Sony/ATV’s "Musical Notes" #47 - Christmas Songs - Part Two!
Nov 17, 2009
A fortnightly newsletter highlighting some of the many classic songs in the Sony/ATV Music Publishing catalog.
From Alan Warner, Creative Consultant
***************
Sony/ATV Hidden Classic
WHAT AM I LIVING FOR?
(Fred Jacobson aka Fred Jay/Art Harris)
“What Am I Living For, if not for you?
Oh-oh nobody else, nobody else will do”
Oustanding R&B love song, laced with anguish and longing.
This was one of the last songs that Chuck Willis recorded before his untimely death in April ’58 at the age of 30.
Hit versions:
Chuck Willis (Atlantic/WMG: 1958) US #1 R&B, #9 Pop
Ernest Tubb (Decca/Universal: 1959) US #19 Country
Conway Twitty (MGM/Universal: 1960) US #26 Pop
Percy Sledge (Atlantic/WMG: 1967) US #91 Pop
Conway Twitty (MGM/Universal: 1971 re-issue) US #59 Country
Ray Charles (ABC/TRC/RCE: 1972) US #54 Pop, #20 AC
Other versions include:
The Animals (UK Decca/Universal)
The Band (Capitol/EMI)
Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown (Alligator)
Solomon Burke (Bell/Sony)
Clifton Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band (Arhoolie)
The Everly Brothers (Warner Bros/WMG)
Ernie Freeman (Imperial/EMI)
Billy Fury (UK Decca/Universal)
Mickey Gilley (Direct Source)
Z.Z. Hill (Kent/UK Ace)
Wanda Jackson (Capitol/EMI)
King Curtis (Atlantic/WMG)
Rose Maddox (Capitol/EMI)
Taj Mahal (Private/Sony)
Carl McVoy (Hi/Fat Possum)
Van Morrison (Lost Highway/Universal)
Carl Perkins (RCA/Sony)
Alan Price & The Electric Blues Company (Indigo)
Jack Scott (Guaranteed/Timeless)
Sony/ATV Country Milestone
HE STOPPED LOVING HER TODAY
(Claude Putman Jr./Bobby Braddock)
Memorably recorded by George Jones (Epic/Sony: 1980)
CBS Television’s “Sunday Morning” show recently ran a feature on George Jones which was reported by the network’s veteran news anchor and journalist Bob Schieffer.
The segment told of how, in 1980, George was asked to try out a new song about a man who loves a woman until the moment he dies. In Schieffer’s own words: “Many call it the best country song ever.”
Ironically, George Jones wasn’t the first artist to record the ballad…Johnny Russell had cut it for Mercury but the label decided against releasing his version. The song then found its way into the hands of producer Billy Sherrill who not only believed in the song but also in the fact that it would be perfect for George whose personal life was beset by his endless drinking binges.
When George first heard HE STOPPED LOVING HER TODAY, he asked the writers (Curly Putman & Bobby Braddock) to add a verse which he narrates prior to singing the last chorus:
“You know she came to see him one last time/
We all wondered if she would/
And it came running through my mind/
This time he’s over her for good.”
The finished record which reached #1 on the country chart on July 5, 1980, is one of George’s finest vocal performances and it won him a Grammy® for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and the song won CMA’s coveted “Song Of The Year Award” for both 1980 and 1981.
There have been some notable covers over the years including versions by Johnny Cash, Tom Jones, Merle Haggard, Leon Russell and Faron Young and has been picked up by newer artists on certain of the TV singing contests.
***************
Back To The Future!
Check out the November issue of UK rock magazine ‘Mojo”…It has an outstanding extensive article on Kraftwerk including an interview with Ralf Hutter. The magazine’s covermount CD contains a 2009 remaster of the Kraftwerk track THE ROBOTS and it’s included on the playlist accompanying this newsletter.
***************
CHRISTMAS SONG 2009 UPDATE
This list includes a number of titles not on our previous Xmas songlists, such as A WINTER’S TALE by Mike Batt & Tim Rice (a major UK hit for David Essex), ALL IS WELL co-written by contemporary Christian music star Michael Whitaker Smith and sung atmospherically by Broadway star Michael Crawford with a children’s choir on his 1999 Christmas album “In The Moon Of Wintertime”, FUNKY CHRISTMAS and THIS TIME OF YEAR, two seasonal songs written by Nick Caldwell of R&B group The Whispers,
OLD TOY TRAINS: a Roger Miller classic which Toby Keith unearthed successfully in 2000 plus I’D LIKE TO HITCH A RIDE WITH SANTA CLAUS – a fine 1950 novelty song recorded by the legendary Andrews Sisters.
