O Holy Night

Just for the heck of it, I've decided to post a bunch of my favorite Christmas songs this year. Actually, I think it would be cool if others did it too—so there's a challenge to you all!

I have a unique relationship with one of my favorites, "O Holy Night." Because everything depends on how the singer chooses to do the song. It can either be breathtaking wonderful or light-myself-on-fire disgusting. Just this past week I heard an R&B version (don't know the artist). It was so bad. I was driving home from work, and I yelled at the radio "find a note and stick to it!"

But then, the next day, I heard a Neil Diamond version that was equally atrocious. It made me realize that super-successful famous artists really need someone to tell them "No. That song just makes you look really bad." The tragedy, of course, is that once people are super-successful and famous, they don't think they need to listen to anyone saying they're not wonderfulness and all. But they really should.

But done right, and "O Holy Night" is divine. Perhaps the most beautiful song ever written. Here's the version I like best: Michael Crawford. No warbling, no screeching or throwing his voice to the high notes, no off-beat screwiness. Just a clear voice hitting the notes and holding them.

Enjoy.

— Jon