Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A beautiful rustic Christmas tree with pinecones galore featured in Country Living Magazine. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s song was first recorded in 1947 by the band of one of the songwriter’s, Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers. The lead vocal is by singer & pianist Charles Brown, who went on to co-write and sing another successful holiday hit as a solo artist with “Please Come Home For Christmas” in 1960. 

My favorite version of today’s track is by my great love, Bruce Springsteen, released as part of 1987’s compilation album, A Very Special Christmas (it was also the B-side to his cover of “War” of all tracks in 1986). His rendition is followed closely by the cover by my other great musical love, Otis Redding. No surprise there. But I got so comfortable with these three renditions, I did not look for any others. Until this year. And what a shock to find two more unbelievably great versions by two unequivocal music legends.

Tina Turner recorded hers in 1964 when she was singing with her first husband. It is a rousing, funky, powerful no holds barred rendition delivered in a way only Tina could. Needless to say, it is glorious. We may have lost this force of a woman earlier this year, but finding this gem of a cover proves that music is the gift that just keeps giving, no matter how long it takes to find it.   

The King took on this song for himself as well. His website calls his version “as unlikely as it was welcome in the antiseptically “wonderful world of Christmas” and is that ever an understatement. I was so used to hearing the ballads and rock inspired tunes by Elvis, not to mention his gospel tracks, that this just reminded me why he is called The King. There was nothing-NOTHING-he could not sing, including a bluesy piano & guitar driven version of a great old Christmas tune. Shame on me for not finding it until 2023, but thank goodness I finally did. 

All five renditions are below for you to choose your favorite. And if you cannot choose, you have five great additions to your seasonal playlist.  

Picture 1: Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers. Picture 2: Tina Turner circa 1973. Picture 3: The jacket for Otis Redding’s 1968 holiday release. Picture 4: The jacket to Elvis Presley’s 1971 holiday single. Picture 5: The Boss in a festive mood in an undated picture. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers: ”Merry Christmas Baby” (1947, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore. Lead vocal by Charles Brown.) 

Ike and Tina Turner: “Merry Christmas Baby” (1964, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore).

Otis Redding: “Merry Christmas Baby” (1968, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore).

Elvis Presley: “Merry Christmas Baby” (1971, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore).

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: “Merry Christmas Baby” (1986, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!