Here’s Santa’s space in Destiny USA. Cue the Christmas music.
Walking into the Destiny USA entrance yesterday to see “About Time” for my weekly Syracuse New Times blog movie review, I was pretty certain the song greeted me with the line, “It’s Christmas at the mall.” My dear wife Karen assured me it was “it’s Christmas after all.”
I am sure that halfway up the escalator, the tune had changed, quite pleasantly, to “Mele Kalikimaka.” Now that Hawaiian ukulele-driven ode to the holiday makes me smile, every time.
Good thing. Holiday song season is upon us.
A Syracuse radio station switched to Christmas-themed music a couple of weeks ago. In October. To be the first of several serving all-holiday, all-the-time. Not on my dial, not in November, not on purpose.
Nevertheless, the way the world works nowadays, the music will fa-la-la its way into your life regardless, on TV, in stores, from so many places.
In that spirit, here is my short list — 10, you can count ’em — of holiday songs that won’t make me go all bah-humbug before December.
The Pretenders: “2000 Miles.” Chrissie Hynde sets an amazing rock ‘n’ roll spell singing, “It must be Christmas time.”
John Lennon: “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).” I am always ready with my peace sign for the sound of the legendary former Beatle and his holiday message.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: “Christmas Canon.” This piece from the world’s best part-classical, part-rock ensemble is simply stately.
David Bowie and Bing Crosby sing for the Binger’s 1977 Christmas special. Yes, the holiday brings us all together. (From YouTube.)
Bing Crosby and David Bowie: “Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth.” This unlikeliest of pairings came for a TV special in 1977. It was released as a single five years later. Deep stuff.
The Kinks: “Father Christmas.” The brothers Davies have fun with the holiday.
KT Tunstall: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” Rich and vibrant ode from the woman first known for “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree.”
The Beach Boys: “Little Saint Nick.” Yes, they celebrate Christmas in California and other places it doesn’t snow.
Nat King Cole: “O Holy Night.” The deep voice resonates more for me on this classic than on his far more popular “The Christmas Song.”
Frank Sinatra: “Mistletoe and Holly.” The man who first made my love hip crooning tackles his smooth holiday love song.
Bruce Springsteen: “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” The Boss will make all of my music lists. I’ve seen him in concert fortysomething times. I will forever remember Bruce’s byplay with Clarence Clemons on this one. Enough said.
Please let me know your favorite that didn’t make my list.
Mark Bialczak 
As it is now December, I can comment! This time of year I watch the 1954 movie “White Christmas” with Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen at least half a dozen times… that last scene where everybody is singing “White Christmas” cannot be beat!
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Wow, that’s a nice display of patience, RMW, uncommon in our time. That 1954 renditiion of “White Christmas,” very fine pick. Thanks!
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I love “The FIrst Noel,” by anybody who can sing. There are so many beautiful melodies, it’s difficult to choose, but I’ll name a welcomed “ear-worm”, for me, lately: “Don’t Save it All for Christmas Day,” by Clay Aiken.
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Thanks for getting into the swing of the season, Ann. With December arriving tomorrow, I’m ready to hear both of your choices.
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And here’s a sad — but beautiful one — “I Wish I Had River”, by Joni Mitchell.
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It is, and it is. Thanks for mentioning the great Joni, Ann.
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THANKS HAPPY HOLIDAYS MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.
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Sorry to be a grinch. This is my third Christmas in retail. If I don’t hear it in a church on Christmas Eve, I’ve already heard it too many times. (I do like your list though)
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I understand when enough is too much. May you find good cheer and smooth relations this retail season.
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In my list – A Winters Tale (David Essex), Fairy Tale of New York, The First Noel set to Pachebels Canon (absolutely beautiful) and Nat King Cole singing Mrs Santa Claus.(totally true) and Joy to the World.
Liked your list especially Nat King Cole ‘O Holy night’ – it always sends shivers down my spine.
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I really like your favorites, Rachel. “The First Noel” set to Pachebel’s Canon is so very special, indeed! Nat King Cole’s “Mrs. Santa Claus” is wonderful. And we share the same shivers for “O Holy Night.” Happy holidays, indeed!
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I’ll use this as a writing warm up, thanks Mark! Let’s see… We only have a few that overlap so I’ll list 10 you didn’t mention (Lennon, Springsteen, The Kinks, and Beach would all have made mine.)
In no particular order:
1. Paul McCartney: “Wonderful Christmastime.” I think it’s the stark contrast to Lennon’s anti-war tinged anthem that makes this one shine. It proves that although they weren’t Lennon-McCartney they most certainly were a force to be reckoned with, definitely a long-lost double A-Side single…
2. James Taylor w/ Natalie Cole: “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” Despite the song itself being kinda creepy if you think too deeply about it, this version is simply tops. It injects seemingly ad-libbed humor which make it worth a few listens, and be honest save for a roaring fire little warms the soul like James Taylor’s voice.
3. John Denver & The Muppets: “Deck The Halls.” The John Denver & Muppets Christmas special was never part of my childhood, in fact I wasn’t even aware of this version of the yuletide classic until I began listening to John Denver’s catalog, thankfully around Christmastime. It’s silly, it exudes jubilance, it’s the fun part of Christmas.
