Countdown To Christmas – Favourite Christmas Songs

Yesterday, we started a Countdown to Christmas in which we asked over 50 Canadian artists/bands a series of holiday themed questions. The countdown began with “First Thoughts of Christmas“, and now it’s time to continue with the series! Be sure to check back for the next 3 days to see all of the questions, as we are sure you are going to enjoy these!

What is your favourite Christmas song?

“I like to pretend that Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is you” is my favourite, but I can only really get through the first half before it starts feeling really uncomfortable. I really like Sufjan Steven’s “Christmas Unicorn”.” –Andrew Phelan (The River & The Road)

Christina Aguilera’s version of ‘This Christmas.’ It’s my Jam.” –Cadence Grace (Runaway Angel)

I did love that high harmony in O Holy Night and it is a favourite of mine, but nothing gets me more in the Christmas mood than “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey.” – Kaitlyn Hansen-Boucher  (The Katherines)

“Last Christmas by George Micheal” – Antonio Piretti

Ryan Adams’ cover of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” from 1989.” – Stephen Joffe (Birds of Bellwoods)

Away In A Manger “ –Braiden (Blackwell)

There are so many great Christmas songs out there it’s hard to pick. I think I have a favourite song every year and this years Christmas song would be a classic by the great Merle Haggard “If we make it through december”.” –Cory Marquardt

The one by the Chipmunks, where one of them says hoola hoop LOL” –Andrew Rodgers (Fairgale)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdN_8OlJGs0

Silent Night, the melody is so powerful.” –Bobby Wills

John Lennon – Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” –Stu Kawai (Kayd)

“I’m a sucker for the old classics: Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, Sinatra, Jim Reeves. I love that sentimental, big band sound. Those were the post-ww2 holiday songs that ushered in our idea of what Christmas is. It is a real struggle for me not to play them before December. I’d play them all year if I could.” – Andrew James O’Brien (Fortunate Ones)

“Baby It’s Cold Outside” is my favourite pop song and I also love Handel’s “Messiah”” –Lauren Kurdyak (The Katherines)

Have yourself a merry little Christmas – Andy Williams or Frank Sinatra” –Brad Wells (Another North)

Merry Christmas, Here’s To Many More – Relient K. Definitely my favourite Christmas song. I love way Matthew Thiessen talks about how we all survive a long year, but during Christmas we forget about our troubles and just be with friends and family.” –Bryce Smith (Rival Town)

Anything from Mariah Carey’s Christmas album. “ –Chantel Emond (French Press)

“My Grown Up Christmas List” – unbelievable song that I think a lot of people could learn from.” –Jordan McIntosh

Blue Christmas by Elvis!” –Curtis Hayes (Shark Week)

O Holy Night!” –Stacey Zegers (Runaway Angel)

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by Gayla Peevey” –Danielle Marie

The Gift by Garth Brooks” –Clayton Bellamy

Don’t let the bells end by The Darkness” –Dave Shears (RocketRocketShip)

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” –Twin Kennedy

I’m taking it even further back. I love listening to Bing Crosby at Christmas time.” – Ali Raney (The Lovelocks)

Mariah Carey – All I want for Christmas is you. She absolutely slays it.“ – Kintaro Akiyama (Birds Of Bellwoods)

I’ve got a couple. Bing Crosby’s version of White Christmas is definitely up there along with silver bells and the Bing Crosby David Bowie Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth.” –Evan Aucoin (Port Of Call)

It’s hard to choose. White Christmas from Home Alone is great. All the songs from the Muppet Christmas Carol are amazing. Have yourself a merry little Christmas. The Kenny & Dolly record is amazing… those are some of my top picks.” – Catherine Allan (Fortunate Ones)

Blink 182 – Won’t Be Home for Christmas” –Harry Parsons (London Above)

Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer.” – Mat Beyore (Kayd)

John Lennon’s ‘Happy Christmas’.” –Roy Viser (Jon and Roy)

“Either The Christmas Waltz or Baby It’s Cold Outside” –Jordan Coaker (Waterfront Fire)

“Definitely “Merry Christmas, Kiss My Ass” by All Time Low. My favourite “classic” Christmas song would have to be either The Little Drummer Boy or Jingle Bells.” –Justin Mattock

This is kind of nerdy but I love “O Holy Night” because we always used to sing it in Bach Choir and there was this badass high harmony part that I loved singing. My favourite songs are always the choral type of Christmas music.” –Kate Kurdyak (The Katherines)

