Christmas Playlist 1 – 2001

Posted in Playlists by - December 21, 2018
Christmas Playlist 1 – 2001

Somehow it took until 2001 for me to come up with a mix of Christmas songs.  A mix of many of the beloved and some more obscure (many from a Mix CD purchased in London in December of 2000). Let’s dive in.

  1. Gabriel’s Message – Marillion – Sting had a Christmas hit with this song back in the 80s, I favor Marillion’s take but I’m biased  https://tinyurl.com/y8jfz3nb
  2. I Wish It Could be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard – Fairly unknown in the US , Wizzard was the band formed by former Move and ELO founder Roy Wood.  I first heard the song at Glen Burtnik’s annual Xmas Xtravaganza when it was sung yearly by Lenny Kaye https://tinyurl.com/yd9qxz3m
  3. Christmas Time – Bryan Adams – I thought I had remembered hearing this on MTV, but guess not as there was no video created.  Oh well, a great sing along from 1985 https://tinyurl.com/y8sdq967
  4. Merry Xmas Everybody – Slade – Another HUGE Christmas song from the UK.  Slade singer Noddy Holder claims this song alone has paid for several of his houses.  Even if it didn’t make them money, it’s one of the great rock Christmas songs.  https://tinyurl.com/buga56f
  5. O Come All Ye Faithful – Art Garfunkel – This very traditional, mellow, classic was released back in 1990 on a Columbia Records compilation CD called Acoustic Christmas.  https://tinyurl.com/y7uok5nk
  6. Do They Know It’s Christmas – Band Aid – No explanation needed. https://tinyurl.com/ofu4wbw
  7. Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You – Billy Squier – Originally released as a b-side of his HUGE single My Kinda Lover and then with a Christmas video card featuring the original MTV VJs the song has a life each Christmas since 1981. At one of the final Glen Burtnik Xmas Xtravaganzas at BB Kings in NYC Billy sang the song live and the entire audience was on their feet singing and clapping. Easily one of the highlights of all of the Burtnik shows I was able to see.  https://tinyurl.com/yao4gqls
  8. I Believe In Father Christmas – Greg Lake – Completely different from his ELP over the top songs.  Acoustic guitar , very traditional in every way . https://tinyurl.com/y8ajqd8d
  9. Greensleeves – Lynyrd Skynyrd – Great instrumental track from the 2000 album Christmas Time Again. https://tinyurl.com/y9a4hl9r
  10. Silent Night – The Hooters – Another track from Acoustic Christmas. Not the greatest of versions but The Hooters are one of my favorites.  https://tinyurl.com/ya895w7q
  11. The Little Road to Bethlehem – Judy Collins – Yet again , another jem from Acoustic Christmas. Her voice is angelic and the song, which I was unfamiliar with prior to this album is beautiful. https://tinyurl.com/ycgyq2go
  12. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – Steve Walsh – The former Kansas frontman recorded this version of the classic John Lennon track for a CD that was sold as a fundraiser for S. James School in St. Joseph, MO, where Steve attended as a child.  Long out of print, the song also includes a children’s choir from the school.  https://tinyurl.com/ydc39j8y
  13. Christmas Eve Sarajevo – TSO – I originally heard the version of this song that was recorded by Savatage on their Dead Winter Dead album, within a  couple of years the band morphed into TSO and the rest is history. https://tinyurl.com/b4k3wtq
  14. The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole – Other than Bing Crosby’s version of White Christmas , I don’t think there is a traditional Christmas song so tied a single singer although the song has been recorded by hundreds.  https://tinyurl.com/ndwr98l
  15. Christmas Day – Dido – I heard this song for the first time while browsing CDs at HMV in Piccadilly Circus , London 2000 and immediately loved it.  https://tinyurl.com/y8wkduqx
  16. Merry Christmas Eve – Better Than Ezra – Released as a B-side to Rosalia, this is a heartfelt tribute to anyone that makes family the center point of the holiday.  https://tinyurl.com/yb3o3u8z
  17. A Spaceman Came Traveling – Chris de Burgh – Re-recording of his 1975 song that tells the story of the Christmas star, which so happens to be a spaceship.  https://tinyurl.com/ybos9ttv
  18. Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy – Bing Crosby & David Bowie – Recorded months prior to Crosby’s passing, this has become a holiday staple.  https://tinyurl.com/bn6aham
  19. Thank God It’s Christmas – Queen – Recorded around 1984’s The Works, the song showcases Freddie Mercury’s golden pipes. https://tinyurl.com/h92l9zr
  20. Alfie The Christmas Tree/It’s In Every One Of Us – John Denver & The Muppets – A story song from the long out of print special. https://tinyurl.com/y7rjyd4q
  21. White Chistmas – Bing Crosby – The Granddaddy of them all.  Until Candle In The Wind ’97 came around the song was the biggest selling single of all time.  https://tinyurl.com/nkn4cqq
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