General Gregory N. Pigott: Late Night Music Christmas Edition Part 153......."Christmas Songs"

I can't believe I've never done a Christmas song list before. I hope you all enjoy it, and Merry Christmas everyone.

Also receiving votes were "Who Could Imagine A King" by Whitney Houston, "Snowflakes of Love" by Toni Braxton, and "O Holy Night" by Destiny's Child. PLEASE NOTE- The song "The Night Santa Went Crazy" by "Weird Al" Yankovic was left off due to the recent tragedy in Connecticut. Out of respect to the victims, the song was removed from the list.

"This Gift"- 98 Degrees. 98 Degrees gave a great effort with this single from their 1999 Christmas album This Christmas with this being the lead single, which peaked at #40 on the Billboard Hot 100. This single was actually re packaged as a Christmas single after being originally recorded as a pop standalone single earlier that year. I really enjoyed this Christmas album despite being released with little fanfare after the success of their album 98 Degrees and Rising. I hate to say it, but I think 98 Degrees was an R & B group who grouped into the boy band genre just due to their looks. They had a great sound, and always reminded me more of the 90's soul groups rather than the boy bands. Unfortunately, Nick Lachey letting his life be shown on TV has made him very un-R & B esque.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLkoR4nYeEY

"You're Not Alone"- Boyz II Men. I love this song and this album! This track from Boyz II Men's 1993 Christmas album Christmas Interpretations helps complement one of the best Christmas albums you don't know about. In 1993, Boyz II Men was fresh off of the success of their debut album Cooleyhighharmony, but wasn't yet the household name that would come with their next album II. This album and song gave a great preview of the sounds that were going to come from Boyz II Men as they became one of the biggest acts in the world in the late 90's. This song was written by then label mate Brian McKnight, and an appearance on "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" help the album top out at #19 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj78mi93s9o

"Christmas In Dixie"- Alabama. This southern classic was originally released in 1982 by Alabama, but was later included on their 1985 Christmas album Alabama Christmas, going to #35 on the Billboard Country Charts upon its initial release. This southern pride song has stayed a radio favorite for several years and is a staple at Christmas in many music outlets. No matter the time of year, the song was a regular on the band's live sets until their hiatus in 2004. Bonus points for the inclusion of Jackson, Mississippi in the lyrics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A8qAUAbqIo

"Step Into Christmas"- Elton John. This standalone single in 1973 was recorded during the Caribou sessions for Elton John and later included on the U.S. CD re-release. At that time, Elton John was on his unreal streak of seven consecutive #1 albums. This widely popular single debute at #23 on the British Singles Chart, and peaked at #1 on the special Billboard Christmas Charts, as Christmas songs could not be included on the regular Hot 100 at that time. I would also like to add that this easily the most obvious "fake playing" video ever. Just watch and see what I'm talking about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fjik78LapA

"Happy Christmas (War Is Over)"- John Lennon. John Lennon and Yoko Ono enlisted the help of the Harlem Community Choir to record this anti-Vietnam War/Christmas song in 1971, and released in the UK in 1972. This song is still very widely played, but I hate Yoko Ono so much it's hard to listen to anything with her on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN4Uu0OlmTg

"I'll Be Missing You Come Christmas"- New Kids On The Block. New Kids On The Block included this song as a "letter to Santa" on their 1990 Christmas Album Merry, Merry Christmas. While this song was never released as a single, this song was very popular, as seen by this fan made video. I always wondered how Jordan Knight could make his voice change sound almost like Barry Gibb. I actually this song could have been written better where it didn't have to sound so awkward.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYqW1RoktYA

"Little Saint Nick"- The Beach Boys. This single was released from the Beach Boys 1963 The Beach Boys Christmas Album. This single went to #3 on the special Billboard Christmas chart that was previously mentioned. This song has always cracked me up because it's just funny to think about a group full of surfer boys singing about the North Pole. Always cracked me up when it was used on the Coke commercials.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSynDh_K0EE

"This Christmas"- Donny Hathaway. Attention artist- STOP COVERING THIS SONG! This original version is the best and will not ever ever ever be topped! Please stop recording it! This song peaked at #11 on the Billboard Christmas Chart in 1970 when it was released as a standalone single. Ever since, artist of all genres have attempted to cover this song to the point that it has become so cliche I can actually grow tired of hearing a song that was so amazing in its original form by one of the greatest artists of all time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWmOnfcI-CA

"Tennessee Christmas"- Amy Grant and Vince Gill. In a very strange twist of irony, Amy Grant performs this song on The Nashville Network's Christmas special with her future husband. The only thing is that she wrote this song with her original husband Gary Chapman who sang background vocals on the original version in 1983 from her album A Christmas Album, which would prove to be one of her more popular albums. It would later go on to be certified platinum in 1989. I still wonder what Gary Chapman thinks when he hears this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOXqc7Tq6y0

"Wonderful Christmas Time"- Paul McCartney. I was super glad to see Paul McCartney do this song Saturday night on "Saturday Night Live". This 1979 Christmas single was McCartney's completely solo single in 8 years and just in time for the breakup of Wings later in the year. In a hilarious twist of irony, all of the members of the band appear in the video, yet none are on the recording. Very interesting. This still very popular Christmas song peaked at #6 on the British Singles Chart and #10 on the Billboard Christmas Charts that same year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9BZDpni56Y

