Time For Some Christmas Music Magic!
There is nothing better than holiday music – everyone from Paul McCartney to his long-time writing partner John Lennon has written hit holiday singles. As you would have expected from Lennon his has a strong, positive message:
Here is his hopeful song of peace, which sadly is still a goal and not a reality in our world:
McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” Money Maker!
Paul McCartney’s ode to the holiday season is much more upbeat and cheerful – oh, and it’s also his biggest money-making hit ever! I guess 30+ years of play adds up! You can see the video here:
I was happy that The Eagles joined in the holiday spirit – with a gorgeous Christmas song and a raucous New Years one as well!
The Eagles Come Home For Christmas!
“Please Come Home for Christmas” was the band’s cover version of a 1960 holiday song – a plaintiff wail for a lost lover to return for the holidays…
The immediately recognizable voice of Don Henley kicks it off in classic Eagles style…
“Bells will be ringing this sad sad news
Oh what a Christmas to have the blues
My baby’s gone I have no friends
To wish me greetings once again
Choirs will be singing “Silent Night”
Christmas carols by candlelight
Please come home for Christmas
Please come home for Christmas
If not for Christmas by New Years night…”
Here is an incredible live performance by Don Henley from Howard Stern’s show in 2015 – wow!
The Eagles Go Top 20!
The Eagles released the song as a holiday single in 1978. Their version peaked at #18 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, the first Christmas song to reach the Top 20 on that chart since Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Paper” in 1963!
The Eagles Offer Up A “Funky New Year” Too!
“Please Come Home For Christmas” is a truly beautiful ballad – but for the end of that year, the band also offered up another holiday song – but now, it was time to party!
“Funky New Year!”
This song was the b-side to their Christmas single, and was written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Glenn Lewis. It is a great way to celebrate the new year!
“Went to a party just last night
Wanted to bring the year in right
Woke up this morning I don’t know how
Last night I was a happy man, but the way I feel right now
It’s gonna be a FUNKY NEW YEAR
FUNKY NEW YEAR
Ooo, Ahh, got to be a FUNKY NEW YEAR
FUNKY NEW YEAR
Can’t remember when I ever felt worse
Nothing matters and everything hurts
They were passin’ round the bottle, made me feel brand new
Trouble with the new man he wants a hit too, hit me
FUNKY NEW YEAR”
Here is the audio-only live version from their 1999 Millennium concert version – what a great song!
Everyone from Elton John to Bruce Springsteen has released holiday music, but here is one of my favorites:
Daryl Hall and John Oates have put out a terrific holiday album, check out the video for their “Jingle Bell Rock” here:
Sadly I reported that there is a major rift between the two – see the details here:
And lets not forget the most unique holiday collaboration of all:
Who could have imagined that David Bowie, at the time one of the hottest Artists on the planet, would do a holiday song with legendary Hollywood crooner Bing Crosby!
Click here to see the story behind the collaboration on “The Little Drummer Boy / Peace On Earth” – and how that latter song came to be!
And let’s not forget the classic “Christmas I All Around” from the fictional Rock Star Billy Mack!
Billy Nighy’s great performance from “Love Actually” is a holiday favorite – see the clip here:
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Categories: 70's Music, Art, Classic Rock, Music, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
I always thought the combination of Bing and David rather strange, but it worked well. I like this carol, and always watch ‘Carols from King’s’ on Christmas Eve: https://youtu.be/gTFG_nvreoI?si=UZRNps8MxXPo3WMV
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Hi John, I have seen Love Actually and I enjoyed it. I love the duet between Bing and David. A favourite Christmas song of mine.
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Thanks for the wonderful music!
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Like them all, but going to have to agree with Darlene on my favorite. My impression of Henley is he could sometimes be difficult, but man can he sing.
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Yes he has such a great voice…his last album “Cass County” was a beautiful one with a number of duets
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In light of Hall and Oates legal woes . . . I’m getting this image of both of them singing some sad Christmas song this year, wishing the other would stop bothering them. Ha, ha. Let’s hope they can work it out. Great mix of Christmas songs, besides the same two or three I hear more often than not this time of the year. Ha, ha.
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From all I’m reading I don’t think it will be repaired…sad too – thanks so much for the comment, always great to hear from you!
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So nice to see and hear them – young and fabulous!
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A great selection here. My favourite is Don Henley’s Home For Christmas.
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That’s a nice seasonal mix, John. Though I always found that Bowie/Crosby combination very strange. 🙂
This is my favourite Christmas song, more or less the only one I like.
Best wishes, Pete.
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