Best Christmas Songs?

[wukter]

This year I am going to create a magical playlist of Christmasy songs, without straying into Now That's What I Call Xmas territory So no Slade, no Cliff Richard.
So far I have Donna & Blitzen by Badly Drawn Boy.
Also Greensleeves sung by a male choir.
O Holy Night.

Has anyone any inspiration? What's your fave Christmas song?

I have to say my fave is John Lennon- Happy Xmas (war is over).

Does Fairytale of New York count? You can go wrong with a Christmas song with the word 'arse' in it.

That should, of course, say can't

and that Greg Lake one,

'They say there'll be snow this Christmas'

obviously tooooo Xmassy but they both make me cry!

Its a classic - pogues and kirsty mccoll - fairytale in NY - but it is on all the compilations. You can't beat them shouting you scumbag you maggot, you cheap dirty faggot....
RIP KIrsty

See by the time I had sentimentally watched the clip on itube that Tidey had recommended it. Classic

It was covered by some random American punk band, so you could have a speeded up version of a good song but a different version to the one on the compilations.

ooh ooh

Stay Another Day --East 17

one of my guilty pleasures that song.

again. it makes me cry!!

Great idea - I'm going to copy the top festive toons :-)

I would be hard put to choose my favourite carols but the list would have to include:
The Sussex Carol (On Christmas Night All Christians Sing)
The Lullaby Carol (not sure if this is the proper title - it's the one that goes "I saw a lady sitten and sing, she lulled to her child, a sweete lording".
Adam Lay Ybounden is beautiful
The Cherry Tree Carol
Green Grow the Rushes O - not sure if this is really a carol but it is in our house.

Generally I like the very old ones with slightly mysterious origins and words.

My favourite Christmas song, non-carol, is probably Santa Baby by Ertha Kitt. There is also a hilariously dodgy one sung by Ella Fitzgerald called "Santa Clause got stuck in my Chimney" which is too hilarious and Freudian for words!

Have to say Greensleeves doesn't remotely say Christmas to me! But if it conjures up the season for you, that's what matters.

I heard Ronan Keating singing the Fairytale of NY. Gawd. He was trying to sound rough and gruff. Like Cliff Richard doing I'm a Firestarter.

'I'm Gonna Spend my Christmas with a Dalek'? It's really very good.

'walking in a winter wonderland' and same as piratecat 'stay another day'

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire... - the Nat King Cole one. I think it's just called The Christmas Song.

Joni Mitchell singing River

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
But it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby cry

etc

And the Robert Downey Jr cover.

Bruce Springsteen doing Santa Claus is coming to Town. And the Phil Spector album with The Ronettes singing Sleigh Ride. Reminds me of Christmas at home with Mum and Dad in the 70's.

I like this one because I'm a music geek and I think the lyrics work so well to that tune-

Judy Garland - Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas. And a big box of soppy tissues.

Bugger, sorry www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJP68GrLT38

Thank goodness, sweetnitro, was half expecting to click the link and see that godawful Auld Lang Syne/Lord's Prayer monstrosity. No offence meant.

Oh yes, Fairytale of New York - of course! I have heard Ronan Keating singing it, a travesty.
Am going to investigate your list, Theyoungvisitor.

I just don't want my Xmas to sound like Tescos in November.

hey sweet - that was genius... Can everyone put links in so we can get in the mood

PMSL at sally's

'Like Cliff Richard doing I'm a Firestarter'

hahaha

PMSL at sally's

'Like Cliff Richard doing I'm a Firestarter'

hahaha

sorry

She's right, though, Piratecat.
I've just thought - The Frog Chorus, brings me right back...