Countdown To Christmas 2016: 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 with Favourite Christmas Songs! 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’m always partial to the classic ones like Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas or Silent Night.  It’s all about the old school recordings from the 50’s and 60’s. –Jessica Mitchell

Merry Christmas Baby by the Beach Boys –Willie Stratton

Christmas time in Hollis Queens by Run DMC. –Chris Hynes (Hot x Proxy)

Oh Holy Night. It has some very epic minor chords. Like many Christmas songs it has some very dated, and bazaar lyrics Lolol, but I love it! – Kyle McKearney (The New Electric)

All I Want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan by Kenny Chesney – Brian Vain (Kansas Stone)

Baby It’s Cold Outside! I’ve always loved singing and listening to this lovely Christmas duet. My favourite version is by Zooey Deschanel and Leon Redbone. – Nicole Rayy

I’m a sucker for “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” The first verse is all you need. Most Christmas hymns, the poetry of the song is all packed in the opening stanza – I think Willie Nelson’s version is a minute and a half: first verse, Willie-solo, out. Also: anything off the Christmas album the Muppets did with John Denver – I mean, it’s hard to top Rowlf the Dog singing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” –Corin Raymond

It’s hard to choose, but Vince Guaraldi’s Charlie Brown Christmas album holds a special place in our hearts. –Holly Jamieson (Ginger Ale and the Monowhales)

I love 12-bar blues songs, so I always look forward to hearing Run Run Rudolph over the holidays. I’d love to do a holiday benefit show at some point, where each band does covers of their favourite holiday songs. I think Run Run Rudolph would bring the house down.  –Mitchell (Among Legends)

The Night Santa Went Crazy by Weird Al. –Nick Weber (Pigeon Park)

No question: Darlene Love – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” –Trevor Murphy (Quiet Parade)

We Three Kings. Has clever chord changes compared to the normal Christmas drivel.  –Max Kerman (Arkells)

I don’t think I have just one favourite song, but the one I tend to sing the most often is “The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire). –Gabriela Geneva

“Sleigh Ride” – I like a lot of version of this one. I probably listen to The Ronettes version the most though. -Dave Wasilyw (Doc Walker)

“Silent Night” –Chad Brownlee

Anything my family plays in the living room together during the holidays. –Sunday Wilde

Carol of the Bells followed by O’ Holy Night – Uforia

It’s an album, actually: Charlie Brown’s Christmas. Vince Guaraldi is a master at what he does and I find that ever since childhood, that record has gotten me excited for the holidays. –Kaia Kater

Ave Maria composed in 1825 by Franz Schubert. – Nate Hilts (The Dead South)

‘It Must Be Christmas’ by The Band. Rick Danko has a live version on youtube that we cover at Christmas, always gets us in the spirit! –Peter & Denise (100 Mile House)

“Do They Know It’s Christmas” by Band Aid. I like this one because my brother and I belt it out every year together. –Conor (KEEK)

O Holy Night –Dean Brody

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas –Lexi Strate

“River” by Joni Mitchell.  –Brooklyn Doran

Well, I guess its gotta be White Christmas.  It is still one of the most recorded and performed songs in the world. –Matt Dusk

Run Run Rudolph by Chuck Berry! –Matt Davey (Kansas Stone)

That’s a tough one! I have many…everything from Silent Night to Fairytale of New York…I’ve always had a soft spot for I’ll Be Home For Christmas, perhaps because the idea of being home for Christmas, surrounded by those you love and who love you becomes more and more important with each passing year. –Andrew Dale (The Once)

“Christmas Shoes,” beautiful song. –Jason Petric (Petric)

Silent Night and The Happy Elf by Harry Connick Jr.-Bobbi Richards (RootBone)

Wonderful Christmas time by Paul McCartney! –Andrew Johnston

Going to have to go with the classic track “Skating” from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Halifax drumming legend Jerry Granelli plays on this track and adds an irreplaceable touch. –Connor Booth (Quiet Parade)

I Hate Christmas Parties by Relient K. Essentially sums up my teenage years playing their Christmas tunes nonstop every December. – Matt Dines (Lookalike)

My favourite Christmas song is Silent Night, cause them harmonies. -Nolen Scott (Within Rust)

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.  Apparently the original lyrics to this song were really depressing.  Maybe that’s why I love it so much.  It still has some heartbreak in it. –Erin Costelo

I love Chuck Berry’s Run Run Rudolph, great Xmas tune. –Alex St. Kitts

“The Christmas Song” – It’s one of the few that for me doesn’t over hype the jolliness of the season. It’s a bit melancholy sounding most times, yet still makes you feel warm. –Tafari Anthony

Silent Night by Masked Intruder – Jimmy Romantic (Nevermind The Mute)

O Holy Night is one of my favourite songs. It’s such a massive tune. There are so many great Christmas songs to choose from, but I’m a sucker for the traditional ones. –Matt Campbell (Alert The Medic)

So tough. I Love me some classic Bing, but also have a soft spot for all the music in Charlie Brown Christmas. –Colin Buchanan (Paper Lions)

The Christmas Song –Ken Yates

Run Run Rudolph (Lemmy Version)!– Andre Pettipas (Andre Pattipas and the Giants)

Anything by Michael Buble and that is no joke I love his music on Christmas haha. – Danny Miles (July Talk)

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas! –Coco Love Alcorn

My favourite Christmas song right now is this spectacular duet called “Child of the Poor.” It’s an alternate melody and is sung at the same time as “What Child Is This?” We are singing it this Christmas season in the choir I am in. –Julia Weir (Quiet Parade)

Mele Kalikimaka by Bing Crosby. Basically any song Bing does is solid gold.  -Bombargo

Happy holidays you bastard – blink 182 and Merry Christmas and happy holidays – n sync

I have so many, but at this very moment, I am still pretty blown away by the Minor Key version of “All I want for Christmas is You’ by Chase Holfelder. I also absolutely love the old school Sobey’s commercial “Stars of Christmas”. I even cover this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRckzCCEBdQ – Adam Baxter

Huron Carol and this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9Q9D59dNbk –Jon Landry (The Stanfields)

“All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey –David James

Favourite album is Charlie Browns Christmas. Vince gauraldi trio. – Daniel Wesley

My music reached in high school once called me scrooge (because i wasn’t a big fan of any Christmas music. but i like anything bluesy. Run run rudolph, or please come home for Christmas. Something like that.-Jonathon Reid (Beauwater)

A Christmas To Remember by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. –Marchildon

It’s a toss-up between The First Noel and Silent Night! –Shae Dupuy

Favourite christmas song hmmmm my old guitar teacher robbie taught me a jazz arrangement of God rest ye marry gentlemen which is lit so that one for sure  – Luke Tremblett (Rough Hands)

Be sure to come back tomorrow to find out their favourite Christmas movies/ specials are!