Holiday Top 10: "Silent Night"

Back in 2020, I kicked off a new series to add to my holiday playlist posts. I wanted to do a post each year that highlighted my top 10 holiday songs. And yes, Have Yourself A Merry Christmas is my number one holiday song. You can thank Judy and Meet Me in St. Louis for that! I think there are about 40 different versions of the song on my holiday playlist. "Silent Night" however, is my number one hymn, or number two on my top 10. I have about 30+ versions on my playlist currently. Stille Nacht was written in 1818 by Franz Xavier Gruber and Father Joseph More. Initially it was poem, written in 1816 by Father Joseph More after the nepolianic wars. The story goes, Gruber who was organist, was approached by Father More to compose music to his poem.

There is little known as to what prompted Father More to write the poem. Their church organ was destroyed by flooding the following year, the song became an attraction for the village to raise money to rebuild the church, which is now called Silent-Night-Chapel. The hymn became a song of the holiday season right away. A traveling organ repairman heard the song on a visit to the village, asked More & Gruber to take the composition home to share it. Back home he shared the song with two families who were traveling folk singer groups. By Christmas 1819, the song was already spreading thanks to the two folk groups. The song spread fast throughout Europe and into Russia over the next few years. The song was officially published in Europe in 1833 and the song reached the United States in 1839, but was not translated to english until 1859.

The song will go on to be translated in over 350 languages today. There are over 137,000 different recordings of the song. "Silent Night" is considered the most celebrated and listened Christmas song in history. Bing Crosby’s holds the number one spot in the most records sold with "Silent Night" at 30 million. In creating this list, some interesting patterns emerged. One of the most interesting pattern is where people place "Silent Night" on their albums. Normally the last song on a album was on the B side. Almost all of the albums listed below, have "Silent Night" listed last. When I researched as to why this practice is the norm in the music industry, the only real strong response was the melodic and calming nature of the song gives it a relaxing listening experience. Hog wash!

Then it dawned on me why the song is typically placed last. The song was originally a catholic hymn and still holds a prominent place in almost all Christian faiths that are practiced today. The song has always been one of the staples for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Mass. Most commonly sang on the eve of Christmas because the midnight mass of xmas eve, was typically a candlelight mass. In the early years I remember arriving to mass with just candles being lit in the church, then after communion that candles we were handed when we arrived would be lit. In modern day mass, the tradition is still there but the candle lighting only happened at the end of communion. My guess is that the placement at the end of an album is simply out of respect of tradition.

To kick the list off, I started with a duo sharing the number one spot on the list. While one of them deserved two spots, I had to really limit myself, because I had one other artist who has two individual spots on the list because one song was a duet. The number one spot is not the only two artist sharing spot. Check out below who else made the list.

1. Bing Crosby - Going My Way Soundtrack, Bing Crosby recorded at least three versions of "Silent Night" during his long career. The original was in 1935, and released on a DECCA compilation album titled, Christmas Music. My favorite version, is the version he recorded in 1942 as a single to help promote his new movie, Going My Way. The movie was released in 1944. There is a third recording by Crosby later in his career in 1954, recorded with the The Buddy Cole Trio. The 1954 "Silent Night" is a close second for his top recordings, the first being White Christmas. This song, certainly has brought in a pretty penny to the Crosby estate over the past 70+ years. In writing this review, I noticied Going My Way was listed as Christmas movie favorite for many, sadly it’s not on my holiday movie list, because I never watched before. The film stars Crosby, and it won 8 oscars the following year, and spawned an equally successful sequel, The Bells of St. Mary’s. After I finally watched it, I learned it’s really not a Xmas movie.

1. Frank Sinatra - A Jolly Christmas with Frank Sinatra, I wanted to place Frank Sinatra twice on this list but that is a little too much. I mean I love Frank, but not that much. I figured having him share the number one sport with Bing, was best way to crown this list. Frank Sinatra released three different versions of "Silent Night". When creating this list and adding Frank Sinatra to it. Here along with Bing Crosby, they were the two obvious choices and that’s due to the fact that I was raised on both mens music. What I found interesting was that while being Crosby only has two versions of "Silent Night", Frank has three which land in three very prolific points in his career. Sadly, after more research I found another version by Crosby, bringing the two equals. Sinatra started his career in the late 30s as a singer in several orchestras, like the Tommy Dorsey and Henry James. During that period he mostly released singles with the Orchestra’s. Sinatra would not record his first solo single until 1942, which was Night and Day, a huge hit for the year. His first holiday album titled Christmas Songs by Frank Sinatra, it was actually a compilation album of songs that he recorded from 1942 to 1948.

