Matthew Elmslie

Coincidentally I’m doing this list at the same time that my co-author Chris Sims is doing a similar one at his site. And already there’s been some overlap between the two. (There will be more.) One difference I thought I could count on was that I didn’t care about “Marshmallow World” while he thought it was great.

Because the version of “Marshmallow World” I knew best is the Darlene Love version from the Phil Spector Christmas album. And that never did a lot for me. I mean, Darlene Love’s great and everything, but the song sounds rushed, like they were racing to the end of it, and it just doesn’t knock me over.

I had forgotten about the Kim Stockwood version.

When Kim Stockwood sings it, she takes it easy, and the lyrics don’t whip by you, and it’s a good time all around. It’s a fun song! Who knew. Listening to Darlene Love, you hardly notice the lyrics, and that’s too bad. Other good thing about the Stockwood cover is the oddly ominous opening, like the world’s about to end; wonder what’s going on with that. (And she takes control of the song with a lot more assurance than Sinatra and Martin.) Give it up for Kim Stockwood’s “Marshmallow World“.

#25: Sleigh Ride
#24: Huron Carol
#23: Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!/Count Your Blessings/We Wish You a Merry Christmas
#22: The Twelve Days of Christmas
#21: I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
#20: Fuck Christmas
#19: Jingle Bell Rock
#18: What’s This? & Making Christmas
#17: Oi! To the World
#16: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
#15: Blue Christmas
#14: Christmas in Hollis
#13: We Need a Little Christmas