Holiday Hits: Top Ten Christmas Albums

Perhaps one of my favorite parts of the Christmas season has always been all of the wonderful music that can be heard during this time of year. Christmas music has always been very special - sacred almost, you only got to listen to it for just a short time out of the year. The rest of the year, these wonderful Christmas songs were strangely taboo. This never stopped them from sticking in your head and I always welcomed the new season, when we would blow the dust off of our favorite Christmas albums and bask in the listening pleasure for a couple of wonderful weeks.

Here are a few of my favorite Christmas albums, both old and new, that have made it to my top 10 list. Let's see if we have any in common! Here goes - in no particular order:

1. A Very Special Christmas: Various Artists (1987) - Even though this album is more than 20 years old, it still contains some of the best Christmas pop songs that I've ever heard. From Sting's hauntingly beautiful "Gabriel's Message" to Madonna's remake of the naughty and fun "Santa Baby," this seems to be something for every one on this album. U2 performs all rocking "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" that is unforgettable, Whitney Houston sings a beautiful "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and classic rock legend Bob Seger lends his unique voice to an amazing rendition of "The Little Drummer Boy." This is a must-have for any fan of Christmas songs as well as the 80's retro listener.

2. Wintersong: Sarah McLachlan (2006) - While I admit that I was a bit late in jumping on the Sarah McLachlan bandwagon, this classic Celtic artist has truly grown on me. Her voice lends itself well to the holiday season and Wintersong is a beautiful collection of classic Christmas selections intermingled with new material. My favorites on this album are definitely the cover of Joni Mitchell's "River" and the remake of John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" literally brings tears to the eye.

3. Cool Yule: Bette Midler (2006) - Who doesn't love Bette Midler and her timeless classics? I've long been a fan of this delightful diva and her very first Christmas album doesn't disappoint! The title track makes the listener want to get up and swing and her duet with Johnny Mathis, "Winter Wonderland/Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!" is delightful fun. But this album isn't all fun and games - the beautiful hymn, "O Come, O Come, Emanuel" is breath-taking as is her Christmas version of "From a Distance." All in all, a well-rounded and beautiful collection of Christmas music.

4. Christmas in the Heart: Bob Dylan (2009) - Alright, let me start this off by saying that I've never been a big Bob Dylan fan, but I do realize that the man has a huge following. Christmas in the Heart is his 47th album, proving that he must be doing something right! So why would I put this album in my list of top 10 popular Christmas albums? Christmas, I believe, is not about getting presents and commercialism - Christmas means many things to many people but, to me, Christmas means love and togetherness. With Christmas in the Heart, Bob Dylan is doing his part to try and end hunger - all royalties from current and future sales of this album will be donated to Feeding America, helping to provide meals to more than 1.4 million people in this country, who are in need this holiday season. This selfless gift earns Bob Dylan a place in my top 10 list of popular Christmas albums. Way to go, Bob!

5. Now That's What I Call Christmas: Various Artists (2001) - While I enjoy all the contemporary Christmas songs, I also enjoy some of the classics. There are actually a series of these albums, but I'm particularly fond of the first - with treasures like Burl Ives'classic "A Holly Jolly Christmas" or Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," what's not to enjoy? A few of my favorites include Frank Sinatra's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," Gene Autry's "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," and Elmo and Patsy's comedy classic, "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer," these are some of the best holiday songs you can find, all rolled into one 18-song album.

6. If on a Winter's Night: Sting (2009) - Set to release October 27th, 2009, this album is already on my must-have top 10 pop Christmas albums. Discussing his upcoming album, Sting tells me she was originally approached to create a Christmas album, but that he wanted to create something bigger instead - a winter album. Beginning with the pre-Christian Samhain celebration and begging song, "Soul Cake," Sting once again amazes with his storytelling talents and mystical music, as he takes us on a journey through his favorite season. As a fan of Sting and a lover of traditional carols and ballads, this album has already earned itself a place in my collection.

7. And Winter Came: Enya (2008) - The beautiful Irish songstress has been wowing fans for many years now and this album doesn't disappoint any fan of Enya's unique vocal stylings and rhythmic new-age beats. Some of the songs, such as "Whiste is the Winter Night" and "Trains and Winter Rains" remind me of some of her classic songs, like "Orinoco Flow," but there are also some unique treasures like the ballad "Dreams Are More Precious" and the upbeat and fun "My! My! How Time Flies." I enjoy listening to this album as quiet background music when I want to relax and let my thoughts drift.

8. My Christmas: Andrea Bocelli (2009) - My other early-release choice for my list of top 10 Christmas albums. I've long been a fan of Andrea Bocelli and the idea of an entire Christmas album featuring this magnificent tenor's beautiful voice has me sitting on the edge of my seat. Andrea Bocelli puts his heart and soul into every note that he sings, and I'm sure that this album will be at the top of many Christmas favorites, for many years to come.

9. A Winter Symphony: Sarah Brightman (2008) - I've always said that Sarah Brightman has the voice of an angel. How fitting that she has released such a beautiful album, filled with so many beautiful Christmas songs! Some personal favorites include the classic "Silent Night," "Ave Maria," and "I Believe in Father Christmas." Then, for an unexpected treat, there is a ghostly and yet beautiful rendition of "Amazing Grace."

10. Christmas Duets: Elvis Presley (2008) - Growing up, I used to joke around with my mother and have the Beatles vs. the King wars. A huge Elvis fan, she had tons of Elvis albums that we would listen to throughout the year, and every Christmas we got to listen to Elvis crooning on about how he would have a blue blue blue blue Christmas. Imagine my surprise when I discovered this wonderful collection of Elvis Presley songs, remastered and remixed with popular vocal artists of today! Despite all my joking in the past, I can't help but enjoy Elvis the Pelvis' music and this is an amazing album. Some amazing favorites include the LeAnn Rimes duet "Here Comes Santa Claus," the Elvis duet with Carrie Underwood, "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and, of course, "Blue Christmas, as sung by Elvis and Martina McBride. I may be a Beatles fan, but Elvis has earned his place in my top Christmas albums of all time!

I'm always adding to my list of favorites, and I'm always on the lookout for some new and amazing Christmas songs. I imagine you are quite the same, and I hope this list has offered you some new music to check out. Enjoy your holiday season!