His original release of "Silent Night" was actually recorded in 1945 and added to a album released by the Ken Lane Singers. I love this version, but I really enjoyed and probably remember the most his second release of "Silent Night" on his 1957 Holiday album titled A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra. 12 years later and all that cigarette smoking paid off for Sinatra. The album would go on to be re-issued in 1965, 1987, and four more times over the next 20 years. For the 2001 re-release, the record company decided to add a 1940s radio PSA for the American leukemia Society’s Christmas Seales fundraiser. Which is ironic, considering the fact that Sinatra was a lifetime smoker until his death in 1998.

2. Diana Ross, Placido Domingo & Jose Carreras - Christmas in Vienna - If you grew up on PBS like me, then you are familiar with the show Great Performances. On December 23rd, 1992 the network aired a live broadcast of the first of many, Christmas in Vienna concert, featuring Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras. For the first concert they invited Diana Ross to star in the concert and I remember watching the concert on PBS while she was wrapping presents that evening. Why do Remember watching this performance on the TV, because my great grandmother and Grammie were there that evening, they typically spent the night on xmas eve, but with my Great-Grandmother declining health, my mom wanted to have more time with her and her mother for the holiday. I am also remember, my mom wanted to spend time cooking with her mother and grandmother on xmas eve, and my father took my sister and I to go see Home Alone 2 that evening. Something unheard of in Kincaid household. I am still in love with Ross’s rendition of "Silent Night" and it is still is one of my favorite songs to listen to during the holidays.

I still own the CD I bought in October 1993 when it was released, during my freshman year of college. My great-grandmother had just passed, I decided to drown my sorrow in booze the night before and pass out in the middle of a blizzard. That’s a story for another time. My roommate dragged me out of bed the next day and we stopped at Camelot Music after picking up his hot wings, and I saw the album was on sale. I would later purchase the DVD of the concert in the 2000s. I watched the concert with the kids a couple of years ago, not sure where the DVD is now. Ross recorded two other versions of "Silent Night", one with the Supremes, but she sang back up for Florence Ballard. That recording didn’t make the initial print of the album in 1965. It wasn’t issued until 1999.

3. John Denver - Rocky Mountain Christmas, this song is pure memories piled into one song. John Denver is drenched in all of my childhood memories. From his appearances on the Muppet Show in 1979, even to him filming a holiday special A Christmas Together with the Muppets. Denver produced two albums, featuring two different version of "Silent Night". His version on his Rocky Mountain Christmas album was released in 1975. Several songs from this album are on my holiday playlist because this album was one of my parents favorite holiday albums, which I still have today. And lets be honest, when you hit your 30’s, you parents loves seep into you go to’s for playlists. I still remember the 1975 holiday special A Rocky Mountain Christmas, which was rerunned each holiday season. The special featured "Silent Night", while singing with Valerie Harper & Olivia Newton-John. The special was all over the place with the scenery, spewing fish, but the crowning guest was Steve Martin on bandjoo. You can still find the special on Youtube, sadly probably to primitive for today’s television.

4. Anne Murray - Christmas Wishes - Murray recorded her first studio album in 1968 and I believe my parent’s purchased their Danny’s Song album when it was released in 1973. In 1977 we purchased There’s A Hippo In My Tub and my sister played that album over and over for a good decade. I’ve even played the album for my kids. In 1981 they purchased Murray’s first holiday album Christmas Wishes, which featured "Silent Night", at the end of the B side. I remember this album being played on xmas day, even during dinner. That album became her top selling albums of her career. I still enjoy hearing this version every Christmas. Interesting tidbit, did you know Elvis’s family copied Natalie Cole and had current day artists record duets with Elvis’s original tapes?  I wasn’t too much of fan of the album 2008 when it was released. When Cole did it with Nat King Cole’s classic songs, it fit perfectly because Natalie’s voice truly complimented her father’s voice. This version of "Silent Night" still holds a strong placement on my Holiday Dinner Playlist.

5. For King & Country -  Drummers Boy Christmas + Silent Night(Rewrapped) - During the pandemic I reviewed For King & Country’s A Drummers Boy Christmas album and, their original recording was one of my favorite additions to my holiday playlist back in 2020. Fast forward, the band has released a remixed (Rewrapped) version of "Silent Night" and it is equally as good as the original cut. I’ve added it my holiday playlist but I can’t give them two spots each. Instead I am giving them a tied spot for both songs, I think they both stand on their own. Both with a modern arrangement, the  rewrapped version really creates a more pop sound. The Smallborn brothers have been very busy the last four years. Recording songs with Dolly Parton & CeCe Winnans. The duo cowrote an original track back in 2013 on their first holiday album, titled Into the "Silent Night". Back then, I added their version of Angels We Have Heard on High. These two songs deserve a top 5 sport for sure.

