Tag Archives: 25 Days Of Christmas Music

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 16

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 16

A beautiful rustic Christmas tree decorated with a lovely assortment of neutral ornaments featured in Country Living Magazine.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s song is another sing along favorite that has been covered dozens of times. My favorite is by Ray Charles so what’s not to love? Plus, his version is featured in two of my favorite movies: ”When Harry Met Sally” and “Elf”. 

This year I discovered another incredible take on this tune by Irish singer, songwriter & musician Hozier. His stripped down acoustic cover is really beautiful. I have been a fan of his from the first time I heard his extraordinary song, “Like Real People Do” from his self-titled debut in 2014. 

For a female slant on today’s track, I have also included the 1987 cover courtesy of The Eurythmics led by Annie Lennox’s gorgeous voice. One thing about this season is that we may hear the same tunes again and again, but when you have a variety of voices to choose from, it is like hearing an old song for the first time. And I adore that feeling. 

“Sleigh bells ring are you listening
In the lane snow is glistening
A beautiful sight we’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland“.

ray
eurythmics
Hozier

Top: Ray Charles’ 1985 Christmas album. Middle: The Eurythmics in the 1980’s: Annie Lennox and David Stewart. Bottom: Hozier in 2019. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

Ray Charles: “Winter Wonderland” (1985, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith).

The Eurythmics: “Winter Wonderland” (1987, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith).

Hozier: “Winter Wonderland” (2020, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 15

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 15

A beautiful rustic Christmas tree inside an old food tin featured in Country Living Magazine. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s pick is one of my favorite Christmas songs but I hardly hear it during the holiday season which absolutely baffles me. My favorite version of it was recorded by the transcendent Anthony Dominick Benedetto, better known as Tony Bennett. We lost this beautiful man earlier this year, but thanks to a career spanning 70 years, we will thankfully never be without his legacy or his voice. 

In addition to his numerous mainstream recordings, he released a few holiday albums as well. I love them all but today’s song is from 2008’s A Swingin’ Christmas (Featuring The Count Basie Big Band). However, anything by this legend should be on your playlist if you consider yourself to be a music connoisseur. And for a female take on this classic, the best one I have found is by Rosemary Clooney, of course.  

“It’s that time of year
When the world falls in love
Every song you hear seems to say
Merry Christmas“.

Tony Bennett 1
Tony 2
tony 3
Tony 4
Tony Diana
Tony Rosemary

1. Tony Bennett in his early career days circa late 1950’s, early 1960’s. 2. Bennett circa 2000. 3. With Frank Sinatra sometime in the 1970’s. 4. With Amy Winehouse for their collaboration on 2011’s Duets II. 5. With Diana Krall for their 2018 album. 6. Bennett and Clooney in 1950 (this photo by CBS via Getty Images). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Tony Bennett: “The Christmas Waltz” (2008, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne).

Rosemary Clooney: ”The Christmas Waltz” (1996, 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 2023: Day 13

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

country living mag

A beautiful rustic Christmas tree in a wash tub with the trimmings all around featured in Country Living Magazine. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Late Show With David Letterman may have ended in 2015, but his wonderful yearly tradition of sharing today’s song with all of us continues here. Darlene Love recorded the track 60 years ago for the album, A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector. She has been performing it on Dave’s shows for decades and it was one of the greatest parts for me and millions of others each December. The edgier rock themed version by U2 is fabulous, too.  

dave darlene paul
2015
images (2)
u2

Top: A Dave sandwich from Darlene Love (L) and Paul Shaffer in 2013. Middle 1: Letterman pulled out all the stops for Love’s final holiday performance in 2015. Middle 2: Phil Spector’s 1963 Christmas album featuring Love’s original track. Bottom: U2 in the holiday spirit, albeit probably a photoshopped mood. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Darlene Love: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (1963, written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector).

U2: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (1987, written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 12

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

018d3ea72f9c757a1cf7423156ac4f3c

A lovely vintage Christmas card image found on Pinterest. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Francis Albert Sinatra-better known as Frank Sinatra, “Ol’ Blue Eyes” or “The Chairman Of The Board”- was born on December 12, 1915 in Hoboken, NJ. To this day, he defines an era of the lavish lifestyle in the glamour filled days of old Hollywood as an actor, singer, entertainer and a member of the Rat Pack.

He recorded today’s song 75 years ago in 1948 only four years after it was featured in the film, “Meet Me In St. Louis” where it was performed by Judy Garland. I have included both for you today for some his and her variety. And because both are spectacular.

“Once again as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Will be near to us once more“.

frank and judy

Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland from an undated photo circa late 1940’s or early 1950’s. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Frank Sinatra: “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” (1948, written by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin).

Judy Garland: “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” (1944, written by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 11

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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

Today’s holiday song is celebrating its golden anniversary this year. Elton John released it in November 1973 to cap off the remarkable success of a year where he had two #1 albums: Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player and the smash, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which was in the top spot when today’s track was released.

