Now that everyone is probably sick of Christmas music, I will share my list of top ten contemporary Christmas songs.  I define “contemporary” as written in the mid-20th century or later.  (Therefore, it is with much regret that I can’t include Vince Guaraldi’s “O Christmas Tree,” as it is a traditional German song.)

10. Do They Know It’s Christmas? (Band Aid):  Although this song sounds dated, it makes the list because it reminds me of my youth, when I can actually remember who all these artists were who participated in this song. 

9. Cool Yule (Brian Setzer Orchestra):  You need this one on hand in case any spontaneous swing  dancing breaks out during your holiday gatherings. 

8. Snoopy’s Christmas (The Royal Guardsman):  You can’t have Christmas without thinking of the Peanuts gang.  Plus I have two siblings who would disown me if I didn’t include this one.  This is the tale of Snoopy fighting the Red Baron, and their meeting at Christmas.

7. Zat You, Santa Claus? (Louis Armstrong and The Commanders):  As a fan of jazz, I can’t ignore one of the greats.  This also gives me the opportunity to mention an additional treat, which is Armstrong narrating “A Visit From St. Nicholas.”

6. You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch (Thurl Ravenscroft):  Where else can you get insults like “You’re a three-decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce!”  This is a fun song about his badness, but my enduring fondness for the Grinch is due to the fact that he becomes good in the end.  There’s hope for all of us.

5. Christmas in Hollis (Run-D.M.C.):  Kickin’ it with some old-school hip-hop might not scream Christmas spirit to you but give it a try anyway.  If nothing else you should watch the video on YouTube and revel in all the 1980s glory of the birth of rap.

4. Merry Christmas Baby (B.B. King):  Anytime you have a top ten list of music, you need to have B.B. King on there somewhere.  It’s ok to put some funk into your holidays and get down with the blues. 

 3. Christmas Wrapping (The Waitresses):  This song is about a woman who keeps trying to meet up with this guy but has a series of missed connections at each holiday throughout the year.  She just can’t seem to get her act together.  So obviously this song really speaks to me.

2. Happy Xmas/War is Over (John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band):  For years this has been my favorite.  For some reason the melancholy feel of the song really appeals to me.  It mirrors how I often approach this time of year, with reflection over the past months.  But I think it has slipped its rank because I now hear covers which lack the ethos of the original.  I suppose it’s not fair to blame John and Yoko for subsequent covers that I don’t like, but I also don’t want to end this list on a bummer.

1. It Must Have Been Ol’ Santa Claus (Harry Connick Jr.):  Connick is a New Orleans native and this song delivers the traditional brass band jazz sound.  Having worked retail during the holidays for several years, I would get so tired of hearing the same tunes ad nauseum that I didn’t even like in the first place.  But this song made up for all that.  Whenever I heard it come on, I’d try to slip into the back so I could hear it better.  And maybe even do a little dance when no one was looking.  May you do the same this holiday season.