The list begins here:
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS DEAR IS YOU (Buck Owens/Don Rich)
By Buck Owens & His Buckaroos (Capitol: 1967)
Other versions incl: Travis Tritt (Warner Bros/WMG)
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU (Walter Afanasieff/Mariah Carey)
“I just want you for my own, More than you could ever know,
Make my wish come true, All I Want For Christmas Is You”
By Mariah Carey (Columbia/Sony: 1994) US #12 Airplay
ALL IS WELL (Michael W. Smith/Wayne Kirkpatrick)
“All Is Well, all is well
Angels and men rejoice
For tonight darkness fell
Into the dawn of love’s light
Sing a-le, sing allelujah”
By Michael Crawford (Atlantic/WMG), Point Of Grace (Word), Michael W. Smith (RCA/Sony)
ALL MY LOVE FOR CHRISTMAS (Billy Lawson/Walter Wilson)
By Lonestar (RCA/Sony: 1999) US #61 Country
CHRISTMAS ALPHABET (Buddy Kaye/Jules Loman)
By The McGuire Sisters (Coral/Universal: 1954) US #25 Pop
By Dickie Valentine (UK Decca/Universal: 1955) UK #1
CHRISTMAS EVE (Maria Christensen/Curt Frasca)
By Celine Dion (550 Music/Epic/Sony: 1998)
CHRISTMAS IN DIXIE (Teddy Gentry/Jeff Cook/Randy Owen/Mark Herndon)
By Alabama (RCA/Sony: 1983) US #35 Country
Other versions incl. Kenny Chesney (BNA)
CHRISTMAS IN YOUR ARMS (Bill Anderson/Steve Wariner)
By Steve Wariner (Capitol/EMI: 2000) US #65 Country
CHRISTMAS IS ALWAYS (Evans)
By Dale Evans (Capitol/EMI: 1967)
CHRISTMAS PRAYER (Mary Jo Rush)
By Roy Rogers & Dale Evans (Capitol/EMI: 1967)
THE CHRISTMAS SONG (MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU)
Aka THE CHRISTMAS SONG (CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE)(Robert Wells/Mel Torme)
By Nat King Cole with The King Cole Trio (Capitol/EMI: 1946) US #3 Pop, #3 R&B
Nat Cole re-recorded this song twice for Capitol: with Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra in 1953 and with Ralph Carmichael conducting in 1961).
By Les Brown & His Orchestra w/vocal by Doris Day (Columbia/Sony: 1947) US #12 Pop
By Alexander O’Neal (Tabu: 1998) UK #30
By Toni Braxton (LaFace/Sony: 1993) US #57 R&B Airplay
By Christina Aguilera (RCA/Sony: 1999) US #18 Pop
Other versions incl: Frank Sinatra (Capitol), Johnny Mathis (Columbia), James Brown (King), Peggy Lee (Capitol), Mel Torme (Telarc), Natalie Cole (Elektra), Aaron Neville (A&M), Tony Bennett (Columbia), The Carpenters (A&M), Dexter Gordon, Celine Dion (Epic), The Jackson 5 (Motown), Josh Groban (143/Reprise/WMG), Stevie Wonder (Tamla/Universal), Chris Isaak (Reprise/WMG)
CHRISTMAS TIME AGAIN (Irving Lorenzo/Ashanti Douglas/Andre Parker)
By Ashanti (The Inc./Universal: 2003)
A CRADLE IN BETHLEHEM (Larry Stock/Alfred Bryan)
By Nat King Cole (Capitol/EMI: 1960)
DEAREST SANTA (Bonnie Dunn/Michael Dunn)
By Bobby Vinton (Epic/Sony: 1964)
DON’T SAVE IT ALL FOR CHRISTMAS DAY (Ric Wake/Peter Zizzo/Celine Dion)
Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day,
Find your way
‘Cause holidays have come and gone,
But love lives on”
Versions include: Celine Dion (550 Music/Epic), Avalon (Sparrow), Clay Aiken (RCA)
EARLY CHRISTMAS MORNING (Cyndi Lauper/Jan Pulsford)
“Listen to the children sing,
Watch them dancing all ‘round the Christmas tree
Waiting for the opening, Early Christmas Morning”
By Cyndi Lauper (Epic/Sony: 1998)
8 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (Beyonce Knowles/Errol McCalla)
“Doesn’t if feel like Christmas, it feels lovely”
By Destiny’s Child (Music World: 2002) US #57 R&B
FATHER CHRISTMAS (Ray Davies)
By The Kinks (Arista/Sony: 1976)
FUNKY CHRISTMAS (Nicholas Caldwell)
By The Whispers (Solar/EMI: 1979)
HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS (Kim Williams/William Brock/Zack Turner)
“It’s gonna be a Honky Tonk Christmas
Them silent nights at home were killing me”
By Alan Jackson (Arista/Sony: 1994) US #53 Country
I’D LIKE TO HITCH A RIDE WITH SANTA CLAUS (Johnny Burke/James Van Heusen)
By The Andrews Sisters (Decca/Universal)
Other versions incl: Bing Crosby (Decca/Universal),
The Studebakers (Orchard), The Holly Cole Trio (Albert)
IF WE MAKE IT THROUGH DECEMBER (Merle Haggard)
“If We Make It Through December
Everything’s gonna be alright I know.
