What is your favorite/least favorite Christmas Carol or Song?

[Sheila]

I'm sure this will become a tangent but.......what's your's?

I love "Feliz Navidad"! Not sure why but I do.

I hate "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" I know why I hate that one!

[Kimmifunn]

Favorite: Jingle Baby- Stephanie Mills
Hard Candy Christmas- Dolly Parton

Least Favorite- Simply Having A Wonderful Christmastime.

[Sheila]

Favorite: Jingle Baby- Stephanie Mills
Hard Candy Christmas- Dolly Parton

Good ones!

[tamara]

Favorite: Please come home for Christmas by Aaron Neville

[Sheila]

Favorite: Please come home for Christmas by Aaron Neville

Like it! These are good I may have to waffle some on mine!

[kathydwells]

I love "Feliz Navidad"!

It is my favorite!!!!

The one I hate is Christian Aguelera (sp) singing something that is piped in at work. Don't know the name of it, but I hate it!!!!!

[Landlocked]

Harry Connick, Jr. - (It Must've Been Ol') Santa Claus

I also like the redneck 12 days of Christmas song.

[Beach Runner]

I love "Silent Night." We always go to the 11 PM Christmas Eve candlelight service, and the very last hymn is this one. We are given candles when we enter the church, and before the hymn is sung, we all light our candles, they dim the lights in the church, and we sing the hymn a cappella. It is very moving. I always pray for all of my blessings and being with my family. It really makes me calm down and think about the true meaning of Christmas. I always cry like a silly goose.

[kathydwells]

Harry Connick, Jr. - (It Must've Been Ol') Santa Claus

I also like the redneck 12 days of Christmas song.

LOVE the new tar, LL!!!!

[Rita]

Maybe not my favorite but I really like Gene Autry singing "Santa's comin' in a Whirly Bird" Just gets me dancin' and singing.

Have to think a little on this.

[Johnrudy]

I love Feliz Navidad too, because it's a happy tune.
I also like anything by Mitch Miller. Makes me think of when I was very young.

[Landlocked]

LOVE the new tar, LL!!!!

Thankey!

[Sheila]

LOVE the new tar, LL!!!!

Me too!

[Johnrudy]

I love "Silent Night." We always go to the 11 PM Christmas Eve candlelight service, and the very last hymn is this one. We are given candles when we enter the church, and before the hymn is sung, we all light our candles, they dim the lights in the church, and we sing the hymn a cappella. It is very moving. I always pray for all of my blessings and being with my family. It really makes me calm down and think about the true meaning of Christmas. I always cry like a silly goose.

We do the exact thing in our church too! Sometimes, I sorta dread going beacuse it's late and usually snowing, freezing. But when we sing Silent Night and dim the candles, it is very, very nice and calmiing. I makes you ponder what it's all supposed to be about.

[Rita]

LOVE the new tar, LL!!!!

ditto! Santa better not hang out the "gone fishin' " sign come Christmas though or there will be one disappointed little round pumpkin boy.

But I suppose he's too young to expect stuff - right?

[Landlocked]

We do the exact thing in our church too! Sometimes, I sorta dread going beacuse it's late and usually snowing, freezing. But when we sing Silent Night and dim the candles, it is very, very nice and calmiing. I makes you ponder what it's all supposed to be about.

We go to the late service at our church, too. The whole place reeks (sp?) of bourbon. I usually conk out and sleep through it.

Dark, warm church + a bucha whiskey = snoring landlocked.

[Sheila]

We go to the late service at our church, too. The whole place reeks (sp?) of bourbon. I usually conk out and sleep through it.

Dark, warm church + a bucha whiskey = snoring landlocked.

Maybe that's why Grandma got run over by a Reindeer!!!!!!!!!

[Beach Runner]

We go to the late service at our church, too. The whole place reeks (sp?) of bourbon. I usually conk out and sleep through it.

Dark, warm church + a bucha whiskey = snoring landlocked.

