A Few of My Favorite Country Christmas Songs

As it is only a few days until Christmas, I have been getting into the holiday spirit by listening to some of my favorite Christmas songs. This year flew by really quickly, and I was having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit, but the office is now abuzz with Christmas excitement and early deadlines. As I was typing the large stack letters to Santa for the paper’s Christmas edition, I would pop in some Christmas music to get me in the right spirit to type up the precious letters from the first graders in all of the area schools. It is always fun to see what the young children want for Christmas and how they spell things.

Part of the fun, and what makes the project so sweet, is I type the letters up as is, misspelled words, incorrect grammar and all. Parents always look forward to seeing their little ones letters in the paper each year. Many request toys for themselves, friends and siblings, as well as gifts for their parents. And nearly every single letter ended with the child saying he or she would leave milk and cookies for Santa.

Anyway, back to the Christmas music. I thought I would share a list of my favorite country Christmas songs and perhaps a little about why they are my favorite. With so many versions of the same Christmas songs out there, it is hard to pick a favorite, so I generally tend to go for the more original songs, rather than the recorded-for-the-umpteenth-time standards.

Here it goes:

Hard Candy Christmas - Dolly Parton - This classic is my all-time favorite. Although the song is a bit depressing, it isn’t Christmas for me until I hear it on the radio for the first time after Thanksgiving each year. That’s when I know its almost Christmas.

Louisiana Christmas Day - Aaron Neville: Being a Louisiana girl from Cajun country, this one by New Orleans native Aaron Neville is a fun, sing along favorite. I love blasting this one in the car around Christmas time. This one definitely puts me in the holiday spirit.

Christmas in Dixie - Alabama: A definite classic in my book. I always love hearing this one. Again, it isn’t Christmas until I’ve heard this one on the radio.

It Wasn’t His Child - Trisha Yearwood: This song, written by Skip Ewing, is perhaps one of my all-time holiday favorites. I love the story of the song, and Trisha sings it so beautifully with such genuine emotion, as only she can.

All I Want for Christmas is You - Vince Vance and the Valiants: This one is a definite favorite and one I look forward to hearing every year. The band is only known for this one song, and the female singer gives a powerhouse vocal performance.

Take a Walk Through Bethlehem - Trisha Yearwood: This modern tale about slowing down to remember the real reason for the season is another favorite of mine from Trisha’s Christmas cd, The Sweetest Gift.

Santa Claus is Back in Town - Trisha Yearwood: Trisha enlisted the help of her road band to record this Elvis Presley classic. She and the band let it rip blues style, and she growls like never before in this funky number.

There’s a New Kid in Town - Trisha Yearwood: Written by Keith Whitley, Don Cook and Curly Putnam, this song speaks about the birth of Jesus and tells the story of the three wise men in a more modern way.

The Christmas Song - Trisha Yearwood: I know there are way too many versions of this song out there, and none compare to Nat King Cole’s classic take, but in my opinion, Trisha’a rendition of this Christmas classic is right up there with the best of them.

Ave Maria - Wynonna: While not necessarily a Christmas song, I included this one because Wy gives a goosebump rasing rendition of this spiritual song. Who would have thought that the Divine Miss Wy could sound so beautiful singing in Latin?

Mary Did You Know - Wynonna and Kenny Rogers or Kathy Mattea - Both versions stand out, as Wynonna and Kathy each give such powerful and convincing readings of the same song. I can’t pick a favorite out of the two, although I do tend to gravitate more to the Wy/Kenny version.

The Christmas Guest - Reba McEntire: I love the story behind this spoken word song, and Reba gives such a wonderful, warm delivery, you can imagine the story unfolding before you as you listen to the words.

Christmas Time’s A Comin’ - Sammy Kershaw - Another rockin’ favorite from another Louisiana artist. This fun, zydeco-flavored tune is another favorite to listen to in the car to put me in the Christmas spirit.

O Holy Night - John Berry: Again, I am making an exception for this song. I have heard many, many versions of this classic song over the years, but every time I hear John Berry sing it, I get chills - it is that good. If it doesn’t move you, something is wrong with you.

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee: What Christmas song list would be complete without including this Brenda Lee classic? If this doesn’t get your feet moving and put you in the Christmas spirit, nothing will.

Well, there you have it, my list of my personal favorite country Christmas songs. Feel free to leave comments and share your favorites with me. Merry Christmas everyone!