The holiday season means so many things to people. For me, the seasons’ songs are always a highlight to enjoy every year. Oh, the memories I have growing up listening to my parents’ playing Sing We Now Of Christmas by the Harry Simeone Chorale, or A Christmas Sound Spectacular by John Klein on our console stereo in the living room, with our aluminum Christmas tree standing there in the corner. The memories are so vivid to me.

Of course, everyone has their favorite Christmas songs, so I thought I’d share mine with you. I’ve only included rock songs in this list, but could easily add a hundred more from all genres. I’d love to hear some of your favorites!

• 12. Ding Dong Ding Dong - George Harrison

  George’s 1974 end of year classic took many of its lyrics from words etched along the inner walls of his Friar Park mansion in Henley-On-Thames. The hilarious video for the song also gives us a look at post-Beatles George donning his Beatles suit!

• 11. 2000 Miles - Pretenders

  This wonderful track was an a-side in the UK, and the b-side to “Middle Of The Road” here in the states, later appearing on Learning To Crawl.  I love how it fades in!

• 10. The 12 Days Of Christmas - Bob And Doug Mackenzie

  Hey, Hoser.  I had to include this one, a song that has given me many belly laughs over the years, as has the rest of that album!

• 9. I Believe In Father Christmas - Greg Lake

  Oh, what a beautiful song.  Recorded at Abbey Road Studios and, by all accounts, a pretty wild session, this one always gets plays at my house over the holidays.

• 8. Christmas Time Is Here Again - The Beatles

  This song, taken from the band’s 1967 Fan Club Christmas disc sessions, has never seen its entire six and a half minute take officially released.  It has, however, come out in edited form several times, the most complete version showing up as a b-side on the “Free As A Bird” CD single.

• 7. Step Into Christmas - Elton John

  It was a shock to go to the record store in late 1973 and see an Elton John Christmas single in the bin, just months after Goodbye Yellow Brick Road came out. It’s a fantastic song, in the Phil Spector vein, and the video is fun to watch as well. It features a cameo buy Elton’s lyricist Bernie Taupin playing gong in the video, though it was Ray Cooper on the record!

• 6. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John & Yoko with The Harlem Community Choir

  John and Yoko did not disappoint with their holiday submission.  It sure was tough to hear for years after his death, but it’s getting easier.

• 5. Thanks For Christmas - Three Wise Men

  The horribly overlooked band XTC rank as one of my favorite bands of all time, and this came out of nowhere in late 1983.  They were billed as “Three Wise Men” and I remember finding this 12″ as an import at the old Plastic Fantastic in Ardmore and being very psyched.  XTC fans will note this is the only song of theirs to have their two main vocalists singing lead on the same song.

   

• 4. River - Joni Mitchell

  A song that almost defies description, it’s a beautiful, but gut wrenching look at loneliness over the holidays.  I just love this song so much, but usually listen in private so I can bawl my eyes out lol.

• 3. Father Christmas - The Kinks

  I would have expected nothing less from these amazing talented Davies brothers.  It is a breath of fresh air every time I hear/play it and features some marvelous Dave Davies guitar work.

• 2. Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses

  I was already a huge fan of this band, with their song “I Know What Boys Like.”   It tells such a great story, and the late Patty Donahue’s vocals are absolutely perfect.  It’s not Christmas for me if I don’t hear this classic. I also must give mad props to Tracy Wormworth’s ridiculous bass work!

• 1. Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney

  I just don’t understand all the hate for this song.  To me, it’s Paul at his catchiest best, and it instantly captures the spirit of the holidays every time I hear it.  Paul recorded this in the dead of summer, in August, 1979, during sessions for his McCartney II album and, yes, it’s my favorite of them all!

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