My top 25 Favorite Christmas Songs

As the song says: "It's the most wonderful time of year," and in some respects it really is.  Is there anything better than Christmas music?  I'll be the first to say, I hate when radio stations start playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving and don't get me started on how much Christmas music I heard when I used to work in retail.  But seriously, can you ever be in a bad mood when willingly listening to it?  I don't think so.  So I've compiled a list.  My top 25 favorite Christmas songs and/or in some cases, specific versions of that song.  So without further ado, sit back and enjoy.

#25:  Hanukkah Song - Adam Sandler




I know what you're thinking, these aren't Christmas songs... and you're right.  But I wanted to do a countdown and not a count up and when I made my list, I couldn't think of anything better (or funnier) to put on it than this.  So, enjoy nonetheless.

#24.  Joy to the World



 The bigger and better the choir, the better the song.  Agreed?  It's just a happy and classical Christmas song that when sung by a big group of people all singing in harmony you can't help but smile.

#23.  Holly Jolly Christmas - from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer



All other versions of this song pale in comparison to the original.  There's something about the way a snowman sings this that can't help but bring back childhood memories.

#22.  Need a Little Christmas - A Muppet Family Christmas



 I always loved watching this movie around Christmas time as a kid.  Although I outgrew Sesame Street by a few years, it was always fun to see every member of the Muppet family show up in one big show, and let's not forget the Swedish Chef "meeting" Big Bird.

#21. Christmas Song - Alvin & The Chimpmunks


 I always felt bad for Simon and Theodore that Alvin somehow got top-billing.  I also laugh at the idea of the singer(s) having to sing this slower than normal in order to have it sound normal when sped up.  But this song makes the list because of Alvin wanting a "hooooola hoooooop."

#20.  Christmas is All Around - Billy Mack (Bill Nighy)



 Where Rudolph, Muppets, and other movies are must watches to remind me of childhood, I'm not afraid to admit that Love, Actually is the movie that the Christmas adult me likes watching the most.  It's so bizarre and so funny, yet very heartwarming, and what song better represents this film than this.

#19. Children Go Where I Send Thee - Peter, Paul, and Mary



 Something about the massive choir backing up the classic folk voices of Peter, Paul, and Mary that makes this song very easy to listen to and enough to give you goosebumps when the choir first chimes in.

#18. When Christmas Comes to Town - The Polar Express



 Billy,who by the way is the only kid on the train with a name, sings this little song on the back of the train about his rather disappointing Christmases.  Then all of a sudden "Hero Girl," yes, that's her name, joins in and tells him why Christmas is awesome.  It's people helping people, great stuff.

#17. Medley: Alfie, The Christmas Tree/Carol for a Christmas Tree/It's in Everyone of Us - John Denver & The Muppets



In my mind, it's not Christmas until I listen to this album.  So, it should be no surprise that this is the first of several times John Denver & the Muppets will be popping up.  But Alfie makes the list because the spoken intro combined with the song has one of those messages that almost transcends Christmas and is just one of those wake up call moments for humanity.

#16.  How the Grinch Stole Christmas Finale



 I was going to type the name of the song, but much like Jim Carey playing the Grinch, I don't know the words.  But this song still makes the list because it's annoying enough to get stuck in your head, but not annoying enough that you're overly upset about it.  Everyone always says we forget the true meaning of Christmas when we get caught up in shopping and decorating, and while this song has no religious meaning at all, it does somehow remind you that there is more to Christmas than presents.

#15.  Green Christmas - Barenaked Ladies

When you listen to the words, it's kind of a depressing song.  But, it's catchy and it's by my favorite band.  So, #15 it is.

#14.  Baby it's Cold Outside - from Elf

Is there anyone more adorkable than Zooey Deschanel?  No.  Is there any movie character more endearingly awkward than Buddy the Elf?  Possibly, but not many.  So the two of them singing together, when Zooey is in the shower no less, definitely makes the list.

