[tps_header] Okay, we asked you guys: “What’s your favorite holiday song and who sings?” And the results are in. Here are the top 15 holiday songs as chosen by you. They are ranked in order of popularity, with #1 receiving the most votes from our BMWK readers.
Also, we’ve given you the best sing-out-loud moment from each song and a cool factoid about the holiday hit. So here goes. Let us know if you agree.
Our BMWK top 15 holiday songs every black family should have on their Christmas party playlist.[/tps_header]
#15 Give Love On Christmas Day by Jackson 5
Best Sing Out Loud Moment: “What the world needs is love/ Yes, the world needs your love.”
Interesting to Note: Johnny Gill’s rendition for this song came in just one vote shy of beating out the Jackson 5.
#14 Someday At Christmas by Stevie Wonder
Best Sing Out Loud Moment: “Someday at Christmas men won’t be boys/ Playing with bombs like kids play with toys/ One warm December our hearts will see/ A world where men are free.”
Interesting to Note: The song was written in 1967 as a reaction to the Vietnam War. It’s one of the first holiday songs with a political/world message.
#13 Santa Claus, Go Straight To The Ghetto by James Brown
Best Sing Out Loud Moment: “Santa Claus, go straight to the ghetto/ Tell him James Brown sent you, huh.”
Interesting to Note: James Brown actually passed on Christmas Day in 2006.
#12 Alexander O’Neal by My Gift To You
Best Sing Out Loud Moment: “So how can you expect a gift from someone else unless you give That’s just the sign of a selfish man.:
Interesting to Note: Did you know Alexander O’Neal was actually supposed to be the lead singer for The Time.
#11 What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas by The Emotions
Best Sing Out Loud Moment: “A silent night, I know it’s gonna be/ Joy to the world but it’s gonna be sad for me.”
Interesting to Note: The biggest hit from the trio, who were sisters, was “Best of My Love.”
#10 Merry Christmas Baby by Otis Redding
Best Sing Out Loud Moment: “Merry Christmas baby/ Sure do treat me nice.”
Interesting to Note: Though not Christmas-related, did you know Otis Redding’s whistling in his famous hit “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” wasn’t intended to be in the final released version?
#9 Last Christmas by Wham!
Best Sing Out Loud Moment: “Last Christmas, I gave you my heart / But the very next day, you gave it away / This year, to save me from tears / I’ll give it to someone special.”
Interesting to Note: Wham! was the only non-black music group to make the list. The song was recorded for charity, where proceeds went to benefit famine relief in Ethiopia.
#8 O’ Holy Night by Mariah Carey
Best Sing Out Loud Moment: “Fall on your knees/O hear the angel voices.”
Interesting to Note: “O Holy Night” has been recorded by several greats, such as Mahalia Jackson, Patti LaBelle and Whitney Houston, but the Mariah Carey version received the most votes on our list.
#7 Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt
Best Sing Out Loud Moment: “Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ring/ I don’t mean on the phone”
Interesting to Note: The song was written for Eartha Kitt by a Senator’s daughter.
#6 All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey
Best Sing Out Loud Moment: “I just want you for my own / More than you could ever know / Make my wish come true / All I want for Christmas is you.”
Interesting to Note: It’s one of the most successful Christmas songs in history and is currently the most downloaded Christmas song to date.
#5 The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole
Best Sing Out Loud Moment: “They know that Santa’s on his way/ He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh.”
Interesting to Note: According to ASCAP, it was the third-most played holiday song during 2011.
#4 Every Year, Every Christmas by Luther Vandross
Best Sing Out Loud Moment: “There must be a lesson for me to learn/If you don’t trust in love, you’ll get nothing in return.”
Interesting to Note: Vandross actually co-wrote the song for his first Christmas album.
#3 Let It Snow by Boyz II Men
Best Sing Out Loud Moment: “I don’t care what the weather may be/ As long as you’re here with me.”
Interesting to Note: The song actually features vocals from Brian McKnight, who helped to co-write the song with the group’s Wanya Morris.
#2 Silent Night by The Temptations
Best Sing Out Loud Moment: “In my mind, I want you to be free/ For all of our friends, to listen to me.”
Interesting to Note: The song was actually written in 1818 in Austria, and since then, has been translated to more than 300 different languages.
#1 This Christmas by Donny Hathaway
Best Sing Out Loud Moment: “Fireside is blazing bright/We’re caroling through the night/And this Christmas, will be/A very special Christmas, for me.”
Interesting to Note: The song initially wasn’t successful when released in 1970. But it eventually gain enormous success and has been a black family holiday classic—even giving rise to several other popular renditions from Chris Brown, Cee-lo Green and Aretha Franklin.
[tps_footer]BMWK, did your favorite holiday song make the list? What song do you have in the top spot?[/tps_footer]