A couple of years ago, I had what I thought was a hilarious idea for a gag gift for that year’s White Elephant Christmas gift exchange. It would be something so absurd and so personal that the receiver couldn’t possibly get it anywhere else. I was going to make recordings of myself singing my favorite Christmas songs the only way I knew how–awfully–and put them on a CD.
Fortunately, the realization that I have more favorite Christmas songs than could even fit on two CDs, let alone one, brought this plan to a halt and no one ever ended up with this atrocious present. (Though it still gives me a giggle to imagine it.)
Instead, I went into my iTunes and started sorting my favorites into their own playlist. Ultimately, I ended up with three CDs’ worth of favorite Christmas songs–and that’s only after I decided to exclude Mannheim Steamroller completely because I loved enough of their renditions of things to fill two CDs or more on their own.
I just really love Christmas, okay?
So after a lot of deliberation and stress and eliminating a lot of songs I still really love, I finally settled on 240 minutes of Christmas songs I love just a little more than all the rest. Then I put all those in a case with a custom cover and gave a copy to everyone that year. It still retained the spirit of the original gag gift idea, while being a pleasanter experience for recipients.
Now without further ado, I present to you…Disc 1: “Magic”.
1. Nutcracker March: London Symphony Orchestra
A fanfare seemed the best way to begin.
2. The Little Drummer Boy: Christopher Lee
The rockingest version of this song ever. I didn’t know I needed Christopher Lee to sing Christmas to me until I accidentally stumbled upon this discovery.
3. Walking in the Air: Peter Auty
The original version from The Snowman.
4. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: Enya
It’s strange, but I have a taste memory associated with this song, but I can’t place what it is. There was something we used to eat during the Advent season, and I haven’t figured it out yet. But the song sparks something in my taste buds.
5. O Holy Night: John Williams
Honestly, I wanted to include the entire soundtrack from one (or two, actually) of my favorite Christmas films. It’s got some of the most Christmas-y Christmas music in existence.
6. Toyland: Doris Day
7. What’s This?: Danny Elfman
As a bigtime Oingo Boingo fan, I leapt at the chance to include Danny Elfman’s voice in this.
8. Believe: Josh Groban
9. In the Bleak Midwinter: Katherine Jenkins
10. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Theme: Michael J. Lewis
Not from the live-action film or even the old TV show–from the 1979 animated film. I had to do a lot of digging to track down the spellbinding score to this movie. I even contacted the composer to tell him how much I loved it. Unfortunately, I’m not sure where you can buy this one, but you can enjoy the entire score by watching the movie.
11. The First Noel: Johnny Mathis
No Christmas is complete without Johnny Mathis. This is one of my favorite versions, in part because he goes up on “Noel” and not down, which has always been more pleasing to my ear. It always lets me down a bit when I hear a version that goes down. It’s just not supposed to be that way, in my opinion. You’ll see what I mean.
12. Do You Hear What I Hear?: Bing Crosby
13. Mary, Did You Know?: Pentatonix
I know it’s a little bit cliche, but sometimes things are cliche for a reason.
14. Angels, We Have Heard on High: Josh Groban
What can I say? I grew up Catholic.
15. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day: Andy Williams
16. O, Come, All Ye Faithful: Nat King Cole
No Christmas is complete without Nat, either.
17. Star of Bethlehem: John Williams
18. Panis Angelicus: Josh Groban
19. Frosty the Snowman: Ray Conniff & the Singers
Possibly my all-time favorite Christmas musicians. I associate every one of their songs with making Christmas cookies.
20. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear: Josh Groban
I know, I know; there’s a lot of Groban. But how could there not be?
21. March of the Toys: John Williams
22. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Ray Conniff & the Singers
I love how this version of the song has an extra verse, like a sequel to the familiar story. I think it’s the only version that has it.
23. Lily, Did You Know?: High Priority
A Harry Potter version of “Mary, Did You Know?” by an a cappella group that sounds vintage and fireside-y.
Stay tuned (no pun intended) for Part 2: “Memories”, coming next week.
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