Spitball Army

[This Christmas music playlist was originally posted on this blog on 28 November 2010.]

Christmas music. Everyone has their own idea about what the best Christmas music is, how reverent it ought to be, how early in the season one should be allowed to begin playing it. My favorite Christmas recordings tend toward those made before I was born, especially from the 1930s and 1940s; I give equal time to Santa and baby Jesus; and I can’t abide Christmas music being played until after Thanksgiving. There you have it.

Approximate playing time: 80 minutes.

1. Eric Reed “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” (2003)
2. BBC Dance Orchestra “The Santa Claus Express”
3. Tex Williams “The Winter Song”
4. Al Bowlly “Ev’ry Day’s a Holiday”
5. Pearl Bailey & Hot Lips Page “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
6. Yogi Yorgesson “I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas” (1949)
7. Harry “The Hipster” Gibson “The Only Thing I Want for Christmas / I Don’t Want a Lot for Christmas”
8. The Louvin Brothers “The Friendly Beasts” (1961)
9. Garrison Keillor “The Twelve Days of Christmas” (1994)
10. Linda Ronstadt “Xicochi Xicochi” (2000)
11. Nat “King” Cole “A Cradle in Bethlehem” (1961)
12. Bing Crosby “Happy Holidays (Beef Wellington remix)” (2003)
13. Mr. Bob Francis “That Swingin’ Manger” (1995)
14. Josh Rouse “Christmas with Jesus” (2002)
15. Teddy Thompson “Christmas” (2008)
16. Ron Sexsmith “Maybe This Christmas” (2004)
17. Harry Nilsson “Remember (Christmas)” (1972)
18. Simon & Garfunkel “Comfort and Joy”
19. Chris Thile “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella” (1996)
20. Hem “Peace at Last” (2006)
21. Mary Chapin Carpenter “Hot Buttered Rum” (2008)
22. Butch Thompson “Deck the Halls” (1994)
23. Fats Waller “Swingin’ Them Jingle Bells” (1936)
24. Kate & Anna McGarrigle with Rufus Wainwright “Some Children See Him” (2005)
25. The Cambridge Singers “Myn Lyking” (1987)
26. Edward Gerhard “Coventry Carol” (1991)