Christmas songs that you actually like?

[monkeyking]

The Beach Boys christmas album is a really good one. I would assume it's the group of studio aces with Brian Wilson (and those other guys).

My absolute, hands-down number one has to be "Father Christmas" by the Kinks. This isn't that schlocky, jingly thing by ELP, this is real rock and roll.

 

[godofthunder59]

Slade, Merry Christmas Everybody! slade - merry christmas everybody - YouTube

 

[Willie Dizon]

CAROL OF THE BELLS-TransSiberian Orchestra
O HOLY NIGHT-Mariah Carey
CHRISTMAS IN HOLLIS-Run D.M.C.

 

[Josh Pelican]

Sleigh Ride [Stu Hamm] - YouTube

 

[FatCity]

I have always been partial to John Mellencamp's version of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." "Father Christmas" from The Kinks is another fave.

Merry Christmas!

 

[JimK]

If I were going to play one, I think it would be God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, as it could be adapted for just about any style with a good bass part.

You need to hear this version by Chick Corea's Elektric Band!
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Chick Corea - YouTube

 

[JimK]

Ok, I admit it... I hate 90% of the Christmas songs out there. My Grinch-iness and cynicism generally makes me loath their syrupy sweetness.

There's a fair share of melancholy Christmas tunes...suprised you did not mention any of those. I guess you're only a little cynical, Charlie Brown.

Examples-
"Christmas Time Is Here"
...Vince Guaraldi's original instrumental.
Diana Krall & Patti Austin also have nice covers...
Patti Austin
Christmas Time is Here/Patti Austin - YouTube

Diana Krall-
Invalid Link Removed

Other melancholy Xmas tunes-
"I'll Be Home For Christmas"
"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"

 

[JimK]

Seems like everytime I walked into the supermarket this month they're playing a lame cover of "this christmas" and not the original...sigh

Bass Player did a transcription of "This Christmas" in their December issue.
In the story that accompanied the transcription...Hathaway, tracking live, played the Fender Piano Bass while singing.

 

[JimK]

Let It Snow by Dean Martin

Check out Michael Franks' version-
Let It Snow

 

[afzoomie67]

Baby, It's Cold Outside - Dean Martin.
That's probably my favorite Christmas song.. Followed closely by U2's Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

 

[HolmeBass]

I have always been partial to John Mellencamp's version of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." "Father Christmas" from The Kinks is another fave.

Merry Christmas!

Sleigh Ride [Stu Hamm] - YouTube

You guys stole mine- "Father Christmas" by the Kinks and "Sleigh Ride". I'd never heard the Stu Hamm version, that's pretty cool and swinging.

Of course the Guaraldi Peanuts stuff is just classic, I'll listen to that any time of year. And "Good King Wenceslas" as a jazz tune is cool as well, was it Winton Marsalis who did that?

 

[GreenWithEnvy]

For me, I love almost every song on The Phil Spector Christmas album. I also love the Esquivel Christmas disc.

 

[BassyBill]

My Christmas Winamp playlist:

1. Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping (5:20)
2. Mud - Lonely This Christmas (3:32)
3. Bobby Helms - Jingle Bell Rock (1:49)
4. Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas? (3:42)
5. Dean Martin - Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow (1:55)
6. Elton John - Step Into Christmas (4:10)
7. Mel & Kim - Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree (3:33)
8. Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime (3:46)
9. Jackson 5 - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (2:20)
10. Peggy Lee - Winter Wonderland (1:54)
11. Michael Jackson - Rockin' Robin (2:31)
12. The Ronettes - Sleigh Ride (3:06)
13. Slade - Merry Christmas Everybody (3:43)
14. Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everday (4:39)
15. Nat 'King' Cole - The Christmas Song (3:11)
16. Bing Crosby - White Christmas (3:05)

 

[TRCat]

"Driving Home For Christmas" by Chris Rea

 

[ksandvik]

I like Motown Christmas songs and arrangements such as Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus and so on.

 

[knumbskull]

Pogues and Kirsty McColl-Fairytale of New York.

With the latter, any song that starts 'It was Christmas Eve in the drunk tank' has got to be great...

yes, this! brilliant song. good old toothless Shane.

 

[Winoman]

My favorite is "Lo How a Rose 'er Blooming" by Michael Praetorius ("Es ist ein Ros entsprungen")


There is also this classic from Rootboy Slim (R.I.P. Root )
CHRISTMAS XMAS AT K-MART - ROOT BOY SLIM & SEX CHANGE BAND - YouTube

 

[knumbskull]

oh and how could we forget...

 

[FilterFunk]

My feelings about Christmas and Christmas music are the polar opposite of the OP's, so my list would be a mile long, but I'll narrow it down:

Do You Hear What I Hear - Johnny Mathis
O Tannenbaum - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Sleigh Ride - Boston Pops
Boot-Off (aka Rudolph) - Bootsy
Silent Night - Temps
O Holy Night - Mariah Carey
The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - Andy Williams
Let It Snow! - Johnny Mathis
Rudolph - Temps
You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch - "Grinch" TV special soundtrack, and Gary Hoey's rock version
Santa Claus Is Back In Town - Elvis Presley
Soulful Christmas - James Brown
Winter Wonderland - Rochester Pops
Silent Night - Frank Chacksfield
Jingle Bells - Brian Setzer Orchestra
All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

...and the list goes on...

 

[Foamy]

The Ramones - Merry Christmas

Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight) - YouTube

Yeeeeah.....nice one. Forgot about it.
Gabba Gabba Hey!