White Christmas - Bing Crosby

White Christmas by Bing Crosby has to go down as one of the greatest Christmas songs ever, even for those of us who celebrate Christmas in summer. I came across this montage of performances by Crosby and am amazed at the consistency of his singing. It makes me wonder how many times he performed this very song during his career and hope he still got pleasure from it after all those times.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Johnny Mathis

I'm not sure why I have a fondness for cheesy northern hemisphere Christmas music; things couldn't look more different to those snowy chocolate box scenes here in New Zealand at this time of the year. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas is another Christmas offering by Johnny Mathis. Once again, there are many, many versions around and this one was also made famous by a movie sequel - but I won't hold that against it. I actually think it's just Mathis' dulcet tones that could win me over with almost anything he sings - don't you agree?

Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms

Jingle Bell Rocks really does rock. This classic Christmas song from Bobby Helms has been around forever and was his biggest hit. I guess if you are going to have a hit, make it a Christmas one and that way you'll be remembered every year. A whole stack of other versions have been released since then but Bobby Helms' version is the one we all know and love. I'll bet you can't listen to it without a smile on your face!

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

If you Google Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, you will find versions by dozens of artists - just check out this list! One I like (even if it borders on cliché) is by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Again, there are heaps of versions of the band performing this live at Christmas shows, each with its own variation on the ad lib at the start. It picks up near the middle and turns into quite a rocky version, one which even goes well with ukulele backing! What will Santa Claus bring you for Christmas?

Someday at Christmas - Stevie Wonder

Someday at Christmas is a beautiful song of hope and a wish for peace. Released by a young Stevie Wonder during the Vietnam War, it is of the first Christmas songs with a political message, one which is just as pertinent today. Someday at Christmas manages to combine Wonder's youthful sound with an important anti-war message, asking questions about what is important and putting into perspective what Christmas really means.

Driving Home for Christmas - Chris Rea

Christmas songs are largely about anticipation and looking forward to something, whether it it's a big meal, a family event, truckloads of presents or the whole holiday being over and done with as soon as possible. I quite like Driving Home for Christmas by Chris Rea, whose voice and musical sound is not so Christmassy and therefore conveys not only anticipation, but also impatience, tiredness and the feeling that time d r a g s  o u t  so very much at this time of the year - especially for those who have to work through or up until the last minute. Save driving, everyone!

When a Child is Born - Johnny Mathis

I am actually a traditionalist at heart. When a Child is Born is one of the most lovely, hopeful songs around and Johnny Mathis' version is sure to soften even the hardest of hearts at Christmas time. Even though the lyrics don't specifically mention Christmas, there are many references which allude to the hope, promise and expectation that surrounds the birth of a child, and one in particular. Simply beautiful.

Lovely Day - Bill Withers

Driving into town yesterday, Bill Withers' Lovely Day was playing on the radio. I was in a rush and thinking about my busy day ahead; that stress all melted away after hearing just a few bars. Simply by describing everyday life and seeing how wonderful even the simplest things are, these lyrics have the ability to instantly make things feel better in Withers' typically understated style.

While watching the news on tv last night, I saw a story about a flashmob in a London tube carriage that was actually an orchestrated marriage proposal. What did the choir sing? Lovely Day - a great choice and of course she said yes!

You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night) - Meat Loaf

I have been listening to Bat Out of Hell in preparation for Meat Loaf's Guilty Pleasures tour next week. Listening to an artist's music over and over before a concert is something I always do and really helps me enjoy the show more. I'm hoping for a show featuring lots of theatrics but am especially looking forward to my absolute favourite Meat Loaf song: You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night).

The song starts with one hell of a bang and scales up even further into a full blown attack on the senses in the best possible way. I love the piano lines, the rock guitar runs punctuating each third line and the in-your-face female backing vocals during the verses. The second verse goes on longer than expected but just prolongs the experience. The dynamics in the bridge and vocal ending contrast the intensity of the rest of the song, completing this celebration of sound.

Turn it up and sing it loud. I do.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - Elton John

A group of workmates get together at 3 o'clock every afternoon to do the Capital Day quiz from the Dompost. One of today's questions was about a #1 Beatles song released by Elton John in 1974. Easy: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. "No way!" someone said. "Yes way!" I replied. "It can't be," they retorted. "Why not?" I asked. They gave up, accepted my answer and we got it right.

This is an excellent cover version of an already excellent song. Elton John not only does it justice but his arrangement adds both strength and originality. It naturally features a dominant piano underlined by some pretty decisive drumming and flavoured with distinctive guitar riffs. The verses, chorus and bridge provide a range of dynamics and variation that beautifully exploits the original song's structure and phrasing.

Rumour has it that when John Lennon was playing on this recording, he had to ask Elton John's guitarist what some of the chords were, even though he wrote the song himself. (And you still think the song was about a girl in a little boy's painting?)

She Believes In Me - Kenny Rogers

I have always said that if you're doing to do country music, there are only two ways to do it: Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. I stand by that statement and you'll come to see why I have such respect for these two musicians as this blog evolves.

She Believes In Me was released by Kenny Rogers in 1979. It's technically not a country song and more of a pop ballad in style but, for me, almost anything associated with Kenny Rogers becomes synonymous with country music. From the gentle piano introduction to the sad, heartfelt vocals, this is a love story of the sincerest kind and that is the essence of country music. A woman supports her man night after night to achieve his dream of being a musician, even though success is constantly eluding him. I know first hand how hard it is to be in a relationship with a musician so this is truly admirable. Even when he begins to secretly doubt himself, her faith in him keeps him going. Isn't that the stuff dreams are made of?

Why is this song playing on Café Chick's Jukebox today? I was catching up on some tv this afternoon and watched Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years. I'm not usually big on tribute shows (give me the original any day, I say) but was really impressed with Tim McGraw's version of She Believes In Me. McGraw captured the sincerity of Rogers' original while adding his own stamp to it. Hear for yourself: