By Don Valentine
It’s the time of year that you may be suffering the Christmas parking blues. Don’t fret, pull up your chair and get out the wrapping paper. Get a glass of eggnog and put a splash of rum in it. Readers, a splash does not mean half the bottle of rum. Here is a red flag if after your 2nd glass of eggnog, you find yourself guzzling the open bottle… It is officially “Nap-time” friend. Put the rum down and go sleep it off!
To further bolster your Yuletide spirits, crank up your sound system with some of these classics. These songs will take you down “Santa Claus Lane!”
“ Please Come Home For Christmas” Charles Brown
Why: Great Soul classic for the holiday. Don’t forget to try some “Blue Eyed” soul with Glen Freyn and the Eagles remake.
Popularity: The song by Charles Brown and Gene Redd was first released in 1960 and charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #76 in December 1961. The record sold more than one million copies.
“Christmas time is Here” Charlie Brown Cartoon Special
Why: Great uptempo Christmas song It is from the iconic annual “Charlie Brown Christmas” t.v. special.
Popularity: The soundtrack has hit Quadruple Platinum (over four million copies sold) and has been added to the American National Recording Registry’s list of “culturally, historically or aesthetically important” sound recordings.
“All I Want For Christmas Is You” – By Mariah Carey
Why: Let’s add a spin of commercialism? One of “MiMi”’s biggest hits!
Popularity: 16 million copies which is also one of the biggest-selling singles of all time (not just holiday singles,).
“Christmas Song”Nat King Cole
Why: One of the most iconic classic Christmas songs of all time!
Popularity: It is the best-selling Christmas album released in the 1960s, and was certified by the RIAA for shipments of 6 million copies in the U.S.
“Santa Baby” Eartha Kitt
Why: This timeless classic is the anthem for women all over America. Don’t forget to try some “Blue Eyed” soul with Madonna’s remake.
Popularity: That 1953 Classic went “Gold” with sales in excess of 640,000 units.
“Silent Night” The Temptations
Why: This Carole is a staple song in any Black household this time of the year. If you want to get your “Black-Card” revoked, have your Christmas gathering absent this classic!
Popularity: Silent was one of the most popular of the group’s hit records.
Honorable mention goes out to
*Bing Crosby “White Christmas”
*Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee.
*It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams.
*Last Christmas – Wham.
*Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms.
*It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – Michael Bublé
Apologies if your favorite song missed the list. It’s Christmas time, go ahead and blast that song loud.
From the entire Westside Gazette family,
We wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!
