Last year, my most popular Christmas-related post had to do with a sampling of my favorite Christmas songs. A quick rundown (in no particular order) the sampling includes…
All I Want for Christmas is You – Mariah Carey
O Holy Night – Josh Groban
Carol of the Bells – Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Frank Sinatra
Hark! The Harold Angels Sing
Auld Lang Syne by Sissel
Guess what? I have more for you. Because Christmas is about listening to music that only makes an appearance for a month or two (unless you’re in a big box store, then all bets are off), there is plenty of room for more songs to shine.
Por Ti Volare – Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
Some of you may be familiar with this song due to Will Ferrell’s performance in Step Brothers at the #$@%ing Catalina Wine Mixer. I wouldn’t classify Por Ti Volare (Time to Say Goodbye) as a Christmas song per se, but since Pandora (I know, I know, I need to check out Spotify) included it on their Christmas station, I am playing along. Humor me.
Little Drummer Boy (Peace on Earth) – Bing Crosby and David Bowie
During the Bing Crosby Christmas Special, Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas (1977), David Bowie stopped by and performed this song with Bing. By the time that the special aired, Bing Crosby had already passed away, making the song one of his last recordings. Rumor has it that David Bowie hated the song Little Drummer Boy and asked if there was another song that he could sing to accompany Bing. Writers with the special then quickly wrote Peace of Earth, and music history was made.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – Enya
Regardless of your feelings toward Enya, you have to admit her rendition of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is beautifully haunting. The hymn is a translation of Latin text from Isaiah 7:14, and one of my favorite to sing in church this time of year. According to Wikipedia, it is believed that the traditional music stems from a 15th Century French processional for Franciscan nuns.
Please Come Home for Christmas – The Eagles
How can you not like this song? Further more, how can you not like The Eagles? I was surprised to learn that this song was recorded by Charles Brown well before The Eagles but in my opinion, nothing can beat the yearning in Don Henley’s voice.
All Alone on Christmas – Darlene Love
I am a sucker for a prominent saxophone and this song does not disappoint. If you’re a David Letterman fan, or familiar with the Home Alone 2 or Love, Actually soundtracks, then you’re aware the Darlene Love sleighs (ha, ha, ha) this song.
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters
I’ll end this year with a classic. While the song was known, it didn’t become popular with later generations until a version by Johnny Mathis was included in Home Alone. It has been a Top 10 Christmas hit ever since. All the more reason that Home Alone is one of the best Christmas movies ever made. Period.
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Well, there you have it – the 2011 Christmas Song List at My Goal is Simple. I am always open to recommendations and love rediscovering old Christmas favorites. so please feel free to give yours in the comment section. Is anyone else a lover of a prominent saxophone?
The wonderful Ms. S. has the distinct honor (?) of being my first guest blogger during our vacation. She has compiled a great list of covers and I promise, they do not disappoint. If you’re as much of a music lover as Ms. S. and I, you will appreciate this eclectic gathering of songs. Be sure to tell her what you think of her list and don’t forget to add your favorite covers!
We’ve Got You Covered
I’ve been reading Karen’s blog for a long time, probably since the start of the Sour Patch Kid Experiment. I’ve always been in awe of her expansive knowledge of trivia and pop culture, and envied her wealth of knowledge of all things 80’s. One thing (of many!) she and I have in common is our diverse taste in music.
I love covers. There, I’ve said it. I don’t think there’s anything unoriginal about singing someone else’s song. Artists definitely get mad points for composing their own music and penning their own lyrics—that takes a unique style of creative genius. However, some people just (just!) have amazing voices, while few people are blessed with both (and they usually become superstars).
As a singer, I am drawn to covers because I love hearing someone new interpret a song we’re all used to hearing. Upbeat songs become somber; serious songs become playful. The words and their meanings fade into the background as the creativity and expression in the singer’s voice seeps through the speakers and allows me to hear the song in a whole new way.
I recently compiled a playlist of my favorite modern-day covers of 80’s hits (okay, two are from the early 90’s, but in my mind, they’ll always evoke the 80’s). I thought of Karen and her affinity towards 80’s movies and music, and wanted to share the playlist with her and any like-minded readers.
As the typical falling-down-the-rabbit-hole experience of Internet searching goes, I’ve stumbled upon many of these quite by accident, hidden in genres, sub-genres and tiny, cobwebby corners of iTunes I wouldn’t otherwise have found. Some are more mainstream, other obscure and unexpected. Please share your thoughts and other gems I haven’t yet uncovered!
“Against All Odds” by The Postal Service (original: Phil Collins)
Pensive and almost dark, this song is MUCH more tolerable than the Phil Collins version I always hear at the dentist’s office (sorry, Phil!). It’s a good song to put at the end of a workout mix as a cool down. Electronic yet chill.
“Fields of Gold” by Eva Cassidy (original: Sting)
Honestly, I think Karen is the first person who introduced me to the talented Eva Cassidy, gone too soon. Her hauntingly sweet and simple voice makes this a calming, soothing almost lullaby of a song.
“Fields of Gold” (“New Version”) by Sting (can you cover yourself?)
Why yes, yes you can. On his “Songs from the Labyrinth Special Edition” album, Sting completely reinvents this song, so much so that my iTunes library has labeled it “classical.” I’m not sure if I’d go that far, but it’s just so pleasant to listen to.
