Many holidays are celebrated throughout the year, but the one with the most magic so-to-speak is Christmas. Even though it comes with a sense of tradition, every year families implement their own little traditions whether intentional or by accident. As long as there is love, family and friends then it will remain a special occasion. However, there is one thing that just makes it more special and for country music fans, it is Christmas country songs. The collection has grown considerably over the decades. Here are some of our top pics:
Pretty Paper – Willie Nelson
http://youtu.be/MqNFdFbo8cA
Written by Willie in the 1960’s, the song speaks to the importance of Christmas in terms of good will instead of rushing to the shops and buying presents. Roy Orbison was the first artist to record the song and it became a hit in 1963. After Willie decided to use it on his 1978 Christmas album a series of artists started covering the song. These include Carly Simon and Chris Isaak.
Please Come Home for Christmas – The Eagles
http://youtu.be/J1AaMe1KbwE
Despite the fact that The Eagles has never fallen under the country genre, they made a lot of fans there. This 1978 release is proof of this, because country radio stations couldn’t stop playing it. Filled with sincerity and a sound unique to The Eagles, more versions of the song by other artists were inevitable.
It wasn’t His Child – Skip Ewing/Trisha Yearwood
Skip Ewing is the man behind this deep song and it explores the emotions Joseph must have gone through when Jesus was born in terms of being a good father. Several artists have recorded great versions of the song, but ultimately it was Trisha Yearwood that did it the most justice.
The Christmas Guest – Johnny Cash
Few people could tell a story like Johnny and this one is no exception. A shopkeeper eagerly awaits a special visitor, namely the Lord. But instead of the Lord knocking at his door he finds a bunch of strangers in need of help. Finally the man comes to the realization that God visited him in the form of those strangers.
Let there be Peace on Earth – Vince Gill
http://youtu.be/5Keo-A0z4jI
Gill recorded this cover and he used it as the title track for his Christmas album in 1993. Some might speculate that his version of “Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is better, but this particular song was recorded with his daughter, making it so much more special.
All I want for Christmas is You – Vince Vance and the Valiants
http://youtu.be/I1VkMBi9vvw
It’s unfortunate that Vince and the band only managed to record one song that made it into the charts. However, they did a great job with this 1989 hit, because it’s the most played Christmas country song on country radio. In essence, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without this song getting played somewhere.
Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms
The song is more than 50 years old and yet it finds its way to the airways every Christmas. So many artists have recorded their own version, but the honor still goes to the late Bobby Helms, the original singer and writer. There is a very good chance that it will still be played over the next 50 years.
If we make it through December – Merle Haggard
http://youtu.be/Z-IJxTd8dCo
For the most part people regard Christmas as a happy time, but there are families out there that see things differently. For them it seems like Christmas only makes their financial hardships worse and Merle Haggard reminds us of what the holiday should be about in the first place, which is to extend a helping hand.
Merry Christmas from the Family – Robert Earl Keen
There are more than enough happy Christmas songs, so it’s only fair to add some alternative tunes to the list. In this case we look at Keen’s idea of Christmas and how heavy drinking is the only way of surviving extended family members. It might sound a bit rough, but many can relate to the song.
Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley
http://youtu.be/oW3DnN2zLKQ
Another classic song that has been covered more time than can be counted, but the King’s version has outdone them all. Some regard this song as the reason why Elvis was able to become the record holder for the highest selling holiday album of all time. It can be found on his 1957 “Elvis’ Christmas Album”.
Born on Christmas Day – Brad Paisley
On this recording you will hear something a little different. More specifically, you will hear the voice of a 13 year old Brad adding his own lyrics and style, together with the adult Brad. The result is a great sentimental spin on a classic song.
Where are you Christmas? – Faith Hill
Trust one of the greatest female country singers to record a Christmas hit. Part of the soundtrack for “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and originally set aside for Mariah Carey to sing, fate would land it in the hands of Mrs. Hill. As a true master she sang it as if she wrote it herself.
Grandma got run over by Reindeer – Elmo & Patsy
Yes, it’s a novelty song, but it doesn’t make it any less worthy of Christmas. Randy Brooks was the creator of the song and in 1978 the married duo recorded it. For the last 30 years it has remained popular regardless of its nature.
Santa Baby – Kellie Pickler
A lot of variations concerning this classic song has been recorded and released, but Kellie’s 2007 take on asking St. Nick for extravagant gifts is probably the sultriest of them all. It is sexy and sweet all at the same time.
White Christmas – Martina McBride
In 1998 Martina decided to put her own spin on a classic Christmas tune and it made the whole album a huge success. In fact, it was so successful that it was re-released no less than 3 times over the course of 11 years. In conclusion, the song and album is a perfect fit for Christmas day.
Till Santa’s Gone (Milk and Cookies) – Clint Black
Christmas country songs don’t get more authentic than this. With pure country music to back pure country vocals, Black reveals the trick of getting Santa to come back every year. The secret of course is milk and cookies.
Christmas Cookies – George Strait
For some reason or another Strait never added this song to any of his albums. It can only be found on collaborative releases and it pays tribute to the importance of cookies on Christmas. It is such a rare subject matter for holiday songs, making it an instant classic.
Let it be Christmas – Alan Jackson
http://youtu.be/f9oe_HTT4A8
Every artist knows that an original Christmas song is hard to sell compared to all the cover versions, but Jackson did the “almost impossible”. The single has a great sense of sentimentality in addition to providing a moral lesson. In this regard it has to be part of any Christmas soundtrack.
Christmas in Dixie – Alabama
It’s a general outlook on everything that makes Christmas so eventful, but the execution of the song in addition to the poetical way it is sung are the reasons why it’s still popular. It first reached the airwaves in 1982 and never stopped.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry
Is there anyone who doesn’t know this song? Coming all the way from 1949, it actually came to life in 1939 in the form of a children’s coloring book. Robert L. May wrote the story for the book and Autry made it into a song 10 years later. As it stands the original recording has sold more than 25 million copies.