"Christmas Lights"- Coldplay. This special 2010 single peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and showed the festive side of Coldplay, which even I admit I was shocked to see despite being a huge fan of the band. This super catchy video just really reminds of Smashing Pumpkins "Tonight, Tonight", just without the weird video quailty and weird flying machines. As I watch this video and listen to this song again, I'm beginning to convince myself that Coldplay is incapable of producing a bad record.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1rYmzQ8C9Q

"Christmas Makes Me Cry"- Matthew West and Mandisa. Man what a powerful song and perfect duet match! This is a great live performance from Decatur, Illinois with Mandisa and Matthew West. This single was originally released in 2007, but then re-released in 2008 when it was included on Mandisa's album It's Christmas. In 2007, the song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Christian Charts. This song was fresh off of Mandisa's appearance on "American Idol" and was just a glimpse of the unbelievable things to come from one of the best female singers in the business today in any genre. This song, actually written by West, was cleverly written and cleverly performed. Matthew West really doesn't get enough credit for being one of the best songwriters in Christian music.

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

"Shake Up Christmas"- Train. Unlike most songs on this list, this song was actually released on a non-Christmas album and not released as a standalone single. This Coke Christmas song was included on Train's 2009 album Save Me, San Francisco and released as a single in 2010 where it peaked at #99 on the Billboard Hot 100, but not before being played to death on every Coke Christmas commercial every year. I'll always be a fan of Train, but Pat Monahan just looks so freaking weird sometimes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-8VCL4uSUc

"Better Days"- Goo Goo Dolls. I have to admit, I had no idea that the Goo Goo Dolls sang this song until recently even though I had heard it 20000 times. Seriously, didn't you think they disappeared too? Originally for a Target Christmas album, this single was included on their 2006 album Let Love In where it peaked at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100. In an unbelievably rare occurrence for mainstream music, the song makes a very open allusion to Jesus Christ, perhaps showing the faith of Johnny Rzeznik. I really like this song, as it turns out to be a "comeback" song of sorts for the band, as they were one of my favorite bands in high school.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-kHleNYIDc

"Grown Up Christmas List"- Amy Grant. Here is another song I am begging artists everywhere to stop covering! Amy Grant's 1992 version from her SECOND Christmas album Home For Christmas has been covered by seemingly every female singer who wants to release a Christmas album. I am begging them all to stop because this version will simply not be topped. This song began Amy Grant's successful yet brief transition into mainstream music when it peaked at #17 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart paving the way for her release of Heart In Motion the following year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmF2rsDHOZc

"Mary, Did You Know?"- Cee Lo Green. I have to admit. I really don't care for Cee Lo other than his comedic factor. I've always found him overrated and very overhyped as well as very annoying. However, this cover of Mark Lowry's Christmas gem is rather fantastic. This track is included on his most recent album Cee-Lo's Magic Moment which is currently at #25 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Charts. I never thought that Cee-Lo had it in him for a song like this to be so spiritual and serious about anything, but it goes to show that even I will give credit when credit is due.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1ptNwE7K8o

"The Gift"- Jim Brickman featuring Colin Raye and Susan Ashton. Now just changing genres a TAD bit. This title track to Jim Brickman's 1997 Christmas Album peaked at #3 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart and quite possibly was not listened to anyone under 40. All jokes aside, this was an interesting combo. I'd like to see these two make an entire album together. Jim Brickman needed more singing on his albums as well. Dude has made piano skills, but why not more singing? All of this songs that feature vocals turn out to be good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJDmQI1Euk8

"Do They Know It's Christmas?"- Band Aid. You knew it was coming. I actually thought Kool and the Gang was British for a short time after seeing this video. Why did they confuse us like that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EJWEXrykdQ

"Do They Know It's Christmas?"-Band Aid 20. The 20 year later version which features Bono unable to let go of the past. I'll let anyone who can name every artist in this video name my next list.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwAiaz5zN-E

"The Christmas Song"- Nat King Cole. For my money, I don't think anyone ever ever ever did this song as well. Again, please stop covering this song. You will never be as good as Nat King Cole. This 1946 recording was so well known it was actually included into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1974.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__kQ1PCP6B0

"Last Christmas"- Wham!. Whatever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI

"Christmas Tonight"- Dave Barnes and Hillary Scott. Man what an awesome combo featuring one of my favorite ever and one of Mississippi's best ever! I love when I can include Dave Barnes on here! This awesome duet with Barnes and Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum went to #9 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart in 2010 off of Dave Barne's album Very Merry Christmas which itself peaked at #80 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. I was fortunate enough to see Dave Barnes perform this song with Drew Holcomb's wife at his 2010 holiday concert in Memphis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaDsQ8S7dsY

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"- Ella Fitzgerald. My favorite Christmas song by one of the most underappreciate and still awesome singers of all time. Can't get much better than this. I absolutely adore Ella Fitzgerald.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C9kDVKOrX4

"The Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth"- Bing Crosby and David Bowie. I actually included this odd duet about 140 entries ago, and here it is again. This single was included on Bing Crosby's 1977 TV Special "Bing Crosby's Merrie Old Christmas", recorded just 5 weeks before Crosby's death, and airing November 30, 1977 on CBS. David Bowie re released this single again in 1982 as a standalone single and included it on his Greatest Hits album in 1993. In an unbelievable story behind the song, Bowie appeared on the special to "normalize" his career and because his mother was such a huge fan of Crosby. Crosby himself also admitted that he wasn't too familiar with Bowie, but that his children liked him. In the funniest part of all, Bowie made it no secret that he hated "The Little Drummer Boy" and wanted a different song. In response, "Peace On Earth" was written to complement the song. Wow. It still gave us a great Christmas memory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiXjbI3kRus