Some of my favorite Christmas CDs…
It’s after Thanksgiving and “officially” time for Christmas music! I know…I know…there are stations that are already playing the same 20 Christmas songs over and over. I don’t get it – I mean, I know there are a limited number of Christmas songs, but it would be nice if they would add a few new artists to their schedule and give them some play time too! That’s why I turn to my collection of Christmas cds and start researching new Christmas cds in November each year.
But there are certain songs that really mean Christmas to me each year and when I hear them, they put me into a Christmas mindset. One of those songs is “Celebrate Me Home” by Kenny Loggins. This is one of my husband’s favorite songs and always gives me a tingly feeling when I hear the opening instrumental and vocals. The opening soft touch of the piano always draws me in and I also love that the song gets more soulful toward the end which makes it feel like a huge Christmas hug. The first time I ever heard this song was with my husband too…maybe that’s why I get tingly feeling? Hummm…
Kenny Loggins Christmas CD – Celebrate Me Home isn’t on this one but I still love his music!
Another favorite is the Bing Crosby and David Bowie song – “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy.” For one, I love Bing Crosby’s White Christmas…who doesn’t?! And then there’s David Bowie…I mean, come on! What sold me on this song was the video of these two legends singing the song together. It became a Christmas tradition for me to try to hear the song every year and there were a few years where it wasn’t so accessible. Now it seems to be on the radio circuit so I do get to hear it more often which is nice.
A few more of my favs…honestly, it’s hard to choose just a few Christmas cds. I’m always on the hunt for new cds every year and different versions of some the classic songs!
Same Auld Lang Syne is another one of those old timey songs that brings it all back to me. Dan Fogelberg’s voice and expression in this song was everything to me when I first heard this song in 1981. It always takes me back to living in Illinois and driving around one night with a friend from high school and reminiscing about our time in school and where our lives were leading us, the paths we had each chosen. Ironically, the snow was falling as we listening to this song in the car and gently gliding over the windshield. It almost felt like we were a part of the song. Sweet memory…
The Carpenters…this goes without saying, doesn’t it? I mean, what is Christmas without Carpenters music?! Merry Christmas, Darling…There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays…What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve… These are all well-known songs by Karen and Richard. But there is one that I have to play every year to really make it Christmas and that song is “Little Altar Boy.” You won’t hear this one on the radio but I wish it would be played. It is the most beautiful and haunting song. It was on the B side of “Do You Hear What I Hear” and never received any chart status. Sometimes though…these are the best songs. Karen’s voice range was incredible and so pure. She was considered one of the best vocalist of all time and this song to me proves it. It brings me to tears when I listen to it every year. it is 3:43 minutes of pure beauty.
I want to leave you with the lyrics of this gorgeous song. I’m cueing it up to play this weekend as I decorate my home for Christmas…
Little Altar Boy
The Carpenters
Little altar boy, I wonder could you pray for me?
Little altar boy, for I have gone astray
What must I do to be holy like you?
Little altar boy ,oh, let me hear you pray
Little altar boy, I wonder could you ask your lord
Ask him, altar boy, to take my sins away
What must I do to be holy like you?
Little altar boy, oh, let me hear you pray
Lift up your voice and send a prayer above
Help me rejoice and fill that prayer with love
Now I know my life has been all wrong
Lift my your voice and help a sinner be strong
Little altar boy, I wonder could you pry for me?
Could you tell our lord I’m gonna change my ways today?
What must I do to be holy like you?
Little altar boy, oh, let me hear you pray
Little altar boy please let me hear you pray!
Songwriters: HOWLETT SMITH
Southern Señora 