6. Idina Menzel - Holiday Wishes, you have to just say the vocal range that Menzel has on this version of "Silent Night" is absolutely amazing. Menzel, like several other vocalists on this list are Jewish, and those who came before todays artists, like Mel Torme, Carole King, and Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary all saw how producing a holiday album tapped into the Christmas market. Your album will be discovered from generation to generation. Mendel released this version on 2014 album, Holiday Wishes, and it’s be on my holiday playlist for the past 11 years. While most people love the Mariah Carey version, I’ve always enjoyed this version many times over. Five years later Menzel would release her second holiday album, Christmas: A Season of Love. The album features Jonathan Larson’s Season’s of Love, a key song from the musical RENT, which set Menzel’s career directory in the late 90’s.

6. Jessie J - This Christmas Day - Jessie’s version of "Silent Night" is in stark contrast to the rest of her 2918 album. A classic arrangement, the song ramps up into beautiful orchestral arrangement, partnered with Jessie J’s octave range. I’ve been a fan of her albums ever since she released Domino on her 2011 album Who Are You Now. Her holiday album really shined a light on her range. This album holds many spots on my holiday playlist, and I mean many. Last time I checked at least 6 songs. From duet Winterwonderland with Boyz II Men, to the first three songs opening album which are great for a holiday party.

7. Kenny G - Miracles: The Holiday Album - Kenny G released this album at the same time two of the tracks were being featured on the Miracle on 34th Street Soundtrack. Critics panned the album as mediocre but Kenny G has had the last laugh. This album has sold over 7 million copies, placing him in 3rd place for most holiday albums sold, topped by Elvis & Mariah. And he holds the second place spot for the most downloads. This albums holds a heavy place on my holiday playlist. It was very rare to see instrumental artist releasing holiday albums back in the 80’s and 90’s. Another Jewish artist who banking on the xmas holiday. This one album will earn his children and their children for a long time to come. There are so many classics on this album.

8. Ronan Keating - Winter Songs - Keating started recording his first and only holiday album to date in 2008. During the press interviews while promoting the album, Keating was quoted that the album was filled with many Christmas memories while making his song selections. His recording of "Silent Night" and the Little Drummer Boy were applauded by the critics as the best songs on the album. In my own review of the album in 2009 . I gave Keating a A+ plus for his version of "Silent Night". To this day, it’s still one of my top listens each season. Now if you are wondering, who the heck is Ronan Keating? Then it’s likely you are not a big listener of British pop bands, or just missed silver voiced singer during the late 90s, in the pop group Boyzone. In 2000 he and his four band mates disbanded for a decade to kick off their own solo careers. Right before taking a break, the group hit mainstream, and Keating solo career hit the ground running. All of this was thanks to the groups recording of No Matter What, which was released on the 1998 album Where We Belong. Keating would then record his first solo song, When You Say Nothing At All, which would the first song record for his first solo album, Ronan. Keating would go on to record four more albums, and he released, Winter Songs in 2009, which would be his sixth studio album. An interesting tidbit about this album is his Boyzone fellow lead vocalist/bandmate, Stephen Gateley recorded the little drummer boy as a duet with him.

9. John Denver & The Muppets - A Christmas Together - This album was recorded from the 1979 holiday tv special that John Denver shot with Jim Henson’s Muppet production company. This special (vhs) and album are still in my possession from those days. While Denver recorded many versions of "Silent Night" during his career and many feature choirs in the background. This song is so memorable because Denver recites the story of the baby’s birth while the muppets singe "Silent Night" in the back ground. I’ve shown this special to my kids over the years, and it is heavily featured on my WHAT WATCH LIST for each holiday season. I believe I bought the CD of this album some time after 1990 when it was released. Interestingly, some of the top holiday movie lists, has the Muppet special listed as movie. On most lists this song doesn’t land on top 100 lists. I still think this a fun version of the classic.