“Anything on “Christmas Sing with Frank and Bing”” –Adrian Morningstar (Birds of Bellwoods)

Santa Baby” from when Carrie sings it in “king of queens” – Grant Kawai (Kayd)

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) “ –Tyler Wilkinson (Small Town Pistols)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S84RLgnz7Rs

“Father John Misty’s cover of Ryan Adams’ cover of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” from 1989, in the style of Lou Reed. Or Bing Crosby Mele Kalikimaka. You know the one from Christmas vacation? The swimming pool scene..?” – Chris Blades (Birds Of Bellwoods)

That’s difficult.. It’s between What Child Is This – Andrea Bocelli & Mary J. Blige and Mary, Did You Know? – Pentatonix. These versions give me chills every time.” – Kirsten Rodden-Clarke (Quote The Raven)

Carol of the Bells – Trans Siberian Orchestra (feat. Metallica) is pretty bad ass! I play that riff year round at soundchek and Mariah Careys “All I want for Christmas is You” no matter how played out it is. It’s perfect.”–Louis Wu (Fake Shark Real Zombie)

I’m still in love with the whole Jewel Christmas album. Old school, I know.” – Zoe Neuman (The Lovelocks)

l really can’t decide on one, I just love them all so much.” –Jason Golden (Kayd)

Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child – Mariah Carey or Someday at Christmas – Stevie Wonder” –Madeline Merlo

My perennial favourite is John Lennon’s especially with what is going on globally.   That being said, I really like Tom Petty’s Christmas all over again because it’s fun and I like how he talks about wanting a Rickenbacker guitar” –Marty Zylstra

Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” –Seamus O’Neill

“Simply having a wonderful Xmas time or Chestnuts roasting in an open fire”- Max Kolosov

“It’s a tie between, Chesnuts roasting on an open fire by Nat King Cole and U2’s Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” –Mike Robins (Autumn Hill)

Toss-up between Sleigh Ride and Jingle Bell Rock. And the Charlie Brown song by Bill Melendez!” –Patrick Ballantyne

“Carol of The Bells. It’s just so damn intense.” –Matt Stinn (Friends of Foes)

“I think every songwriter likes their most recent tune, so the answer is: The song I co-wrote last night, Dec 3rd, with Doug Folkins and Lucy LeBlanc, titled ‘Christmas In Paris’. This one was inspired but a visit to Paris that Cailin and I had recently. We spent a few days there  just prior to our tour in Germany and loved it. In the last few days the recent events in Paris were strong in my mind and I had started writing about that. We got on the Skype co-write session and I mentioned this to Doug and also talked about a Christmas tune I had started writing earlier this year. That morphed into the song idea and in less than 2 hours the 3 of us had a brand new song that we’re very happy with.” –Robert Campbell

The gorgeous melodies of “O Holy Night” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” always get me, although our version of “Last Christmas” is a new favorite for me.” –Ann Chaplin (Runaway Angel)

“Nothing but A Child” by Steve Earle” –Scott Gilbert

Pop song – Rocking around the Christmas Tree! Christmas Carol – Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” –Sea Perry

Right now it’s ‘12 Days of a pop punk Christmas’ by Sunrise Skater Kids (AKA Jarrod Alonge). Check it out, it’s hilarious”
 -Sheldon Stenning (Air Combat)

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.  What a melody!!! “ –Amanda Wilkinson (Small Town Pistols)

“It’s a tie for me. I love, “Blue Christmas” and “What Are You Doing New Years”. I sing them to myself all through December.” –Steph MacPherson

Fairy Tale of New York. (I also have a fondness for 2 of my own – “I’m Still Waiting for Christmas” recorded by 13 year old Maya Rae and “If I Don’t Make It Through This Christmas” recorded by Megan Schroder)” –Steven Hardy

“Justin Bieber’s ‘Mistletoe’, but ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ by John Lennon is a close second.” – Kristian Montano (Sun K)

Old City Bar – Tran-Siberian Orchestra, I know it’s not a popular classic, but seriously, look it up, it’ll make you cry. It’s been my favourite ever since I saw the TSO holiday show a few years ago with my dad and stepmom in Ottawa.” – Ryan MacDonald (The Honest Heart Collective)

“I always loved O Holy Night.” –Tim Chaisson

Oooo all but I find I sing ‘I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas’ the most of all in the shower.” -Kayd