Top Ten Christmas Songs - Comedic and Eclectic Mix for Fun Family Enjoyment

Since we are a family with a warped sense of humor and very eclectic musical tastes, our top ten Christmas song list is a wild mix of comedic holiday tunes from the Bob Rivers Comedy Corp., traditional favorites, and new Christmas classics from Michael McLean.

This wild mix helps us not experience "Christmas music-overload" by giving us a variety of themes and styles combined with humor and appropriateness for the season. Above all else, it helps us keep perspective about the things that really matter during the holiday season. Those things, for us, are serving others and enjoying each other as a family.

Our Christmas celebration is a stress-free zone with simplicity, love, and service being key. Having humorous songs in the mix helps us to keep the mood festive and free of the contention so many experience during the holidays.

1- The Twelve Pains of Christmas by the Bob Rivers Comedy Corp (Twisted Christmas). For those tired of Christmas commercialism, this song sums up the most common frustrations in a hilarious way to the tune of the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. The lyrics, as entertaining as they are, are not nearly as funny as the ad-libs from each of the characters. Each ad-lib becomes increasingly more humorous as the song goes on, culminating in a sidesplitting ending.

2- Joy to the World - Instrumental by the Bob Rivers Comedy Corp (Twisted Christmas). This electric guitar-heavy version of the song is a delectable feast for the ears for those who love rock music and electric guitars.

3- Wreck the Malls by the Bob Rivers Comedy Corp (Twisted Christmas). Sung to the tune of Deck the Halls, this is yet another song that illuminates the commercialism of Christmas. Humorous and relatable, this song's most notable line is 'Push your charge card to the limit fa la la, la la la, la la la. The checkbook now has nothing in it fa la la la la, la la la la."

4- The Little Drummer Boy. The story of the little drummer boy who thinks he has nothing to offer, but then discovers that his gift from the heart - sharing his talent - is the greatest gift of all for the baby Jesus. A beautiful song with a powerful message, this classic Christmas song, as well as the accompanying movie, are favorites at our house.

5- Do You Hear What I Hear? Probably the only time 'gossip' is a good thing! This song that involves a message being passed along from different perspectives is not only a pleasure to hear and sing along with, but it is a powerful version of the Christmas story.

6- Silent Night. This classic Christmas song is so touching that I can never sing it without tearing up. One of the greatest songs about the birth of Jesus, the lyrics and music stir the heart and touch the soul. This song is a fabulous caroling song.

7- Away in a Manger. Geared more towards children, this version of the Christmas story works well as a lullaby, too, making it an easy way to help teach little ones about the real meaning of Christmas.

8- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (with comebacks). This lively Christmas song has various versions of 'comebacks' that can be echoed back as it is sung. Half the fun of singing it as a group is to hear people sing out differing comebacks. One example is when the song comes to the line, "They never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games." Two echoed comebacks I have heard are "Like monopoly" and "Like football".

9- I Was Not His Father; He Was Mine by Michael McClean. One of many beautiful songs from "The Forgotten Carols", this song tells the story of Jesus from the perspective of Joseph, his earthly father. Powerful and touching, this song gives new dimension to the story of the birth and life of Jesus.

10- Let Him In by Michael McLean. Another beautiful song from "The Forgotten Carols", this is a song about the Innkeeper's perspective. The song is a message to all about 'letting Him in'.

Sources:

Lastfm.com

Bob Rivers Comedy Corp. Twisted Christmas downloads, radio show.

http://www.last.fm/music/Bob+Rivers+Comedy+Corp

Christmas-Carols.net

Classic Christmas Songs midi and lyrics

http://www.christmas-carols.net/

Heartrise Productions

Michael McLean, The Forgotten Carols - listen to free song clips

http://www.heartrisemusic.com/Artists/McLean/ForgottenCarols/index.html