The Definitive List of the Best VERSIONS of Popular Christmas Songs
Everybody has their favorite holiday song. With so many recordings and re-recordings to choose from, top 10 lists are as abundant and diverse as December snowflakes. But I’ve got a different take on the topic. Here is my ultimate list of the best versions of the best Christmas and seasonal songs. Some cover versions improve upon the original. Others, we could do without. Don’t get me wrong — Harry Connick can sing the hell out of Jingle Bells. But, we don’t need any more reimaginings of that old tune. It’s been done enough, and it’s probably not going to get any better.
Some recordings are so iconic that only one version comes to mind when you hear the title. Or could it be that only one version gets the most radio plays? I’ll omit the obvious classics. Elvis is the only guy who can sing Blue Christmas. Bing Crosby is synonymous with White Christmas. “Band Aid” is not only the best sterile adhesive owie strip for me — but it’s also the only group of washed-up 80s singers who should ever sing “Do they know it’s Christmas.” I’m brand-loyal like that.
Most of the songs on my list were recorded before I was born. But, I’m perfectly fine with more contemporary artists writing and recording new original seasonal songs. Mariah Carey hit the jackpot with “All I Want for Christmas is You” in 1994. But, we don’t…