It’s the coldest time of winter
And I shiver when I see the fallin’ snow”
By Merle Haggard (Capitol/EMI: 1973) US #1 Country, #28 Pop
Other versions incl: Alan Jackson (Arista Nashville/Sony)
IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME AGAIN (Nick Lachey/Jessica Simpson/Billy Mann/Chris Rojas)
By Jessica Simpson (Columbia/Sony: 2004)
JESUS BORN ON THIS DAY (Walter Afanasieff/Mariah Carey)
By Mariah Carey (Columbia/Sony)
Other versions incl: Avalon (Sparrow), Norman Hutchins (JDI), Morris Chapman (Maranatha)
MAYBE THIS CHRISTMAS (Ron Sexsmith)
“Maybe This Christmas will mean something more.
Maybe this year love will appear deeper than ever before”
By Ron Sexsmith (Nettwerk America: 2002)
MERRY CHRISTMAS MY DARLING (Dale Evans)
By Roy Rogers & Dale Evans (Capitol/EMI: 1967)
MISS YOU MOST (AT CHRISTMAS TIME)(Walter Afanasieff/Mariah Carey)
“And I can’t get you, get you off my mind
Every other season comes along and I’m alright
But then I Miss You Most At Christmas Time”
By Mariah Carey (Columbia/Sony: 1994)
OLD TOY TRAINS (Roger Miller)
“Close your eyes,
Listen to the skies
All is calm, all is well
Soon you'll hear Kris Kringle and the jingle bells”
By Toby Keith (DreamWorks: 2001) US #57 Country
By Glen Campbell (Capitol/EMI: 1975)
By Roger Miller (Smash/Universal: 1967)
By Nana Mouskouri (Polygram/Universal: 1997)
By Raffi (Rounder: 1983)
By The Statler Brothers (Mercury/Universal: 1985)
By Robin & Linda Williams (Red House: 2005)
POPPA SANTA CLAUS (Johnny Burke/James Van Heusen)
By Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters (Decca/Universal: 1950)
PRETTY PAPER (Willie Nelson)
“Pretty Paper, pretty ribbons of blue,
Wrap your presents to your darling fron you”
By Roy Orbison (Monument/Sony: 1963) US #15 Pop, UK #6 (in ’64)
By Kenny Chesney with Willie Nelson (BNA/Sony: 2004) US #45 Country
RIVER (Joni Mitchell)
“Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on
Oh I wish I had a river so long, I would teach my feet to fly”
By Joni Mitchell (Reprise/WMG: 1971)
Other versions incl: Linda Ronstadt (Elektra), Barry Manilow (Columbia), James Taylor (Columbia), Sarah McLachlan (Arista), Herbie Hanock feat. Corrine Bailey Rae (Universal)
SANTA CLAUS IS BACK IN TOWN (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
“Oh it’s Christmas time pretty baby
And the snow is falling on the ground.
