Open Thread: Post Links to your favorite Christmas Songs

December | Me

[ataDude]

Oh, my... that one touched me beyond all words. Thanks.

[cyclotic]

Oh, you better watch out; you better not cry; you better not pout I’m tellin you why; Santa Claus is dead.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I actually like that song, it really is a beautiful little John Barry piece (despite all the mockings back on alt.fan.james-bond).

[Perdogg]

I do too. Hal David wrote the song.

[Perdogg]

I thought you find that funny

[Perdogg]

Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown?
Music by John Barry
Lyrics by Hal David
Performed by Nina

La la la la la la la,
La la la la la la la.

Do you know how Christmas tree are grown?
They need sunshine.
Sunshine can’t grow Christmas trees alone;
They need raindrops.
Raindrops can’t grow Christmas trees,
here’s the reason why;
In the winter rain will freeze,
and the trees will die.
Do you know how Christmas tree are grown?
They need sunshine and raindrops,
friendship and kindness
and most of all they need love.

Do you know how Santa gets around?
He needs snowflakes.
Snowflakes cannot do it all, I found.
He needs reindeer.
Reindeer, even tho’ they try,
they need other things.
Once a year they have to fly,
and they don’t have wings.
Do you know how Santa gets around?
He needs snowflakes and reindeer,
sunshine and raindrops,
friendship and kindness
and most of all he needs love.

Do you know how Christmas cards are made?
They need pictures.
Pictures can’t complete them, I’m afraid.
They need greetings.
Greetings say what’s in your heart,
that’s what they are for.
But, when loved ones are apart,
Christmas cards need more.
Do you know how Christmas cards are made?
They need pictures and greetings,
sunshine and raindrops,
snowflakes and reindeer,
friendship and kindness
and most of all they need love.

La la la la la la la,
La la la la la la la.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I refer to JB’s orchestral part, some of the lyrics are downright silly and ‘60s kiddie-saccharine (which is what got mocked).

[BluesDuke]

Duke Ellington's version of The Nutcracker. (Arranged by Ellington and Billy Strayhorn; performed by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, 1959 on Columbia Records.) Hunt down the real thing. It's on a disc called Three Suites. (It also includes Ellingtonian extracts from Grieg's Peer Gynt and Ellington's own Suite Thursday.) Accept no substitute!

[Perdogg]

I have never heard of the woman, Nina.

[Perdogg]

This is also a modern fav of mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O_fCs5Buwg

[Political Junkie Too]

The Roches.

Hallelujah Chorus at the Improv in 1982.

Christmas Caroling with the Roches.

Star of Wonder.

-PJ

[potlatch]

I got a kick out of it, and actually it was your comment about your family having sung it for generations that made it hilarious!!

[fieldmarshaldj]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nina_baroness_van_Pallandt

[fieldmarshaldj]

Not too crazy about that one. There’s a flamewar going on in the discussion of it.

[Perdogg]

where? I know the song is about the commercialization of Christmas, but it is open to may interpretations. I love the music.

From Wiki

"I Believe In Father Christmas" is a song by Greg Lake (most famously a member of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer). Although it is often categorised as a Christmas song this was not Lake's intention. Lake wrote the song in protest at the commercialisation of Christmas.[1]

The song is often misinterpreted as an anti-religious song and, because of this, Lake was surprised at its success. As he stated in a Mojo magazine interview:

"I find it appalling when people say it's politically incorrect to talk about Christmas, you've got to talk about 'The Holiday Season.' Christmas was a time of family warmth and love. There was a feeling of forgiveness, acceptance. And I do believe in Father Christmas."

[fieldmarshaldj]

Not too crazy about a lot of that modernist stuff, anyway. The flamewar is on the link you sent me in discussion.

[Auntie Mame]

Wow! Just wow!

[Auntie Mame]

Mary Did You Know

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyCOTI3b_V4&feature=PlayList&p=2FEC85418B254394&index=14

[Auntie Mame]

Thanks, I’m ordering the album. Very nice.

[Impy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Veju4PxhuGc

:p

People have probably already posted

Jingle Bell Rock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n50r-EwCuLw

and

Feliz Navidad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihW56Xa3XGQ