Best Christmas Songs By Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Live Aid, Wham, Chuck Berry, The Carpenters and Run DMC - Have some Christmas fun!

Music Wed - it was fun being a lil Grinchie last week, but I do love Christmas and all that it represents. So I want to share some of the Christmas tunes I never tire of, even though they are played year after year. First up is The Carpenters' "Merry Christmas Darling" - it features all of the best features of this group: Karen's crystal clear voice, Richard's slightly cheesy backing vocals and slightly overproduced musical accompaniment. It all adds up to a sweet, lovely holiday song (http://youtu.be/nR34VJ7HWqU). Sticking with the slightly corny, but still fun, I always love Macca's best Christmas tune (he has written 15 Christmas songs over the years as a Beatle and as a solo artist!), which to me is "Wonderful Christmas Time" (http://youtu.be/tY3MAguzzKA -- this is a fun version!). Before I get all sentimental, I need to throw in my fave hip hop Christmas song, Run DMC's "Christmas Time in Hollis" (http://youtu.be/OR07r0ZMFb8 - check out the hideous MTV style video production qualities from the original 1987 video). To round off the fun, I never tune off  Chuck Berry's original version of "Run, Run Rudolph" when it comes on the radio (http://youtu.be/b4GlAneEa78 - Chuck might truly have been the first King of Rock and Roll!). Turning serious, because Christmas is a time to reflect on blessings, to feel and express gratitude and to renew commitments to do more for those less fortunate, I have two favorite picks -- John Lennon's "So This Is Christmas" (http://youtu.be/XPm3CWvDmvc), and my perennial #1 Live Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas Time" (http://youtu.be/eYDEh-mhijc - word of warning, do NOT torture yourself with the Live Aid II re-recording of this tune; it is hideous! As great as the original version is, the remake is that much more horrible for its lameness; u can't capture lightning in a bottle twice). Finally, as my Christmas treat for all the 80's music lovers in the crowd (and u know who u r!), I could not leave out Wham's "Last Christmas" (http://youtu.be/E8gmARGvPlI - pure big hair 80's song magic, if you ask me). Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year - I love and appreciate you all. Enjoy!