Written with his magnificent lyricist, Bernie Taupin, and released with a performance video of Elton and his band enjoying every minute of their time performing this song, it is not played nearly enough each December while we are inundated with tracks many of us wish were retired long ago. But fifty years later, we can count on EJ to provide a really fun part of the festive season.

“Welcome to my Christmas song
I’d like to thank you for the year
So I’m sending you this Christmas card
To say it’s nice to have you here“.

ej
images

Top: The sleeve for Elton John’s 1973 holiday song. Bottom: Bernie Taupin (L) and Elton (R) circa 1974. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Elton John: “Step Into Christmas“: (1973, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 10

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

10 B

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

The singer behind today’s song is soul defined. His life was tragically short (he died on December 10, 1967 at age 26) as was his career (it spanned three years and produced six albums in his lifetime), yet over five decades later he is still celebrated as The King Of Soul. And today’s track is a yearly reminder that despite the tradition of this season, it can and should be celebrated with music that features a fabulous achingly impassioned vocal that makes you feel the spirit of Christmas and more.

Otis-Redding-1967-06-17-Monterey-Pop-Festival

Otis Redding circa 1965. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Otis Redding: “White Christmas” (1967, written by Irving Berlin).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 8

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 8

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

Before we get to our holiday song, I want to take a moment to remember the man I consider to be the greatest frontman of all time on his 80th birth anniversary. James Douglas Morrison was born December 8, 1943 in Melbourne, FL. As a vocalist, songwriter, poet, artist and visionary, he translated all of that into the music he made with The Doors.

In seven years together with six albums released in his lifetime, Morrison and his bandmates brought the British Invasion to a halt and reminded audiences that classic rock music would always be in style to those of us who understand its power, its beauty and its message. He remains an iconic and legendary figure of the genre and in pop culture more than five decades after his death. I feel like I have missed him forever. I live by his words from my favorite track on Morrison Hotel everyday:

“The future’s uncertain and
The end is always near“.

Jim M 2
JM
The-doors@2000x1500

Top: Jim Morrison circa 1968. Middle: Morrison circa 1971. Bottom: The Doors circa 1967 (L-R): John Densmore, Ray Manzarek, Morrison and Robby Krieger. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Another singer and legend I have missed nearly my whole life is the man behind today’s song. John Lennon’s quest for worldwide peace culminated in this song in 1971. It told us who he was at his core-not a Beatle, not a songwriter, not a musician, not a rock star, not an iconoclastic figure-just a man wanting to live in a world where he could “imagine” a peaceful happy Christmas for himself and the rest of us, too.

Merry Christmas, John. You are missed. Every. Single. Second.

“A very Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear“.

Lennon
john-lennon-happy-xmasrough-127822

Top: Lennon on stage circa 1971. Bottom: Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, circa 1968. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Doors: “Roadhouse Blues” (1970, written by The Doors: John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison).

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).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 7

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog Day 7

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

Today’s track celebrates the reason for the season. It is very special to me because it takes me back to one of my fondest childhood memories-standing next to my mother and holding her hand while we sang this together in church. And a singer like The First Lady Of Song makes her version a wonderful memory for anyone.

Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald pictured sometime in the 1940’s. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Ella Fitzgerald: “O Come All Ye Faithful” (1967, 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 2023: Day 4

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 4

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

If you are someone who looks forward to new versions of traditional Christmas songs, today’s pick is for you. And what a sublime track it is. It comes from The Lumineers who had their breakthrough hit in 2012 with “Ho Hey” from their self-titled debut. Their holiday recording is in support of Backline, a nonprofit organization that assists music industry professionals with resources to help with mental health and wellness. The beautiful sparse rendition fits Wesley Schultz’s voice perfectly to Jeremiah Fraites simple but elegant piano track. I find it absolutely stunning.

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 2023: Day 3

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 3

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

In 2008 R&B singer Brian McKnight released his second Christmas album. The title track is such a great take on a classic holiday tune that was first released 80 years ago in 1943. Knight’s smooth soothing soulful version reminds me of the type of music you hear during a Christmas episode of a TV series or the track playing during a montage on a soap opera where we get a look at various couples and families celebrating the holiday. I first discovered Knight after hearing his lovely & evocative 1992 duet with Vanessa Williams (and seeing the gorgeous video) for “Love Is” from Beverly Hills, 90210: The Soundtrack.

For a fabulous instrumental take on the same song, look no further than music mogul & trumpeter, Herb Alpert, who spent a lot of 2023 on tour. His second holiday album, 2017’s The Christmas Wish, also includes his cover of “Merry Christmas Darling” written and recorded by The Carpenters in 1970 on Alpert’s A&M label. I also recommend his first seasonal record, Christmas Album, which was released in 1968 with his band, The Tijuana Brass.

Herb

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Brian McKnight: “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (2008, written by James Kimball “Kim” Gannon, Walter Kent and Buck Ram).

Herb Alpert: “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” (2017, written by James Kimball “Kim” Gannon, Walter Kent and Buck Ram).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!