While my mom and I were out shopping a few years ago, the song "Silver Bells" began to play. "That was your grandma's favorite Christmas song," she said. Although I thought I knew everything about my grandmother - in many respects, I think I am my grandmother - I didn't know her favorite Christmas song. Every time I hear it now, I instantly think of her. I am right back in her perfect 1950s bungalow, with its pink kitchen and candy-cane striped Holt Howard figures, a stack of Christmas albums ready to play on the hi-fi.
So here's the easiest Christmas project ever: Ask your loved ones what their favorite Christmas song is. That's it. And when you hear it, you'll think of them.
My husband's favorite is "Sleigh Ride." My mom's is "White Christmas." My dad probably would have picked "White Christmas" too, but he heard my mom pick it, so he went with "Silent Night."
Then there's my grandfather's favorite Christmas song. Which I can't imagine you've ever heard, unless you're a fan of the incomparable Yogi Yorgesson. Without further ado, here is Grandpa's favorite Christmas song: "I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas":
If I had to pick a favorite, I think I might go with a traditional, non-synthesized version of "Carol of the Bells." How about you?
I love, love, love Christmas songs. Especially the ones from the 40s and 50s.
But the one song that my husband and start the Season with(and listen to alot) is "He is Christmas" by Take 6.
Posted by: Sharrieboberry | December 05, 2012 at 09:06 AM
I'm very partial to Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) as sung by the incomparable Darlene Love. Every year I watch her sing it on Letterman's Christmas show. Not very traditional, but very swinging!
Posted by: Mary Kay Andrews | December 05, 2012 at 09:23 AM
Carol of the Bells WITH the words! Silver Bells is my mom's favorite - I always think of her.
I also like O Holy Night.
Posted by: Ruthann | December 05, 2012 at 09:45 AM
My favorite has always been Mitch Miller and the Gang's Christmas songs, but lately I'd have to say the Crypt Keeper's Christmas songs are great for a long laugh. I have to forward your recording to hubby. I'm sure he'll love it!
Posted by: Kat | December 05, 2012 at 11:10 AM
My fav Christmas song is Rocking Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee. I put that song on first when I start decorating for Christmas. Especially when I'm decorating the tree!
Posted by: Kristy | December 05, 2012 at 11:21 AM
It's hard to pick just one, but I love Tennessee Ernie Ford's album called "The Story of Christmas". My dad used to listen to it when he was growing up, and then his sister recorded it on 8-track tape for him, so I got to listen to it growing up too. A few years ago I bought the record on eBay and had it made into a CD for him! Then just in the last 2-3 years, it was finally released on CD so I bought myself a copy. I love it! My two favorites on the album are "Some Children See Him" and "Little Grey Donkey".
Posted by: Heidi@TheMerryMagpieVintage | December 05, 2012 at 11:23 AM
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Frank Sinatra circa 1948. Also enjoy "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney and Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon for something more "modern".
Posted by: Gina @ VintageJunkinMyTrunk | December 05, 2012 at 12:15 PM
First a shout-out to Mary Kay -- I am also a big Darlene Love fan.
My favorite is probably Nat King Cole singing "The Christmas Song" (commonly referred to as "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire").
"I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas" is pretty great, too. I have added it to our Christmas playlist (along with "Yingle Bells"), and I'm sorry, but every time I hear them, I am going to think of you . . . and your grandfather.
Posted by: Martha | December 05, 2012 at 01:03 PM
I just found out that Harry Stewart, aka Yogi Yorgesson, hailed from Tacoma, Washington -- no wonder I like him.
Posted by: Martha | December 05, 2012 at 02:42 PM
Actually I have heard of that song. My husband is a musician/music lover, and I think he has every Christmas song that there ever was!
If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be Have A Holly Jolly Christmas by the amazing Burl Ives. Or I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas. When our daughter was little, she would sing the heck out of that song!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | December 05, 2012 at 03:17 PM
My VERY favorite is O Holy Night! Also very close in the running Little Town of Bethlehem and We Three Kings of Orient.
Posted by: Elaine Richardson | December 05, 2012 at 06:24 PM
Hands down the Huron Carol - always takes me back to my childhood...
Posted by: Jewels | December 05, 2012 at 06:48 PM
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by the incomparable Judy Garland...it makes me smile and get teary-eyed at the same time. There was an ornament out a few years ago with her in a sleigh singing it and I bought all they had for myself and sisters - Love it!
Posted by: Patricia | December 05, 2012 at 06:58 PM
O Holy Night-Placido Domingo. It almost stops my heart every time I hear o night....DI-VIIiiiine....
Posted by: vicki | December 05, 2012 at 09:17 PM
Come O Come Emmanuel or Ave Maria, although I'm not Catholic and I don't know Latin, so I'm not sure what Ave Maria is about - maybe Mary? Anyway, both hymns are beautiful.
Posted by: Tina | December 05, 2012 at 09:49 PM
My very favorite Christmas song is a modern-ish one (I just looked it up, it's officially vintage at 28 years old -- holy cow where does the time go?!) but I love the story behind it and that so many musicians from my uh, youth, are in it. It's 'Do They Know It's Christmas? from Band Aid.
I used to love hearing it on the radio in the olden days.
Posted by: Into Vintage | December 06, 2012 at 12:02 AM
Hark the Herald Angels Sing !
Posted by: Lisa W. | December 06, 2012 at 01:20 AM
I laughed when I heard your grandfather's favorite song....believe it or not but I have heard that one a few times before. I love old Christmas songs...one of my favorites is Zat you Santa Claus....Louis Armstrong. When we woke up every Christmas morning and to this day I play, Mitch Miller's sleigh ride song, not your typical sleigh ride, we always called it the Russian sleigh ride....
Posted by: Sue G | December 06, 2012 at 07:50 AM
Never heard this one and yet when it played it sounded so familiar. Judy Garland Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas...makes me want to tear up every time...Smiles..Renee
Posted by: Renee | December 06, 2012 at 09:16 AM
This post brought back some great memories. I hadn't thought about Yust Go Nuts at Christmas in years!
I have a few favorites. Somehow it doesn't feel like Chritmas until I hear The Beattles So This Is Christmas on the radio. Silver Bells envokes one of my very favorite Christmas memories of a a snowy night in a small town. We Need A Little Christmas. Run Run Rudolph. The list goes on!
Posted by: Kathy | December 06, 2012 at 02:34 PM