Countdown to the Top 10 Christmas Songs of All Times

It is a yearly tradition at our house. The day after Thanksgiving, we decorate the Christmas tree and listen to Christmas songs. My daughters have their favorite, currently it is Hannah Montana's Rockin' around the Christmas Tree. My husband and I have a mix of oldies, and oldies redux. Every year I add to my collection, but there are a few that are played every year while we decorate. All of these songs can be downloaded from Itunes.

It is a yearly tradition at our house. The day after Thanksgiving, we decorate the Christmas tree and listen to Christmas songs. My daughters have their favorite, currently it is Hannah Montana's Rockin' around the Christmas Tree. My husband and I have a mix of oldies and oldies redux. Every year I add to my collection, but there are a few that are played every year while we decorate. All of these songs can be downloaded from Itunes.
10) Linus & Lucy from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" Vince Guaraldi TrioNo matter what age you are, you can remember Schroeder playing the dance music during the pageant rehearsal. You will have visions of Charlie Brown characters dancing in your head. This song always gets us dancing around as we decorate the tree. Be careful of your breakable ornaments, this song causes some serious bouncing around.

9) Silver and Gold sung by Burl Ives from "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."There are other singers that have sung this song but we like the original. Burl Ives lent his voice to Sam the snowman. "Silver and Gold mean so much more when I see, silver and gold decorations on every Christmas Tree." You can not get a better song for decorating the tree.

8) Frosty the Snowman sung by Jimmy DuranteThis tops the songs that my daughters always request. It shows you how timeless Christmas Songs are. Jimmy Durante was the narrator for the 1969 TV special that is still played every year. My daughters like to hear the original and I do too.

7) God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings by Barenaked Ladies from their CD Barenaked for the Holidays. This is a beautiful, funky, harmonic rendition of these two holiday favorites. They blend their voices and the 2 songs together beautifully.

6) Some Children See Him sung by James TaylorThis is a beautiful version. It reminds us all that God/Jesus/whatever your higher source is, appears differently to each on of us. This song always brings up a good discussion with my daughters. Through history Jesus went from a Middle Eastern Jew to a Caucasian flag saluting American. I like my daughters to see that there are many ways to see Jesus. This lyrics combined with James Taylor's angelic voice is a powerful combination.

5) The Little Drummer Boy sung by Bob SegerSomehow when Bob Seger sings this song, you believe that he is standing by the manger on the original Christmas day. He brings his own style to this song withoutcompromising the original melody.

4) Do You Hear What I Hear? Sung by Whitney Houston
You know the song and you know her voice. Do I really need to say more?

3) You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch sung by Thurl RavenscroftThis made the list because of my husband. It is from the original TV special. My husband actually sounds like the Grinch and he loves to sing this song to my daughters, to many squeals of delight.

I get the top 2 songs all to myself. These are the songs that truly have the meaning of Christmas. My family chooses most of the Christmas songs, but these are the two that Mama will not go without.

2) My Grown Up Christmas List by Kelly Clarkson
I love Christmas because of the whole Peace on Earth/Goodwill towards men thing. I love hearing the Salvation Army bells. I love trying to find the perfect hiding place for the gifts I have bought. And each year, I am reminded how fortunate I am to have my family and home. I am also reminded that there are those that are not so fortunate. This song is a musical prayer for those not so fortunate. Kelly Clarkson does the lyrics proud.

1) My all time favorite since the first time I heard it in 1977 on a Bing Crosby Christmas Special.....

Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy sung by Bing Crosby and David Bowie
This song was originally a duet sung by the pair in 1977 on Crosby's Christmas special. Bing wanted a young star on his show and someone suggested Bowie. Turns out Bowie was a fan if Bings. If you have never heard this song you need to run to Itunes and download it immediately. You will get chills. The moment I first heard that song, it stuck with me for years. I was never able to find it in stores. Finally I found it on one of Bing's old albums. Now, thanks to Itunes, you can download it immediately. Go take a listen and discover whythis was chosen by TV Guide as one of the 25 Best Musical Television Moments of the Century. (June 5, 1999)