The Best Christmas Songs - Classics
Christmas songs always give me happy and cosy feelings, but also make me reminisce, in a positive way, about past Christmases. I was listening to some songs and decided to write a hub about it, to share my favorite Christmas songs with you. Quickly, I had collected so many that they wouldn't fit in one hub. This is the one about the classic Christmas songs, that date back to the 1950's, but are still very listenable and popular in the holiday season.
I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas - Gayla Peevey
I only found out about this song recently, but it has now turned in one of my all time favorite Christmas songs. Peevey was 10 years old when this song was recorded in 1953, so she is now probably a sweet grandma somewhere. The story of the song is so ridiculous that it makes me laugh, but it's just a good song too. Currently, I like this song that much that it almost makes me like hippopotamuses as well!
Fun fact: After this song became popular, the Zoo in Oklahoma City (Peevey's hometown) started a fundraiser and bought an actual hippo for Peevey, who donated the animal back to the zoo. The hippo, named Mathilda, died in 1998.
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry
The classic song about Santa's most well known reindeer: Rudolph, with his characteristic red nose. Even half a century later, this song is still very popular, and there are many version of it around. Another Christmas song from Gene Autry is 'Frosty The Snowman', which is a funny song about a snow man that comes to life.
Let It Snow! - Vaughn Monroe
The original version of the song 'Let It Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!' was recorded by Vaughn Monroe in 1946. After it became popular it was covered by artists such as Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, who'll both return later on in this hub, but also by Doris Day, Dean Martin, Michael Bublé and Kylie Minogue.
Two fun facts: This song was written in July 1945 in Hollywood, on one of the hottest days on record. Also, 'Let It Snow!' is not actually a Christmas song, but a love song featuring lots of snow, that never mentions anything relating to Christmas (except.. snow).
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra
Originally by Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra decided that some of the lines of the songs were not 'jolly' enough for his album 'A Jolly Christmas'. Therefore, he asked if he could replace some of the lines with merrier lyrics. The altered version has become the most familiar to people now, and that is why I chose this version.
White Christmas - Bing Crosby
The biggest hit of one of the best selling performers of the 20th century, this 1942 song is another song that is etched in everyone's memory. Also, it immediately brings you in the laid back but cheerful holiday mood.
And this brings us to the end of this hub about classic Christmas songs. What do you think of these songs? Did you miss one? Or did you think one of the above actually doesn't belong there? Let me know in the comments!
Also, don't forget to read my other hubs on Christmas songs: