Holly, Jolly Rat Pack Christmas Songs

Some of the best Christmas songs on vinyl or CD were sung by a member of the famous Rat Pack. The Rat Pack consists of five twentieth century entertainers: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford. Three of the Rat Pack are known for their singing and two of them, Sinatra and Martin, released full Christmas albums. The following Rat Pack Christmas songs would make a great Christmas compilation.

A Religious Rat Pack Christmas

Frank Sinatra has the best voice for religious Christmas music. He is the most serious of the three. Even so, others sing Christmas carols better than Sinatra. Harry Connick, Jr. is my preference.

10. "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" The content of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" matches the seriousness of Sinatra's voice and is not overwhelmed by the schmaltzy musical arrangement typical of the time period. Frank Sinatra also does a decent version of "Ave Maria", but the song itself is not a favorite with me.

A Nostalgic Rat Pack Christmas

The Rat Pack does nostalgia well. It goes with their crooning style. Both Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin do "White Christmas". Martin's song is more personal than Frank's version but still pretty sappy. This song is best left to Bing Crosby.

9. "Blue Christmas" If you want someone to sympathize with your pre-Christmas blahs, Dean Martin will be there for you in this song.

8. "Let It Snow" Are you dreaming about a white Rat Pack Christmas despite what I said about Crosby being the best? You will hear the snow falling as you listen to Dean Martin cruise lightly through these lyrics.

7. "Winter Wonderland" The dreaminess and wonder in Frank Sinatra's voice will have you believing the best about winter.

6. "Mistletoe and Holly" This is one of my favorite Frank Sinatra Christmas songs. His smooth nostalgic Christmas reminiscing gets me in the mood for baking cookies.

5. "A Marshmallow World" Sung by Dean Martin, the sugary words also complement my baking mood. This is a happy, yummy song.

4. "Christmas Blues" Of all songs long on Christmas memory, this Rat Pack song is tops in nostalgia. In a youtube version Dean Martin sings along to piano accompaniment.

A Joyful Rat Pack Christmas

Despite the cold and the jam packed shopping malls, Christmas is supposed to be joyful. So my top three Rat Pack Christmas songs are the happiest of the bunch.

3. "Jingle Bells" I have been belting out the words to "Jingle Bells" since I was three so I am very particular about this song. All three Rat Pack singers have a version of "Jingle Bells". The best is the one by Sammy Davis, Jr. Why? Arranged with horns and all, it has the most pizzazz.

2. "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" This is another childhood favorite. A singer has to be sympathetic to the plight of our dear, deer Rudolph. Dean Martin has the right amount of sympathy balanced with fun.

1. "Christmas Time All Over the World" The album Christmas with the Rat Pack has songs mostly by Sinatra and Martin and only three songs by Sammy Davis, Jr. One song by Sammy Davis, Jr. is the best song on the album. A top notch musical arrangement and a lilting children's chorus are the perfect accompaniment to Davis's creamy voice and right on timing.

Beg, borrow and buy these Christmas songs before the commercialism of the season starts to get you down. Then sit down by the fire with your hot chocolate and have a holly, jolly Christmas with the Rat Pack.