Christmas Favorites
Okay, so this isn’t a column, but I wanted to keep it light this wonderful Christmas Eve. Here is what I consider a collection of Christmas Classics with the top in each category.
Top Christmas Movies of All Time
It’s A Wonderful Life
Miracle of 34th Street
A Christmas Story
Scrooged
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The Polar Express
Home Alone
The Santa Clause
Elf
Animated Movies
Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer
A Year Without a Santa Claus
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Frosty the Snowman
The Little Drummer Boy
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Runner Up As Best All-Time:
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) – Only 25 minutes in length, this animated classic is Charles Schulz’ first shot across the bow of Christmas commercialism. The story takes place on the stage of the Peanuts® gang elementary school as Charlie Brown is appointed director of the Christmas play. While everyone expects the newest, fanciest and greatest of decorations, including an aluminum Christmas tree, Charlie returns with a tree no larger that a sapling that can barely support a single ornament. As Charlie shows his frustration at everyone’s attempt to focus on the commercial aspects and not the true meaning, Linus steps forward to explain the birth of Jesus Christ.
Best of All-Time:
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – Tops in all Christmas live action movies. Starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, this classic, although technically not a made for Christmas movie, is wholly a Christmas classic. Frank Capra, if not inventing the “life-would-be-better-without-me” themed movie, perfected it. Dozens of movies, if not more, have tried to replicate the Capra model. None can match it.
Favorite Christmas Songs of All Time
*Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry
Do You Hear What I Hear? – Johnny Mathis
Silver Bells – Kate Smith
Silent Night – Bing Crosby
*White Christmas – Bing Crosby
Christmas Auld Lang Syne – Bobby Darin
*The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole
It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas – Perry Como
‘Zat You, Santa Claus? – Louis Armstrong & The Commanders
Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt
It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams
Baby It’s Cold Outside – Dean Martin
Joy to the World – Percy Faith
*Happy Christmas (War is Over) – John Lennon
Run Run Rudolph – Chuck Berry
*Little Saint Nick – The Beach Boys
*Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms
*Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band
We Four Kings (Little Drummer Boy) – The Blue Hawaiians
White Christmas – The Drifters
Christmas Must Be Tonight – Robbie Robertson
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings – Barenaked Ladies & Sara McLachlan
Auld Land Syne – Straight No Chaser
Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Dave Brubeck Quartet
Spirit of the Season – Polar Express – Alan Silvestri
Believe – Polar Express – Josh Groban
Carol of the Bells – Manheim Steamroller
Some Children See Him – George Winston
Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head – George Winston
A Mad Russian’s Christmas – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Wizards in Winter – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Christmas/Sarajevo 12/24 – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
The Holly and the Ivy – George Winston
Stille Nacht – Manheim Steamroller
*Do They Know It’s Christmas – Band Aid
*Home For The Holidays – Perry Como
*Frosty The Snowman – Gene Autry
Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano
Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley
Please Come Home For Christmas – The Eagles
I Believe in Father Christmas – Greg Lake
Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives
Runner Up – Best Christmas Song:
White Christmas – Bing Crosby (1942) – Written by composer Irving Berlin, how could the greatest selling Christmas song ever released not be at or near the top of the list? Sung by Bing Crosby – the grandfather of modern Christmas songs and the Christmas special – this classic, written as troops were away for Christmas, became a popular staple for radio play at the front and the home front. Of note, this song was written not originally for the movie White Christmas but the movie Holiday Inn, both of which starred Bing Crosby.
Best Christmas Song:
Stille Nacht – Mannheim Steamroller (2005) – This Chip Davis arrangement, only six years old, has to be considered an instant classic. Even though it has been used with lyrics to bring other messages (e.g. Father Ted’s A Soldier’s Silent Night), this version of Silent Night allows true introspection and time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. If you have a Christmas music collection without this song, it isn’t complete.
Merry Christmas to all!
* Top 25 – compiled by WCBS – FM
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