For my first Tuesday Tunes post, I had to decide what genre to focus on. My tastes are a bit eclectic – I like country music, folk music, oldies, Broadway tunes, and music from various children/family movies (Disney movies, CG movies, and that sort of thing).

As for what to choose, I figured I should display something that is in keeping with the Christmas season! But what a problem that is – I love so many Christmas songs that choosing something is by no means easy.

And so I decided that in keeping with the occasional excesses of the season, I would put forth three songs!

Let There Be Peace on Earth

The first song, “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” is actually not really a Christmas song per se, but it is played at Christmastime because of the wish for, you know, peace on earth. There’s just something hopeful (and peaceful) about the song, and I enjoy belting it out whenever it plays. I think Vince Gill does a fantastic job, and I always look for his version when I am wanting to listen to the song. When his daughter Jenny comes in, it adds that extra flavor of innocence that really imbues the song further with hope. I wish there could be peace on earth, and as the song indicates, we have to start off pushing for peace ourselves.

Thank You Very Much

And what would a discussion of Christmas be without a discussion of A Christmas Carol? The Albert Finney version is my father’s favorite, and while my favorite is the Muppets’ version, I have to say that “Thank You Very Much” is a fantastic song. When one of my family members does something for me, it is not uncommon for me to respond, “Thank you very much! Thank you very much! That’s the nicest thing that anyone’s ever done for me!”

Of course, there is a definite darkness to the song seeing as the characters are thanking Scrooge for, you know, dying, but the boisterous nature of the song is such that you almost want to jump up on Scrooge’s coffin yourself to dance!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Every kid loves singing about Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, and the version that was done by Judy Garland and Bing Crosby is fantastic. It is playful, but without changing the original song too much.

Honorary Mentions:

• Baby, It’s Cold Outside by Kelley Clarkson and John Legend
• Carol of the Bells
• Sleigh Ride
• The Christmas Song
• Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree
• Here Comes Mr. Humbug (the Muppets)

While I did give honorary mentions above, there are a number of great songs that I didn’t mention. What is your favorite Christmas song?