Holiday tune-up
 New holiday movies make every family outing an entertaining affair.From Santa's good-for-nothing older brother to an inspirational artist who makes good, these three new holiday flicks will put family members of all ages into the festive mood fast.Turn the festive feel on high with this season’s classic mood tunes.
There’s nothing like a well-mastered mix of holiday tunes to turn up the festive flavour. From traditional classics to rollicking modern remakes, this season’s goof-proof musical picks will get any party started.
Play it Mr. DJ
Swing in the good times with these 10 winning holiday tunes:
“Step into Christmas,” by Elton John.
From its very first guitar strains, Elton John’s “Step into Christmas” makes it impossible for listeners – even The Grinchiest among them – to sit still and mope. First recorded in 1973, this modern holiday classic made it to #23 on the U.K. charts and has since become one of those festive tunes that is as linked to Christmas as purple plastic grass is to Easter baskets. It’s got more spirit going for it than a well-laced vat of egg nog.
“Santa Clause is Coming to Town,” by Bruce Springsteen.
First sung by Eddie Cantor on his radio show in 1934, this Christmas classic has been covered by countless singers, among them Gene Autry, Tony Bennett, Mariah Carey and Frank Sinatra. There have been kitschy versions by Alvin and the Chipmunks, adorable versions by the Muppet babies in “Muppet Family Christmas” and even a boozey rendition by Dudley Moore the 1981 movie “Arthur.” But Bruce Springsteen’s take is “the” definitive great for holiday rockers. With its big sound, bulldozing beat and blast of impish jingle bells, even Santa would groove with the Boss on this one.
“All I Want for Christmas is You,” by Mariah Carey.
According to “The New Yorker,” this famous tune by über-diva Mariah Carey is “one of the few worthy modern additions to the holiday canon.” Recorded in 1994 for Carey’s fifth album “Merry Christmas,” it reached the top 10 in several countries. Heard in the 2003 flick “Love Actually,” in 2006 Carey’s peppy Christmas ditty became America’s best-selling holiday ring tone of all time.
“White Christmas,” by Bing Crosby.
When American songwriter Irving Berlin wrote “White Christmas” in 1940, he was sitting poolside at an Arizona resort. The next day, so legend has it, Berlin went to his office and told his musical secretary, “Grab your pen and take down this song. I just wrote the best song I’ve ever written – hell, I just wrote the best song that anybody’s ever written!”
First introduced in the Bing Crosby-Fred Astaire musical “Holiday Inn” (1942), this Oscar-winning tune became etched into musical history when Crosby sang it in “White Christmas” (1954). Since then, the 2007 “Guinness Book of Records” has dubbed the nostalgic tune as the biggest selling single of all time.
“Happy Christmas (War is Over),” by John Lennon.
With its nursery rhyme-like melody and accompanying children’s voices, John Lennon’s holiday classic captures the innocence of the season and its one big message: peace on earth. Play it and even diehard Scrooge’s will start swaying under the mistletoe.
“The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” by Nat King Cole.
Written by Mel Torme and Bob Wells in just 35 minutes during a blistering summer, Nat King Cole turned “The Christmas Song” into a holiday classic with his mellow 1946 recording. Conjuring up images of the happiest Christmas holidays ever and loved ones near and far, it’s a festive favourite that will make any party swing.
“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” by U2.
Written by Phil Spector in 1963, this Christmas classic has been widely covered over the years. But U2’s 1987 rendition is the one that strikes the biggest chord. Thanks to Bono’s big voice and U2’s strong signature sound, this modern Christmas take makes any traditional party rock. It also features original singer Darlene Love on backup
“Do They Know It's Christmas?” by Band Aid.
For those who think there’s no such thing as good Christmas music, this 1984 Band-Aid classic will change that opinion. Filled with a fab modern twist on traditional yuletide tunes, Band-Aid founder Bob Geldof and friends (among them Sting, Phil Collins and Paul Young) put out this #1 U.K. song to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. It’s a holiday favourite that still keeps on giving.
“Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy,” by David Bowie & Bing Crosby.
It was an unlikely paring – and one that made 20th century musical history. But when Bing Crosby and David Bowie performed this Christmas classic in 1977, they dished up North America’s most iconic version of this beloved holiday tune. Reportedly, Crosby invited Bowie (a big Bingster fan) to perform on his yearly special and the pop star jumped at the chance. Calling Bowie “a clean cut kid,” this famed duet became a symbol of closing generation gaps and sharing true holiday good will.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” by Gene Autry.
Written in 1949 by Johnny Marks, Gene Autry’s 1950 recording of this merry reindeer tale started an avalanche of Rudolph covers. Yet Autry’s rendition still stands the test of time – much like the 1964 claymation cartoon based on this beloved Christmas classic. It’s a tune not to be beat. Just grab your jingle bells and start jamming.
- Constance Droganes
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