Christmas is just around the corner, and now that Black Friday has passed I can shamelessly listen to all the Christmas music I want. To get people into the Christmas spirit, I've picked out my five favorite Christmas songs that I think everyone should listen to this holiday season.
1. "Blue Christmas" by Elvis Presley
Blue Christmas is a classic Christmas song that should be on everyone's Christmas playlist. Elvis performs the song masterfully, capturing the emotion perfectly and putting the signature Elvis touch on it. It belongs on every Christmas playlist.
2. "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" by Bruce Springsteen
This live version of a classic Christmas song by the Boss is one of my favorites. It's spontaneity is captured perfectly as he's talking to the band as the song is beginning, and when they go into the song the performance is well done. It isn't as masterfully done as other versions of the song, but the spontaneous nature and it being Bruce Springsteen makes it one of my favorites.
3. "On This Winter's Night" by Lady Antebellum
Out of all the songs on Lady Antebellum's Christmas album, the title track is my favorite of all. It simultaneously has a Christmas spirit while still accentuating Charles Kelly and Hillary Scott's amazing vocal chemistry. It's an absolutely beautiful song and although may not be as well known it's still worth finding the time to listen to it.
4. "The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)" by Nat King Cole
Another one of the absolute classics is this gem by Nat King Cole. It makes you want to curl up by the fire and drink hot chocolate and just relax. Nat King Cole's vocals on the song are flawless and the instrumentation behind him is so well done. It's on almost everyone's Christmas playlist, but on the off-chance, it isn't, put it there.
5. "Winter Dreams (Brandon's Song)" by Kelly Clarkson
Really I could've made this top 5 all Kelly Clarkson, but I refrained and picked my absolute favorite of them which is her original song about her husband. It's an adorable song about how her relationship feels like a dream because it's so perfect, and she captures it in the Christmas spirit with perfect execution. It's one of my absolute favorite songs on the album and I would recommend the entire album. However, if you have to pick one song from it, this is the one.
When you're choosing your Christmas music this year, strongly consider all of these songs and add at least two or three of them to that Christmas playlist you have in your iTunes.