According to one of those sketchy “favorite (noun) of every state” lists, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is the most popular Christmas song in Delaware. Well, maybe, but not here at Delaware Liberal. I’ve been running the 12 Days and Only 12 Days of Christmas Music for five years now, and these are the 10 most viewed Christmas Songs of the Day. I have to admit it makes an odd playlist.
10. Alex Boyé, “Little Drummer Boy.” The mawkish carol gets an African makeover that, unlike the much-reviled original, emphasizes actual drums.
9. Frank Loesser and Lynn Garland, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” The songwriter and his wife originated the tune to perform as the closing number at a housewarming party. Is it still rapey if they’re married?
8. Diana Krall, “Christmas Time Is Here.” Krall’s lassitudinous delivery of the Vince Guaraldi classic really lays on the melancholy. My attitude is, if you think Christmas is depressing, just try Dec. 26.
7. Jordan Mailata w/Lady Alma, “Merry Christmas Baby.” This highlight from last year’s “Philly Special” charity LP shows Mailata has something to fall back on if that whole football thing doesn’t work out.
6. Judy Garland, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” It’s the saddest of all possible Christmas songs, but only when Judy Garland sings it. And only when the singer muddles through somehow.
5. Greg Lake w/ Ian Anderson, “I Believe in Father Christmas.” The veteran rockers deliver Lake’s 1975 holiday song in an Anglican church.
4. Johnny and Edgar Winter, “Please Come Home for Christmas.” Blues guitarist Johnny, with little brother Edgar on organ and alto sax, team up for a soulful duet.
3. Debbie and the Darnells, “Santa, Teach Me to Dance.” A lost girl-group classic from 1962.
2. The Moonglows, “Hey Santa Claus.” This 1953 R&B workout, featured in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” has been DL’s most viewed post on this list this year.
1. Darlene Love, “Christmastime For the Jews.” Written by comedian Robert Smigel for one of his animated segments on “Saturday Night Live” back in 2005, it’s a loving claymation tribute to Phil Spector’s Christmas album.