Well you be a real good little baby
Santa Claus Is Back In Town”
By Elvis Presley (RCA/Sony BMG: 1957)
By Southside Jonny & The Asbury Dukes (Phoenix Gems: 2000)
By The Brian Setzer Orchestra (Surfdog: 2002)
By Dwight Yoakam (Warner Bros/WMG: 1997)
SANTA CLAUS IS WATCHING YOU (Ray Stevens)
By Ray Stevens (MCA/Universal: 1985)
SANTA LOOKED A LOT LIKE DADDY (Buck Owens/Don Rich)
By Buck Owens (Capitol/EMI: 1970)
By Garth Brooks (Liberty: 1998) US #56 Country
Other versions incl: Brad Paisley (Arista Nashville), The Tractors (Arista)
SENDING YOU A LITTLE CHRISTMAS (Jim Brickman/Victoria Shaw/Billy Mann)
“So I’m Sending You A Little Christmas, Wrapped up with love”
By Jim Brickman with Kristy Starling (RCA/Sony: 2000)
SHE WON’T BE HOME (Andrew Bell/Vince Clarke)
By Erasure (Sire/WMG)
SILENT NIGHT (Sarah McLachlan)
By Sarah McLachlan (Arista/Sony)
SILENT NIGHT (Taylor Swift)
By Taylor Swift (Big Machine)
SILVER BELLS (Jay Livingston/Ray Evans)
“City sidewalks,
busy sidewalks,
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas”
By Bing Crosby & Carol Richards (Decca/Universal: 1953) US #20 Pop
By A Few Good Men (LaFace/Sony: 1993) US #58 R&B Airplay
By Kenny Chesney (BNA/Sony: 2004) US #54 Country
Other versions incl: The Supremes (Motown), Andy Williams (Columbia), The Judds (RCA), Stevie Wonder (Tamla), Anne Murray (Capitol), Dean Martin (Reprise), Kenny Rogers (Reprise), Perry Como (RCA), Elvis Presley (RCA), Alan Jackson (Arista Nashville), Dave Koz (Capitol), Martina McBride, Mannheim Steamroller, Take 6, Neil Diamond, Harry Connick Jr.
SNOW IS FALLING (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
By Ray Charles (Swingtime: 1953)
SPREAD A LITTLE LOVE ON CHRISTMAS DAY (Bernard Edwards/Beyoncé Knowles)
“Having me a Merry Christmas,
Feliz Navidad
And having me a Merry Kwanzaa,
Happy Hanukkah”
By Destiny’s Child (Columbia/Sony: 2000)
TAKIN’ CARE OF CHRISTMAS (Randy Bachman)
Based on Randy’s 1974 hit “Takin’ Care Of Business”
By The Randy Bachman Band
THAT CHRISTMAS FEELING (Johnny Burke/James Van Heusen)
“So here’s to the joy of Christmas
Here’s to the ones I hold dear.
May you have That merry Christmas Feeling
All through a happy new year”
By Bing Crosby (Decca/Universal: 1950)
THIS IS CHRISTMAS (Luther Vandross/Reed Vertelney)
“This Is Christmas,
let the world sing,
let a soul begin to heal.
Hallelujah,
this is Christmas
And with love
we can begin today”
By Luther Vandross (Epic/Sony BMG: 1995)
THIS TIME OF THE YEAR (Clyde Otis/Brook Benton)
By Brook Benton (Mercury/Universal)
THIS TIME OF YEAR (Nicholas Caldwell)
By The Whispers (Solar/EMI: 1979)
WHY COULDN’T IT BE CHRISTMAS EVERYDAY (Walter Afanasieff/Jay Landers)
By Bianca Ryan (Sony: 2006)
A WINTER’S TALE (Mike Batt/Tim Rice)
“It was only A Winter’s Tale
Just another winter’s tale
And why should the world take notice
Of one more love that’s failed
world take notice"
By David Essex (Mercury/Universal: 1982) UK #2
Other versions incl: Elaine Paige (Warner Bros/WMG), Mike Batt (Dramatico), The Moody Blues (Universal), Michael Ball (Hip-O/Universal)
WINTERSONG (Sarah McLachlan/Pierre Marchand)
By Sarah McLachlan (Arista/Sony: 2006)
WOMBLING MERRY CHRISTMAS (Mike Batt)
By The Wombles (UK CBS/Sony: 1974) UK #2
YOU MAKE IT FEEL LIKE CHRISTMAS (Neil Diamond)
You Make It Feel Like Christmas Even when things go wrong.
I hear the sound of Christmas in your song…all year long”
By Neil Diamond (Columbia/Sony: 1984)
Click here for Associated Playlist
*********************
US chart positions courtesy of Joel Whitburn & Billboard Magazine
10/09
Nov 17, 2009
A fortnightly newsletter highlighting some of the many classic songs in the Sony/ATV Music Publishing catalog.
