THE TOP 12 BEST CHRISTMAS SONGS

Nope, not even beating around the bush on that one, huh? Look: I have been listening to Christmas music for the better part of 34 years and I do, by my own personal empowerment, consider myself something of an expert on the subject. So, I proved myself worthy by posting the top 12 worst Christmas songs a few lists ago and I garnered quite a comment collection, so, with that, I figured I might as well use my powers for good this time and choose a list of the best. This list has such a wide variety of music styles as well as the type of the Christmas music itself. Some are traditional, some are Christian, and some are just plain variations on a theme. Above and beyond that, some of the artists I've chosen are really no contests as anyone else who may have performed said song just didn't do nearly as good a job. And finally, to quell those of you who might disagree with my original choice, I have included the second best version of each song as well, only you'll have to do the work and find it for yourselves. Okay, sing along won't you?

12) JINGLE BELL ROCK - HALL AND OATES

** As much as I believe John Oates was raised in a tree by elves, he still knows how to rock. Especially along with his partner, Daryl Hall. The duo do such a killer job on this tune that no other even rocks as well. Keep a sharp eye out for T.E. Smith as the granny (he's the ex-bandleader from SNL). **

** 2nd Best Version: Herb Alpert and Tijuana Brass **

11) BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE - ZOOEY DESCHANEL AND LEON REDBONE

** Argue all you want about how Redbone's voice tends to flood over Zooey's, I could care less. She sings like a 40's-era angel and he's, well, Leon damn Redbone! Oh, and In case you have been living under a rock for the past five years, this is from the ELF soundtrack. **

** 2nd Best Version: A tie - Rainn Wilson and Selma Blair for the humor or Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan **

10) AVE MARIA - CHRIS CORNELL

** Chris Cornell is the ex- frontman for Soundgarden and Audio Slave which automatically gives him a musical ass-kicking license for whichever Christmas song he so chooses. Surprisingly, for the Very Special Christmas Vol. 3 album, Cornell chose one of the most difficult songs to croon, and he absolutely blows it up. **

** 2nd Best Version: Jessye Norman **

9) RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER - DEAN MARTIN

** There was no doubt that Dean Martin was a drink loving ladies man and put forth every bit of that into his music (see: Mombo Italiano just for laughs). So, having the Rat Packer do Rudolph -a bit of a chintzy tune in and of itself- really tongue-in-cheek was an obvious choice. **

** 2nd Best Version: Ray Charles **

8) OH HOLY NIGHT - JOSH GROBAN

** I could care less if my Granfather was dating the mother of the head of Warner Brother's records where Josh Groban is kept under lock and key (and he really is, too... seriously) I still wouldn't normally like Josh Groban. That being said, he does have a great voice and his take on this Christian Classic is just shy of perfect. **

** 2nd Best Version: Michael Crawford (Yeah, the Phantom...) **

7) WINTER WONDERLAND - ANNIE LENNOX

** This is another of those awsome artist-heavy Christmas tunes from the Very Special... Collection. This time, it's off the first one. I really like Annie Lennox and her voice is just so solidly modern mixed with haunting etherealism. So perfect for this otherwise dull holiday tune. **

** 2nd Best Version: Jason Mraz **

6) THE CHRISTMAS SONG - NAT KING COLE

** There's really little need to elaborate as this has become the quintessential version of this song. **

** 2nd Best Version: Ricky Nelson **

5) IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS - BING CROSBY

** Der Bingle is another of those classic artists who put solidly his mark on Christmas music. There's a decent chance that at least 2 out of every 10 holiday tunes you hear were sung by Bing Crosby and this just might be his most famous. **

** 2nd Best Version: Perry Como has quite the hysterical take. Trust me. **

4) ROCKIN' AROUD THE CHRISTMAS TREE - BRENDA LEE

** Yet again we see one of those versions of this song that, if done by someone else, scarcely holds a candle to Miss Lee's. It's almost as though this tune was written for her and I defy anyone who dare step up to... well, step up. Right. **

** 2nd Best Version: Mercy Me. Yep, and it's a Christian Rock band. Kinda odd. **

3) I SAW MOMMY KISSIN' SANTA CLAUS - JOHN MELLENCAMP

** This is one of those Christmas songs you grow up on singing for your Elementary School Holiday Programs: it's not great, per se, but it's cute and hell, it really rocks when Mellencamp takes it on. **

** 2nd Best Version: The Ronettes **

2) SILVER BELLS - JOHN DENVER

** Now don't let me hear you start hating on John Denver or I will go Rocky Mountain High on your candy cane ass... believe me! John Denver just had one of those unmistakable voices that added just something happy to all of his songs. **

** 2nd Best Version: Neil Diamond sounding an awful lot like Will Ferrell... hmm. **

1) IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR - ANDY WILLIAMS

** In my humble opinion, there is NO other version of this song. To me, and many others I've heard from, this song, more than any other, summarizes the entire Holiday Season in one, tight, 3-minute Lounge Song. Andy Williams is the man. He OWNS this tune, and all others bow at his greatness. Nuff said. **

** 2nd Best Version: Harry Connick Jr. **