I always found it hilarious and completely unreasonable whenever stores would start selling Christmas decorations in late October or the first week of November, but as I mull over the concept, I am a hypocrite on this matter - I have been jamming out to Christmas tunes for the past few weeks, and Thanksgiving is not even here, yet!
Whether you are one of Santa's elves - exasperatingly ready for Christmas music - or a Scrooge that will humbug his way through the premature Christmas caroling on campus, there are sure to be a few songs that will surely put you in the Christmas spirit, even if it is only November.
According to the Billboard website, the week of Christmas in 2016 ranked these songs as the top five Christmas songs.
Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" was ranked number one. Carey's incredible range of pitch and vebrato has shown to be a fan favorite once the holiday season begins. With this winter hit, positivity and catchy lyrics seem to fill the streets of every passerby on a snowy December, or November, evening. Even Scrooge himself probably could not stand flashing a smile when this song rings out from the radio.
Bobby Helm's "Jingle Bell Rock" was ranked number two. Despite this classic being initiated in 1957, the 21st century public seems to be in love with this favored oldie. As the first few cords are played, followed by some ringing sleigh bells, almost anyone can immediately name the song and prepare for some awesome jingle bell rocking, jingle bell swinging, and jingle bell ringing!
Brenda Lee's "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree" ranked number three. This popular Christmas song has a light-hearted, care-free message encouraging the dancing, decorating, caroling, happiness, and other Christmas traditions and feelings during this holiday season.
Brenda's number three carol is also well-known from one of my favorite Christmas movies, Home Alone. This wonderful film full of humorous family relations, mischievous justice, and happily-ever-afters will be the best two hours you spend on a cold, winter's night.
Pentatonix's "Hallelujiah" was ranked number four. This incredible a cappella group is famous for their perfect harmony and amazing ability to recreate many songs ranging from a variety of genres. This particular song, though not exactly a Christmas one, is apparently Christmas-enough to rank in the top five Christmas songs for the Billboard charts.
Personally, Pentatonix has won my heart as my new favorite Christmas group with the songs That's Christmas to Me and Go Tell It on the Mountain.
If you feel like you have heard the "Hallelujah" song before, your feeling is very probable. Another version of "Hallelujah" by John Cale was heard in the Dreamworks production of Shrek, a movie that has had a lasting impression on many when it was released.
Andy Williams's "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" ranked number five. This song by Andy Williams is one of those songs that makes your heart warm and head sure that the holiday season will be "the most wonderful time of the year" with loved ones and joy filling your days.
As you start to de-dust your Christmas cassettes, records, CD's, and youtube playlists, be sure to lend an ear to these top five songs, especially if your Christmas spirit is lagging. x
As a fan of Christmas music, I was glad to see our first snowfall so early in the year; it gives me an excuse to play Christmas music. I'm surprised at the inclusion of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" on this list; it's one of my favorite Christmas songs, but I hadn't realized it was still quite as popular as it apparently is.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this type of post, it makes me very excited for Christmas! But at the same time, I don't want to be excited for Christmas yet... I have to wait until Thanksgiving is done. Last year, I drove friends to school and since I was the driver I strictly prohibited people from listening to Christmas music until we came back from Thanksgiving break. I wan to specifically comment on the Pentatonix song. Their rendition of Hallelujah is so incredibly powerful that I played it probably dozens of times when I first it. And I can't believe Michael Buble isn't here!
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased, and somewhat surprised, to see this list include songs from both the past and the present. With our modern day music listeners seemingly obsessed with music genres completely opposite of the mid to late 1900s, being able to inject a little bit of the songs from "back in the day" to the top of our music lists for Christmas is pretty cool. I love some good Christmas music, but when a song become overplayed, like I think Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" was last year, it becomes very repetitive. I can't wait for the holiday season!
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