Hilarious!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I've had a few by then. I brush my teeth, chew gum, and hope no one smells the alcohol on my breath.

We also have a 7 PM service, but even the Minister of Music calls it "The Service From Hell" because of all of the noisy and crying kids, so we go to the more formal late service. On the other hand, aren't they the funnest part of Christmas?

Johnrudy, my sentiments exactly.

[Sheila]

Kids and babies make the world go round!

[Johnrudy]

We go to the late service at our church, too. The whole place reeks (sp?) of bourbon. I usually conk out and sleep through it.

Dark, warm church + a bucha whiskey = snoring landlocked.

Yeah, you're right about that. I see people who I would never tho't even drank!!

[katie blue]

Favorite: O Holy Night. Just a great song. Especially the whole bridge ("Fall on your knees...", right up to that last goosebump-inducing high note).

Least Favorites:
1. Simply Having a Wonderful Xmastime ( )

2. Neil Diamond's Little Drummer Boy
(pa-rum. Pum. Pum! PUM!) ( )

3. At some point you find yourself in a mall during xmas season, at which some point you hear Mannheim Steamroller's version of Deck the Halls--the one where they play the second to last "La" in Fa La La La La, La La La La...a half step flat. On purpose. it's their "stylized" version. Makes us wince every time. No, guys, it's not clever, nouveau or contemporary, it's just plain wrong!! ( )

[Johnrudy]

Favorite: O Holy Night. Just a great song. Especially the whole bridge ("Fall on your knees...", right up to that last goosebump-inducing high note).

Least Favorites:
1. Simply Having a Wonderful Xmastime ( )

2. Neil Diamond's Little Drummer Boy
(pa-rum. Pum. Pum! PUM!) ( )

3. At some point you find yourself in a mall during xmas season, at which some point you hear Mannheim Steamroller's version of Deck the Halls--the one where they play the second to last "La" in Fa La La La La, La La La La...a half step flat. On purpose. it's their "stylized" version. Makes us wince every time. No, guys, it's not clever, nouveau or contemporary, it's just plain wrong!! ( )

Same with

I'm glad to hear that someone else other than me doesn't care for M. S.

[Landlocked]

I'm not real sure I've ever really liked any version of that Pa-rum-pum-pum song anyway.

[Sheila]

[QUOTE=Landlock
The story behind it's great. Just never should have been set to music.

[Landlocked]

[QUOTE=gotothebeachmom][QUOTE=Landlock
The story behind it's great. Just never should have been set to music.[/QUOTE]

Yeah I like the lyrics but that rum pum pum thing creeps me out.

[ktschris]

"Do they Know It's Christmas" by...who else.. U2

To hear sung by a choir, "O Holy Night"

[Landlocked]

I love that Adam Sandler Hanukah song.

[DD]

LL--I can just see you!

Favorite carol is "Carol of the Bells"-Trans Siberian Orchestra
Hands down...
Other faves are: "Mary Did you Know"--makes me cry.
Eagles version of "Please come home for Christmas"--love that Don Henley.

Least fave: Simply havin' a wonderful Christmas..........

[Rita]

Yes, 'Mary Did You Know' would be high on my list too.

[Paula]

My favorites are "Drummer Boy/Peace on earth" by Bing Crosby and David Bowie; "Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle" by Lucio Dalla (if you haven't heard this Italian Christmas carol, see if you can find it on the Internet, even if it's not by Lucio Dalla -- it brings tears to my eyes when I hear it), "The Prayer" by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli (another that brings tears to my eyes), the orignal "Chipmunk song" (we sang it when we were kids and now our kids sing it), and Adam Sandler's Hanukkah song (it's not for everyone, but our family loves it).

I found this link to the music (no words) to "Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle" -- it's even more beautiful when sung with the words. I think it's probably one of the most well-known Italian Christmas songs:

http://www.ecolenet.nl/tellme/tell-m...lle_stelle.htm

[DD]

Yes, 'Mary Did You Know' would be high on my list too.

