Tjil’s Top 10 Christmas songs

The holiday season isn’t complete without an equally wonderful and comforting playlist. Tjil tells you which songs to download to ensure a merry Christmas. We also tell what song is the ultimate Christmas song to download at number one. 10. ‘The Christmas Song’ - Nat King Cole (1961) Co-written by singer Mel Torme, ‘The Christmas Song’ became one of the defining performances of the career of Nat King Cole. He recorded the song at least 3 times of which the 1961 recording is often considered the best. Sometimes the song is referred to as ‘Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire’ from the lyrics in the song’s first line. 9. ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ - John Lennon (1971) One of Beatle John Lennon’s dreams in the music industry was to create a classic Christmas song. Undoubtedly, he was successful with the song ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ that is simultaneously a holiday song and plea for world peace. 8. ‘O Holy Night’ - Celine Dion (1998) ‘O Holy Night’, composed in 1847, has become a favourite carol for solo vocal performances. Celine Dion applied the huge sound of her voice to the classic song on the 1998 collection ‘These Are Special Times’. 7. ‘Joy to the World’ - Michael Bolton (1997) Scripture forms the basis for the lyrics of ‘Joy to the World’ written by Isaac Watts. Michael Bolton performed his version at Placido Domingo’s 1997 Christmas celebration concert in Vienna. 6. ‘Carol of the Bells’ - Destiny’s Child (2004) This is a Ukrainian holiday song based around a four-note motif taken from a pagan Ukrainian New Year’s chant. Destiny’s Child stopped by the Early Show to deliver their masterful a capella performance of the song. 5. ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’ - Carrie Underwood (2007) Noel Regney and his wife Gloria Shayne Baker wrote ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’ in 1962 as a plea for peace during the Cuban missile crisis. It quickly became a Christmas classic in recordings by the Harry Simeone Chorale and Bing Crosby. Carrie Underwood’s performance was part of a celebration of the 75th lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. 4. ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ - Mariah Carey (1994) ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ was featured on Mariah Carey’s hit 1994 holiday album ‘Merry Christmas’. In the past decade the song has quickly become a contemporary holiday standard selling over 4 million copies around the world. 3. ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ - Mariah Carey (1994) ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ was written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley. The first publication date for the carol was 1739. Mariah Carey recorded the traditional song for her hit 1994 holiday album ‘Merry Christmas’. 2. ‘This Christmas’ - Chris Brown (2007) ‘This Christmas’ was most often identified with R&B legend Donny Hathaway until Chris Brown recorded it as the title song for the movie ‘This Christmas’. 1. ‘Who Would Imagine a King’ - Whitney Houston (2003) The song is from ‘The Preachers Wife’ and was on Whitney’s album titled ‘One Wish: The Holiday Album’. “Mommies and daddies always believe that their little angels are special indeed. And you could grow up to be anything. But who would imagine a king?” she sings. Whitney’s voice is angelic as she sings in the lower range bring the comforting spirit of Christmas. ‘Who Could Imagine a King’ is our favourite Christmas song. WINDHOEK STAFF REPORTER