10. The Vienna Boys Choir - Christmas with the Vienna Boys’ Choir - This version is one of the most recent adds to my holiday playlist. Growing up I remember seeing the Vienna Boys Choir on holiday tv special in the early 80s. I found that recording online and was shocked to it was filmed in 1932, but this 2009 release is just as special. I also remember the Wonderful World of Disney special Almost Angels which featured the choir, which reaired on Disney Wonderful World during the 80’s. I am not absolutely sure if Silent was featured in the Disney movie. The choir was formed in 1924, and celebrated their 100 anniversary last year. With such a long history and so many albums released, it was hard to pin-point this recordings original release date. This is a problem with choral group, because while the members change, sometimes the arrangements stay the same. What is interesting looking through all of their holiday albums, "Silent Night" is almost always the last song on the album. The arrangement from the 2009 release is the same as their 1959 release Voices & Bells. So now I have two versions on my holiday playlist. The 2009 version is still my favorite.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Natalie Cole - Holly & Ivy - I really wanted to place this 1994 release on my top 10 list. Almost the entire album is on my holiday play list, and I am actually featuring this album as a favorite all time holiday album this holiday season. The gospel notes Cole and the Choir added to this track really make the song shine

Michelle Visage - Christmas Queens 3 – Yes you did read that correctly. The amazing and incomparable Michelle Visage, of RuPaul‘s drag race fame. Is an honorable mention. I know it seems very pop, seriously take a moment to listen to the track. I love her vocal styling as well as how deep and beautiful it sounds with this song. I reviewed it back in 2017 and added it to my playlist for the holidays. There were a couple other great songs on this album when it was released, but this was definitely one that stood out for me. Michelle also first appeared on four album holiday albums, on the Christmas Queens 2, singing a duet with Thorny Thor on the viola. The song selection was Oh Holy Night, and if I had to pick, "Silent Night" is greater of the two. Regardless, I enjoy hearing her version every holiday season on my playlist.

Boyz II Men - Christmas Interpretations - In 2024 Boyz II Men remastered their 1993 Holiday Album and it popped on my radar. I had realized I remember adding their 1993 album to my playlist in the late 90’s. Their 1993 release of this album was on the heels of their contribution to the compilation CD A Very Special Christmas with 18 other artists and groups. I am giving this song a honorable mention, because I really enjoy the vocal range of Boyz II Men and this song is a perfect example.

Brett Eldridge - Glow - Off his first holiday album in 2016, Brett Eldridge rich voice is perfect for "Silent Night". The album is filled a lot of standards and hymns. Hymns like "Silent Night" and First Noel are rare to see on holiday albums these days. On it’s original release there were 11 songs and a year later, he rereleased the album with an additional songs. Brett went for it, he’s not Bing or Mariah but did pretty good in album sales. He would go on to release two more holiday albums, last years Merry Christmas (Welcome to the Family) and his 2021 release of Mr. Christmas, which has a heavy presence on my Holiday Playlist. I would even say the title song, Mr. Christmas is hugging my top 10 songs of all time right now.

Simon & Garfunkel - Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme - The 1966 album is not your classic holiday album, but Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s third studio album is probably one of their most prolific. The 7 O’clock News/"Silent Night" song has the duo singing "Silent Night", while they mixed a evening news reports about the Vietnam War, Death of Lenny Bruce and the Civil Right Protests. This song played all year long, thanks to it being on regular release album, probably not so often during the holidays. The album features other favorites as Homeward Bound & Scarborough Fair. At one point I added Simon and Garfunkel and then took them off the list. I put them back on because my parents loved the duo and I still remember listening to that song. Sadly it is not on my Holiday Playlist.

As “Silent Night” remains the most recorded holiday hymn, the recording only go back to 1905 when the Edison Quartet recorded it on a Gramophone Record. What is interesting about “Silent Night” is that it’s not a big chart topper. Billboard doesn’t even list any version in the top 100 holiday song list. Meanwhile over at Spotify, "Silent Night" has two songs on the top 100. I get why they have Michael Bublé coming in at 51, but Teddy Swims 2021 release landed on the number 31 spot on the Billboard 100. I mean his recording is okay. Not a top 100 of all time song! I didn’t even review his album that year. I like his soulful voice but the album was pretty predictable when it came to arrangement.

This list is comprised of many different styles of singers on it. There were many others on my playlist who didn’t make it onto the list. Other greats was Wynona Judd, The Temptations, Mahalia Jackson and Julie Andrews to name a few. To round out my theory of why artists list “Silent Night” at the end of a track list. I stand by my theory but another interesting item I found in researching the song, most of the compilation albums, especially in the 30’s and 40’s don’t actually place the song in any particular position. The practice is the same almost with modern day track listings.

I enjoyed creating this list again, I am already starting a list to release next holiday season. It’s perfect timing because my regular reviews of new albums being released only happens around early December, since many artists are pushing new releases well past the Thanksgiving holiday. As I am writing this post, the next song choice is picked and already a list of performers below it.