Favorite Christmas Songs – Tad Pole’s Top 5 [VIDEOS]

Top (insert number here) lists are subjective to the writer's opinions, and you know what they say, 'opinions are like noses, everyone has one.'  Polly and I were having a conversation about Christmas music and our favorite songs.  We decided choosing just one was too hard, and honestly 5 wasn't much easier.  So here's my list, in no particular order. And please, don't roll your eyes on the last one!

1.Ricochet 'Let it Snow'

Ricochet leads off my list with their 'barber-shop' style version of 'Let It Snow.'  Released in 1996, the song made the top 40 list each year from '96 through '99.

2. Rascal Flatts 'I'll Be Home For Christmas'

Sticking with the A cappella stylings, Rascal Flatts recorded 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' as as a bonus track on their 1988 'Greatest Hits Volume 1' CD.

3. Burl Ives 'Holly Jolly Christmas

This is one of those Christmas standards that for some reason reminds me of my grandfathers,  Burl Ives was a famed actor, writer and folk singer in the 50's and 60's, perhaps best known for voicing the snowman in Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.  Sorry Alan and Faith, this my go-to version.

4. The A-Strings 'Jingle Bells'

The origin of this song is somewhat shadowy.  'Jingle Bells' has been recorded by numerous musical acts, but for some unknown reason I've always been intrigued by this version, maybe it's the banjos,

5. Gayla Peevey 'I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas'

Here comes the eye rolling, the original version of this song was recorded in 1953 by a 10 year old girl named Gayla Peeveyfrom Oklahoma.  Legend has it that the Oklahoma City Zoo raised 3-thousand dollars to purchase her a hippo that she donated back to the Zoo. I've often thought my attraction to this song is from a childhood memory.  When I was a little kid, my grandmother had a friend that always called herself 'Big Hippo' and referred to me as 'Little Hippo.'  That may be TMI.

Watch Gayla Peevey's original appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.

NEXT: Polly's Favorite Christmas Songs

Favorite Christmas Songs