That question is one that lends itself to two types of answers:
- What song does one feel embodies the spirit/meaning of Christmas via its own artistic merits, mostly the music/lyrics?
- What song does one personally associate with Christmas - ie holds a personal meaning or memory, doesn't seem like it's _officially_ Christmas til you hear it?
In regards to the first question, all Muppet Freak bias aside, Kermit's "A Christmas Wish" really sums it up - this is one of the rare Christmas songs (if not the only one?) that attempts to define Christmas in a more universal meaning that defies religion or upbringing - that calls everyone to acknowledge and celebrate the time when mankind is full of good will and wishing for peace on earth regardless of what their religion is - ultimately it doesn't matter how differently the listener may view the holiday season than the narrator, but regardless everyone's still welcome to "come and celebrate with me" This is one amazing song that i always like to sing and/or play for others - and the fact that it's Kermit's song just makes it more special. Given how both this and Rainbow Connection came from 1979, Kermit was really getting some top-notch profound songs written for him. This is a real underrated Kermit song, since it fits Kermit so well and totally embodies his character and worldview but i almost never see it cited on lists of people's favorite "Kermit songs"
Now of course, to me (and probably everyone else on this forum) Christmas and Muppets are so closely linked that of course no season seems right without Muppet Christmas music. Since that pretty much seems like a given, i'll skip listing various Muppet songs and instead mention the following songs that hold a special seasonal place in my heart...
"What Child Is This?" - hauntingly beautiful music and lyrics.
"Winter Wonderland" by Eurythmics. According to ASCAP their recording was actually the top played Christmas song the last two years in a row. Not only do i love the song by virtue of it being a Christmas recording by my all time favorite artist, but they made it sound so wonderfully Christmasy that it's irresistable - very magical track! Of course i always look forward to hearing this track every year but i also have another Eurythmics Christmas tradition. When they were in existence, the Eurythmics Fan Club sent out a special flexidisc every Christmas to its members that had a special recorded message from Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox (who was born on Christmas). Sometimes they would be Christmas songs, other times musical holiday wishes, and often just rare tracks not heard anywhere else (one year it was the original demo tracks for songs from their "We Too Are One" album including a song that ultimately never made it on the album). Every year i break these all out and listen to them (or more accurately the tape i put them all on so i can play them in the car)
Wham!'s "Last Christmas" - this was just such a great song and it always feels special when i hear it played somewhere during the holiday season.
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - a truly wonderful song to both sing and listen to; it's wonderfully subdued; a bit more a sense of quiet celebration - makes me think of looking at a snowfall at night. Sorry, Rowlf, but as much as i enjoy your version of it with John Denver (and Kermit's more recent version), my favorite recording of the song is the one by The Pretenders.
"We Need a Little Christmas" - i can't hear this song without automatically smiling just because i have so many fun memories of this song. Of course the Muppets' grand opening to their best ever Christmas special - but also i've been in a number of choirs or groups that have done this song - and everytime i always make it a point to bring up the question "who is Carol and why is she at the spinnet?"
Shakespear's Sister's "Christmas Number One" - this is a track that celebrates that special feeling of hearing a fave Christmas track, which of course is what i've been talking about here! This was a track that comes from their mega-rare "MGA Sessions" cd so that makes it a little extra special!
...and ah heck, even though i tried to resist mentioning Muppet tracks, Gonzo and Rizzo's recording of "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" is just made of win!
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