We all know the classic Christmas songs like “Jingle Bells”,
“Deck the Halls” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, but over the years,
popular musical artists have created their own songs for the holiday. They may
not be as classic, but are more modern, and in many ways are even stronger. The
classics will always have their place, but there are just so many contemporary songs
that can really put me in the holiday spirit, and here’s a little list of my
personal top 10 favorite Christmas songs of the new age. Now, many of the songs have had different versions from other artists, so I’ll just
pick my favorite musical artist to represent a specific song, and again, I must reiterate, these are just my personal favorites ... I'm not trying to make an kind of official list.
#10 “The Magic of
Christmas Day”- Celine Dion
Celine Dion is one of those artists that people either really
love, or get a touched annoyed with. Personally, I think everything her voice
touches turns to gold, and her Christmas songs are no exception. One of her
absolute best is “The Magic of Christmas
Day”, which debuted back in 1998. This song has everything that makes a
terrific, modern day classic Christmas song, including great lyrics, an especially
upbeat melody, and Celine Dion at her finest.
#9 “As Long as There's
Christmas” - Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack
Now here’s one Christmas song that isn't especially popular, but I’ve loved it for years, so I couldn’t help but include it on my list.
Granted, this song was packaged with the 1997 Disney sequel “Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted
Christmas”, which really isn’t the best company, but on its own ... this is
still a splendid song brought to life by two very talented artists. I’d dare
say that it’s kind of a touching song, as it revolves around finding hope during
the holiday. You can hear this version on Roberta Flack’s Christmas album,
which is where it belongs. If you haven’t heard it yet, do yourself a favor and
give it a listen, it’s just the right song to put you in the holiday
spirit.
#8 “Breath of Heaven” (Mary’s Song) – Amy Grant
This is a rare kind of holiday song that doesn’t even sound like your traditional Christmas music. The melody is very somber, almost hunting, but also magical, and touching at the same time. It’s a song told from the perspective of Mary as she goes on her journey to Bethlehem, leading to the birth to the baby Jesus on the very first Christmas. It’s such a subtle, yet captivating song that just gives me chills whenever I hear it. I first heard this on Amy Grants “Home for Christmas” album, but it’s also featured on the album for the 2006 motion picture “The Nativity Story”. This song may not sound like a traditional Christmas song, but it’s actually closer to the spirit of the holiday then most others.
#7 “Sending you a Little Christmas” - Jim Brickman (Sung by Kristy Starling)
Being transparent for a moment ... when I was in elementary school, way back in 2002, my father was deployed with several troops to fight in Iraq, and as a result, he was gone for years. I bring this up because on those years he’d miss Christmas with the family. We’d send him videos, love letters, always wishing him a Merry Christmas, and hoping that he’d come home soon. That’s exactly the focus of this song, it’s about sending your love and warm holiday wishes to someone you love, and awaiting that time when you reunite. It’s a song that hits a personal cord with me, and it always seems to leave an impact. With Kristy Starling as the splendid vocalist, and Jim Brickman as the talented writer, this is one touching Christmas song that I look forward to hearing every year.
#6 “Don’t save it all
for Christmas Day” – Celine Dion
Celine Dion makes my Christmas list again with a Christmas
song from her 2000 album titled “These are
Special Times”. This is one of those rare holiday songs that try to be more
than just another pretty Christmas song, as it’s more thoughtful, and gets the
audience to reflect on their lives in a simple, yet meaningful way. Christmas
is that one time of year in which many people open up to the better parts of
their humanity, by being more charitable, and more giving. This song encourages
the audience to take that to another level, by being just as compassionate,
loving, and charitable for more than just this one time of year. It’s all
about keeping the spirit of the holiday alive in your soul all year round. It’s handled in a very mature, and honest way that doesn’t come off as too
preachy. It’s simply a terrific song from a terrific artist.
