Christmas Carols - The Best Of

Unfortunately, we have to endure some pretty awful Christmas carols throughout this season. Thankfully, there are enough fantastic Christmas songs to make up for the terrible ones. But as it's probably obvious to all of you,  how on earth would you know which ones are the good ones if you didn't have me and this wonderful blog?? So here it is. The best of the best. The elite. The top dogs. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Best Songs of the Season. Hold on a sec. A couple quick notes: these are in no particular order and I'm not just listing the best songs, but the best versions of said songs. Enjoy!

"Where Are You Christmas?" - Faith Hill
Faith Hill is just fantastic. The song is solid. It has classic Christmas lyrics about the world changing, and the singer rearranging. And the woman puts in two freaking modulations (key changes for the rest of you). So she automatically makes the list with this song.
Listen to the song here

"White Christmas" - Bing Crosby
If you don't absolutely love this song, then you have the looks of Ebenezer Scrooge, the heart of the Grinch (pre-growth), and the nastiness of Harry Lyme. Bing Crosby is incredible. One of the best singers of all time. And "White Christmas is the PERFECT Christmas song. P.S. It's disgusting that this blog website thinks that "Bing" is spelled wrong. What an insult.
Listen to the song here

"Baby, It's Cold Outside" - Dean Martin
Another amazing singer. When Dean Martin croons, the ladies swoon. This song is great because I'm a hopeless romantic. I love the idea of being by a warm fire, cuddled up with the girl of my dreams, watching the snow fall outside.
Listen to the song here

"The Christmas Song" - Nat King Cole
This song brings in elements of both "White Christmas" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside". It's aptly titled "The Christmas Song" because it's the most Christmasy (not a word, I know) song out there. And Nat King Cole is the man. I love his voice. Plus, his name is "Nat".
Listen to the song here

"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" - Bruce Springsteen
You just got to love this version. The Boss once again proves why he's the boss. The song is fun, fast, and enjoyable. "Hey Clarence, were you good this year so you can get a new saxophone?" Love it.
Listen to the song here

"Holly Jolly Christmas" - Burl Ives
Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman singing this song is awesome. The best version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ends with this song. Just classic, good old-fashioned Christmas enjoyment.
Listen to the song here

"You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" - Thurl Ravenscroft
First off, if you didn't know that the dude that sings this song has a name of "Thurl", you do now. What a great name! It's even better than Burl! How the Grinch Stole Christmas is one of the best flicks ever (the animated version with Boris Karloff). And I love using the phrase "I wouldn't touch you with a thirty-nine and a half foot pole".
Listen to the song here

"Run Rudolph Run" - Chuck Berry
Another super fun song. Chuck Berry is the one the best rockers ever (also one of the first). I listen to this song year round.
Listen to the song here

"Little Saint Nick" - The Beach Boys
I love the Beach Boys' sound. Little Saint Nick is a light, fun carol and the fact that the Beach Boys wrote a Christmas song (they've actually written several) is just great.
Listen to the song here

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - Judy Garland
I'm glad this made the list because there is a shortage of female artists on this list. But how could Judy not make it? The song is great on its own, first of all, but when Judy sings it, it transports the song to another level. You just have to close your eyes and listen to Judy sing to you.
Listen to the song here

"O Come Let Us Adore Him" - Hillsong
This is probably my favorite religious Christmas song. Hillsong just came out with their version and it's incredible. The song is really powerful. I'm not entirely sure why this is considered a Christmas carol, but I don't care. It's simple, yet so incredibly moving.
Listen to the song here

"Let it Snow" - Frank Sinatra
How could I not put a Christmas carol sung by old Blue Eyes? It would of been a travesty. And it doesn't matter which one. Frank's amazing regardless.
Listen to the song here.

"Beautiful World" - Jim Brickman
Whenever I watch Jim Brickman live, I can't help but smile. The way he plays and sings makes me believe that everything is going to be OK. Like I never have to worry again. "Beautiful World" has incredible lyrics as well. Just an all-around fantastic song.
Listen to the song here.

I hope you all enjoyed reading this and listening to the music as I did writing it. Have a very merry Christmas!