Any Christmas "standards" written since the 60s?

[ggalen]

Here in Minneapolis there is a radio station that plays nothing but Christmas standards from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas.As my wife and I were listening to the station while we were driving around today, all the stuff they were playing was from the 40s through the 60s.What's the most recently written Christmas standard you can recall?I'm thinking Mel Torme song that begins "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."And that was in the 60s!Now maybe there are many new ones and I just haven't been listening. But I didn't hear them on the station tonight.

[gendron]

gg, The Standard you remember but couldn't quite recall is titled " The Christmas Song" . Written circa 1940 by; Wells/Torme. The Nat King Cole version (sans trio) is the one I'm most familiar with (early 60's ?). But I'm sure The Velvet Fog showed up in style. Now, as far as any Contemporary Christmas Standards go... I think the 70's liberated both Bra and Music in one big burn. Freedom is where it's at, now. Independence rocks and personal expression won't be judged by any one rule. Never! Ever! No judgement, no standards!Not, until the cash cow dies leavin' nothin' but the cold outside. Hypothermia sets in ... and suddenly, Wal-mart's releasing my latest CD: "Daddy's X-Mas Favorites", it's all good - 'cause I was hatin' on the inside. Peace Quote:Here in Minneapolis there is a radio station that plays nothing but Christmas standards from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas.As my wife and I were listening to the station while we were driving around today, all the stuff they were playing was from the 40s through the 60s.What's the most recently written Christmas standard you can recall?I'm thinking Mel Torme song that begins "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."And that was in the 60s!Now maybe there are many new ones and I just haven't been listening. But I didn't hear them on the station tonight.

[horacejesse]

I think it is "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer," from the early eighties. That song manged to crack the most select circle there is--the Christmas standard. It makes the Nashville highbar seem like a limbo stick.

[horacejesse]

I remember one more that is even more recent. Merle Haggard's "If We Make It Through December." Though not specifically an Xmas song, it has been making it onto Xmas anthologies as a seasonal song, a first cousin.I can't think of any more that really had sticking power.

[ggalen]

Silence,Wow! The 1940s, you say? Hehe...I guess when I heard Nat King Cole sing it, I thought it was a brand new one. I know there have been newer Christmas tunes I really like, such as "This Christmas" that I heard the great Luther Vandross sing.But maybe the tradition is to only play old songs for Christmas, and we won't be hearing "This Christmas" much until 2020 or so!

[sgs4u]

Mariah Carey has that Pop Christmas tune. I think it's called, All I Want for Christmas, is You. It sure gets tons of airplay.

[ggalen]

Steve,Yes, now that you mention it, I remember that one. It has the feel of making it as a "standard".

[gendron]

gg,A musical "standard" is a classification/genre... defined as any pop song that pre-dates the devil. 1955(ish) ? Or any new creation whose music originated in the popular years prior to *rock N roll.* So the standard has been written. Re-interpretation not invention is the only thing "new" about standards. Sorry Mariah, rest in peace - Luther .Merry Christmas, Quote:Silence,Wow! The 1940s, you say? Hehe...I guess when I heard Nat King Cole sing it, I thought it was a brand new one. I know there have been newer Christmas tunes I really like, such as "This Christmas" that I heard the great Luther Vandross sing.But maybe the tradition is to only play old songs for Christmas, and we won't be hearing "This Christmas" much until 2020 or so!

[horacejesse]

Quote:A musical "standard" is a classification/genre... defined as any pop song that pre-dates the devil. 1955(ish) ? Or any new creation whose music originated in the popular years prior to *rock N roll.* I think that is correct information. Therefore Hark the Herald Angles and Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer would not be Christmas standards, though both are Christmas classics.Classics is what I should have said in my other post. I am not sure what Galen meant, but it is the classics that interest me.I am going to make a list of what I consider the essential Christmas classics. Anyone please feel free to cut and paste this list with your corrections or additions. What I think are standards have an asterik after them. No particular order. I went for the top twenty-five.1. Jingle Bells2. Hark the Heald Angels3. Joy To The World4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen5. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear6. Little Town Of Bethlehem7. Away In A Manger8. Twelve Days Of Christmas9. Silent Night10. Good King Wencelas sp.11. Do You Hear What I Hear12. O Christmas Tree13. Jingle Bell Rock *14. Let It Snow*15. All I Want For Christmas *16. Santa Clause Is Coming To Town *17. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer *16. Winter Wonderland *19. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause *20. White Christmas *21. Blue Christmas *22. Frosty The Snowman *23. The Christmas Song *24. Felice Navidad *25. Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer *

[ggalen]

horacejesse,That's a good list!I meant Christmas classics. I wasn't even aware of the specific definition of the term "standard". It was just a word I used to indicate what you hear on "Christmas music radio stations" during the holidays.I started the topic wondering why I didn't hear anything more contemporary on the holiday station.