Where I work we get a different brass band in the foyer every day playing various Christmas carols and songs. It's hard not to get a little fed up with them when I hear them over and over day after day.
Having said that I love Happy Christmas (War is Over) by John Lennon and I Believe in Father Christmas by Greg Lake mostly because it's got a portion of "Troika" from Sergei Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kijé Suite in it.
I also love Silent Night. It's such peaceful carol and makes me think of trees crusted in fresh snow on a moonlit winters night.
What songs, hymns and carols do others like?
I like 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' because its more songish and less carolish. The really bright and lilting carols usually wear thin rather quickly, so I like the quiet ones like Silent Night and Greensleeves more as well.
America doesn't have many brass bands competing in foyers. That must be a Brit thing.
I love hearing the Nutcracker Suite every Christmas though.
There is only one Xmas song for me. fairytale of New York by the pogues
For contemporary popular material, I'd say the same two as Katie's OP: Lennon's "Happy Christmas" and Lake's "I Believe in Father Christmas". "Fairytale of New York", mentioned in another post, is good, too.
For more traditional fare, I'm fond of "Silent Night" and "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear".
There's one on Nat King Cole's old Christmas album called "A Cradle in Bethlehem" that I like and I don't know that I've ever heard anyone else sing it but I haven't really researched it either so I'm not sure if it is contemporary or a less well-known carol.
Emmerson,Lake and Palmer.'I believe in Father Christmas' , well because I'm totally cynical about the whole affair, which today, is nothing more or less than a Commercial Fest.
In the world's harsh wear and tear many a very sincere attachment is slowly obliterated.
Είμαι ταξιδιώτης τόσο στο χρόνο όσο και στο διάστημα
I love Santa Baby. Doesn't matter who is singing it. I just love the song and always have, I guess because I remember my grandmother singing it when we would make Christmas cookies and my grandpa would chime in. Always warms my heart.
While I was out shopping yesterday I noticed a lot of brass bands outside of different shops. But it was slightly warmer so it was hard to get in the Christmas mood. I want to be all bundled up in a scarf and my peacoat. But yesterday with just a 3/4 sleeve and scarf kind of day. Maybe had they been playing last night it would have been perfect weather for it.
Rocking Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee since I can remember!
Two favorites, 'Silent Night' by Tammy Wynette. I think it's by far the prettiest rendition I've ever heard; and 'The Christmas Guest' by Reba Mcentire
I'm actually quite a scrooge this time of year for a couple of reasons, which aren't really important. And I agree, songs do get a little old when you here them over and over again. But no matter, there are certain ones that I will always sing along with. The most recent was Little Drummer Boy.
Santa Baby done by Kellie Pickler is the most recent favorite although anything by Sinatra and Bing Crosby