Almost every classic Christmas carol has been covered by a slew of artists from differing music genres -- who would of thought Bob Dylan, Anne Murray and Enya would all cover the same carol? But country crooners, specifically, have taken Christmas music by storm, arranging some of the most enduring Christmas singles and albums from Christmas hymns such as 'Silent Night' and 'Winter Wonderland.' AOL Radio has created a list of the 10 Best Country Christmas songs as rated by our radio listeners. Check out the list and be sure to tell us what your favorite Christmas Country song is in the comments!
Did you know? An American Holiday classic recorded by big leagues Bing Crosby, Perry Como and Frank Sinatra, McEntire's version was included on her 1987 album, 'Merry Christmas to You,' which included singles that charted almost 10 years after its release.
Did you know? This country Christmas song is included in Pride's 1970 album, 'Christmas in My Hometown,' which peaked at No. 5 in the U.S. Billboard 200 in 1971.
Did you know? One of 10 country Christmas songs on Nichols' 2004 'A Traditional Christmas,' this tune was originally written by lyricist Richard B. Smith and composer Felix Bernard.
Did you know? McBride's Christmas cover includes arrangements by James Ramsey Murray, John Thomas McFarland and William James Kirkpatrick. The song was included in her 1998 album 'White Christmas' as well as its re-release in 1999 (with two new tracks) and 2007 (with 4 new tracks). In 2007 the album went certified platinum, selling 1.2 million copies.
Did you know? A popular carol originally written by William Chatterton Dix in 1865, Dean's cover is included in his 2005 'The Christ (A song for Joseph)' -- comprised of eight covers of Christmas tunes (such as 'The Little Drummer Boy' and 'Silent Night') as well as two original tracks; one titled 'Just for Me and You,' is a duet with his daughter Hannah.
Did you know? Alabama featured this song on their 1996 sophomore Christmas album. The original lyrics were written by Episcopal priest Phillips Brooks, three years after visiting the town of Bethlehem in 1865. Brooks gave the poem to his church organist Lewis Redner, who added music to the lyrics which he titled 'St. Louis.'
Did you know? The classic story of Rudoulph was written by Robert L. May back in 1939, but the song -- composed by Johnny Marks -- wasn't written until almost ten years later, followed by the famous TV special in 1964. The lyric "All of the other reindeer" was often misheard as "Olive, the other reindeer" and thus the fictional character Olive was created for the TV special. Strait included this country Christmas song in one of his five successful Christmas albums.
Did you know? World War I troops on both sides of the front line sang 'Silent Night' simultaneously in English and German during the Christmas Truce of 1914, for it was one of the few songs they both knew. In addition to Jackson's country cover, this song has been covered by Stevie Nicks, Bing Crosby, Enya and even an instrumental version by Mannheim Steamroller.
Did you know? This hymn was written sometime in the 13th century entirely in Latin, later translated by Frederick Oakeley into the four-verse hymn we know today. Murray's country Christmas song is a favorite, as well as covers by Andrea Bocelli, Bob Dylan, Luciano Pavoratti, and Bing Crosby.
3. It would be nice to hear Conway Twitty and the Tweety Birds on AOL radio....A truly fun Christmas album for all ages. My favorite however is 'Let It Be Christmas'by Alan Jackson. Listen to the words...a truly beautiful song.
1. "Hard Candy Christmas", Dolly Parton. 2. "All I Want for Christmas is You", Vince Vance and the Valiants. 3. "Christmas in Dixie", Alabama. (I agree that this one should have been on this list.
5. Very nice listin of country Christmas songs. However, these should include: 1. All I want for Christmas - Vince Vance 2. Christmas in Dixie 3. Hard Candy Christmas
7. I agree with Alabama's "Christmas in Dixie", Dolly Parton, "Hard Candy Christmas". I'd like to add "Christmas to remember" and "Christmas without you" both by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, also ""beautiful Star of Bethlehem" by the Judds. This list is ok, but there's SO much missing!!
Posted at 1:26PM on Dec 17th 2009 by phoenixonfire90
8. you forgot my fav. carrie underwood/do you hear what i hear
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1. I can't believe Alabamas "Christmas in Dixie" wasn;t on the list.
Posted at 6:58AM on Oct 21st 2009 by Jim