Christmas is a feast for the senses: the dazzling visuals, whether it’s nature’s own decorations or the one we hang in and out of doors, the aroma of pine needles mingling with cookies baking in the oven, and of course, the tastes of seasonal treats. But it’s the musical aspect that really brings Christmas to life. Whether it’s choral singing, caroling, orchestras or simply bells, Christmas delights the ears like no other holiday. I grew up loving to sing Christmas songs and to listen to them on my father’s stereo, the radio and TV. To me, there are certain voices that just convey Christmas. A couple of years ago, I took to using the following question as an ice-breaker at Christmas parties: Who is the voice of Christmas to you? While the list that follows is my ranking, according to my personal preferences, I’d be interested in hearing from you in the comment section below. So let us being with The Twelve Voices of Christmas.
It’s just not Christmas time until I hear…
12. Brenda Lee
In my humble estimation, perky Ms. Lee narrowly edges out Darlene Love whose work helped the Phil Spectre Christmas Album become a classic. But whereas Ms. Love is upstaged by the producer’s Wall of Sound, Ms. Lee, carries this tune with her vocals and personal charm. Songs like this showed that while nostalgia will always be a great aspect of Christmas, the holiday doesn’t have to be trapped in a Dickensian time warp. There’s room for each generation to develop its “new, old-fashioned way” to celebrate.
11. Andy Williams
A latter day crooner with a popular annual Christmas special, in which he introduced the Osmond Brothers to the world, and would even bring his own brothers out of retirement, adding familial charm to the pageantry.
10. Elvis Presley
When I first started asking this question, I was surprised at how many folks rank The King number one for his Christmas album, which I consider campy and downright goofy. Still, when the eggnog is flowing, it does tend to loosen one’s pelvis.
9. Frank Sinatra
While The Chairman of the Board demolishes all other crooners in just about every other category, being The Voice of Christmas escaped his grasp. The ease and warmth necessary just doesn’t come naturally. Buddy Dean Martin has more of the temperament, but alas, lacks the pure vocal chops. Still, it’s impossible to listen to this charmer without circling the living room, hanging ornaments everywhere.
8. Luciano Pavarotti
His Christmas album released in the late 70s quickly became indispensable. While the heavily accented English is a bit jarring at first, the Latin (Italian?) verse is gorgeous. The angelic tenor brings our focus back where it should be, to a miraculous event two-thousand years ago.
7. Karen Carpenter
A voice like warm butterscotch pudding on a cold evening. While most Christmas songs are community affairs, this gem is all about a couple’s intimacy. Ms. Carpenter conveys the deep yearning for love one-to-one that no amount of shopping, decorating and cookie baking can fill.
6. Judy Garland
There may be plenty of objections to ranking Ms. Garland so high for this singular weeper, but anyone who’s ever had a Christmas during hard times, and we had plenty during the 70’s, can appreciate the sentiment. Christmas helps us hang on. It helps us overcome heartache and reconcile ourselves to the world. Though this is a very secular Christmas song, it communicates just how He who came to heal the world continues that healing even through our most secular Christmas rituals.
5. Perry Como
The mellow crooner, who could never dream of topping Sinatra in any other category, had an annual TV special that was very popular. Though he was so laid back I used to refer to him as Perry Comatose, his style fit the season and his dedication to family, which is at the heart of all Christmas celebrations, was no act.
4. Boris Karloff/Thurl Ravenscroft
Okay, besides the fact that I’m cheating by pairing two voices as one, what can Frankenstein and Tony the Tiger possibly have to do with Christmas? Of course, they were the speaking and singing voices of The Grinch. And it’s just not Christmas until his heart grows three sizes.
3. Burl Ives
Sam the Snowman sings from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, an animated special that became an annual classic, despite the fact that it made Santa look like a grouchy, petty tyrant who valued conformity above personal freedom. Ives’ folksy, sweet-but-gravelly vocals carry the soundtrack.
2. Nat King Cole
“Everybody knows” The Christmas Song, even if they call it Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire. While Cole referred to that classic as “a dandy,” he brought his sophisticated vocals to many classics and a few under-appreciated carols. One of my favorites is The Cradle in Bethlehem, which reminds us of the mind-blowing meeting of heaven and earth, of The Almighty and a lowly, young girl. Christmas is a time not only to celebrate mankind’s redemption, but motherhood.
1. Bing Crosby
From that moment in Holiday Inn when he first sang Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Bing Crosby has been the voice of Christmas. He also had a terrific album with the Andrews Sisters (J-J-J-Jingle Bells). Though a subsequent holiday film, White Christmas, turned out to be an overly long, ponderous bore, and his TV specials seemed only to highlight how uncomfortable his children were on stage, Crosby held sway through the decades. Whether you celebrated Christmas in Killarney or were just Home for the Holidays, you needed Der Bingle on the stereo.
These are my Twelve Voices of Christmas. What are yours?
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I can almost agree 100% with this list. I just would have ranked “Merry Little Christmas,” a little higher. And, I’m glad you chose the original lyrics instead of the Frank Sinatra happier ones. Good job Kevin.
Jim Reeves brings his trademark touch of velvet with a resonant tone of authority to “Silent Night.” No better version exists, for me.
“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is essential to me, especially for Longfellow’s powerful lyric, written during the first year of the Civil War. My recording of choice is Eddy Arnold’s.
I also have to hear Kathy Mattea sing “Mary, Did You Know?” at least once a year.
I was looking for Johnny Mathis on this list. I also would have included Darlene Love, and perhaps Gene Autry. Nice list, never the less.
If you want to hear the greatest Christmas voice ever go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMCOwq_JzHE
Two words, sir: Eartha Kitt.
Yes, I know it’s just the one song, but you gave a slot to Karloff for one song…
Josh Groban’s “Oh Holy Night,” which I think he performs better than anyone out there. It sends chills up my spine every time I hear it.
Nice list. I especially love NKC. I like to hear these too:
- Take 6 – All of their Christmas recordings are great.
- Johnny Mathis
- Mariah Carey
- Mannheim Steamroller
- Vince Guaraldi
Love the list, though I find Garland’s vocal style a little off-putting, I appreciate your explanation. But I have to agree with the Sergeant about Eartha Kitt; my kids might not understand the nature of the song, but when they were listening to Madonna’s garish treatment, I insisted they hear the original—-and they agreed that there was no comparison. Smart kids.
I would have included Elvis Presley’s Blue Christmas, because the camp flavor and fun match your choice, and its a favorite of my family.
Merry Christmas and thanks!
Two Words… DEAN MARTIN
I love all of these old Christmas songs. If you are into the more modern versions, Vanessa Williams Christmas CD is fantastic.
Do You Hear What I hear-duet with Bing Crosby and David Bowie.
I love that song!
Hi Frank, I just love all of the abovementioned songs. Let’s not ever forget Johh Lennon’s hauntingly beautiful Happy Christmas (War Is Over)…always brings tears to my eyes when I hear it
Hey Colleen. How are you? Am I gonna see you guys before Christmas?
Very pleased to see Karen Carpenter on this list. Her rendition of “Christmas Waltz” starts my season every year. And I believe she sang “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” as well or better than Judy Garland.