My Christmas List*

*No, not an actual list of items I want (though tickets to any of the shows put on by any of these musicians would cause me to be indebted to you [And yeah, I know, a lot of these guys are dead/don't have "it" anymore. I was born 30 years late.]). I'm trying to put together a list of seasonal songs that don't suck. I can go either way on Christmas music in general, but 'tis the season and everything, right? So I've compiled (and burned) the following as the best I can come up with thus far. And yes, there is a clear Rock bend to this list. That's the point, duh.


1. Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney & Wings (This really isn't all that great of a song... and I'm a big Macca fan, too. I put this song here more out of respect, though I think a Beatle could do better...)
2. Come On Christmas, Christmas Come On - Ringo Starr (... and here it is. Yay. Way to go Ringo. This song was buried in all of the best Christmas music lists I've pursued. But I think it's tremendous.)
3. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon (I'm not a fan of taking the "Christ" out of Christmas, but the song is solid. Plus it gives you something to think about... or something.)
4. Ding Dong, Ding Dong - George Harrison (OK, not Christmas, but this is seasonal remember. Would've been an even better tune had Harrison not been hoarse during the recording. Oh well.)
5. Jingle Bell Rock - Daryl Hall & John Oates (Now back to your regularly scheduled, non-Beatles Christmas party. Hall & Oates have a decent Christmas album and their rendition of Jingle Bell Rock holds up to the rest of what I was looking for here.)
6. Little Saint Nick - The Beach Boys (A Christmas time staple. Any respectable Christmas collection has this on it. Whether or not you like the Beach Boys is irrelevant. Leaving this song out is like having cereal for Thanksgiving dinner.)
7. Back Door Santa - Jet (I'll admit it: I love Jet. Sure, they may be knock-offs of the rock bands of yesteryear, but I dig that. A lot.)
8. Please Come Home for Christmas - The Eagles (Of all the songs on here, this is probably my favorite "moody" Christmas song. If you're blue this holiday season or long for the love of one who is not by your side, play this song on repeat. Even if you're perfectly happy, keep playing this song. I love this song, but then again I don't hate the Eagles like some do.)
9. Merry Christmas, Darling - The Carpenters (When I was a lad, my mom would have 3 CD's in her car to listen to: The Grease Soundtrack, Creedence Clearwater Revival's Willy and the Poor Boys, and The Carpenters' Gold Collection. Thus, I have an irrational love for all three. And yes, I know all the words.)
10. Step Into Christmas - Elton John (I don't feel bad one bit for loving Elton John's music, especially this Christmas tune. It's really good, actually.)
11. Christmas All Over Again - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (To tell you the truth, I don't really like Tom Petty all that much. At least not as much as one would expect. But this is THE CHRISTMAS SONG... or at least a close second to the Kinks. Seriously, this track alone makes any Christmas mix passable.)
12. I Believe in Father Christmas - Emerson, Lake & Palmer (Probably the most underrated Christmas song in my humble opinion. The band wasn't as special as it could've been, but the song is quality all around.)
13. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / We Three Kings - Barenaked Ladies (I don't like Barenaked Ladies, nor do I like the way they play this suite. So chalk this one up as a reach, a space-filler. But I do love God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen in general - it's probably my favorite traditional Christmas hymn. Suggestions for any better versions of this song are appreciated.)
14. Santa's Messin' With The Kid - Lynyrd Skynyrd (I love Lynyrd Skynyrd, but this song leaves something to be desired. Filler/respect placement.)
15. Run Rudolph Run - Chuck Berry (Yes. The man himself, Chuck Berry delivers on this classic. See above, re: Little Saint Nick.)
16. Father Christmas - The Kinks (I keep going back and forth whether this or Tom Petty's tune are the best Christmas rock song. Going solely by the numbers, The Kinks have far more plays on my iTunes than any other Christmas song. For that reason, I'll give Father Christmas the crown, but both songs are a treat. Listen to them. Embrace them. Let them be your friend.)
17. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2 (A solid, albeit short tune. A little more meat, and this song could've been a contender.)
18. Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End) - The Darkness (I kinda, sorta like The Darkness but this song fulfills all that I wanted in my list. I needed something contemporary to remind me rock isn't *completely* dead. Plus The Darkness does a good job here. A worthy addition to the mix.)
19. Lonely Without You (This Christmas) - Mick Jagger (Another one for the blue-hearted. Very well done and a nod to Sir Strutshisstuff.)
20. The Night Before Christmas - Carly Simon (Laugh all you want, Carly Simon is talented and this song delivers. Prove me wrong, I dare you.)
21. Thank God It's Christmas - Queen (Sure, at this point I was just looking for classic rock bands with Christmas selections. But thats fine in this case, because Queen is always a good call. And who can't relate? Thank God it's Christmas. Amen.)
22. Christmas - The Who (Not sure if it qualifies as only parts of the song actually deal with Christmas. Still, the song is one of the best on one of the greatest, if not THE GREATEST, album of all time. Points awarded for sheer awesomeness.)
23. Little Drummer Boy / Silent Night / Auld Lang Syne - Jimi Hendrix (The best way to end any Christmas rock collection. Jimi always comes on strong and this holiday treat just reminds us of his talent on guitar. It's almost unfair.)


So there you have it. The Beatles at the top and the rest follow, as it should be. All at under 80 minutes by my count, making it nice and burnable. That's what I'll be listening to for the rest of the season until I get sick of it again... and then ready to listen next December. It's a love-hate thing. Right now, I love it...