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Happy Holidays 2006

Pop: A playlist guaranteed to keep the yule cool

Here's a present you don't have to wait 'til Christmas to unwrap. And it's guaranteed to be a bigger hit than fruitcake.

By Sean Daly
Published November 23, 2006

Every year, I get invited to a string of Santa shindigs, and every year I'm asked to bring the same thing: music. Sure, it's cheaper than two dozen rum balls, but there's serious pressure involved, too.

The tunes make the party, and putting Bing Crosby on repeat will kill your bash faster than an empty bar and a loud uncle. The DJ needs to think hip, fresh, funky - but don't forget the mistletoe music, too.

If you're wondering what I'll be playing, check out "Sean's Can't-Miss Merry Mix," perfect for iPods or burning your own CDs. You should be able to find all of these tracks online. I also provided the source albums, most of which are must-haves.

1. Soulful Christmas - James Brown ( Funky Christmas ) 2. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Death Cab for Cutie ( Maybe This Christmas Tree ) 3. Back Door Santa - B.B. King ( A Christmas Celebration of Hope ) 4. Christmas Is the Time to Say "I Love You" - Billy Squier ( The Big '80s Christmas )5. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - John Mellencamp ( A Very Special Christmas ) 6. That Spirit of Christmas - Ray Charles ( The Spirit of Christmas )7. Santa Claus Is Back in Town - Elvis Presley ( Elvis Christmas )8. Jingle Bells - Brian Setzer Orchestra ( Boogie Woogie Christmas )9. The Happy Elf - Harry Connick Jr. ( Harry for the Holidays )10. Jingle Bell Rock - Ventures ( The Ventures Christmas Album )11. White Christmas - Darlene Love ( A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector )12. Merry Christmas Baby - Charles Brown ( Charles Brown's Cool Christmas Blues )13. River - Joni Mitchell ( Hits )14. Home on Christmas Day - Cyndi Lauper ( Merry Christmas . . . Have a Nice Life! )15. Linus and Lucy - Vince Guaraldi ( A Charlie Brown Christmas )16. Winter Wonderland - Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass ( Christmas Album )17. Shake Hands With Santa - Louis Prima ( Swingin' Christmas )18. Blue Christmas - Chris Isaak ( Chris Isaak Christma s)19. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Dean Martin ( Christmas With Dino )20. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra ( The Christmas Collection )

[Last modified November 22, 2006, 11:01:01]