#13. Carol of the Bells


There's just something ominous and foreboding about the constant "ding dong ding dong" in Carol of the Bells that makes it feel scary but joyful at the same time.  Also adding to that effect, the fast singing that makes you think: "I know they're speaking English but I cant really tell what they're saying."

#12.  Twelve Days of Christmas - John Denver and the Muppets

I love any song that builds and builds and builds, like the Rattlin' Bog around St. Patrick's Day.  So almost any version of Twelve Days of Christmas could make the list.  But only this one did.  Why?  Because it's the best Christmas Album.  Also: "Ba duh duh dum."  Need I say more?

#11. Deck the Stills - Barenaked Ladies

It's a song that makes you say "huh?" when listening to it.  That's why I like it.  It's easy to sing along to and makes no sense whatsoever.  Oh, and again, its BNL
 
#10. Do You Hear What I Hear?

This song reminds me of the church I used to go to (long story) and Christmas Eve mass, watching my mom and the rest of the Ensemble Choir play.  I can only imagine this song being sung by a female voice and preferably accompanied by a piano, 3-4 guitars, a cello, a violin, and a flute.  Yep, sounds about right.

#9. Linus and Lucy/Christmas Time is Here - Charlie Brown Christmas



There's nothing specific about "Linus and Lucy" that says Christmas other than it's inclusion in this classic TV special.  But after all these years, you hear those notes and immediately think Christmas.  Sure I'm cheating by including two songs in one spot.  But they fit too perfectly together and both have the same amount of nostalgia.

#8 White Christmas - Bing Crosby

I would say "I'm including this version because..." but seriously, there IS no other version.  This makes the top 10 because not only is it a classic Christmas song, but I can do a mean Bing Crosby impression.

#7 You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Boris Karloff

Another song that I can impersonate rather well.  It's such a fun song.  So gross when you really listen to it, but amazing, and fun, and classic.  As mean as he is throughout the majority of the story, like it or not, the Grinch is a Christmas icon.

#6.  Little St. Nick - John Denver & The Muppets

Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem just may be the best fictional puppet (sorry, Muppet) band ever.  This song makes the list for one reason: "RUN RUN REINDEER!!!!"

#5.  Highland Cathedral - Amy Grant

Another song that doesn't necessarily have anything to do with Christmas, but Amy Grant put it on one of her Christmas albums and from the first time I heard it, I was hooked.  I'm half Irish by birth, so any song with bagpipes gets me going.  But bagpipes, drums, and a whole orchestra?  Wow!

#4.  We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Peter, Paul, and Mary/John Denver and the Muppets


One starts an album, the other ends it.  But both are my favorite versions of this song.  Peter, Paul, and Mary's version is epic again, because of the choir joining them.  John Denver and the Muppets make their case because again, its the Muppets, you can't hate them.  But no seriously, the Gonzo/Miss Piggy exchange, as well as Animal's "won't go," is why I love this one.

#3. Emmanuel/Little Town - Amy Grant

So glad I managed to find a video with both songs in it.  They flow together too nicely to separate them.  I'm not sure what it is about Amy's "Emmanuel" that I like so much.  There aren't very many different words in it, but it's a religious Christmas song that also has an upbeat rock feel to it.  Plus, Amy kind of kills it!

#2.Christmas Eve/Sarajevo - Trans-Siberian Orchestra


This really should be at the top of the list because it's so awesome and so epic.  I know, Carol of the Bells is already on this list, but this stands in a class of it's own.  Plus it has parts of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, so it's not the same.

And my #1 favorite Christmas song (to date) is:

Believe - Josh Groban from Polar Express

Why is it that anyone stops believing in Santa Claus?  I don't mean to go around believing in the actual existence of Santa, but rather, holding on the innocence of childhood.  "Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional."  It's always more fun to be a kid, and while sometimes you need to act like an adult, the child inside you should never go away completely.  This song, the movie, the book is all a reminder to stay young at heart, especially at Christmas.  It's such a magical time of year to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle of shopping and cooking and cleaning and everything else.  Take some time to enjoy the season and remember what it was like to be a kid running down the stairs to see what Santa left you under the tree.  "You have everything you need, if you just believe."

