over time i've tried looking for songs to create my own library of holiday music. some of my favorites so far include "father christmas" by the kinks, "christmastime" by the smashing pumpkins, "fairytale of new york" by the pogues and "christmas is going to the dogs" by the eels. what i like about these songs is that they are original, they are done keeping artistic integrity and convey real and true feelings of the season. i'm wondering what other holiday songs get people in the mood rather than the typical generic crap played on the top 40 stations.

well its pretty generic, but not necessarily "crap" -
John Lennon's "Happy xmas(war is over)"

and its not that holidayish, but it reminds me of the christmas season for some reason

My morning jacket - "one big holiday"

just to clarify, what i mean by "crap" is a lot of artists seem to throw together songs for their own album or a compilation, and the end result is a slightly tweaked version of what's already out there, or just an obvious attempt to pick up a paycheck. the word crap, was probably used to express my dismay with turning on the TV and seeing jessica simpson and clay aiken everywhere.

and i disagree when you say that John Lennon's "Happy Christmas..." is generic. It is an original song that encapsulates the true meaning of the holiday season i believe. It doesn't have to sound alternative not to be generic.

i have not heard "one big holiday" and will check it out, thanks

well i didnt mean generic in that it isnt a great song, i just meant generic because of the fact that you hear this song 100 times every christmas.

King Diamond- No More Presents

JACKIE GLEASON's Orchestra

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/searc ... 10-9232824

PJ - "Let Me Sleep"

"Simply having a Wonderful Christmas Time" - Paul McCartney

I just isn't the Christmas season untill I hear this song on the radio.

I'm not a Blink fan, but they have a Christmas song that's not to bad.

local h has an amazing cover of have yourself a merry little christmas

Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Christmas music that shreds.

The Christmas albums I've always thought were essential were Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and most importantly to me, Nat King Cole. Obviously, they're all names that you've heard when it comes to Christmas tunes, and you can probably hear Frank singing "I'll Be Home For Christmas," Bing singing "White Christmas," and Nat singing "The Christmas Song" (he sang the original version) in your head without having to think twice. However, since you specified that by "crap" you meant something that sounds recycled from another artist or something that's only meant to pay the bills, I knew I could include those three.

Frankie and Bing are great, but the one I really want to recommend is Nat King Cole. He has a great Christmas collection. All of the songs he sang are traditional today, of course, but the way he sings them, you're consumed with the feeling the songs are supposed to give you: that warmth, that nostalgia, that innate joy yet lovely melancholy that overwhelms and enlightens, that Christmas spirit. As I said, he did the original version of "The Christmas Song," so literally, every other version has just been molded after his. They never hit the level he hit though. I can't go one Christmas without hearing him sing, "Although it's been said, many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you" in that gritty but lovely voice, that wispy drone. Also, and I don't think I've said this enough, Nat does the single greatest version of "O Holy Night." That song alone is very powerful, but he performed it so exquisitely that I get chills every time I listen to it. To me, it just seems like that really would be the song that would be sung by the angels at Christ's birth. You don't have to be a fan of Nat's to love that song. All of his Christmas renditions were lovely and impacting. I'd give them a listen!

Like Evenflow said, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra are wonderful. That "Ghost of Christmas Eve," I believe it's called, is really neat! I love that one.

Even though it's not a Christmas song, Chris Cornell and Eleven doing "Ave Maria" is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard, and it gets strengthened with the season.

Pearl Jam's "Let Me Sleep," as has already been mentioned, is a gorgeous representation of that melancholy longing I've never been without at Christmas.

Actually, Christina Aguilera's holiday album was decent. Some of the songs were kind of silly, but her version of "Merry Christmas, Baby" with Dr. John was wonderfully performed and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was so powerful from her. She really sang her heart out on it, and it made the peaks more emotional and engrossing. She did a decent version of "O Holy Night" too.

The Pretenders did a good version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" as well.

That's about all I can think of for now.

Here's a favorite. Give it a minute to load and it should play automatically.

http://www.brownielocks.com/marveloustoy.html

James Brown's "Santa Claus, Go straight to the ghetto" and Run DMC "christmastime in Hollis" although that is pretty popular already

RUN DMC "Christmas in Hollis"


Can't believe it hasn't been said.


I also live for the Paul Macartney song as well.

i JUST said it!

Here's a Christmas mix i made:

Liz Phair: Winter Wonderland
Bruce Springsteen: Merry Christmas Baby
Bright Eyes: Blue Christmas
Chrissie Hynde: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
The Kinks: Father Christmas
PJ: Don't Belive in Christmas
Jack Johnson: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
The Ramones: Merry XMas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight)
Sheryl Crow: Run Rudolph Run
Barenaked Ladies: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
U2: Baby Please Come Home
Chris Cornell: Ave Maria
The Eels: Everything's Gonna Be Cool This Christmas
Dave Matthews: Christmas Song
Tom Petty: Christmas All Over Again
Ben Folds: Bizarre Christmas Incident
PJ: Let Me Sleep

wow, just found a new gem:

"Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End)" by The Darkness

it's just absolute excess everything, extremely amusing, great


also, i love "Christmas is All Around" from the movie Love Actually. the idea behind this song was that somewhat washed up rocker took a song he wrote, switched some words to christmas and went way up the charts. just a great parody of all the crap i spoke of before. brilliant.


thanks for all the posts so far, getting some great ideas

What about Wishlist?

That mix sounds great!