6 thoughts on “Christmas Dreams 2011: An Elvis Playlist for the Holiday Season (Playlist Recipes #4)”

1. King and Bing. Ever since I was a kid, Christmas music has meant Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby. Up until 10-15 years ago, they were all I owned for Christmas music. How stunned I was to learn that Elvis only recorded 20 Christmas songs. The amount of compilations, with different covers, that come out every year is staggering. I’ve never been one for phony duets or alternate versions but that’s OK – the 20 he recorded are more than enough. “Santa Claus is Back in Town” is one of his best 10-15 recordings. “Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees” and “I’ll Be Home on Christmas Day” are fantastic songs, never mind that they are “seasonal”. “It Won’t Seem Like Christmas”, his arrangement of “O Come All Ye Faithful”….. I go with the “If Everyday Was Like Christmas” comp every year but this year I really considered re-sequencing it on a blank and putting it in the case instead.

   Any way you cut it, or sequence it, his Christmas recordings are always a great part of the season.

   Merry Christmas to all and Happy Holidays!

   LikeLike

   • Hey Wellsy,

     They really have put out a lot of Elvis compilations over the years, you’re right – especially considering how few Christmas songs he really recorded. I guess it’s the same way with the greatest hits packages, the same 20 to 40 songs used over and over.

     I can’t really riff on RCA/BMG/Sony/Whoever too much, though, since I also make a new compilation every year! It’s fun.

     Thanks for commenting!

     LikeLike

2. Hi Ty,
   Santa Claus Is Back In Town kicks off our Christmas season. I enjoy the original releases in album chronological order and as they were listed on albums. It’s how I remember them. I love my memories bringing each album home from my favorite record shop on a snowy night. Hearing… Well, it’s Christmas time pretty baby And the snow is falling on the ground from Elvis’ Christmas Album LPM-1951 was awesome. I always hoped Elvis would release another Christmas album in the sixties. When I first heard If Everyday Was Like Christmas on the radio, I thought he did. We had to wait till ’71 for Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas LSP-4579. Here’s my favorite playlist..

   o Santa Claus Is Back In Town

   o White Christmas

   o Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)

   o I’ll Be Home For Christmas

   o Blue Christmas

   o Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)

   o If Everyday Was Like Christmas

   o O Come All Ye Faithful

   o First Noel

   o On A Snowy Christmas Night

   o Winter Wonderland

   o Wonderful World Of Christmas

   o It Won’t Seem Like Christmas (Without You)

   o ‘ll Be Home On Christmas Day

   o If I Get Home On Christmas Day

   o Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees

   o Merry Christmas Baby

   o Silver Bells

   I also enjoy seeing all the different artwork from Elvis’ Christmas Albums, EP’s and Singles released throughout the years. My all-time favorite artwork/packaging is the original LOC-1035 Elvis’ Christmas Album released in ’57.

   

   Call me old fashioned, but I really enjoyed going to my favorite record shop and bringing home records to play. Some of my memories are priceless. Happy Holidays to Everyone!

   LikeLike

   • Hey Joe,

     So, the funny thing is, the list you gave above – that’s pretty much what I went with last year (I think it was last year, hah), going back to the original album sequence. The only differences are that I included the gospel songs from the Elvis’ Christmas Album – for old time’s sake and also I slotted the live “Santa Claus Is Back In Town/Blue Christmas” in before “O Come All Ye Faithful.” I know the live “Santa Claus Is Back In Town” wasn’t released until later, but I like using that one versus the edited “Blue Christmas” live that came out in his lifetime.

     Elvis Christmas memories really are special. Thanks for commenting.

     LikeLike

3. Hi Ty, an excellent idea to change the order of the songs each year. I have to admit I’ve been more conservative. always pulling out If EveryDay Was Like Christmas. But yours is a great playlist, and I couldn’t help notice that you included “Santa Lucia,” which was a pleasant surprise! Thanks for a great post!

   LikeLike

   • Thanks, Thomas. This was the first time I included “Santa Lucia,” but I plan to do so from now on. After first learning about its status as a “lost” Christmas song on your site last year, I woke up early on Christmas morning and saw a TV special about how Christmas was being celebrated around the world. Sure enough, they showed people singing “Santa Lucia” when they covered Sweden.

     LikeLike

Comments are closed.