Well, we got snow, but it was barely a skiff and it will be gone by the end of the day. Oh, well. I'm still hoping there's more to come later this week. For FHE last night we made two paper chains. One to count down the days until Christmas, and another to count down the days until Taylor comes home. 51 days. We can hardly wait.
As we taped the chains together, we listened to my favorite Christmas playlist. It's actually 51 songs, and is full of my favorite versions of all of the classic Christmas songs. I thought I would share some of that playlist today, especially the ones that aren't available to add to my blog playlist. There are some great songs that don't have music codes anywhere on this vast internet. That leads me to believe that these songs and artists are underappreciated! It's a tragedy, really...
1. You're All I Want For Christmas - by Al Martino. I start all of my vintage playlists with this song, I just love it so much.
2. Winter Wonderland - by The Andrew Sisters. Thanks to The Polar Express soundtrack, these amazing sisters have received some attention.
3. The Secret of Christmas - by Ella Fitzgerald. Raise your hand if you love this song. Has anyone purchased this song or the entire album? As I have said before, this is my favorite Christmas song from my favorite Christmas album. See below.
4. Christmas Island - by Ella Fitzgerald. This song is so much fun, and it makes even the most mundane of household chores cheerful. You MUST listen to it. (FYI, The Andrew Sisters also have a great version of this song.)
5. That's What I Want For Christmas - by Nancy Wilson. I LOVE THIS SONG! I wish I could play it for you all. Oh wait. I can. I added an extra music code just below the playlist, so to hear this song, just pause the playlist and play the 30 second clip of this song, then go to iTunes and fork over the 99 cents. You won't regret it!
6. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - by Mel Torme. This is the version from the Home Alone Soundtrack, and I think it is THE best.
7. Jingle Bells - by Andy Williams. I love this rousing version of the holiday classic. It's fast and it's fun.
8. Silver Bells - by Wayne Newton. yes, I just wrote Wayne Newton. Have you heard his early music from when he was just a young lad? He had such a beautiful (dare I say, feminine) voice. I love his early Christmas stuff because it reminds me of when I was a child and me and my brothers would make fun of his "girly" voice. Sorry Wayne.
9. Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep - by Rosemary Clooney. Oh Rosemary, how I adore her voice. If I could bring anyone back from the grave to listen to in concert, it would be her. I love the music in the holiday classic "White Christmas" and this song is a must on my playlist.
10. C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S by Perry Como. I love this sweet and hard to find song. iTunes doesn't have Perry's version of this song, but they do have a Rosemary Clooney version. Perry's version is the one I grew up listening to though so it is my favorite.
11. Christmas Is... by Johnny Mathis. There is something about Johnny's voice that just sounds like Christmas to me, his Christmas albums played a lot at our house, so I'm sure that is why.
12. Christmas Dreaming (a Little Early This Year) by Frank Sinatra. This is my favorite song from Frank's Christmas albums.
13. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? by Ella Fitzgerald. I know that you're all probably sick of hearing about how great Ella is, but come on...this is a holiday classic, and NO ONE sings it as good as her.
14. It's a Marshamallow World by Vic Damone. This is another one that iTunes doesn't have, but I have it and I love it! This track has that old scratchy sound like it is an original recording and it makes me feel like I'm in 1952 when I listen to it.
15. Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming by Percy Faith. This instrumental song sounds so warm and sacred and is always the last song on my playlist. It leaves me feeling grateful for this time of year where family and faith are what we treasure most.