“Forever Young” by Youth Group (original: Alphaville)
This one is a bit of an embarrassing cop out as it’s from the O.C. Soundtrack (hangs head in shame), but it has a completely different tempo from the original. It sounds less like the soundtrack to a wild day at the beach/state fair/amusement park and more like the drama of high school, driving by the ocean…Oh wait, that’s the O.C. I really do appreciate its more rock qualities as opposed to it being a tinny pop song.
“Friday I’m in Love” by Dean and Brita (original: The Cure)
This husband-wife indie rock duo from NYC (where else?) does a dead-on remake of this classic from The Cure.
“Friday I’m in Love” (yes, again) by Scala and Kolacny Brothers
You’ll probably recognize these young ladies’ voices from the trailer to The Social Network. It’s actually a Belgian Girls’ Choir. Who knew?! As a lifelong choir singer, I find this cheesy, nostalgic and impressive all at the same time. Yes, you can tell that you’re listening to a choir of teenage girls, but they are amazing at what they do and put an entirely new spin on the song.
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Greg Laswell (original: Cyndi Lauper)
This is a classic case of how people covering their opposites often work out perfectly. A man? Singing the song blew Cyndi Lauper to international superstardom? About girls? Having fun?! Singing it like a funeral dirge? It works.
“Have a Little Faith In Me” by Mandy Moore (original: John Hiatt)
An upbeat, jazzy take on a more serious song. I have always been a fan of Mandy Moore (can’t quite put my finger on why) but this is the perfect sing-along-in-the-shower-or-an-empty-car song. You’ll find yourself saying, “I’ve always like this song, right?”
“I Melt With You” by Nouvelle Vague (original: Modern English)
This version has a totally different pace than the original. A steady movement forward without the chaos, that brings to mind a single dotted yellow line along a highway passing next to your car’s tires as you wave your hand out the window feeling the wind and soaking in the sunshine.
“In Your Eyes” by Lori McKenna (original: Peter Gabriel)
editor note – I couldn’t find the video on You Tube <insert sad face>
I love the tempo of this song—the chorus is almost Southern Rock. Lori’s smoky voice gives a romantic song an intriguing yet ragged edge. (I know this is from one of Karen’s favorite movies, so I hope she approves of Lori’s version!)
“Just Like Heaven” by Joy Zipper (original: The Cure)
On the surface, this cover sounds very much like the original, until the singing starts. Another married indie-pop duo from New York (there can never be too many), whose vocals balance each other perfectly and give new depth to one of The Cure’s greatest hits.
“Time After Time” (original: Cyndi Lauper)
I have three favorite versions and no, I can’t just pick one. The song is just that good.
Eva Cassidy:
Her version is like a lullaby. Her voice is clear as a bell, accompanied by nothing but a single guitar. It makes me think of sitting around a campfire, while she strums and sings, stars twinkle overhead and her voice echoes across the landscape.
Matt Ketterman & Cameron Mizell:
editor note – I couldn’t find the video on You Tube <insert sad face>
Without taking anything away from either version or artist, this is essential the same thing only with a male vocalist. A single, clear male voice against the backdrop of a single acoustic guitar.
Quietdrive:
An alternative rock version, of the more pop variety, but a seriously fun song in and of itself. Perfect for road trips and iMovie soundtracks.
Oh. My. Gosh. Is this not a fabulous list? Thank you Ms. S. I may need you to do more guest posts in the feature. This list rocks!
Albert Einstein wisely said that there are only two ways to live our life – “One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
I chose to live as though everything is a miracle.
One of my favorite Christian hymns is Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. The lyrics were penned in the 18th century by Robert Robinson and are traditionally set to the American folk tune Nettleton, which was composed by John Wyeth. Christian and mainstream artists have covered the hymn and sang it live during concerts, including one of my favorite bands, Mumford & Sons.
Come Thou Fount of every blessing Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above. Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, Mount of God’s unchanging love.
There are times I wonder how I’ve ended up to be where I am. Falling in love with a boy in the military has led me in a direction I never imaged as a teenager dreaming of the big city and bright lights. Falling in love with a boy in the military during a time of two wars has tested my faith, taught me true courage and bravery, and helped demonstrate how every moment is a blessing.
I actually got to thinking about how the military has impacted my life after reading a blog post by my sister-in-law, whose husband is currently deployed to Afghanistan. Now that Clay is home, it is somewhat easy to forget how I felt during the deployments. But there are times when I am reminded. I am afraid that I have never adequately put the mixture of fear, loneliness, and perseverance that is a deployment into words. And I am not sure if I can.
Clay’s first deployment was dangerous. As was his second one, but not to the degree of the first. During those 16 months, I woke up every single day, wondering if he was alive at that moment. And I would get out of bed determined to go about my day with grace, composure, and fearlessness. Regardless of the fear, loneliness, and longing. Weeks upon weeks would go without contact. I received notification phone calls and attended too many memorial services. It was during these times that I truly learned what the phrase, Let go and let God meant.
I’m afraid that now I am not always going about my day with the grace, composure, and fearlessness as I do during deployments. It is easy to get caught up in the chaos of everyday life but I must try harder to focus on every blessing. All too much we’re consumed by the unimportant things in life. Too little focus is paid to what really matters. And we fail to recognize all of our little blessings.
Oklahoma and I may be getting off to a rough start, but maybe the wide open plains and stark landscape are meant to give me the means to evaluate my life and ensure that I am doing more than just existing. And count my blessings.
