“White Christmas”, as covered by The Drifters (1954, which as we recall is the same year the movie White Christmas was released). I think I first really became aware of this version in the movie The Santa Clause. The doo-wop version is a little more up-tempo and hence a bit more cheerful than the Bing Crosby “classic” version. I prefer it!

 “O Holy Night” (or “Oh Holy Night”) is probably my favorite religious Christmas song. There have, of course, been some poor covers of it. I currently have 21 different versions in my iTunes, and no doubt there are more lurking in my files. I love the way it starts out quiet and calm, and then rises and rises. The best versions are the ones where the singer really belts out that penultimate “Oh night divine” so that it soars. Not every singer can do it; some don’t try, for which we should probably be thankful. Sometimes it’s good to know your limitations. One of the better versions I’ve heard was when John Mahoney sang it on an episode of Frasier. That man could belt.

 Mannheim Steamroller has done a few Christmas albums; the only one I own is A Fresh Aire Christmas. It’s sort of a mix of classic and New Age sounds – classic Christmas music on New Agey/techno instruments. I can’t really explain it better than that; I know it sounds a bit weird. Anyway, it combines to make a cheery, uplifting sound that makes me happy.

 More to come, probably, but I also wanted to share my least favorite type of Christmas song. I’ve actually heard more than one which, while celebrating the birth of Jesus, also make mention of his future death on the cross. Don’t do that, people. Just don’t.