 yet remains a timeless part of the holiday season.

Luther Vandross’ 1995 Christmas album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Carrie Underwood’s 2020 Christmas album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Luther Vandross: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (1995, written by Frederick Oakeley and John Francis Wade).

Carrie Underwood: “O Come All Ye Faithful” (2020, written by Frederick Oakeley and John Francis Wade).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2025: Day 4

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

This is the third year in a row that this song has been a feature here. That means it has been part of the countdown since it was released in 2023. It is hard to find new spins on old songs, especially for traditional Christmas carols that have been around forever. But the Lumineers made this their own and despite how much I love the fast pace of this tune in its original form (especially when Bill Murray sings it as Frank Cross in 1988’s “Scrooged”), this stunning cover is now my favorite version of this song.

The Lumineers: Jeremiah Fraites (L) and Wesley Schultz (R). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Lumineers: “Deck The Halls” (2023, Traditional).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2025: Day 3

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image found online.  (Original source unknown.)

A holiday movie I watch year round is one you probably never heard of: “Home By Christmas”. It was released by Lifetime TV in 2006. It is done on the Hallmark theme of how the magic of the Christmas season always shines through, but that is where the similarities end. This movie may share a highly improbable plot and concludes with the proverbial happy ending, but you walk through a story with much more edge to get there. It stars Linda Hamilton (yes, THE Sarah Connor from “The Terminator” franchise) and Rob Stewart.

Despite its flaws, the seasonal movie provides a little escape that I have enjoyed for years and that includes a tune that is playing during a scene featuring-what else?-a holiday party. The track has a big band/swing kind of feel to it and gives a very vintage party vibe. But I thought it was one of those made-for-a-TV-movie-soundtrack songs that I would never be able to find so I did not even look. Then I stumbled upon several videos for it as I researched some new music for this year’s countdown.

I do not know if this is true but in the comments of one of the videos, a few people mentioned that the song is also featured in another Lifetime movie, 2008’s “A Christmas Proposal” as well as in Hallmark’s “A Boyfriend For Christmas” from 2004. I took the videos I found as signs to add this track to my playlist & my seasonal countdown.

The artist behind the song is Lacey Roland. I found it on Spotify and on his 2005 album, Makin’ Memories, on Amazon. His Facebook page lists him as “a singer-songwriter, producer, arranger, musician, published author and artist” originally from Virginia who resided in Kentucky until his death in September 2025.

I hope you enjoy this fun, festive track.

Undated image of Lacey Roland found online at AirPlay Direct. (Original source unknown.)

Lacey Roland in 2009 as per an image found on Facebook. (Original source unknown).

Lacey Roland: “A Christmas Dance With You” (2004, written by Lacey Roland).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2025: Day 2

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

My mother introduced me to Elvis, but her mother introduced us both to the man Elvis wanted to be: Dino Paul Crocetti. That is Dean Martin, to those of you who did not grow up in a house where he was considered a saint (yes, I am Italian). A member of The Rat Pack who earned the nickname “The King Of Cool” thanks to his suave demeanor, handsome good looks and inimitable charm, Martin did it all-he was a singer, an actor, a stage entertainer, a TV host and the emcee for his legendary celebrity roasts.

Yet, his Christmas album remains my favorite of all his contributions because his voice & those songs continue to connect me to my childhood & the gift of family who passed their love for this man on to me like a cherished family heirloom. That is a priceless legacy.

Dean Martin circa 1960. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Dean Martin: “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (1966, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!