Can't say I'm a big Kenny Rogers fan, but that song just is sooooooo good! Is it Waynona that sings with him? I guess you can tell I know nothing of C&W !!!

[audie]

favorite - it must have been the mistletoe by barbara mandrell, and anything by tony bennett. i agree about the neil diamond song - he really should skip the christmas tunes.

[Smiling JOe]

I like Nat King Cole's "Oh Holy Night"

Dislike? - There are quite a few, but I won't go there.

[Johnrudy]

I don't think anyone has mentioned the Nutcracker Suite. It is so beautiful; I never get tired of listening to it. My favorite piece in the suite is the Pas de Deux. I get goose bumps & start to tear up everytime I hear it, especially during the timpany roll at the end.

[lindatat]

My favorite Christmas song is one that most people have probably never even heard, called, "Ringing the Bells of Christmas." It's on a Larry Carlton CD - he's a jazz guitarist, who also wrote the song, but it's sung by a woman named Michelle Pillar. I cannot listen to this song without welling up - I found a link for it if anyone wants to have a listen:

http://www.operationsantasearch.org/...2&AudioID=2700

Just click on the "play music" and another window opens up and plays the whole song. I stumbled across that website, but it looks like an amazing resource; will have to explore around there for awhile.

Another favorite of mine is that Mariah Carey song, "All I Want for Christmas Is You" but we'll call that a guilty pleasure - I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I like it. I can't really think of a least favorite - I just LOVE Christmas music.

[Mermaid]

American composer Daniel Pinkham, "Christmas Cantata." Let's see if the link works.


http://www.music.neu.edu/sounds/ChristmasCantata.mp3

I will never get tired of hearing this. When my parents still lived in NH, we'd travel 22 hours each Christmas to see them and my two New Englander sisters. Once, when going through Worcester, Mass, we heard this played on the NPR station. I've loved it ever since. Pinkham is a contemporary composer who does mostly choral pieces.

[TooFarTampa]

Favorite: O Holy Night. Just a great song. Especially the whole bridge ("Fall on your knees...", right up to that last goosebump-inducing high note).

Love it.

I miss going to the late Christmas Eve service. I have little ones so it will be YEARS until I get to go again, I think. So I crank up the Harry Connick Jr. instead.

[Mermaid]

Love it.

I miss going to the late Christmas Eve service. I have little ones so it will be YEARS until I get to go again, I think. So I crank up the Harry Connick Jr. instead.

Hang in there, TooFarTampa! It won't be so long before you can take the young'uns back to Midnight Mass. We started going again when our youngest was about seven or eight. Sometimes the kids fell asleep, but that was okay since they weren't the only ones! Now ours are teens and they love going. It's such an incredibly beautiful service, isn't it? The hush of the night and the candles softly glowing and those wonderful haunting and happy Christmas hymns full of hope and promise...yes, yes, goosebump moments every time.

[Jdarg]

Robert Earl Keen's "Merry Christmas From the Family". A great Redneck Christmas. The book version is not to be believed.

"Angels We Have heard on High"

"Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer"

[BeachDreamer]

Favorite: O Holy Night. Just a great song. Especially the whole bridge ("Fall on your knees...", right up to that last goosebump-inducing high note).

Oh man, I get chill bumps just READING it. That is my all time favorite, Katie Blue! I cry every time.

[Miss Kitty]

Oh man, I get chill bumps just READING it. That is my all time favorite, Katie Blue! I cry every time.

I agree with both you fine ladies. "O Holy Night" is my all time favorite. I can barely sing after "Fall on your knees"...I am overcome with a sense of gratitude and simplicity in my heart each time. I really should listen to this year round. To me, there is not a Christmas Hymn I couldn't listen to.

I love almost all the funn songs. Feliz Navidad, Rudolph, Frosty, Up on the Rooftop, etc. I am banning all songs that say Happy Holidays this year.