From Alan Warner, Creative Consultant
***************
Sony/ATV Hidden Classic
WHAT AM I LIVING FOR?
(Fred Jacobson aka Fred Jay/Art Harris)
“What Am I Living For, if not for you?
Oh-oh nobody else, nobody else will do”
Oustanding R&B love song, laced with anguish and longing.
This was one of the last songs that Chuck Willis recorded before his untimely death in April ’58 at the age of 30.
Hit versions:
Chuck Willis (Atlantic/WMG: 1958) US #1 R&B, #9 Pop
Ernest Tubb (Decca/Universal: 1959) US #19 Country
Conway Twitty (MGM/Universal: 1960) US #26 Pop
Percy Sledge (Atlantic/WMG: 1967) US #91 Pop
Conway Twitty (MGM/Universal: 1971 re-issue) US #59 Country
Ray Charles (ABC/TRC/RCE: 1972) US #54 Pop, #20 AC
Other versions include:
The Animals (UK Decca/Universal)
The Band (Capitol/EMI)
Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown (Alligator)
Solomon Burke (Bell/Sony)
Clifton Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band (Arhoolie)
The Everly Brothers (Warner Bros/WMG)
Ernie Freeman (Imperial/EMI)
Billy Fury (UK Decca/Universal)
Mickey Gilley (Direct Source)
Z.Z. Hill (Kent/UK Ace)
Wanda Jackson (Capitol/EMI)
King Curtis (Atlantic/WMG)
Rose Maddox (Capitol/EMI)
Taj Mahal (Private/Sony)
Carl McVoy (Hi/Fat Possum)
Van Morrison (Lost Highway/Universal)
Carl Perkins (RCA/Sony)
Alan Price & The Electric Blues Company (Indigo)
Jack Scott (Guaranteed/Timeless)
Sony/ATV Country Milestone
HE STOPPED LOVING HER TODAY
(Claude Putman Jr./Bobby Braddock)
Memorably recorded by George Jones (Epic/Sony: 1980)
CBS Television’s “Sunday Morning” show recently ran a feature on George Jones which was reported by the network’s veteran news anchor and journalist Bob Schieffer.
The segment told of how, in 1980, George was asked to try out a new song about a man who loves a woman until the moment he dies. In Schieffer’s own words: “Many call it the best country song ever.”
Ironically, George Jones wasn’t the first artist to record the ballad…Johnny Russell had cut it for Mercury but the label decided against releasing his version. The song then found its way into the hands of producer Billy Sherrill who not only believed in the song but also in the fact that it would be perfect for George whose personal life was beset by his endless drinking binges.
When George first heard HE STOPPED LOVING HER TODAY, he asked the writers (Curly Putman & Bobby Braddock) to add a verse which he narrates prior to singing the last chorus:
“You know she came to see him one last time/
We all wondered if she would/
And it came running through my mind/
This time he’s over her for good.”
The finished record which reached #1 on the country chart on July 5, 1980, is one of George’s finest vocal performances and it won him a Grammy® for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and the song won CMA’s coveted “Song Of The Year Award” for both 1980 and 1981.
There have been some notable covers over the years including versions by Johnny Cash, Tom Jones, Merle Haggard, Leon Russell and Faron Young and has been picked up by newer artists on certain of the TV singing contests.
***************
Back To The Future!
Check out the November issue of UK rock magazine ‘Mojo”…It has an outstanding extensive article on Kraftwerk including an interview with Ralf Hutter. The magazine’s covermount CD contains a 2009 remaster of the Kraftwerk track THE ROBOTS and it’s included on the playlist accompanying this newsletter.
***************
CHRISTMAS SONG 2009 UPDATE
This list includes a number of titles not on our previous Xmas songlists, such as A WINTER’S TALE by Mike Batt & Tim Rice (a major UK hit for David Essex), ALL IS WELL co-written by contemporary Christian music star Michael Whitaker Smith and sung atmospherically by Broadway star Michael Crawford with a children’s choir on his 1999 Christmas album “In The Moon Of Wintertime”, FUNKY CHRISTMAS and THIS TIME OF YEAR, two seasonal songs written by Nick Caldwell of R&B group The Whispers,
OLD TOY TRAINS: a Roger Miller classic which Toby Keith unearthed successfully in 2000 plus I’D LIKE TO HITCH A RIDE WITH SANTA CLAUS – a fine 1950 novelty song recorded by the legendary Andrews Sisters.
