tunes you need Tuesday: Christmas edition

EDIT:  the Christmas song list below is only one of my mixes — the swing/favorites playlist.  Y'all know me — I have several Christmas playlists: rock, Elvis, crooners, and the kids list.  So, any song you feel I've left out is most likely on another playlist.  I take my Christmas music seriously, because at no point will I turn on the radio to hear Manhiem Steamroller, Barry Manilow, Mariah Carey, or God forbid — John Denver with the Muppets.  

Christmas is my favorite holiday.  I'm a gift-giving fool, always have been.  Receiving gifts is not my thing, I'm a giver.  When I see something a loved one would appreciate, I buy it 'cause I like to make to make the people I care about happy.  Occasionally I'll make a purchase for the sole purpose of aggravating someone, but most often, it's out of love.  When I was younger I hated giving music as gifts, but I view it differently now, especially when the gift is well thought out.  So, why not make the Christmas mix cd for your fam or friends so they won't have to listen to the garbage on the holiday radio stations.  Here's what I included on my mix, it's fun and it swings, rocks, and rolls. 

All of the following songs are available on iTunes (I know 'cause that's where I got them).  Go download them for a proper Christmas song education.

1. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is my fave Christmas song of all time.  I love it so much I have several versions, but you have to go with the original Judy Garland to start with.  If you want to branch out after Judy, get Ella Fitzgerald's version, too.
2. "(Everybody's Waitin' for) the Man with the Bag" by Kay Starr is just fun, big band, horns, fab.
3. "A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burle Ives is a classic and a must if you have kids.
4. "The Christmas Song" by Mel Torme is the version I like, but you can go with Nat King Cole's — that's the one you hear most often.
5. "Christmastime is Here" and "Greensleeves" from the Charlie Brown Christmas Special by the Vince Guaraldi Trio just say Christmas to me.
6. "Jingle All the Way" by Lena Horne is just plain awesome.
7. "I've Got my Love to Keep Me Warm" by Billie Holiday is one of my faves.  Sensing a theme here?  I dig the old school Christmas songs that are fun and swingy.
8. "Cool Yule" by Louis Armstrong is the bomb.  Put it on and dance.
9. "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee is a must.  
10. "O Christmas Tree" by Aretha Franklin is on the list because she's Aretha.  'nuff said. 
11. "Please Come Home for Christmas" by the Eagles goes nicely with the rest and it's one of my faves.
12. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by John Mellencamp makes the list for the notalgia factor.
13. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is the only Michael Buble song you'll hear me play.
14. "This Christmas (Hang All the Mistletoe)" by Macy Gray is really fun and fits in with all the old school tunes. 
15. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by U2 is my second favorite Christmas song in the history of ever.  Love love love.
16. "Christmas in Hollis" by Run-DMC is the final word on any Christmas mix of mine.  If you don't have it, you might as well not make a mix, that's all there is to it.

Well, that's my list for this Tunes You Need Tuesday.  I'm sure there are a few listed that you're not familiar with and maybe this is the season to branch out.  Why listen to all the traditional stuff when you can swing?  And don't you dare play any Manheim Steamroller or Celine Dion around me at Christmas.  I'm not kidding, it's like nails on a chalkboard to hear either of those.  So, after the turkey and dressing Thursday, download some Christmas tunes that are fun and just say no to the radio this season.