Jeff’s Top Ten: Christmas Songs

Jeff Lawton  //  December 19, 2011

10. The Jingle Cats – “White Christmas”

Generally speaking, when it comes to enjoying Christmas music you need to check your snobbery at the door. But listening to Jingle Cats takes a specific strength many people just don’t have. Still, give this song a deep listen (and the video a deep watch) and you might appreciate its profound absurdity.

09. The Flaming Lips – “Christmas at the Zoo”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QL5Jh9PfJ0

Considering how fantastical Christmas is, one might think a band as theatrical as the Flaming Lips would tackle this subject more often. Instead, we must settle for this one-off blast of holiday cheer about freeing caged animals on Christmas Eve.

08. Run DMC – “Christmas in Hollis”

Run DMC’s “Christmas in Hollis” is a Christmas rap classic, probably because it’s the only rap song about Christmas. As a genre that is largely concerned with appearing tough, it’s refreshing to hear a group of men spit mad rhymes about Santa Claus, presents and eggnog.

07. Horatio Sans, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Kattan and Tracy Morgan – “I Wish It Was Christmas Today”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDDR0zcvOuY

or this if it’s taken off Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3t_lgjIiGo

If you were lucky enough to catch Jimmy Fallon hosting Saturday Night Live this weekend, then you probably caught this Christmas classic with cameos from SNL alumni Horatio Sans, Chris Kattan and, most importantly, Tracy Morgan. This should happen every year.

06. John Lennon – “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”

For a lot of people, Christmas is the happiest time of year. But Christmas also reflects the poverty, war and general sadness that exists in the world. Lennon perfectly captures this duality with “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”, probably the saddest holiday song ever put to tape.

05. Sufjan Stevens – “Come On! Let’s Boogie to the Elf Dance!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NGhbZkg_jo

In 2006, Sufjan Stevens released a five-disc album entitled, Songs for Christmas, and in terms of Christmas records it’s a modern holiday classic. Comprised of many standards and originals, it’s difficult to pick a standout song from the collection, but “Come On! Let’s Boogie to the Elf Dance!” is pretty much the most fun in the world.

04. Bing Crosby – “White Christmas”

I would be amiss if I didn’t include a bona fide Christmas classic in this list. So here’s the most classic of them all: Bing’s “White Christmas”. Be honest, if you hear this come on in a store, or in front of a fire, or while decorating the tree, you are instantly singing along.

03. Vince Guaraldi Trio – “Christmas Time Is Here”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ3aAfTUEBs

My favourite Christmas television special is A Charlie Brown Christmas by a mile. The same goes for Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack. The album’s loose jazziness and childlike wonder are abound, but it’s “Christmas Time Is Here” that sends me into an unparalleled state of nostalgia.

02. Joni Mitchell – “River”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPCJxVCcWtk

I don’t usually consider Joni’s “River” to be a Christmas song, but the holiday lyrical references  and the borrowed “Jingle Bells” chords suggest otherwise. I apologize for all the sad-bastard music on this list, but if you don’t like it you can find a river to skate away on.

01. The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl – “Fairytale of New York”

I don’t think I’m alone in saying this is the best Christmas song of all time. It’s got everything: drunken Irish blathering, an embittered duet with the late Kirsty MacColl, a penny whistle, Matt Dillon, and a heartbreaking love story with a perfectly ambiguous ending.