Song #109: River
Artist: Herbie Hancock featuring Corinne Bailey Rae
Year: 2007
Notes: Originally from Joni Mitchell's 1971 Blue album. Has become extremely popular as a Christmas song in the last 15 years or so with dozens of cover versions.
Song #101: Twistin' Bells
Artist: Santo & Johnny
Year: 1960
Notes: Christmas music and The Twist were both popular in 1960 so the Farina brothers incorporated each of them into this Yuletide hit. The year before they had a #1 with the classic Sleep Walk.
Song #88: Peace
Artist: Norah Jones
Year: 2003
Notes: Norah covers fellow Blue Note recording artist, songwriter/pianist Horace Silver.
Song #76: It Hasn't Happened Yet
Artist: William Shatner
Year: 2004
Notes: Sometimes hammy actor teamed up with musician Ben Folds for the thoroughly outstanding Has Been album. Here's a melancholy song about holiday anxiety.
Song #13: Christmastime Is Here
Artist: Vince Guaraldi
Year: 1965
Notes: Signature song from one of the two greatest Christmas albums of all time.
Song #11: I Bought You A Plastic Star
Artist: Michael Franks
Year: 2003
Notes: His teriffic holiday album almost makes you want to forgive him for Popsicle Toes.
Song #6: What Will Santa Claus Say (When he Finds Everybody Swinging)?
Artist: Louis Prima And His New Orleans Gang
Year: 1936
Notes: Beloved New Orleans jazz trumpeter and band leader. Was also the voice of King Louie in the movie The Jungle Book. You might remember the orangutan who sang I Wanna Be Like You.
