Get Your Christmas Carol On

I love Christmas. The feeling that is in the air, the way people act differently, and the whole act of giving to someone just to see the joy on their face always fills me up with a warm feeling. As such I do love Christmas music; I find myself listening to Magic 95.5 (our local soft music station) once they start playing Christmas carols just to hear some of my old favorites. Here is a list of my top ten favorite Christmas carols (in no particular order) and the artists who made them with their own special touch.

"Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24" Christmas Eve and Other Stories (Trans Siberian Orchestra)-a rocking fuse of the carols "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Carol of the Bells" most people recognize this song from the opening bars. I happen to love it because I love the two carols that it is based on plus I love how this group combines a classical sound with a rock sound. This is definitely one that needs to be on your play list for a Christmas party.

"Do You Hear What I Hear?" 8 Days of Christmas (Destiny's Child)-featuring Kelly Rowland as the lead vocals, I really enjoy how this version of the carol stands out by the use of the drums and beat. When I first heard this song I didn't even know it was this carol, I was so use to the Johnny Mathis version of it (featured in the movie Gremlins) but I found it being one of my favorite tracks on the album. If you haven't heard this version it is certainly worth your time.

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" Barenaked for the Holidays (Barenaked Ladies)-like the first song on this list, it combines this carol with "Carol of the Bells" in a smooth jazzy rendition that features Sarah McLachlan that makes you want to bob your head as you listen. What I like it is it takes a normally somber carol and makes it interesting by jazzing it up. Plus the vocal combination of the Barenaked Ladies and Sarah is a great combination indeed.

"The Little Drummer Boy" Best of Temptations Christmas (Temptations)-I love the Temptations (if you're a reader of my articles you may remember the one I wrote about the top ten Temptations songs) so it stands to reason that a lot of their Christmas carols make my list. I especially like their version of "The Little Drummer Boy" because at the end of the drums you can hear at the beginning and that are constant throughout the entire song. Plus every song the Temptations sing they're great at blending their vocals and this one is no exception; if you haven't heard this version you definitely need to check it out this year.

"Chipmunk Christmas Song" Alvin and the Chipmunks Soundtrack-on the soundtrack to the 2007 live action movie you can find numerous versions of this song including the classic one that came out in the fifties. Singing about hula-hoops and planes, and the kids asking Christmas not to be late makes this song remember their childhood. This song has to make any Christmas carol list because everyone knows the words (including the younger generation thanks to the movie) and everyone has to love Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. Whatever version you add (although the classic is always a safe bet) this one is one that would have everyone at a Christmas party singing along.

"Opera of the Bells" 8 Days of Christmas (Destiny's Child)-I know this carol appears on my list quite a lot but this version of it has the women of Destiny's Child making it sound like a song that would actually be in an opera. I do admit after while it can get somewhat repetitive but still I like the inventive way that these girls put this song together. This is another one of my favorite tracks from this album.

"The Christmas Song" (Nat King Cole Trio)-the original version of this classic song is probably one of the best out there because of the rich quality of Cole crooning into the mike. Everyone knows this song (and its many incarnations) from the opening line "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire". You must have this on eon your list because it is one of the songs that remind everyone that it is almost Christmas time.

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" Best of Temptations Christmas (Temptations)-this version of the carol is fun; it even has the beginning where the members name off Santa's other reindeer before beginning to sing about the famous Rudolph. This song also has a beat that makes it one you could dance to if you were so inclined plus I love the way they break it down and free-style at the end; point of fact it is one of my favorite parts of the song.

"Wizards in Winter" The Lost Christmas Eve (Trans Siberian Orchestra)-this is the song that TSO uses for advertisements for their concert tour and to open said show. When you hear it you no doubt remember the video that was circulating the Internet a couple of years ago about the guy who had set up his lights to go in sync with the song. I think that is what makes it one of the best Christmas songs because when people hear it they think of that video and it makes them smile (and also a little happy that they're not his neighbor) not to mention the little bit of The Nutcracker Suite you can hear in it. Whatever the case, this is one that should make your list because it also showcases how talented this group really is.

"Give Love on Christmas Day" Best of Temptations Christmas (Temptations)-this is a song that is not a traditional Christmas carol but it is one of my favorite songs. It encompasses what the season of Christmas should be about. It's more than just giving or getting gifts from store; it's about giving love to your family and friends and showing that love. While it is true we should be this way all year, if nothing else Christmas is the one time of the year we need to show this and that is why it makes the list of my favorite Christmas songs.

Hopefully you will add these songs to your Christmas play list. Enjoy.