My Seven Favorite Elvis Presley Christmas Songs

The "best" when it comes to music, is almost always a matter of opinion. The best guitar, the best musician, the best recording studio, such questions will always receive a range of answers depending upon who you ask. This list is attuned to my tastes. There are plenty of fantastic songs I had to leave off; such decisions make these lists very personal. Elvis released a wealth of wonderful Christmas recordings to enjoy at Christmas or at any other time during the year and I thank him and everyone involved for it.

Elvis' draft notice! What a Christmas present.

7. Blue Christmas - This is likely Elvis' most popular Christmas song. It's become a Christmas standard. I like the song. It's free-wheeling and sung smoothly by E, who knew it had to be a little tongue-in-cheek

6. If I get Home on Christmas Day - This song is a very tender ballad about a man who sings of returning home to the person he loves. The song boasts one of Elvis' best vocals from Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas. I've always liked it. Elvis' voice is very rich here and there's more than a little hope in the lyrics.

5. It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You) - The pitter patter at the beginning and every now and then in the body of the song can be a little distracting. Nevertheless, this is a great song. E takes the fairly mediocre lyrics and makes something special out of them with his delivery alone. I listen to this song a lot and always enjoy it.

4. I'll Be Home for Christmas - I consider this to be Elvis' best vocal performance on Elvis' Christmas Album. This is a song, like Blue Christmas, which so many artists have done. It was originally recorded by Bing Crosby. Elvis' is my favorite version by far. The song is short, at less than two minutes. I can listen to this song on a loop. E really goes for this one and he certainly delivers.

3. Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees -  This song isn't very well known. It was written by Memphis Mafia member Red West. I find it exceptional. Elvis' phrasing and smooth, restrained delivery are spot-on. The ending gets me every time. "I'll think of how - how it used to be. Holly leaves and Christmas trees. Used to mean so much to me."
  
2. Santa Claus Is Back in Town - This song was written by the fantastic songwriting team of Leiber and Stoller (who wrote many hits for Elvis, including Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock). They wrote this one in a grand total of fifteen minutes at the insistence of Colonel Parker. This is Elvis' best rocker off Elvis' Christmas Album. It's got that bluesy something something, too. I'd mark this song as a little less known than Blue Christmas, but I consider it superior. Just listen to the lyrics, full of fun and innuendo. Elvis had a ball with this one.

1. I'll Be Home on Christmas Day - My number one favorite Elvis Presley Christmas song. I've got to be honest, this wasn't even a tough decision. I'll be Home on Christmas Day is one of Elvis' best songs, period. I'm always captivated by it from start to finish. It's a virtuoso performance from E, who wrings every ounce of emotion, every drop of forlorn longing from the song. The narrator of the song says, "But if I could only borrow one dream from yesterday - I'd be on that train tomorrow." Does that make the entire song a dream of sorts? He calls it a dream from yesterday, so would it really be as simple as getting on a train and heading home, or is he singing of an opportunity already missed? I don't know. I just want to listen to it again.

 

Thank you, Elvis. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without your music to inspire it, and us.