#5 “Where are You
Christmas” – Faith Hill
Children always go through a transition, where things are no
longer as magical as when they were younger, it’s just a natural part of
growing up, and personally, that transition wasn't easy for me. I remember reaching
a certain age in which I would try desperately to recapture that magic I felt
as a child, and once I remembered the simple things in the vain of love and charity, I suddenly
felt both the cheer, and the heart of the season all over again. Faith Hill’s “Where are You Christmas” is simply a
beautiful song, one that addresses this transition we all go through, and what we
should do to keep that magic alive in our souls as the years go on. This song
first premiered in 2000, along with the motion picture “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, starring Jim Carry, and personally ... I think it’s the best thing to come from that movie.
#4 "Mary, Did You Know?" (Pentatonix)
The group Pentatonix has a distinct talent for taking a group harmony ... and launching their vocal talents into the stratosphere. Holly Cow, I've heard some great harmony's, but the melodies they carry are so absorbing and powerful ... you'd swear they had instruments in their songs somewhere. For my money, the song that just seems to sum-up their vocal strengths is "Mary, Did You Know", from their Album titled "That's Christmas to Me". It's almost haunting in how beautiful and atmospheric the group present this song. Focusing on the perspective of Mary before giving birth to Jesus, the song boasts a tempo that's mysterious, yet warm, and serene. It was one of those songs I instantly pegged as a modern Christmas classic, which is the status it's currently maintained.
#3 “Grown up
Christmas List” - Kelly Clarkson
Anyone who really knows this song would probably associate
it with Amy Grant first, and rightfully so ... it is her song after all. However, I really
love hearing this song when performed by Kelly Clarkson. The song itself is very
touching, and quite frankly one of the most mature Christmas songs I’ve ever
heard. It comes from the perspective of a woman all grown up, and looking past
her own simple interests and desires. Her Christmas wish reflects on the world
as a whole, and how things could be changed for the better. It’s a genuine
message for the audience to look past what they want, and to open up to the
bigger picture of life, and the world around them. It’s a beautiful song with deep sub text, and even though I personally prefer Kelly Clarksons take on it, Amy Grants is still just as good, and conveys the exact same tone and feel.
#2 “Believe” –
Josh Groban
Josh Groban has some terrific Christmas albums, most of
which are his versions of already classic songs, but his best original holiday
song in my opinion is "Believe". This is one of those songs that can just lift my spirit, and put me in a perfect, joyful holiday mood. The song was
featured in the animated 2004 motion picture “The Polar Express”, and that’s when I first took note of how
beautiful this song is. I love the theme, I love the melody, I love the
message, and Josh Groban just puts his whole heart and soul into this, making it a magical, uplifting song, and one that should definitely be heard around the
holidays.
Before I reveal my #1 favorite, here are some honorable mentions ...
"Glory" (Matt Maher)
"Deck the Halls" (Shedaisy)
"Invisible" (Zara Larsson)
"Extraordinary Merry Christmas" (Glee Cast)
"Build Your Kingdom Here" (Rend Collective Experiment)
#1 “God Bless Us
Everyone” – Sung by Andrea Bocelli
This is kind of like the textbook equivalent of a classic modern
Christmas song, and one that I have to hear every year. First of all, I just
love Andrea Bocelli ... in fact, let me put it this way, if God has a singing
voice, it would probably sound like Andrea Bocelli. He just sings like no one else,
and puts so much passion, and soul into it. “God Bless Us Everyone” is arguably
one of his best original songs in years, and it just puts me in the holiday spirit
right away. This song premiered along with the animated 2009 picture “A Christmas Carol” starring Jim Carry,
and isn't this just the perfect song to go with it? After all, “God Bless Us
Everyone” is the most famous quote from the Charles Dickens classic. It’s
uplifting, it’s powerful, and its hands down my favorite contemporary Christmas song of the
modern era.
Thanks for reading my countdown, and lets continue to enjoy the songs we Love!
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