My Holiday Playlist

At my age, Christmas is a whimsical time wherein I constantly think of my youth. I think of those 1980s Reagan Era Christmases...the best of the best. You can't associate Christmas without music. I grew up at a place called Greenhill School in Dallas, TX. On top of the lavish Holiday concerts that we had every year, we also had Holiday sing alongs led by our Headmaster, the venerable Phil Foote. He wore the wildest tartan/Go To Hell pants. I didn't understand it at the time, but I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't looking for a few pair now.

In Kindergarten, I was in 'Nutcracker' a Greenhill tradition. I was a Russian dancer, in Mrs. Gindling's class. I can still do the dance. A few years later, my little brother Jordan (www.jordancarlos.com) was one of the Wooden Soldiers. We moved on from stage productions to playing Orff instruments and later I played smooth notes in the low-brass section of the 6th grade jazz band with my shimmering trombone.

My sister went to a different school, Parish Day. Their concerts had a parochial aspect that our shows at Greenhill NEVER had, aside from the Hanukkah songs. However, theirs were absolutely beautiful, and though I usually showed up late coming from some basketball game or practice, I never missed the opportunity to see her perform.

Either way, I usually put a little Holiday playlist together, so I figured I'd share what this year's list is...

All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
All I Want For Christmas Is You - Olivia Olson (from Love Actually)
Auld Lang Syne - Mairi Campbell & Dave Francis (from Sex and the City)
Ave Maria - Stevie Wonder
Away In A Manger - Nat King Cole
Baby It's Cold Outside - Ray Charles and Betty Carter
Baby It's Cold Outside - James Taylor and Natalie Cole
Christmas in Hollis - RUN DMC
Christmas is All Around - Billy Mack (from Love Actually)
Christmas is Coming - Vince Guaraldi Trio
The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
The Christmas Song - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Christmas Time Is Here - Anita Baker
Christmas Time Is Here - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Deck The Hall - Nat King Cole
Do They Know - Boyz II Men
The Dreidel Song - Sister Hazel
The First Noel - Nat King Cole
Frosty The Snowman - The Jackson 5
Fur Elise - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Give Love On Christmas Day - The Jackson 5
Go Tell It On the Mountain - The Morehouse College/Spelman College Glee Clubs
Greensleeves - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Happy Christmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon & Yoko Ono
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - James Taylor
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Kenny G
Home For the Holidays - Destiny's Child
I Pray On Christmas - Harry Connick, Jr.
It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams
Joy To the World - Nat King Cole
Let It Snow - Boyz II Men
Mele Kalikimaka - Bing Crosby
Merry Christmas Baby - Charles Brown
Nutcracker Suite - Tchaikovsky
O Come All Ye Faithful - Nat King Cole
Please Come Home For Christmas - Charles Brown
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - The Temptations
Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - The Jackson 5
Silent Night - Boyz II Men
Silent Night - Nat King Cole
Silent Night - The Temptations
Silver Bells - Bing Crosby
Skating - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Sleigh Ride - TLC
Someday At Christmas - Stevie Wonder
That Spirit of Christmas - Ray Charles
This Christmas - Donny Hathaway
This Christmas - Chris Brown
A Warm Little Home on the Hill - Stevie Wonder
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve - Harry Connick, Jr.
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve - Diana Krall
When My Heart Finds Christmas - Harry Connick, Jr.
White Christmas - Bing Crosby
White Christmas - Otis Redding
Who Would Have Thought I'd Fall In Love On Christmas Day - Boyz II Men
Winter Wonderland - Harry Connick, Jr.
Winter Wonderland - Ray Charles
Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney
You're Not Alone - Boyz II Men