The list begins here:
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS DEAR IS YOU (Buck Owens/Don Rich)
By Buck Owens & His Buckaroos (Capitol: 1967)
Other versions incl: Travis Tritt (Warner Bros/WMG)
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU (Walter Afanasieff/Mariah Carey)
“I just want you for my own, More than you could ever know,
Make my wish come true, All I Want For Christmas Is You”
By Mariah Carey (Columbia/Sony: 1994) US #12 Airplay
ALL IS WELL (Michael W. Smith/Wayne Kirkpatrick)
“All Is Well, all is well
Angels and men rejoice
For tonight darkness fell
Into the dawn of love’s light
Sing a-le, sing allelujah”
By Michael Crawford (Atlantic/WMG), Point Of Grace (Word), Michael W. Smith (RCA/Sony)
ALL MY LOVE FOR CHRISTMAS (Billy Lawson/Walter Wilson)
By Lonestar (RCA/Sony: 1999) US #61 Country
CHRISTMAS ALPHABET (Buddy Kaye/Jules Loman)
By The McGuire Sisters (Coral/Universal: 1954) US #25 Pop
By Dickie Valentine (UK Decca/Universal: 1955) UK #1
CHRISTMAS EVE (Maria Christensen/Curt Frasca)
By Celine Dion (550 Music/Epic/Sony: 1998)
CHRISTMAS IN DIXIE (Teddy Gentry/Jeff Cook/Randy Owen/Mark Herndon)
By Alabama (RCA/Sony: 1983) US #35 Country
Other versions incl. Kenny Chesney (BNA)
CHRISTMAS IN YOUR ARMS (Bill Anderson/Steve Wariner)
By Steve Wariner (Capitol/EMI: 2000) US #65 Country
CHRISTMAS IS ALWAYS (Evans)
By Dale Evans (Capitol/EMI: 1967)
CHRISTMAS PRAYER (Mary Jo Rush)
By Roy Rogers & Dale Evans (Capitol/EMI: 1967)
THE CHRISTMAS SONG (MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU)
Aka THE CHRISTMAS SONG (CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE)(Robert Wells/Mel Torme)
By Nat King Cole with The King Cole Trio (Capitol/EMI: 1946) US #3 Pop, #3 R&B
Nat Cole re-recorded this song twice for Capitol: with Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra in 1953 and with Ralph Carmichael conducting in 1961).
By Les Brown & His Orchestra w/vocal by Doris Day (Columbia/Sony: 1947) US #12 Pop
By Alexander O’Neal (Tabu: 1998) UK #30
By Toni Braxton (LaFace/Sony: 1993) US #57 R&B Airplay
By Christina Aguilera (RCA/Sony: 1999) US #18 Pop
Other versions incl: Frank Sinatra (Capitol), Johnny Mathis (Columbia), James Brown (King), Peggy Lee (Capitol), Mel Torme (Telarc), Natalie Cole (Elektra), Aaron Neville (A&M), Tony Bennett (Columbia), The Carpenters (A&M), Dexter Gordon, Celine Dion (Epic), The Jackson 5 (Motown), Josh Groban (143/Reprise/WMG), Stevie Wonder (Tamla/Universal), Chris Isaak (Reprise/WMG)
CHRISTMAS TIME AGAIN (Irving Lorenzo/Ashanti Douglas/Andre Parker)
By Ashanti (The Inc./Universal: 2003)
A CRADLE IN BETHLEHEM (Larry Stock/Alfred Bryan)
By Nat King Cole (Capitol/EMI: 1960)
DEAREST SANTA (Bonnie Dunn/Michael Dunn)
By Bobby Vinton (Epic/Sony: 1964)
DON’T SAVE IT ALL FOR CHRISTMAS DAY (Ric Wake/Peter Zizzo/Celine Dion)
Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day,
Find your way
‘Cause holidays have come and gone,
But love lives on”
Versions include: Celine Dion (550 Music/Epic), Avalon (Sparrow), Clay Aiken (RCA)
EARLY CHRISTMAS MORNING (Cyndi Lauper/Jan Pulsford)
“Listen to the children sing,
Watch them dancing all ‘round the Christmas tree
Waiting for the opening, Early Christmas Morning”
By Cyndi Lauper (Epic/Sony: 1998)
8 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (Beyonce Knowles/Errol McCalla)
“Doesn’t if feel like Christmas, it feels lovely”
By Destiny’s Child (Music World: 2002) US #57 R&B
FATHER CHRISTMAS (Ray Davies)
By The Kinks (Arista/Sony: 1976)
FUNKY CHRISTMAS (Nicholas Caldwell)
By The Whispers (Solar/EMI: 1979)
HONKY TONK CHRISTMAS (Kim Williams/William Brock/Zack Turner)
“It’s gonna be a Honky Tonk Christmas
Them silent nights at home were killing me”
By Alan Jackson (Arista/Sony: 1994) US #53 Country
I’D LIKE TO HITCH A RIDE WITH SANTA CLAUS (Johnny Burke/James Van Heusen)
By The Andrews Sisters (Decca/Universal)
Other versions incl: Bing Crosby (Decca/Universal),
The Studebakers (Orchard), The Holly Cole Trio (Albert)
IF WE MAKE IT THROUGH DECEMBER (Merle Haggard)
“If We Make It Through December
Everything’s gonna be alright I know.