4. Frank Sinatra: “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” I’m a sucker for the classics and boy does Frank deliver (to be honest when doesn’t he?) If you feel nothing when Frank sings, “Through the years we all will be together if the faiths allow”, you should seek a heart transplant post-haste.
5. Dr. Suess: “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch.” Speaking of heart transplants who can forget this Christmas classic? I still call roast beef roast beast because of the animated movie which contains this track. The lyrics are so wonderfully absurd that at least one point while singing it you should chuckle.
6. Tony Bennet: “Winter Wonderland.” Not only is this a non secular “holiday” song it’s one that evokes so much of that wonderful, no pun intended, Winter imagery. If the song wasn’t so rose-tinted its next verses would detail the runny noses and the frustration surrounding the un-layering process after walking through the cold.
7. Perry Como: “There’s No Place Like Home For The Holiday’s.” Alright, let me level with you here. The only reason I know this song exists is because of its placement on my favorite Christmas compilation, “Now That’s What I Call Christmas.” Now on its third volume, the first is a 36 track two hour tour-de-force. Having to travel back home for the holiday’s has become a staple in my life for the past five years and won’t change anytime soon. The anticipation that builds within you knowing what homemade treats await is unparalleled and this song encapsulates that perfectly.
8. Elvis: “Blue Christmas.” Worth multiple spins for turning a Christmas tune on its head, it’s the antithesis of my previous pick. Anyone who has spent a holiday apart from the one they love can relate to this sorrow laden tale.
9. Dean Martin: “Let It Snow, Let It Snow Let It Snow.” I feel like I may be able to appreciate this one more now that I’ve left the Siberian winters of upstate New York. Instead of a daily or week-long occurrence, snowfall typically happens a few times a season and even fewer times on Christmas day. While snow can definitely be a burden, if a blanket should fall between the 24th and 26th of December, so be it.
10. Nat “King” Cole: “The Christmas Song.” If any Christmas should be granted the status as definitive, this would be my pick. In just over three minutes it lays out so many of the reasons the Christmas season is so great. It’s also sung to the listener. It’s a greeting from the singer to his audience and somehow it feels more personal.
Well, that’s all I have to say on the matter. I’m still boycotting Christmas music until after Thanksgiving, but I’ll spin the occasional tune until then.
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Great list, Brandt. Consider your writing all warmed up!
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“Revered producer” ?? Hah! Thank you!!
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I thought hard to choose between revered and exalted. Appreciated by the music community, to say the least. You’re welcome.
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Let’s not forget those great tunes by local artists! Like “The Gift” and “Emmanuel” by Todd Hobin, “The Night Before Christmas With You” by The Dean Brothers, “It Won’t Be Christmas Without You” by Gary Frenay, “Christmas Ain’t Like It Used To Be” by Joe Whiting, and many more ….
Hey Mark, your list above looks like Sunny 102’s Christmas playlist (we play ’em all), which by the way starts next week on Nov 19!
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Thank you for mentioning all those great holiday songs by our own Central New Yorkers, Mike. Down that road, please add adopted son Benny Mardones’ “Christmas Time in Syracuse.” But I do not have to tell the revered producer of that legendary Syracuse collection of holiday CDs, I know. Nov. 19, good start date!
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I have so many, mostly traditional ones…”I’ll be home for Christmas”, by good ole Bing Crosby always makes me cry..I guess that happens when miss loved ones. “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas”, Burl Ives. “Old little Town of Bethlehem”….and on, and on.
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The list can go on forever, Kim. Thanks for adding your favorite traditionals.
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I can not wait for Christmas now. My favorite holiday. Joy and warmth with family and friends. Music, good food and fun events. Oh how I long to Christmas now.
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I hope my song list helped get you in this joyful Christmas mood, BiB. Thank you for commenting.
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Great list! Anything Bing can do no wrong with singing holiday tunes. I have to high-five you with Bruce and Trans-Siberian, because both songs are definitely clutch. The Kinks’ “Father Christmas” is probably in my Top Three.
Dave Matthews Band’s “A Christmas Song” would be in my list as well, but that is simply because it’s original and a different approach. Otherwise, I do not see DMB covering anything Christmas worthy.
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You are right, Chris. DMB’s originality is clutch, too! Thanks for the comment.
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I like “God rest ye Merry gentleman” by Bare Naked Ladies and Sara something or another.
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BNL with Sarah McLachlan is a nice choice, Mer. I’ve had the chance to get to know Steven Page a bit because he splits time between Canada and the Syracuse area. I love his pure voice, with BNL and thereafter. Thanks for sharing your choice.
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Ah, that’s her name. Anytime, lol.
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7:00 O’Clock News/Silent Night–Simon & Garfunkel;
Hallelujah Chorus–The Roches;
A Christmas Song–Jethro Tull (the original).
Definitely Bruce–first heard him do Santa Claus as SUNY Oswego in 1975.
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Great list, Katherine! So many cool songs from which to choose. Christmas is AOK when Simon & Garfunkel, The Roches and Ian Anderson get to sing about it.
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