[peapod1980]

I'm sure this will become a tangent but.......what's your's?

I love "Feliz Navidad"! Not sure why but I do.

I hate "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" I know why I hate that one!

My favorite classic Christmas song is "O Holy Night." My favorite modern day one is "The Christmas Song" by Dave Matthews Band.
And I do hate "Grandma Got..." too! Eek.

[peapod1980]

We also have a 7 PM service, but even the Minister of Music calls it "The Service From Hell" because of all of the noisy and crying kids, so we go to the more formal late service.

Wow, that's really heartwarming.

[kathydwells]

Wow, that's really heartwarming.

Yes, really makes me want to be a member of that church...

[peapod1980]

I agree with both you fine ladies. "O Holy Night" is my all time favorite. I can barely sing after "Fall on your knees"...I am overcome with a sense of gratitude and simplicity in my heart each time. I really should listen to this year round. To me, there is not a Christmas Hymn I couldn't listen to.

I love almost all the funn songs. Feliz Navidad, Rudolph, Frosty, Up on the Rooftop, etc. I am banning all songs that say Happy Holidays this year.

Wow, it's amazing to me to read that everyone has such similar feelings about that song--just makes me realize what a true masterpiece it is. I honestly never hear it without being affected by it.
I'm with you, SS!

[Suncat]

My favorite Christmas song is one that most people have probably never even heard, called, "Ringing the Bells of Christmas." It's on a Larry Carlton CD - he's a jazz guitarist, who also wrote the song, but it's sung by a woman named Michelle Pillar. I cannot listen to this song without welling up - I found a link for it if anyone wants to have a listen:

http://www.operationsantasearch.org/...2&AudioID=2700

Just click on the "play music" and another window opens up and plays the whole song. I stumbled across that website, but it looks like an amazing resource; will have to explore around there for awhile.

Another favorite of mine is that Mariah Carey song, "All I Want for Christmas Is You" but we'll call that a guilty pleasure - I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I like it. I can't really think of a least favorite - I just LOVE Christmas music.

I don't believe it!! Someone else knows my all-time favorite Christmas song!!!
Ringing the Bells of Christmas has been the song that I will put on repeat on play over and over. I always have to have it playing when I decorate. My kids finally have to change the CD, but I never get tired of it.

[hutch]

Try listening to Travis Tritt's new Christmas CD. I had to give him a plug, he is family.
Tracks:
--1: Winter Wonderland
--2: Christmas In My Hometown
--3: Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy
--4: All I Want For Christmas Dear Is You
--5: O Little Town Of Bethlehem
--6: Loving Time Of The Year
--7: Christmas Just Ain't Christmas Without You
--8: I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
--9: Silver Bells
--10: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

[Camp Creek Kid]

I'm with the "O Holy Night" fan club, but Josh Groban singing it has got the be the best ever. Talk about goose bumps!

I also love Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas."

Any of the Christmas hymns that we get to sing in church. I cannot sing well, but I LOVE to sing the Christmas hymns.

[lindatat]

I don't believe it!! Someone else knows my all-time favorite Christmas song!!!
Ringing the Bells of Christmas has been the song that I will put on repeat on play over and over. I always have to have it playing when I decorate. My kids finally have to change the CD, but I never get tired of it.

Suncat - last night when I found it on the web, I played it several times until the kids started complaining!

I'm so pleased that someone else appreciates this song - from the first time I heard it (I had the cassette long before I replaced it with a CD last year) I couldn't believe that it wasn't more popular - just an incredibly beautiful song with an equally beautiful message. When she sings that line, "but just like the men who crossed the desert in the dark, they just kept on following that star" I get goosebumps!

[BeachDreamer]

I am banning all songs that say Happy Holidays this year.

I hear ya! I am somewhat amused and somewhat horrified by the controversy that the simple word "Christmas" brings up. Though I suppose I shouldn't be. Christ has always been controversial.