Our Savior's love, shines like the sun with perfect light. As from above, it breaks through clouds of strife.

Dec 18, 2006

Christmas Songs

In the 9th grade, my English teacher decided to show us a weeks worth of “Christmas” music videos. With respect to the time of year and to honor my 9th grade English teacher, I have decided that this week's contest will be to list the top Christmas songs along with the performer. The performer is very important because there is a big difference between “Baby it’s Cold Outside,” from the Elf soundtrack compared to the Nick and Jessica version, which made me want to vomit.

Here are my top 5

5. “It’s Christmas at Ground Zero” by Weird Al Yankovic
This song is great, because it plays on the cold war fears that most Americans had. What makes this a top five pick is the music video. In it, they play clips from 1950 films that teach you how to survive if a nuclear bomb goes off. It shows a young family on a picnic, and then a flash of light goes off. The family hides under the blanket, as if the Atomic bomb that just went off will not be able to penetrate the 50/50 poly cotton fibers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_CP3OKWGYE

4. ‘Christmas” by the Blues Traveler
This is a great tune that needs to be heard to know why it is so great. It is John Popper at his best. (He composed the song as well.)

3. “All I want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey
I am not a big Mariah Carey fan, but she does a great job in this song. There is an excitement that is contagious, and it gets even the Grinch (me) into a Christmas mood.

2. “Do they Know its Christmas Time” by Band Aid
Any Christmas song that can have Bono and Sting together needs to be near the top of any list

1. “O Holy Night” by Nicolle Alexandre Sherwood
If you have ever heard her sing this song, you will get chills just thinking about it.

Those are my top 5, Please rank yours. The judging with take place on Thursday December 21.

6 comments:

andrea said...

Ok, that Weird Al video was disturbing. Sometimes you have a freaky sense of humor, Greg.

If I could put Nicolle's "O Holy Night" on my list, too, I would. That is BY FAR the best Christmas song ever! But, since I don't want to just copy your picks, here are five of my own in no particular order.

*God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Bare Naked Ladies with Sarah McLachlan--who knew this could be a fun song?

*This Christmas by Ruben Studdard. Yes, I'm a huge American Idol Fan. And I love this song. It's one of those that sticks in my head for hours after I listen to it.

*Little Saint Nick by the Beach Boys. My parents listened to the Beach Boys Christmas Album when I was growing up, so it has sentimental value, but this particular song has got some longevity and has even been remade by Sugar Ray.

*Mary Did You Know? by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd. Touching, sweet song. And, yes, I think she did know.

*Carol of the Bells by Destiny's Child. They put some soul into this song and make it a winner.

Greg and Nicolle said...

Andrea, I agree that the Wierd Al video crossed the line. Yikes!

Here are my top five picks...

5. Melekalikimaka- Bing Crosby

4. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear- Julie Andrews

3. 12 Days of Christmas by the Muppets (Miss Piggy singing "ba-dum-bum-bum" after every repititon of "5 Golden Rings" is the reason this makes the list... it always makes me smile).

2. Handel's Messiah- no matter how many times I have sung this with a choir, it is always a thrill. It is definitely best when in the choir, rather than in the audience... try it, I think you'll agree.

1. Tender Tennessee Christmas- Amy Grant (always makes me homesick for Christmas in Nashville).

-Nicolle

Anonymous said...

Wait...did Nicolle actually write O Holy Night?

That'd be a pretty good rumor to start.

Anonymous said...

I love the BNL verson of God Rest. . .is there a CD that it is on?

please pardon the spelling. For those who don't know me but know I am related to Greg will understand.

OK my top 5
The prayer (not positive) by Andre Bochellie and Celien Dion. I love the way that this sounds. Love his voice too

Marys Boy Child. The faster version. I have no idea who sings it but I love to listen to it as it bings back memories of The Anderson's HOme in AZ.

O holy Night - I really wish I could hear Nicolle sing this on. I enjoy any version that is not turned into pop or crazy whatever. I like Clay Aiken's and Celen Dion's Version.

12 things at Christmas that are such a pain to me. I just love hearing the guy complain about hanging up the lights someday I hope to hear Chris complaing about that someday.

Last but not least. . . Far Far away on Judeas plain. not that I know anyone famous who has ever sung this song. But this is the one I want to sing every year in church and never get to.

Greg thanks for doing this I have enjoyed the last few blogs.

Karen

Anonymous said...

Okay - here are 5 christmas songs that my kids love to dance to

1. I want a Hippo for christmas (a little girl sining)

2. 12 days of menopause - they don't know what the words mean, but they think its funny because I laugh
3. All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth - Madi (5 yr old) wants to lose her's so bad that we change the words to is to lose 2 teeth.

4. Baby it's cold outside from Elf - As a matter of fact - my kids were in the tub and started singing it

5. Last song that is my kids favorite is Santa Clause is coming to Town by Bruce Springsteen - they love it when he asks how many have been good - they always say that they have.

Greg, keep up the blogs!! I am loving them!!

Kari

Anonymous said...

Hey all,
Long time blog reader...first time blog poster. I have read everyone's comments and have to chime in on some glaring omissions for best Christmas songs, so here goes:

Now those who have ever set foot in the Anderson (AZ) home during the Christmas season will know that Christmas just isn't Christmas without the "Neil Diamond Christmas Album"..choose any song they are all good.

I will have to agree with Karen on the Mary's Boy Child (and FYI the artist is Boney M.)

Next, will have to be "The Carol of the Bells" by The Transsiberian Orchestra (with Metallica playing back up). Anyone that can have Metallica stand in with them and make Christmas sound good deserves HUGE props.

Now for a little more main stream, "Where are you Christmas" sung by Faith Hill from the The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (the Jim Carrey version).

And finally..."Deck the Halls" as sung by the Chinese Restaraunt workers in the all time classic christmas movie, "A Christmas Story". (All I have to say is..."Fa-Ra-Ra, Ra-Ra-Ra, RA-RA-RA..")

Jefe