Well it's Christmas time, in case you didn't get the memo. And much like a lot of the other holidays, it's completely blind-sided me. Didn't even see it comin.
But that doesn't mean I've actually done any shopping or done any preparation or anything like that. I mean cmon, I've never worried about what I'm going to get for who and when I'm going to get it, so why start now. But speaking of gift giving, this year is going to be the easiest of all. Yep, my family has drawn names, so I won't have to buy for everyone. Let alone, think of something to buy for everyone. And for me, it's always the thinking of good things to buy that's the hardest part. Anyway...
Whenever I think about Christmas, I think of Christmas music. I'm a big Christmas music guy. I feel that everyone needs to love Christmas music because it makes you sensitive and lovable. And don't we all just want to be a little bit more lovable? (So yes ladies, I am a very very sweet and sensitive guy and like lots of Christmas music. Call me.)
I recently watched the movie High Fidelity again (great, great flick) and have been stuck on the the whole Top 5 list thingy. So here we go, Top 5 Christmas songs......ever. (For me, at least.)
5. Silent Night -- performed by Johnny Cash
Here is a classic song from the Man in Black. Out of all the thousands of versions of Silent Night out there, this is by far my favorite. It's simple and straightforward, like Silent Night should be sung. Silent Night doesn't need to be all rearranged and dressed up, if you ask me.
4. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing -- performed by Sufjan Stevens
This one gets special treatment because it's my favorite Christian hymn of all time. And I saw it on Sufjan Stevens' Christmas album last year. So here it is, on my Top 5 Christmas song list. It's actually not a Christmas song, from what I can tell. Still, it's a great song that can be enjoyed all year long.
3. Christmas in Dixie -- Alabama
First heard this one my first Christmas back from Australia, in 2002. My comrade Dave Nuffer played it at a company Christmas party that we were deejaying. Good times. It's just a cool, relaxing song to sit back and chill to during this time of year. There's nothing really notable other than that. Oh and for you country music haters out there, you will probably still like this one. Dave hates country music, and loves this song. So there.
2. O Come All Ye Faithful / O Holy Night -- Trans-Siberian Orchestra
If you could classify any Christmas song as "kick ass", this would be it. This songs kicks ass for a Christmas song. I love it. I play it, like, once a day. Trans-Siberian Orchestra is frickin awesome, and pretty much all their songs are must-have Christmas staples. This is by far my favorite of theirs.
1. O Holy Night -- performed by Josh Groban
Say what you want about Josh Groban (and trust me, I do all the time), but Christmas time is the only time you'll ever catch me listening to the guy's music. O Holy Night is a classic, of course, and everyone puts out their version of it, but Josh Groban does the best version that I can find out there. Dave Nuffer told me once that he sings it like it's meant to be sung, and I have to agree with him on that.
So let the debate begin. If you have a song that you think is better than any of these, I'd like to hear what it is. And then I will tell you how oh so wrong you are. Ha! So go ahead and take a listen to these songs, and your Christmas will probably be a little better for it.
***Check this out: So I googled 'Christmas cheer' for this post, and that cheerleader photo is one of the first pics that came up. No kidding.***
