It isn't Christmas until ...

I hear MY favorite Christmas tunes. Some people may prefer Rocking Around the Christmas Tree while others can't get in the holiday mood without hearing Dave screaming "AAAAAAlviiiiiiin!" in The Chipmunk Christmas song. While I enjoy some of those fun tunes my list preferences lean towards the classics (hint, you won't hear Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer in my house). 

So here's my list of "it isn't Christmas until I hear it" Christmas songs:
 
Riu Ciu - The Monkees. This beautiful a capella song usually gets stuck in my head for three or four days every December.

Nutcracker Suite - Brian Setzer Orchestra. I have loved his voice since his Stray Cat days, but my favorite song of his is purely orchestral, go figure.

Blue Christmas - Brian Setzer gets an honorable mention, but c'mon this song belongs to "The King".

Five Pound Box of Money - Pearl Bailey. I can't help giggling imagining her going to the North Pole  and negotiating with Santa, "Five Pound, no you better make that a ten pound, box of money."

Adeste Fidelis  - Nat King Cole.  I hear it in church every year, I hear it at the mall, I hear it every where by numerous artists, but Nat King Cole's version is the ONE for me.

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Mahalia Jackson. I probably couldn't name any other song she sang despite being The Queen of Gospel. I am sure I would love it though, because her rendition of this song sends chills down my spine.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry. It always reminds me of my childhood.

White Christmas - Bing Crosby. The song and the movie remind me of my college days and walking in to my room seeing two of my friends linked arm and arm belting out "Sisters". And those of us that knew them know that it was the perfect song for them.

One Little Christmas Tree - Stevie Wonder. This is a new song to my list this year. And it will always remind me of Zoe Incoing, the Little Angel Girl that went up to be with Mr Father Tree this year. Ok, seriously spooky, I got goosebumps just typing that. She must want me to tell her family she loves them (got that, Randy, Ria and Teo?).

Carol of the Bells - Carleta Vineys. She is probably going to cry when she reads that. Not familiar with Carleta Vineys? She is my mother and sang in the choir for years and years. She might not sing any more, and we never recorded her singing, but whenever I hear it sung by anyone else, I still hear her voice right along with it in my head.

So that's my list. What's on yours?