It’s like Christmas is already here

This weekend in the midst of our shopping extravaganza, Gulley and I found ourselves in the Nordstroms shoe department and so we had a moment of silence for the greatness that was around us.

Oh I kid. Gulley and I never have moments of silence.

Nordstroms was playing Christmas music over the sound system (is that what the kids are calling it these days?) and “River” by Sarah McLachlan was on. I found myself singing along in a very soft, dignified manner and told Gulley that Sarah McLachlan’s “Wintersong” CD has become one of my Christmas favorites.

She said she preferred her Christmas music a little more upbeat and I told her she was crazy. Next thing you know we’re throwing shoes at each other in the Nordstroms shoe department and people are gathering around because you know, CATFIGHT.

Anyway, this led to a lengthy discussion about various Christmas music. At some point in the conversation we decided it would be fun if we both came up with our favorite Christmas song selections and put them on Big Mama.

It’s like a 2007 version of the MIX tape.

Except now the kids are using iTunes.

Here is our disclaimer, before I get a bunch of comments whining about the lack of Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” or Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” or Alvin and The Chipmunks “Christmas Don’t Be Late”, we purposely tried to avoid all the blatant Christmas classics. So while there will be some familiar songs, we tried to choose non-traditional adaptations and lyrical stylings.

Obviously I have serious music skills because I just used the term “lyrical stylings”, which may or may not be a term anyone in the music industry would ever use.

And y’all will notice that Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison made both of our lists because GREATNESS.

Anyway, without further ado and ramblings, I present:

GULLEY AND BIG MAMA’S FIRST (and possibly last) ANNUAL LIST O’ CHRISTMAS FAVORITES

Big Mama’s Christmas

1. Go Tell it on the Mountain – James Taylor
2. Christmas Time is Here – Shawn Colvin
3. Love Has Come – Amy Grant
4. Breath of Heaven – Amy Grant
5. The First Noel – Josh Groban and Faith Hill
6. I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Michael Buble
7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Diana Krall
8. Song for a Winter’s Night – Sarah McLachlan
9. O Holy Night – Mandisa
10. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – Jars of Clay
11. River – Sarah McLachlan
12. Love Came Down at Christmas – Shawn Colvin
13. Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison
14. The Night Before Christmas – Carly Simon
15. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – John (Cougar) Mellencamp (Don’t act like you don’t remember the Cougar)
16. Merry Christmas from the Family – Robert Earl Keen

Gulley’s Christmas

1. Santa Baby – Kelly Willis
2. Frosty the Snowman – Harry Connick Jr.
3. All I want for Christmas is You – Mariah Carey
4. What Christmas Means to Me – Stevie Wonder
5. Linus and Lucy – Vince Guaraldi
6. Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley
7. Joy to the World – Mariah Carey
8. Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Harry Connick Jr.
9. Christmas Waltz – Bruce Robison
10. Run Run Rudolph – Chuck Berry
11. Jesus,Oh What a Wonderful Child – Mariah Carey
12. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas- Kelly Willis

The best part is (I know, pinch yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming) that I have turned our lists into iMixes on iTunes so as soon as the whole Apple Corporation gets on the ball, y’all can go straight to iTunes and download any or all of these songs.

And then come back and tell me whose list is better.

Oh I kid again.

Because I know my list is the best.

And if there are any great songs we’ve left out, leave them in the comments.

Unless they are sung by Kenny Chesney.

I’ll keep y’all posted and as soon as our lists show up on iTunes, I’ll put up the link.