Well he’s not the only artist identified with a Christmas classic. Anyone can record a Christmas song, and almost everyone has, but it takes something special for a song to be synonymous with the artist. So much so that no matter how many cover the tune, it’s this one artist who everyone thinks of first when the song pops up.Either because they released the song first, or because they just had such a perfect take on it that it’s become the beloved version.
Here are twelve more Christmas songs which have been covered to death, but these are the versions everyone thinks of first. In my opinion anyway.
Santa Claus is Coming To Town by Bruce Springsteen
Love it or hate it, we’ve all heard this version and we all think of it when the song gets mentioned. Yeah Frank Sinatra probably sang the best version, but not the most recognized one. And yes I know people are screaming “JACKSON 5!!!” at their screens but c’mon, is that one really that good the way Jackson keep screaming the title of the song?
The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole
I still can’t believe Mel Torme wrote this, who ever associates him with this song? Bet he felt the same way Dolly Parton did when Whitney Houston made “I Will Always Love You” a huge hit. Torme may have wrote it but it was Nat King Cole who made it popular, he sings it in such a warm sweet way it simply cannot be beaten. Except maybe by his daughter, Natalie.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Judy Garland
This has been covered a lot, including Frank Sinatra again. but it was Judy Garland who gave us this song in “Meet me in St.Louis” and only she could sing it the way she does. I firmly believe if it hadn’t been for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” this would have been her most popular tune.
Rockin Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee
This is a song that doesn’t get many covers, and while others have done it none of them match Brenda Lee’s. I heard this all the time growing up and no other version I’ve heard comes close. And yes it got a featured scene in Home Alone too,
Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms
Brenda Lee did this too and it was fine. Hall & Oats did a decent cover of it back in the 80’s. It was even done by, Mean Girls?? But it’s another case of the classic being the best, and Bobby Helms rules this song.
All I Want for Christmas by Mariah Carey
What else can I say about this one that I haven’t? There’s a reason this became the Christmas standard it’s becomes. It’s fantastic! And only she can sing it the way it’s supposd to be sung. Trust me, people either sing it wrong or are like Fifth Harmony and their blatant copy of the song.
Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt
While I’m not a huge fan of this song you gotta love the way Eartha Kitt sings it. No wonder it’s a classic. It’s been sung by everyone, including Madonna, but her’s is still the best.
It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams
Wow talk about tough calls, which is the more memorable version Williams or the Johnny Mathis one? While the Mathis cover is great the song was written for Andy Williams and became more synonymous with him. I know I’ve bashed this song in the past for it’s weird lyrics and the fact it’s overplayed, but damn it’s just not Christmas without it!
Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano
Seriously, why doses anyone else bother singing it? No one has come close to the classic version by Jose Feliciano Ok, Charo came close.
Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon
This has been done before by others including Celine Dion but thee is no topping the classic John Lennon/Yoko Ono version. The sang it so perfectly that you can’t help but be moved by it.
Silent Night by Boyz II Men
Silen Night has been around for eons but in the 1990's it got new life when Boyz II Men covered it, and did such a good job that many people think of their version first when the song comes up.
Silver Bells by Bob Hope
I really really wanted this one here even though there is no perfect version. Many many people have covered it from Bing Crosby to Dean Martin to Michael Buble but who had the quintessential version? Well it was first sung by Bob Hope in "The Lemondrop Kid", and he sang it every year in his Christmas specials. Sounds good enough for me. I love this song.
White Christmas by Bing Crosby
Well, duh. Not only did Bing Crosby introduce the song to the world in “Holiday Inn” but his recording of it was the most popular single recording of any song for decades! And why not, he sings it about as perfectly as it can be sung. Many have covered if from Rosemary Clooney to Kelly Clarkson but it will forever be associated with Bing.
Mary’s Boy Child by Bone M
I’ve talked about this one before but no way I could leave it off. Boney M took a pretty boring Christmas song and made it so memorable the song is now synonymous with them! There have been covers, including one by Harry Belafonte and another by Anne Murray, but is there any that stick out in your mind like this one?
I wanted to leave off with the quintessential O Holy Night, but there doesn’t seem to be one. So I’ll leave you with my favorite, even it if inst that popular. Sung by Michael Crawford.
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