Music News

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Music News

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 14: Father Christmas attends the Rosewood London Christmas Courtyard Party 2022 on November 14, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Rosewood London)

Ok, before I share the Jaybeau TOP 10 Holiday Hits I must ask this question. At the END of the famous Boston Pops hit Sleigh Ride, is it a TRUMPET or a VIOLIN that creates the horse sound effect? We’ll answer that question in a moment.

How Does Holiday Music Affect You?

Well, some we know have their tree up NOW! Others wait to decorate until Thanksgiving. One thing is for sure, holiday music has an affect on all of us. When we first hear it, it may create a little anxiety, reminding us of the all of the hustle and bustle, or the cost, or the travel or the family.

But for me, sometime around or after Thanksgiving, the spirit of the season hits me. The holiday hits turbo charge it.

Dad Santa

Christmas morning, I would wake up and see Santa’s boot-prints in the snow on our deck. The boot-prints looked oddly like my Dad’s duck boot-prints, but I played along.

When my kids were at the right young age of 7 and 5, I pulled the greatest Dad-Santa trick ever. Each Christmas Eve, we’d leave for Rhode Island to celebrate with family. One year, I stayed behind, saying I had to work, and I’ll be there in time for dinner.

Then, I went to work. I secretly rented a actual Santa sleigh and had it delivered right into my garage. I filled it with the toys, and wrapped it with flashing Christmas lights.  So that night when we came home from our Christmas dinner, what did eight year old Jordan, and five year old Matthew see? As the electric garage door slowly opened, they witnessed a spectacle of flashing lights, on Santa’s sleigh full of toys! As we got out of the car, the kids went running to the sleigh, to find a note from Santa:

“Jordan and Matthew, I was told you BOTH were very good this year. Please watch my sleigh for me. I’ll be back later with my reindeer to pick it up. You can have these toys now, and more are coming! Love, Santa.”

Now, Matthew who was five, was convinced that HE was the luckiest kid on the planet to get a pre-visit from Santa, himself. Jordan however, was more skeptical. It took much convincing from Matt, that yes in fact, Santa had arrived.

I don’t think they remember that magical visit, but I will never forget it.

 Sleigh Ride

The answer to my quiz above from The Boston Pops: At times when the Boston Pops performs the holiday classic Sleigh Ride, the orchestra may switch it up, and create the horse sound effect with EITHER, a trumpet, OR a violin! 

So NOW that we maybe a little closer to being, in the spirit, let’s share the Jaybeau TOP 10 Holiday Hits! These are ten of my favorites, and a few extra thrown in.

While you enjoy these wonderful songs, I wish you and your family a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. I am grateful, for you.

  • 10-Bing Crosby-White Christmas

    This instant flashback to my Tonka Truck.

  • 9-Band Aid-Do They Know It's Christmas

    I remember the first time I heard this on the radio. I still get goosebumps.

  • 8-Paul McCartney-Wonderful Christmastime

    Critics PANNED this. Paul had the last laugh. Reports say Paul has cleared $15 million so far, since it came out November 16, 1979.

  • 7- Elton John-Steppin In The Christmas

    Not sure why it FADES UP at the beginning. But I love it.

  • 6-David Bowie-Bing Crosby-Little Drummer Boy

    Push over Gaga and Tony Bennett! These two were the FIRST odd music colaberation.

  • 5-Wham-Last Christmas

    There are many great versions. But this one get’s the nod.

  • 4-Andy Williams-It's the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

    He looks happ, happ, happy, to me.  Happy Holiday’s could be #4 as well.

  • 3-Michael Buble-It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

    100 million views can’t be wrong. Plus, he’s a cool guy and is very nice to his fans. He’s a national treasure.

  • 2-Mariah Carey-All I Want For Christmas Is You

    I remember when this came out as a NEW song in 1994. The reaction was INSTANT. It really became the HOTTEST Christmas song for many years to come.

  • 1-Sleigh Ride-Boston Pops With John Williams

    This my #1 because it’s origins started right here!!! According to Wikipedia:

    Sleigh Ride” is a light orchestra standard composed by Leroy Anderson. The composer had formed the original idea for the piece during a heat wave in July 1946, and he finished the work in February 1948. The original recordings were instrumental versions. The lyrics, about riding in a sleigh and other fun wintertime activities, were written by Mitchell Parish in 1950.[1] Anderson also made arrangements for wind band and piano.[2][3]

    The orchestral version was first recorded in 1949 by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra.[4] “Sleigh Ride” was a hit record on RCA Victor Red Seal, and has become one of the orchestra’s signature songs. The 45 rpm version was originally issued on red vinyl. The Pops have also recorded the song with John Williams, their conductor from 1979 to 1995, and Keith Lockhart, their current conductor.

  • Countdown Extra: Bruce Springsteen-Santa Clause Is Comin To Town

    Can’t have Christmas without this…

  • Countdown Extra: The Eagles-Please Come Home For Christmas

    Jon Bon Jovi’s version is pretty good too!

  • Countdown Extra: The Carpenters-Merry Christmas Darling

    Herb Alpert, the A in A & M records discovered Karen Carpenter. He said: “the first time I heard her voice, it reminded me, of time.”

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