Best Holiday Music Compilations

These Christmas Music Albums are Guaranteed to Spread Holiday Cheer

Nov 6, 2009

When it's cold outside but cozy inside this holiday season, the best Christmas music albums can keep up everyone's holiday cheer.

There are a lot of Christmas music compilations out there. Some contain wonderful melodies, heart-warming lyrics, and true holiday spirit. Other albums are no more than obvious attempts by singers and musicians to cash in on the season. How can one distinguish the magical from the downright dreadful?

Below is a list of time-tested classics and modern-day hits that are sure to keep the chestnuts roasting, the sleigh bells ringing, and the cheerful singing as they snuggle up with their loved ones beneath the mistletoe.

When one thinks Christmas music, Bing Crosby often comes to mind. His rendition of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" is one of the best-selling singles of all time and certainly is the best-selling Christmas song of all time. This song, as well as Crosby's tranquil "Silent Night" and his soulful "I'll Be Home for Christmas," can be found on his 1945 White Christmas album (re-released many times over). is a larger compilation of Crosby classics. The album title says it all — Bing Crosby was and remains the voice of Christmas.

For a more complete compilation of Crosby's Christmas songs, Bing Crosby, the Voice of Christmas: The Complete Decca Christmas Songbook has all the best.

Elvis Presley is called the "King" for a reason. Simply put, he was a masterful musician who recorded hit after hit after hit. So when he recorded not one but two Christmas albums — Elvis' Christmas Album in 1957 and Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas in 1971 — it came as no surprise that he had twice again created something magnificent. Blue Christmas is RCA Records' selection of some of the best songs from Elvis' two Christmas albums, including "White Christmas," "Silent Night," and, of course, the title track.

For fans searching for a more complete compilation of Elvis' Christmas songs, Elvis Presley: If Every Day Was Like Christmas will surely satisfy.

Merle Haggard's A Christmas Present and Sony BMG's Hear Something Country Christmas 2007 Radiate Christmas Warmth from Country Music's Best

Merle Haggard's 1973 album, A Christmas Present, brings poetic depth and sentiment to otherwise run-of-the-mill Christmas music. Of course, the album includes Haggard's low-toned versions of "Silver Bells" and "Silent Night." However, it is his original tracks, like "If We Make It Through December," "Bobby Wants a Puppy for Christmas," and "Grandma's Christmas Card," that highlight the oft-forgotten, most valuable aspects of the season: family, compassion, humanism, and philanthropy.

Though less thought-provoking, Hear Something Country Christmas 2007 still has lots to offer. The album features some of today's top country stars — Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, and many more — each providing a new version of an old favorite or jamming out southern-style to an original piece. It is a great mix of country's brightest stars and up-and-comers.

Christmas Music Orchestrated by Leonard Bernstein and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra are Sure to Please

Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic combine with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to create moving symphonies in Leonard Bernstein: The Joy of Christmas. Listeners are swept away by perfectly harmonized instruments and vocals in familiar pieces, such as "Joy to the World," and in worldly masterpieces, like "Dance de la Fée Dragée" (Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy).

Too old-fashioned? The Trans-Siberian Orchestra modernizes classical Christmas music in a powerful and captivating way. Often described as "symphonic rock," the Trans-Siberian Orchestra interweaves orchestral instrumentation, choir vocals, new-age synthesizers, and heart-pounding guitar rifts to ensnare audiences while telling a deeply enriching story through music. The group's debut album, Christmas Eve and Other Stories, is its best, offering the immensely popular song, "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24."

Clay Aiken's Merry Christmas with Love, a Modern Christmas Music Classic?

American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken is no runner-up when it comes to creating a Christmas album for the ages. Released in November 2004 and certified platinum by January 2005, Aiken's album, Merry Christmas with Love, showcases the young star's amazing vocal talents. Aiken matches Celine Dion's control and coloratura in his take on Dion's "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day," and his rendition of "Mary, Did You Know?" is perhaps the best ever recorded.

What Do Crosby, Presley, Aiken, Haggard, Bernstein, and the Others Have in Common?

Christmas music comes in many forms. What is moving, inspirational, powerful, or beautiful to some may not be so for others. Some websites offer free Christmas music where individuals can find the holiday music that touches them.

The above artists, however, all exemplify the holiday spirit. They remind listeners that Christmas is a time for people to gather together, to share the warmth of friendship, to cherish the holidays' less commercial virtues, and to embrace the music that unites us all.

HOL101

The copyright of the article Best Holiday Music Compilations in Holiday Entertaining is owned by Jason Parent. Permission to republish Best Holiday Music Compilations in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.