The Twelve Days of ‘Stoga: Day Ten

On the tenth day of our special holiday package, we give you ten holiday songs to hear.

By Suproteem Sarkar, Staff Reporter

1. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Michael Bublé

In Bublé’s 2011 cover, the plain melody and thin arrangement are free of the usual holiday bells and whistles. It’s the perfect song for the laid-back atmosphere of the holidays.

2. “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms

The classy guitar accompaniment brings out the country-like vocals in this 1957 hit, which is Helms’ best-known single.

3. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee

With its swingy beat and famous sax solo, “Rockin’” is Lee’s claim to fame—recorded when she was just 13.

4. “Frosty the Snowman” by Gene Autry

A year after recording “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Autry came back with another holiday hit. The bouncy beat and woodwind ornaments make this classic enjoyable to listeners of all ages.

5. “Winter Wonderland” by Dean Martin

In Martin’s 1959 cover, the string and vocal backgrounds reinforce the spotless lead. This holiday standard will never go out of style.

6. “A Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives

Ives’ vocals, accompanied by a lively background, build up to a dramatic climax in this 1965 hit.

7. “Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano

Feliciano’s simple lyrics in both English and Spanish are amplified by the energetic drums and brass in this 1970 single.

8. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey

Carey’s 1994 single is one of the few well-known holiday songs written in the last quarter century. Its thick background vocals and fast tempo will pump you up for winter break—just stay far away from  Justin Bieber’s recent rendition.

9. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams

In William’s 1963 hit, the vocals are both resounding and soothing. This timeless classic is wonderful to listen to all year long.

10. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” by Frank Sinatra

In Sinatra’s 1950 cover of Vaughn Monroe’s holiday classic, the flawless vocals and slick brass make it the smoothest holiday song you’ll find. And who knows? Playing it over and over might just prove the weatherman wrong. And even if it doesn’t, searching for “let it snow” on Google can do the trick.

Suproteem Sarkar can be reached at ssarkar@stoganews.com.

Tomorrow, check back for the eleventh entry in the package, which suggests great places for dining out over break.

Read the rest of the entries once they are released and information about the whole “Twelve Days of ‘Stoga” project here.