‘Tis the Season –
I love music, all types of music. And while my tastes run the spectrum, I usually find myself gravitating towards classical, (I absolutely love the violin) soft jazz, and the occasional country tune. Everything else becomes more of a seasonal selection. For instance usually in the spring and summer I will primarily listen to alternative rock and upbeat country. It’s weird, I don’t get it either.
Whether I am driving, working out, working in the yard, work working, or just sitting at home, I will normally listen to my iPod. This has become more prevalent to the point of noticeable, a fact I realized the other day. There is a wonderful classical station here, WDAV based at Davidson College, that has really helped to expand my library and love of classical music. Like most classical stations, there is very little talk, no commercials (except for the semi-annual membership drive) and what human voice you will hear is usually calm and subdued. And this brings us to the point of this article…
I LOVE Christmas music! Certainly I would not listen to it all year long, but there is just something about those songs that rekindles wonderful memories of Christmases past in my mind that I will always cherish. Now, I know people who groan at the slightest thought of having to “endure” a single carol. Not me! For me it provides a soundtrack, the score to the season. Not unlike the aroma of cinnamon and spices that provide an olfactory ignition announcing to the senses that “IT IS CHRISTMASTIME!!”
Like most cities, Charlotte has several radio stations that play Christmas songs, usually beginning the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas day. So, I was very excited about listening to the radio in the car the other day when I set out to do a little shopping. My excitement, however, was very short lived. I found myself quickly frustrated as I clicked back and forth between the two stations. While I would acheive a wonderful memory moment with an old Christmas classic, it was almost immediately erased by the “VOICE”. The “VOICE” was that obnoxious radio personality. It was the incessant commercials. It was loud. It was intrusive to my reveling, and it roared seemingly after each and every song, almost as if attempting to create some sadistic balance between the harmonious music and ‘nails on the chalkboard’ commercialism. After about fifteen minutes of this, I called ‘No Joy’ and switched the iPod back on. But I couldn’t let it go. I was pissed. I was in the midst of my holiday spirit and yet I felt more like ole Ebenezer. Apparently I needed a work-around.
Throughout the day as I shopped, walking through the mall, seeing others shopping, and bounding in and out of the various stores and boutiques, I would have flashes of memories. Each was tied to a different carol and helped to bring me back into the sight, sound, smell and feel of the season. So, with each memory I quickly added a little note into my Blackberry jotting down the song. Later that night I even Googled “Christmas Classics” and a host of other search strings as I began to forge my very own Christmas playlist. It was awesome and helped to elicit even more memories and remind me of songs that I had forgotten but loved.
The other day, I posted a comment on Facebook about my little Christmas creation and got several messages back asking me for a rundown of “Chris’ Carols”. So, I’ve decided to share. This is by no means a full and complete list, I know I will continue to add songs. And while there are any number of different versions by different artists, (in a few cases there are even multiple versions in my playlist, yep, I downloaded them all) these are MY favorites. I hope you enjoy and have a very Merry Christmas!
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting) – Darrius Rucker
Winter Wonderland – The Eurhymics
O Holy Night – Tracy Chapman
Jingle Bells – Michael Buble’ (featuring the Puppini Sisters)
Baby it’s Cold Outside – Dean Martin
Christmastime is Here – Vince Guaraldi Trio
I’ll be Home for Christmas – Rascal Flatts
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Michael Buble’
Merry Christmas Darling – The Carpenters
White Christmas – Bing Crosby
Where are You Christmas – Faith Hill
Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives
Last Christmas – WHAM
Silent Night –Enya
Winter Wonderland – Chris Botti
Carol of the Bells – Mannheim Steamroller
Christmas Canon – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Christmas – Blues Traveler
Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt
Mele Kamikimaka – Bing Crosby
Silver Bells – Johnny Mathis
Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney
Sleigh Ride – John Williams and the Boston Pops
Christmas is now Drawing Near – Steve Winwood
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow – Dean Martin
Belluea Wood – Garth Brooks
Same old Lang Syne – Dan Folgeberg
I’ll be Home for Christmas – Michael Buble’
Winter Wonderland – Andy Williams
Christmastime is Here – Sarah McLachlan
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