The preset FM radio stations in my car are as follows:
1. 89.5 WNIJ – Northern Public Radio. Broadcast from Northern Illinois University; it’s an NPR affiliate and terrific news source for when I want to catch up on the world’s news in a 10-minute drive.
2. 93.1 WXRT – Labeled as “Chicago’s Finest Rock,” for when I want to hear something new.
3. 97.1 WDRV – The Drive. For when I want to hear something old, but good.
4. 93.9 WLIT – The Lite. This station is usually my last resort, tuned to only after I’ve exhausted all other searches and am content with hearing “the best of the ‘80s, ‘90s and today!”
5. 97.9 WLUP – The Loop. For when one classic rock station just isn’t enough.
6. 90.9 WDCB – My presets begin and end with public radio. This station is broadcast from College of DuPage. For when I’m in an afternoon jazz or late night blues or reggae mood.
A couple weeks ago I found myself in a dire situation. Preset 1 was discussing some issue in depth that I couldn’t get into, like the rising cost of milk in Romania. Preset 2 was on a commercial break. Presets 3 and 5 were playing the same Boston song, and preset 6 was in its dreaded smooth jazz hour.
So, not ready to hit “scan” just yet, my finger hovered over preset 4, careful and calculating like the finger of a contestant about to hit the red button on “Deal or No Deal.” And then I pressed. To my surprise, I didn’t hear Prince or Cyndi Lauper or any of their typical rotation.
No, this was a completely different kind of music. A music from a place even colder than here. A place where it always snows and the sun rarely shines. A place where jingle bells are considered an instrument.
“Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy, do you hear what I hear?”
Christmas music. Now I’ve lived in the Chicago area long enough to know about The Lite and how they completely dedicate their format to Christmas, but wasn’t that at least started after Thanksgiving? This was the week after Halloween!
I don’t remember them ever starting this so early, but I won’t fight it or argue that it’s too soon. The truth is, I didn’t hate it when I heard Whitney Houston belt out “Do You Hear What I Hear,” nor did I hate the next few songs that came on. In fact, it inspired me to write this list of my favorite Christmas songs, either originals or classics covered by pop artists.
10. “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” – Bruce Springsteen. The Boss masterfully brings his New Jersey blue-collar attitude to the song without it sounding cheesy.
9. “Wizards in Winter” – Trans-Siberian Orchestra. TSO is essentially a half orchestra/half metal band that performs Christmas music like you’ve never heard before. This is one of their originals, and if you haven’t seen a video of the synchronized house lights played with this song, you owe it to yourself to search Youtube right now.
8. “Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time” – Paul McCartney. McCartney could probably play “Jingle Bells” on kazoo and people would love it, but I like that he took the time to do an original. Sure, it gets stuck in your head until Valentine’s Day, but it’s better than John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” which I always thought was kind of a downer.
7. “Feliz Navidad” – Jose Feliciano. I always wondered what it would be like to celebrate Christmas in a warm climate, especially south of the equator, where December is a summer month. It probably feels something like this song.
6. “My Favorite Things” – John Coltrane. I realize this isn’t technically a Christmas song, but I love Coltrane’s interpretation of it. For some reason, it always triggers a memory of the famous window displays at Macy’s. Pardon me, I meant Marshall Field’s.
5. “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” – Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky. Again, it’s a bit of a stretch, but I think almost any piece from “The Nutcracker Suite” can go on this list. To me this is the most Christmas-sounding one. It’s like the soundtrack to elves making toys.
4. “The Christmas Song” – Nat King Cole. Let’s continue the jazz theme. It’s a genre that I think perfectly complements Christmas. This is one of the all-time classics.
3. “Christmas Time is Here” – Vince Guaraldi. Of all the Christmas songs Guaraldi wrote, this one has to be my all-time favorite.
2. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee. I’m not sure that this song appeared in the movie “A Christmas Story,” but every time I hear it, I picture that leg lamp and licking a flag pole.
1. “All I Want for Christmas (Is You)” – Mariah Carey. I’m not a fan of Mariah Carey for the most part, but this song was an instant classic. It’s so catchy and is a hit across all generations. I love the galloping piano and Motown undertones. Plus, Carey refrains from her glass-shattering highs in this song.
So those are my top ten Christmas songs, but what are yours? Let me know by sending me an email at mason@mysundaynews.com. If I get enough responses, I’ll feature them in an upcoming column.