It’s the coldest time of winter
And I shiver when I see the fallin’ snow”
By Merle Haggard (Capitol/EMI: 1973) US #1 Country, #28 Pop
Other versions incl: Alan Jackson (Arista Nashville/Sony)
IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME AGAIN (Nick Lachey/Jessica Simpson/Billy Mann/Chris Rojas)
By Jessica Simpson (Columbia/Sony: 2004)
JESUS BORN ON THIS DAY (Walter Afanasieff/Mariah Carey)
By Mariah Carey (Columbia/Sony)
Other versions incl: Avalon (Sparrow), Norman Hutchins (JDI), Morris Chapman (Maranatha)
MAYBE THIS CHRISTMAS (Ron Sexsmith)
“Maybe This Christmas will mean something more.
Maybe this year love will appear deeper than ever before”
By Ron Sexsmith (Nettwerk America: 2002)
MERRY CHRISTMAS MY DARLING (Dale Evans)
By Roy Rogers & Dale Evans (Capitol/EMI: 1967)
MISS YOU MOST (AT CHRISTMAS TIME)(Walter Afanasieff/Mariah Carey)
“And I can’t get you, get you off my mind
Every other season comes along and I’m alright
But then I Miss You Most At Christmas Time”
By Mariah Carey (Columbia/Sony: 1994)
OLD TOY TRAINS (Roger Miller)
“Close your eyes,
Listen to the skies
All is calm, all is well
Soon you'll hear Kris Kringle and the jingle bells”
By Toby Keith (DreamWorks: 2001) US #57 Country
By Glen Campbell (Capitol/EMI: 1975)
By Roger Miller (Smash/Universal: 1967)
By Nana Mouskouri (Polygram/Universal: 1997)
By Raffi (Rounder: 1983)
By The Statler Brothers (Mercury/Universal: 1985)
By Robin & Linda Williams (Red House: 2005)
POPPA SANTA CLAUS (Johnny Burke/James Van Heusen)
By Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters (Decca/Universal: 1950)
PRETTY PAPER (Willie Nelson)
“Pretty Paper, pretty ribbons of blue,
Wrap your presents to your darling fron you”
By Roy Orbison (Monument/Sony: 1963) US #15 Pop, UK #6 (in ’64)
By Kenny Chesney with Willie Nelson (BNA/Sony: 2004) US #45 Country
RIVER (Joni Mitchell)
“Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on
Oh I wish I had a river so long, I would teach my feet to fly”
By Joni Mitchell (Reprise/WMG: 1971)
Other versions incl: Linda Ronstadt (Elektra), Barry Manilow (Columbia), James Taylor (Columbia), Sarah McLachlan (Arista), Herbie Hanock feat. Corrine Bailey Rae (Universal)
SANTA CLAUS IS BACK IN TOWN (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
“Oh it’s Christmas time pretty baby
And the snow is falling on the ground.
