best christmas song

I'm not much for Christmas carols. Beyond Oh Holy Night, they're kind of forced beauty to me. I like Christmas music, though, especially what rock writers and musicians have done with it through the years, from John Lennon to Bruce Springsteen to the Beach Boys. (Candy apple red with a ski for a wheel, and when Santa hits the gas, man just watch her peel... who couldnt like that?)

The only Christmas song that absolutely slays me, though, that literally makes my spine ripple, is the original, Darlene Love version of the genius Phil Spector's "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)''... Forget, if possible, Love's amazing, pleading vocal... slip past the Clarence Clemons-y sax run in the middle, a sound so rich and right, it speaks to perfect Christmases past, when Baby was home...

It's the words. I'm not a lyrics guy. But these are simple, beautiful and to the point. Anyone who has ever loved and lost, anyone ever in a troubled relationship and putting on the happy face at Christmas, knows exactly what Love and Spector are talking about. Christmas is equal parts love and loneliness, fulfillment and isolation. It's either the best time of year, or a time to be endured. In this song, the subject is never lonelier than in the Christmas crowds, never more miserable than among the joyous.

It's been done over a few times, and it's such a great song, it sounds fabulous no matter who performs it. Love's version is head and shoulders the best, followed by Dion's and U2's...give it a listen. Merry Christmas to everyone out there. Thanks for reading this often self-absorbed blog. Feel free to post your favorite Christmas tune(s)... Live big. Amen.

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/u2/christmasbabypleasecomehome.html