An Xmas You'll Always Remember

Here's something you may not know about me: I absolutely love Christmas music. Seriously. There's just something about it that I can't get enough of. The jingle-jangley tuneage permeates the malls and dominates the radio waves from Thanksgiving to December 25, and it just makes me feel so festive — and yes, I'm Jewish! To spread that joy, I've been making a mix of holiday music every year since 2000, and those who've been listening have told me that A Very Marty Xmas just makes the holiday for them. They say it's as much a tradition to listen to my mixes as it is to trim the tree or party down or bake cookies (no kidding) — which, of course, is partly why I've kept this fun annual project going for almost a decade, and why I've amassed a collection of Christmas music that's larger than any Jew should have.

Last year, I took the year off (blame it on too-high standards after the excellent, instant-classic 2007 edition), but I'm happy to announce that A Very Marty Xmas is making its triumphant return this year! It hits mailboxes and office cubes today.

I'd like to think the 2009 edition has a little something for everyone: There's a Simpsons song and one by Stephen Colbert, a cover of a Who classic (that's for you, AmyMac), some a cappella, two classics by Andy Williams and Tony Bennett, a randy ballad by American Idol finalist Elliott Yamin, a different live version of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band than the one you know, the cast of Glee, the return of Mindy Smith, a brand-new holiday song by Bob Dylan (my favorite of the new releases), and much, much more. Even I'm surprised by how much fun this mix is. Hopefully you'll agree.

So without further ado, I present the full track listing for A Very Marty Xmas 2009:

"Sleigh Ride" — The Ventures
"Another Christmas Song" — Stephen Colbert
"Mele Kalikimaka (Christmas In Hawaii)" — KT Tunstall
"Must Be Santa" — Bob Dylan
"Christmas" — Rogue Wave
"The Christmas Can-Can" — Straight No Chaser
"'Cause Christmas Eve Is Here" — The Simpsons
"Christmas to Remember" — Gareth Gates
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" — Colbie Caillat
"Cool Yule" — Bette Midler
"Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells" — Andy Williams
"Winter Wonderland" — Tony Bennett
"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" — The Chipmunks (with David Seville)
"Let's Be Naughty (And Save Santa the Trip)" — Elliott Yamin
"Home for Christmas" — Daryl Hall & John Oates
"I'll Be Home for Christmas" — Mindy Smith
"Up on the House Top" — Jackson 5
"I'm All Lit Up Like a Christmas Tree" — Janey Clewer
"Why Can't It Be Christmastime All Year" — Rosie Thomas
"No Christmas for Me" — Zee Avi
"Last Christmas" — Cast of Glee
"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" (live 9/19/78) — Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
"River" — Travis
"White Christmas" — Raul Malo
"Auld Lang Syne" — Brian Wilson

(And yes, in keeping with tradition, this track listing does not include the little sound clips I got off of DailyWav.com.)

I'm so excited to get this year's mix into people's CD players and onto their iPods, and I have been feverishly burning copies every night this past week to meet the expected demand (a new job at a much larger company means a lot more listeners). And as a bonus, anyone who's new to the Very Marty Xmas tradition is also getting a copy of my "Best of" mix from two years ago. It's a Chrismahanukwanzakah miracle!

Just a couple weeks ago, the prospect of a new Very Marty Xmas mix seemed bleak. But I'm glad I changed my mind and got back on the sleigh. Merry Xmas, everybody! Enjoy!


(sing it with me: Reindeer sleigh! Come our way! Ho, ho, ho! Cherry nose! Cap on head! Suit that's red! Special night! Beard that's white! Must be Santa, must be Santa, must be Santa ... Santa Claus!)

Previously:
The Best of A Very Marty Xmas
A Very Marty Xmas 2007
A Very Marty Xmas 2006
A Very Marty Xmas 2005