Well you be a real good little baby
Santa Claus Is Back In Town”
By Elvis Presley (RCA/Sony BMG: 1957)
By Southside Jonny & The Asbury Dukes (Phoenix Gems: 2000)
By The Brian Setzer Orchestra (Surfdog: 2002)
By Dwight Yoakam (Warner Bros/WMG: 1997)
SANTA CLAUS IS WATCHING YOU (Ray Stevens)
By Ray Stevens (MCA/Universal: 1985)
SANTA LOOKED A LOT LIKE DADDY (Buck Owens/Don Rich)
By Buck Owens (Capitol/EMI: 1970)
By Garth Brooks (Liberty: 1998) US #56 Country
Other versions incl: Brad Paisley (Arista Nashville), The Tractors (Arista)
SENDING YOU A LITTLE CHRISTMAS (Jim Brickman/Victoria Shaw/Billy Mann)
“So I’m Sending You A Little Christmas, Wrapped up with love”
By Jim Brickman with Kristy Starling (RCA/Sony: 2000)
SHE WON’T BE HOME (Andrew Bell/Vince Clarke)
By Erasure (Sire/WMG)
SILENT NIGHT (Sarah McLachlan)
By Sarah McLachlan (Arista/Sony)
SILENT NIGHT (Taylor Swift)
By Taylor Swift (Big Machine)
SILVER BELLS (Jay Livingston/Ray Evans)
“City sidewalks,
busy sidewalks,
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas”
By Bing Crosby & Carol Richards (Decca/Universal: 1953) US #20 Pop
By A Few Good Men (LaFace/Sony: 1993) US #58 R&B Airplay
By Kenny Chesney (BNA/Sony: 2004) US #54 Country
Other versions incl: The Supremes (Motown), Andy Williams (Columbia), The Judds (RCA), Stevie Wonder (Tamla), Anne Murray (Capitol), Dean Martin (Reprise), Kenny Rogers (Reprise), Perry Como (RCA), Elvis Presley (RCA), Alan Jackson (Arista Nashville), Dave Koz (Capitol), Martina McBride, Mannheim Steamroller, Take 6, Neil Diamond, Harry Connick Jr.
SNOW IS FALLING (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
By Ray Charles (Swingtime: 1953)
SPREAD A LITTLE LOVE ON CHRISTMAS DAY (Bernard Edwards/Beyoncé Knowles)
“Having me a Merry Christmas,
Feliz Navidad
And having me a Merry Kwanzaa,
Happy Hanukkah”
By Destiny’s Child (Columbia/Sony: 2000)
TAKIN’ CARE OF CHRISTMAS (Randy Bachman)
Based on Randy’s 1974 hit “Takin’ Care Of Business”
By The Randy Bachman Band
THAT CHRISTMAS FEELING (Johnny Burke/James Van Heusen)
“So here’s to the joy of Christmas
Here’s to the ones I hold dear.
May you have That merry Christmas Feeling
All through a happy new year”
By Bing Crosby (Decca/Universal: 1950)
THIS IS CHRISTMAS (Luther Vandross/Reed Vertelney)
“This Is Christmas,
let the world sing,
let a soul begin to heal.
Hallelujah,
this is Christmas
And with love
we can begin today”
By Luther Vandross (Epic/Sony BMG: 1995)
THIS TIME OF THE YEAR (Clyde Otis/Brook Benton)
By Brook Benton (Mercury/Universal)
THIS TIME OF YEAR (Nicholas Caldwell)
By The Whispers (Solar/EMI: 1979)
WHY COULDN’T IT BE CHRISTMAS EVERYDAY (Walter Afanasieff/Jay Landers)
By Bianca Ryan (Sony: 2006)
A WINTER’S TALE (Mike Batt/Tim Rice)
“It was only A Winter’s Tale
Just another winter’s tale
And why should the world take notice
Of one more love that’s failed
world take notice"
By David Essex (Mercury/Universal: 1982) UK #2
Other versions incl: Elaine Paige (Warner Bros/WMG), Mike Batt (Dramatico), The Moody Blues (Universal), Michael Ball (Hip-O/Universal)
WINTERSONG (Sarah McLachlan/Pierre Marchand)
By Sarah McLachlan (Arista/Sony: 2006)
WOMBLING MERRY CHRISTMAS (Mike Batt)
By The Wombles (UK CBS/Sony: 1974) UK #2
YOU MAKE IT FEEL LIKE CHRISTMAS (Neil Diamond)
You Make It Feel Like Christmas Even when things go wrong.
I hear the sound of Christmas in your song…all year long”
By Neil Diamond (Columbia/Sony: 1984)
Click here for Associated Playlist
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US chart positions courtesy of Joel Whitburn & Billboard Magazine
10/09
