One night before Thanksgiving, I somehow persuaded Mike to watch the second episode of Oprah’s Favorite Things with me. I oohed and ahhed over sequined Ugg boots, diamond earrings, and a Coach bag… but quickly lost interest when Oprah introduced Johnny Mathis to sing a Christmas song.
I started to use this musical intermission to mention that I personally would prefer the gold sequined Uggs when I was abruptly cut off by a loud “SHHHHHHH!!!” hissed from the lips of my beloved hubs. “Johnny Mathis is going to sing! Be quiet!”
“I see,” I said. “What’s so great about Johnny Mathis?”
“Only his velvety voice!” Mike proclaimed, as though I were about to receive the World’s Biggest Idiot Award.
I was forced to listen to the entire performance in reverent silence, punctuated by Mike’s triumphant fist in the air when Johnny’s mash-up changed over to a “velvety” version of Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire. “I knew it!” Mike rejoiced.
I noticed the following day that an entire album of Johnny Mathis Christmas songs had mysteriously been purchased on my iTunes account. Lucky me. But here are a few of my top picks on the Christmas playlist. These are all from my “upbeat” Christmas playlist (so far I also have “mellow” and “traditional”), and they’ve been keeping me entertained during several hours spent in my diningoom-turned-gift-wrapping-wonderland.
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town by The Andrews Sisters & Bing Crosby
- The Nutcracker Suite by The Brian Setzer Orchestra
- I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by Frank Sinatra
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas by The Glenn Miller Orchestra
- We Three Kings by Harry Connick, Jr.
- Silver Bells by Relient k
- Christmas In Hollis by Run-DMC
- I Saw Three Ships by Sting
- You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch by Thurl Ravenscroft
- Love Came Down At Christmas by Jars of Clay
Like I said, these are just a few on my list. (I’d go nuts listening to just 10 songs on a loop.) These are some of the kitschier ones. I’ll share some more picks soon.
What are you listening to, now that it’s officially December?
Merry merry, y’all!
