I’m one of those people who doesn’t like to do anything Christmasy until December 1st, and that includes putting up the tree and decorations and listening to Christmas music. When stores start playing Christmas music right after Hallowe’en it irks me, but I also know that there are many of you who can’t get enough of Christmas all year round and actually love it when they do. We’ll just have to agree to disagree!

We don’t have that many Christmas CD’s in our collection (yes, I’m showing that I’m old because I still play CD’s), but I’ve also made one up that I entitled “Sharon’s Christmas Mix”. It includes some songs that aren’t played that often on the radio, some are great classics and some are just songs that I’ve always really liked. They are listed below in no particular order.

*** Updated for 2021 because of the collaboration between Elton John and Ed Sheeran.

1. Merry Christmas by Elton John and Ed Sheeran: This brand new song turned out to be a very traditional sounding tune by two of my fave singers and I’m loving it!

2. Step Into Christmas by Elton John: Elton John will be on my top 10 List of anything to do with music since he’s my all time favourite artist. This was on his album Caribou from 1974.

3. Fairytale of New York by the Pogues: This song, written as an Irish folk style ballad, is one of my all-time favourites, but was originally censored by the BBC when it was released in 1987 because of its “questionable” language. The music itself is wonderful and I love the back and forth love/hate story between the man and the woman sung by Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl.

4. Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt: This particular song has been recorded by many other artists over the years, but nobody does it like Eartha Kitt. Her version was first recorded in 1953 and in my mind there’s no other that even closely measures up.

5. 2000 Miles by the Pretenders: This is a hauntingly beautiful song sung by Chrissie Hynde and written for the Pretenders’ original guitar player, James Honeyman-Scott, who passed away the year before the song’s release in 1983.

6. God Bless Ye Merry Gentlemen by The Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan: The Barenaked Ladies are a Canadian music staple and their album Barenaked for the Holidays from 2004 has some wonderful songs done with their well known flair.

7. I Saw Three Ships by Sting: This version by Sting from 1997 was part of a Christmas compilation album entitled A Very Special Christmas 3 to benefit the Special Olympics.

8. Whoville Medley-Perfect Christmas Night/Grinch by Trans-Siberian Orchestra: From the 2000 movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas, this song had me boppin’ along the first time I heard it. I’m a huge fan of Trans-Siberian Orchestra music during the holidays and they’re incredible in concert…if you ever have a chance to see them, GO! WOW, do they ever put on a show.

9. Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! by Dean Martin: From the 1966 Dean Martin Christmas Album, this has the Rat Pack groovin’ 60’s vibe going for it…and it also sounds a little like Dean’s had a couple of drinks before he started singing!

10. Last Christmas by Emilia Clarke: Most of you know Emilia Clarke from Game of Thrones, but she plays a totally different character here, and man, can she sing! Love her version of this great song featured in the movie of the same name from 2019.

BONUS!!!

1. Good Day, eh, you hosers! Some Canadians (especially those of a certain age!) will remember Bob and Doug McKenzie’s 12 Days of Christmas from 1981. Best known from the sketch The Great White North on SCTV, Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas bring you the 12 Days of Christmas Canadian style. You’ll either love it or think it’s the most stupid thing you’ve ever heard!

2. Anything Christmas from Mannheim Steamroller…great background music. This one is the Coventry Carol.

3. Greensleeves/What Child is This…a beautiful, classic song covered here by Josh Groban, but is also often done as an instrumental.

I hope you enjoyed listening to my fave Christmas music. Have a wonderful, healthy and safe holiday.