From big band to 80’s pop, today I have another modern take on a classic, with Debbie Gibson’s rendition of Sleigh Ride. The arrangement just puts the original melody and lyrics over a swingin’ rock beat, and doesn’t do anything fancy, but it doesn’t need to: the combination works exceedingly well. I used to listen for this on the radio when I was a kid, and it’s one of the original songs that sparked my love of Christmas music in the first place.

My one complaint is that I miss the traditional horse whinny at the end. But it’s an acceptable sacrifice.

Today’s song, Run Rudolph Run, is one you might think was written by a popular rock band doing a blow-off Christmas album, as so many artists do. But it was actually co-written by Johnny Marks, the same composer who gave us the famous “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”. Its first recording goes all the way back to 1958, done by the great Chuck Berry.

The arrangement I’m sharing today, though, is decidedly more modern, performed by the Brian Setzer Orchestra. My first introduction to The BSO was through their covers of jazz and rock standards, but they’ve done a lot of Christmas music as well, both classics and original pieces. I’m always glad to add their big band music into my holiday repertoire.

Today marks the first of many appearances in this series from my hands-down favorite artist of Christmas music, if not of all time: Mannheim Steamroller. Deck the Halls is the first track from their first album back in 1984. It’s a classic carol, but Mannheim Steamroller’s take on it as a driving rock song is so different from any traditional version you’ll hear that it doesn’t feel old and overdone at all. They do indeed rock so hard and so festively that steam comes out of your brain. As it melts.

My followup to yesterday’s song is a beautiful original offering from Celtic Woman, Christmas Pipes. I love this one for its catchy melody, which repeats throughout the song, as well as the exhibition of different countermelodies and backgrounds that are juxtaposed against it. Besides the eponymous (uilleann?) pipes, it takes full advantage of orchestral instruments over a wide frequency range, from bass strings to chimes, so if you have a good set of speakers, you’ll want to turn them up for this one.

Shoutout to the composer Brendan Graham.

I love Christmas.

Not as a religious thing; for me it’s a chance to escape the troubles of everyday life and make some happy memories with friends and family. And music has always been a big part of that. Every year, from the day after Thanksgiving up through Christmas Day itself, I put aside my regular playlists and break out my favorite holiday songs, which I’ve accumulated a pretty substantial collection of over the years.

This year, I want to share some highlights of that collection, so I’ll be posting 25 of my favorite holiday songs over the next 25 days. The first one is a recent discovery that I consider a perfect introduction to the season: Christmas Eve by Blackmore’s Night. It’s upbeat, festive, and full of anticipation.

As a bonus, there are actually four versions of this song: the original 2013 version, and then three radio-edited versions in English, German, and an English/German “hybrid”. Try them all and pick your favorite!

Seen the latest McCain commercial? The one that goes "Barack Obama is for higher taxes. John McCain is for workin' Joes." and so on, with monotonous (monorhythmic actually, it's just a beat) string music playing in the background. Take a closer listen to that music. Notice how all of the "McCain is for..." soundbites are set to lovely major chords whereas the "Obama is for..." bits have ugly dissonances in the background.

Could that be turned into an ad for Obama just by switching the consonant and dissonant chords? If I get my hands on that video I have to try it.