SoJO 7@7 Salutes The Holidays – Vote Now!

The SoJO 7@7 Countdown happens with me 5 nights a week @ 7pm, and we repeat the countdown @ 11pm just in case you missed it.  We always encourage you to vote for your favorite song to be included in the 7 most requested songs of the day (resolve to do this daily in 2012).  Tonight we do something different and fun as we're giving you the 7 most requested Christmas songs of this season.

Feel free to call 1-800-586-1049 to make your vote and defend your choice to me, or text the word SOJO to 40301 to tap into the studio - then text your favorite Xmas song so you can be counted into tonight's results.

I'm not normally allowed to vote into the SoJO 7@7 Countdown, but since this is the exception to the rule tonight here is my chance to share my 7 favorite Christmas songs of all time.  This is not an easy task when you consider how many great songs have come out for the holiday.  I passed on Band Aid ("Do They Know It's Christmas"), Sugar Ray covering "Little St. Nick" (with help from Wilson Phillips), The Eagles ("Please Come Home For Xmas"), and Michael Buble' singing "Jingle Bells" - they all did deserve mentioning to prove I've agonized over this list.  My list features something sweet, something fun, something for laughs, something that rocks, and all ties to Christmas in some way.  This is my Elite 8 (Christmas bonus song - my rules!):

#8  Goo Goo Dolls - Better Days

"The one poor child who saved this world" references Christmas, yet the song garnered more attention for being the song that was used predominantly on CNN and ABC in their coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  May not realize that the song was suppose to be for a Xmas album to be released exclusively by Target.  Favorite Line - "Tonight's the night the world beings again" (always does on Christmas)

#7  Whirling Dervishes - You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch

I posted about the band a couple of weeks ago (please find it and check it out).  My old radio station (FM 106.3 out of Monmouth County) helped break this fun Christmas salute to the man who is best described as "Stink, Stank, Stunk".

#6  Squirrel Nut Zippers - Sleigh Ride

An instrumental version of The Ronettes 60s classic holiday song.  The band has created a feel of a bunch of guys who had too much Egg Nog, walked into the studio and just had too much fun jamming on this classic.  The band's Christmas Caravan CD (released in 1998) has this feel throughout - definitely something to have in your collection.

#5  Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

The Jersey band created a version that has become a Christmas staple since its release in 1985.  The song did become a Top-10 hit for the band in the UK that year.  The intro with Bruce talking to the band and the audience truly shows his connection he creates during his live shows.  You'll find few better live shows better than "The Boss" and the band (R.I.P. Clarence Clemons - we will miss you greatly!)

#4  u2 - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

A Very Special Christmas was a very special album in 1987.  Many holiday classic are on there and often heard on almost all radio station in the country.  Most people fell Madonna doing Santa Baby is the standout on the album, but you cannot forget John Mellencamp ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"), Annie Lennox ("Winter Wonderland"), and Stevie Nicks (a hauntingly beautiful version of "Silent Night").  U2 wins out off this, but you could fight me on this (but this is my list!)

#3  Christina Aguilera - This Christmas

Yes this one is my guilty pleasure!  She may be a "Hot Mess", but The Voice coach can flat out sing anything!  She released her holiday album called My Kind Of Christmas in 2000, and somehow out-sang the original (not an easy feat).  Belated birthday wishes Christina (turned 31 on the 18th)

#2  Mariah Carey - All I want For Christmas Is You

Why did Justin Bieber decide to butt in on this one?  You do not mess with perfection!  Mariah would up selling over 2,000,000 copies of this song on its original release in 1994, became a Top-5 hit in 5 countries at that time, and is a staple in her incredible library of her career.  Again, why would Bieber mess with this?

#1 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - Heat Miser

When you pay tribute to the 70s Rankin-Bass cartoon classic The Year Without A Santa Claus, and do it with humor and style, you're a winner in my book.  Only been out since 2004, this great song needs your attention!