I hope you enjoyed reading and listening to this list as much as I enjoyed making it.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Why the Mets did the Wright thing

     Earlier this week the Mets formally announced that David Wright and the team agreed to terms on an 8-year, $138 million contract which will keep him at Citi Field's hot corner through 2020 and likely, the rest of his career.  This is arguably the best move the Mets have made since shipping prospects to the then Florida Marlins for a certain future Hall of Famer in Mike Piazza. 

     Wright has been the face of the franchise for the past several years and has been an impact player since making his Major League debut in 2004.  David has made it known that while growing up in Norfolk, Virginia he would go to several Tides games and became a Mets fan.  I had a similar calling to the blue and orange.  Living in Binghamton I have seen several B-Mets climb the ranks to Flushing, Wright included.  So to hear a man that has become my favorite player say that he couldn't imagine playing for any other team, brought as big a smile to my face as it did his during the press conference.
  
  There are some that were calling for the Mets to trade Wright a few years ago after Citi Field more or less zapped his power.  But there was little available to make the trade worth even thinking about.  Much to my pleasure.  But when rumors were flying that the two sides might not come to terms and that Wright may leave for "greener" pastures, I began to worry.

     It was extremely hard to watch the other face of the franchise, Jose Reyes leave for the sunny beaches of Miami (only to be traded to the frozen tundra of Toronto a year later).  To see David leave just a year (or two) later would have been heartbreaking.

     For a team that came within outs of heading to a World Series in 2006, it's all been downhill from there.  The collapses of '07 and '08, the injury plagued seasons of '09 and '10, Bernie Madoff, Jason Bay, Oliver Perez, Francisco Rodriguez, Andres Torres, Ramon Ramirez, etc. etc.  Wright leaving would just be adding salt to the wound. 

     There were many reasons why this deal needed to get done.  1) Attendance has been down because the team hasn't been, well, good.  2) Ownership has been crying poor after the Bernie Madoff scandal and hasn't brought in big names since the days of Omar Minaya.  3) The poor economy makes attending Major League games a lot harder than it used to.  Granted, ownership can't be replaced as easily as a GM or a manager, but if the fans had any say, the Wilpons have certainly been on the hot seat for a while.  All of the dislike for the Wilpons came to a head last offseason with Reyes's departure. 

    They needed something to present to the fans that says "we're still here and we still care."  So, by signing David to the extension, they built that facade.  Now, to further prove it they need to fulfill their promises to Wright by actually making a commitment to winning. 

     David needed to sign the extension because of what the game means to him.  He'll admit (however painful it is for Mets fans to hear) that he looks up to Derek Jeter and Chipper Jones.  He also admires Cal Ripken Jr, but who doesn't.  These players are at the top of David's list because they've spent their entire careers with the same team and been the faces of their respective franchises.  To win with a team that isn't the Mets would not hold nearly the same meaning as it would if he wins in Queens. 

     I think it's pretty clear why the fans benefit to having #5 in blue and orange.  With the exception of Ed Kranepool, and players that didn't stay in the bigs for very long, no other player has spent their entire career in a Mets uniform.  Seaver was traded, Ryan was traded, Gooden, Strawberry, Alfonzo, and Reyes all left.  Even Piazza eventually left, even though he didn't debut with New York.  So to have that career ambassador that will one day either be in the front office or the broadcast booth is great for the fans.  It gives them a face to rally around, a person with whom to identify for years and decades to come.

The only problem with all the media reports saying that "it keeps him here for the rest of his career," is kind of a puzzling.  Wright turns 30 later in December meaning that he'll be 38 by the time the contract expires.  Now, 38 for a baseball player is definitely past-prime, but isn't the end.  So there is a chance that at 38 the Mets won't want to commit to the aging third baseman.  But I suppose the thought is, who else will, so, New York can offer him 2-3 years for $4-5 million a year and call it a day, bringing a happy, lifelong marriage to a fitting close.