Vince Guaraldi – “Christmastime Is Here” – A Charlie Brown Christmas, MNT
This most definitely ranks up there near the top of the pantheon of Christmas tunes of all time. I defy anyone to not get a stride in their step and warmth in their heart upon hearing the first lilts on the piano followed by that angelic Christmas kids choir. You can just about taste the snowflakes melting on your tongue! And for more feeling good-ness – here’s a bonus; Linus’ “meaning of Christmas” monologue . As we all know, Charles Schultz was a devout Christian and pastor. Still, he managed to never go all neo-con on us, and for that we toast you Chuck!
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Thurl Ravenscroft - You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch -- Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
Another gem from the best era of Christmas specials in North America: the 60s. This era brought us A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (the 1963 Rankin and Bass version, the ONLY version there is) as well How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966). That, to me, is a grand slam of epic proportions! A lot of people think Boris Karloff (yes, him of Frankenstein and The Mummy fame) sang this version but that’s only because Thurl Ravenscroft was absent-mindedly left off the special’s credits. More on Thurl? Check out his wiki.
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Paul McCartney and Wings - A Wonderful Christmastime -- Now That's What I Call Christmas! UTV Records
This is a very polarizing song. I’m on the side of “good” here. It’s got a real honest feel, the chorus is eminently sing-able and the use of synthesizers and strange effects on guitars is actually pretty top notch. Wings were ahead of the game in terms of use of synths incorporated into mainstream pop and rock actually. A lot of people like to lame off on Paul but I urge you all to remember the goodness that was Wings up from the first album through “At the Speed of Sound”. Live and Let Die? Band on the Run? Venus and Mars? Rock Show? Let ‘Em In? How can one deny this greatness? Of course, of late the guy’s a bit of a wanker. Hey, that’s not too Christmas-y a sentiment!
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Jose Feliciano – “Feliz Navidad” – Feliz Navidad, RCA
Being of Spanish descent, this song is automatically big. But when my dad first came to Canada, as an immigrant, this song had just come out. What were the first English words he learned? “I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas…from the bottom of my heart!” Till this day, it’s the first thing he plays.. In the words of my dad, Merry Christmas “prom dee boddam of my hard”.
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Run DMC “Christmas in Hollis” – A Very Special Christmas, A&M
This is easily my favourite Christmas song ever. I play this every year and my mom still complains about the racket. “Michael, can’t you play some Christmas music?” and I’ll say, “But mom, this IS Christmas music!” It’s as much as a tradition as opening gifts and overeating.
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New Kids on the Block “Funky Funky Christmas” – Funky, Funky Christmas, Sony
 “Kick the ballistics, Santa Claus!” We’d feel shameful but the performance of Arsenio Hall makes us realize it’s not us who feels the shame.
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Mariah Carey “All I want for Christmas is you” – All I want for Christmas is you, Columbia
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David Bowie Meets Bing Crosby “Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy” -- Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy, Oglio Records
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