Hiya friends, and Merry Christmas!
With the holiday season upon us, radio stations, Spotify playlists, and record shops are bound to be filled with Christmas music – and little might you know that a good majority of those traditional songs that you’ve come to love so much were actually recorded either during the era of 50s pop, or if the song was recorded later, it was most likely widely impacted by pop music of the 50s.
Many of the artists I’ve discussed on this Blog you’ve probably heard during the Christmas season – although you may not have known their names! Well, now you will.
Christmas time is the only time when I know the names of the artists on the radio, so it’s fair to say that this joyful season does in fact bring me lots of joy through music.
With that said, I wanted to take a moment to have you listen to 5 of my favorite holiday tunes and talk about what makes them so memorable for me.
I think it’s important to note that when I was a young child, my Grandmother and I used to sit by her old desktop computer, pull up a website with Christmas carol lyrics and music in the background, and sing the songs together. It’s one of my favorite childhood memories and many of the songs on this list are tunes we used to sing.
Without further ado, here are my top 5 favorite Christmas songs.
5. Jingle Bells – Frank Sinatra
An all-around classic! You can’t go wrong with Jingle Bells, you just can’t! When I was younger and my Grandmother and I would sing this song (she’s going to cry reading this) I would always picture the 2 of us sitting in a sleigh and sliding in the snow, and there is nobody I’d rather have singing in the background while taking an old-fashioned sleigh ride, more than Frank Sinatra!
4. Little Drummer Boy – Perry Como
When I first heard this song, I nearly broke out into tears. It’s so incredibly powerful, and being the devout Catholic that I am, the story resonates even more with me. While obviously, the Little Drummer Boy story is fictional, it’s certainly a cute thought that a little boy with a drum would give the only thing he could to the newborn King.
Perry Como does a phenomenal job with this song, but I’ll be honest – I don’t think I would love it as much if another artist sang it.
Take a listen and you’ll see what I mean!
3. Sleigh Ride – Andy Williams
We’re back to those sleigh rides again! In all fairness it is Christmas time, so I suppose sleigh rides are to be expected.
Andy Williams is the artist who sang “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” I know that song must ring a bell. Hopefully you have an idea of who I’m talking about, but regardless it’s important to note that Williams had many Christmas hits including his own version of “Jingle Bells,” and the song “Happy Holidays.” But when I first heard him sing “Sleigh Ride” I was surprised at how much energy he brought to the song. It’s certainly energetic when other artists perform it, but Andy definitely brings a certain “swing” to the table!
Listen here –
2. It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas – Perry Como
Here I go again! Just like in my top 10 favorite songs of all time, Perry Como dominates the list. The song “It’s Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas” has been recorded by artists up and down the aisle, but in 1951 Perry Como and the Fontaine Sisters recorded what is still the most successful and popular version – although if you ask that schmuck, Michael Bublé, he’ll probably tell you his version is more popular! I beg to differ.
Here’s a clip from Perry’s show with The Ray Charles Singers and himself performing the song!
1. Ave Maria – Perry Como
I’ll be doing a Blog post about Perry Como fairly soon – I’ve talked about him enough; he deserves his shining moment. Until then, I hope the music I continue to provide to you on my posts have helped you develop, in your minds, a sense of his style. And there is no song that does this better than his version of “Ave Maria.”
“Ave Maria” has to be one of the most calming, passionate, and powerful songs ever written, and Perry knew how to bring out all three of those elements in his version.
I really don’t want to go into too much detail about him or this Catholic prayer, but I think watching Como perform it will move you just as much as it moves me.
That’s all for today friends!
I hope you’ve enjoyed hearing these great Christmas songs and maybe I helped get you into the Christmas spirit!
Until next time - this is your 50s music fanatic, Steven B. – signing off!
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