The Top 10 Christmas Albums of All Time

Okay, okay, when I say “of all time” I really mean “on my iPod,” but really that’s all I have to go on, as I have not listened to every Christmas album of all time, and therefore would be a pretty poor judge overall.

As a musician, one of my favorite parts of December is listening to all the great songs and carols that really get me in the holiday mood.  Sure I love the cookies and the decorations, but nothing gets me feeling that peace on Earth and goodwill toward men (and women) like “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey.  I love the old, and I love the new, and I wanted to share some of my favorite holiday albums with all of you, in the hopes that maybe you will discover something to make your season a little brighter.  And if I’ve missed something awesome that you love, please let me know!

1) The Beach Boys Christmas Album
These are in no particular order, but let’s start with a classic.  The Beach Boys’ lush harmonic sound seems like a perfect fit for Christmas, and it is.  They put their spin on favorites like “We Three Kings” and “White Christmas,” but also add new instant classics to the Christmastime repertoire, including “Santa’s Beard” and the oft-covered “Little Saint Nick.”


2) Bing Crosby – The Christmas Collection
Now let’s go back even further.  Really, nothing says Christmas like Bing.  That smooth voice crooning out “White Christmas” and “There’s No Place Like Home For the Holidays” makes me want to eat cookies and wrap presents no matter what month I hear it in.


3) The Brian Setzer Orchestra – Boogie Woogie Christmas & Dig That Crazy Christmas
Is that cheating?  I have included two albums here, but really they are like extensions of one rockin’ thing.  This is great listen if you are decorating for a party, or currently having a party, or cleaning up from a party.  It’s just fun.  When he sings “Jingle Bells” and replaces “one horse open sleigh” with “’57 Chevrolet” you know you are in for a good time, and his swinging “Nutcracker Suite” remains one of my favorite things to hear this time of year.


4) Barenaked Ladies – Barenaked for the Holidays
I liked this the instant I bought it, lo those many years ago when it came out in 2004, and it has remained a playful addition to my holiday playlist.  This album also has several Hanukkah songs on it as well, and I actually like them better than their Christmas originals, specifically “Hanukkah Blessings.”  Also, I dare you to listen to “Deck the Stills” and not laugh.


5) Claymation Christmas Celebration
Not only is this one of the best Christmas TV specials out there, but the album is even better than the show!  You get the awesome “We Three Kings” with the doo wop camels, and you get all the Waffling, Waddling, Wallowing, and Wassailing you can handle, but you also get stuff that wasn’t in the show, like an hilarious “Up on the Housetop” in which Santa is shot and peed on, and a really rollicking “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” if you can believe it!  Sadly, this album is not in print anymore.  I got mine on eBay for approximately one million dollars, but it was the best million bucks I’ve ever spent.


6) Passing Notes – Big Red Hat
No, I am not biased!  Yes, this was my a cappella group that I directed when I lived in Silver Spring.  Yes, I did most of the arrangements and sing on all of the tracks.  Yes, there is a picture of my cat in a Santa hat inside the jewel case.  But no!  I am not biased.  This CD is awesome.  Anyone I’ve ever sold or given one too has told me how much they enjoyed it, and not just with their mouths, but with their wallets!  I gave one to Uncle Kevin when I was staying in his apartment in New York, and he bought ten more!  And he mentions every time I see him now how much he enjoys the CD.   And this is not an isolated incident.  So I am not biased, and if you want one, I have several boxes in my sisters basement.  Give me a call.

7) Mitch Miller – Holiday Sing Along with Mitch
I have no idea if this album is good.  I really am biased on this one.  This was the record that my mother would put on every year when we set up our decorations and trimmed the tree.  Hearing any of these songs again instantly transports me to my childhood, and all the best parts of it.  I still don’t know if I am forcing Ruby and Edward to suffer through it, or if I am giving them the same happy memories that I had.  Give it a listen, and then let me know.

8) Handel’s Soulful Messiah
I don’t want to put this down in any way when I say that this album makes me laugh every time I hear it.  It is a joyous laughter at how unbelievable it is that they could take “The Messiah” and fit it into so many fun styles.  From the rapping “Every Valley” to the almost scatting jazz “Why Do the Nations So Furiously Rage?” it is a true pleasure to bring this out every year.

9) George Winston – December

10) John Denver & The Muppets – A Christmas Together
And now my favorite Christmas album of all time!  I love the Muppets, and never more so than on this wonderful compilation of holiday tunes that they sing with the late John Denver.  The songs are fun, and clever in their Muppety way, and if you pair this with the soundtrack to “A Muppet Christmas Carol” you’re going to have a good time.  Miss Piggy makes mayhem on half of the tracks, Dr. Teeth and crew disrupt everyone as much as possible, and Animal growls and shouts over the whole thing, and yet, there are moments of such sweetness, it truly feels like a family Christmas.

I would like to give an honorable mention to the Glee Christmas Album, which I am currently enjoying in all of its cheesiness, but it is too new to know if it is really an instant classic or not.  Also, Simone’s favorites that didn’t make my list are Sarah McLachlan’s “Wintersong” and Martina McBride’s “White Christmas,” which are both quite good.  And though the album definitely does not make my list, for a really fun track check out “O Little Town of Bethlehem” from Bob Rivers’ “I Am Santa Claus” album.  Do you have other favorites?  Comment away!