Holiday Earworms: Top Ten Classic Christmas Songs

With the holidays fast approaching, it won't be much longer before we hear them piped into every shopping place. We'll listen to them when we're put on hold, while we're stuck in elevators, and they will haunt mothers to hum and sing along as they grocery shop (much to their children's chagrin). What am I talking about? Classic Christmas songs!

I know... we all tend to grumble when the stores break them out in mid-October but, this year, I'm not going to let them ruin it for me. I only listen to these songs for a short time during the year - why should we let commercial business ruin it for us?

I've comprised a list of my top ten favorite classic Christmas songs in no particular order. Let's see how they rate against your personal favorites:

1. Away in a Manger - While I don't hear this song sang very often, it holds a very dear place in my heart, because I remember my mother singing it with me when I was very little. She often messed up the words, sometimes even when we were looking at the song book it was in, but that didn't matter. What meant the most to me was spending that time with my mom and listening to her sing to me. I often used to look at the picture in the book, with a little manger scene, and think how cute the little animals all looked and how happy baby Jesus was, just like when I was out with all of our horses and other animals. It's always been a cozy and comforting song for me, with a lot of good memories.

2. Silent Night - Another slow and beautiful classic, Silent Night is one of the most well-known Christmas songs throughout the world. I remember that I actually had the good fortune of being able to sing it with the German Club, back in high school which, to me, was quite an accomplishment (I was a member of the Spanish Club... Little did I know I would eventually marry someone German)! These days, I can only remember a few stanzas of the German version, but I remember the memory fondly and enjoy listening to any version of this beautiful Christmas song one over and over.

3. Jingle Bells - This is an infectious earworm of a song, whether you're an adult or a small child just learning the Batman version (and the Joker got away!). As a child, it was a song that inspired me to ask my mother for jingle bells to put on my pony, Goldie and, kind soul that she is, my mother did just that. For months afterwards, you could hear Goldie and I trotting down the street, our approach heralded by the merry jingle of her belled bridle. If you've ever ridden a horse (or driven a sleigh) on a crisp winter day, you can understand the joy of this song - the freedom and sensation of being alive, the fresh nippy air, and how your spirit just seems to soar. If you haven't tried it and you get the opportunity - take it! You will never regret learning how wonderful that jingle bell sleigh ride can really be...especially if you have someone to snuggle up with along the trip.

4. Do You Hear What I Hear? - Words really can't express my feelings for this song. It's a beautiful masterpiece in my opinion and it holds a powerful message that is wonderful and timeless. For a special treat, I like to recommend Whitney Houston's version of this song that she performed on the "Very Special Christmas" album, back in the 80's. She does a magnificent job.

5. Carol of the Bells - The Carol of the Bells, when performed by a choir, is nothing short of breathtaking. Capable of turning the alto, soprano, bass and tenor voices into the melodious chimes of ringing bells, it is awe-inspiring when heard live and amazingly fun to sing in a group.

6. Frosty the Snowman - Okay, so it's a little bit morbid and a little bit sad, how Frosty comes and plays with all the kids...then melts. Still, it's an oldie and a goodie that almost everyone knows the lyrics to. Bust into song in the middle of any group and you're bound to get people who will sing along with this classic, even if they can't carry a tune without a bucket.

7. Joy to the World - It was 1986 and we were the first choir that my high school had allowed as a class in years. I'd never been a fan of this particular song until that year... We were given the opportunity to perform at the local church and I remember all of us showing up dressed in our white shirts and black skirts (pants for the boys). When our teacher raised her hands and gave us the cue, our voices rang out with such a powerful sound that it seemed to reverberate through the entire church. Joy to the World has been one of my favorite Christmas songs ever since - There was just something magical about it.

8. The Little Drummer Boy - This is another of those mysterious and almost eerily beautiful Christmas songs. Haunting in its intensity, people always seem quick to list it as a top favorite holiday song and I'm no exception. It's a song that tells a story, that draws you in and compels you to listen...and it has a beautiful message about giving that I think we often lose sight of during the holiday season. For a special treat, give a listen to the unlikely duet, "The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth," performed by the late great Bing Crosby and the unique David Bowie. My mother didn't believe this one existed until I showed it to her - it's amazing!

9. Jingle Bell Rock - While it might seem more modern, this classic Christmas song dates back to 1957, when it was first released by country music singer, Bobby Helms. It's since been performed by Bill Haley & the Comets, Brenda Lee, Chubby Checker, Kylie Minogue, Chet Atkins, George Strait, and even The Chipmunks! It's a catchy and fun song about enjoying yourself at Christmas, and it's definitely one of my favorites!

10. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - You know Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, and Donner and Blitzen and, if you've ever heard Christmas songs before, I'm pretty sure you know this infamous reindeer with his glowing red nose. Inspirational and uplifting, this song is a must-have on any classic Christmas song list. I loved to sing this when I went caroling, I sang it with my friends and family and, as they grew, I sang it with all my children. It's perhaps one of the greatest classic Christmas songs of all time.