Ultimate Christmas

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Tracklist

1CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Silent Night (Intro)
partial recording of:
Silent Night (Christmas carol, English translation)
lyricist:
Josef Mohr (composer/author) (in 1816)
composer:
Franz Xaver Gruber (composer/author) (in 1818)
translator:
John Freeman Young (in 1859)
part of:
Roud Folk Song Index (number: 27088)
translated version of:
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht
Boyz II Men1:09
2The Christmas Song
producer:
Lee Gillette
piano:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-03-30)
vocals:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-03-30)
conductor:
Ralph Carmichael (on 1961-03-30)
orchestrator:
Charles R. Grean and Pete Rugolo
part of:
Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-27 (number: 6), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-01-03 (number: 6), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-20 (number: 8), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-13 (number: 9), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-06 (number: 18) and Billboard Hot 100: 2025-11-29 (number: 29)
cover recording of:
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) (on 1961-03-30)
lyricist:
Robert Wells (songwriter) (in 1945-07) and Mel Tormé (“The Velvet Fog”) (in 1945-07)
composer:
Mel Tormé (“The Velvet Fog”) (in 1945-07)
publisher:
Chappell/Morris Ltd., MPL Music Publishing Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd., Sony/ATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP), Warner Chappell, Warner Chappell Ltd., Warner Chappell Music (holding behind all publishing activities of Warner Music Group, 2019–), Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty. Ltd. and Edwin H. Morris & Co., Inc. (a division of MPL Communications Inc.) (from 1946 to present)
Nat King Cole3.753:12
3Winter Wonderland
vocals:
Aretha Franklin
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony BMG Music Entertainment Inc. (in 1964) and Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 1964)
cover recording of:
Winter Wonderland
lyricist:
Richard B. Smith (wrote lyrics to “Winter Wonderland”)
composer:
Felix Bernard
publisher:
Bregman, Vocco & Conn, Inc., EMI Music (do not use as release label! this is a music publisher), Francis, Day & Hunter, Redwood Music Ltd. (Carlin), Warner Chappell Music Inc., Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty. Ltd., WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (until 2019-05-28) and WC Music Corp. (from 2019-05-28 to present)
Aretha Franklin2:11
4White Christmas
recorded in:
Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1947-03-19)
choir vocals:
Ken Darby Singers (on 1947-03-19)
lead vocals:
Bing Crosby (on 1947-03-19)
orchestra:
John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra (on 1947-03-19)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
HNH International Ltd. (not for release label use!) and UMG Recordings, Inc. (operational headquarters of Universal Music Group, based in Santa Monica, USA; read annotations)
part of:
Billboard Hot 100: 2026-01-03 (number: 16), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-13 (number: 19), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-20 (number: 19), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-27 (number: 20) and Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-06 (number: 34)
recording of:
White Christmas (on 1947-03-19)
lyricist and composer:
Irving Berlin (from 1938 until 1940)
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), Irving Berlin Music Corp., Williamson Music Company and Irving Berlin Music Company (from 1940 to present)
sub-publisher:
EMI Allans Music Australia Pty Ltd, Irving Berlin Music Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Pty Ltd. (Australian subsidiary of Universal Music Publishing Group), Warner/Chappell Music Ltd. (1996–2019), Warner/Chappell Music, Hong Kong Limited (華納音樂版權香港有限公司, 1995–2019), シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.) and ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 (Universal Music Publishing, Synch Division)
part of:
The 15th Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1) and Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1942 winner)
Bing Crosby4.23:04
5Blue Christmas
engineer:
Thorne Nogar
acoustic guitar and lead vocals:
Elvis Presley (“The King of Rock and Roll”) (on 1957-09-05)
double bass:
Bill Black (US bassist/leader for Elvis/Bill Black's Combo) (on 1957-09-05)
drums (drum set):
D.J. Fontana (on 1957-09-05)
electric guitar:
Scotty Moore (American guitarist and recording engineer) (on 1957-09-05)
piano:
Dudley Brooks (on 1957-09-05)
background vocals:
The Jordanaires (southern gospel group) (on 1957-09-05) and Millie Kirkham (on 1957-09-05)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
RCA Victor (in 1957), Sony Music Entertainment (NOT FOR RELEASE LABEL USE! company owned by Sony Corporation of America since Oct 1, 2008; operates worldwide except in JP) (in 1957) and Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Aug 5, 2004 – Oct 1, 2008) (in 1968)
recorded at:
Radio Recorders Studios (Santa Monica Blvd. location since 1949) in West Hollywood, California, United States (on 1957-09-05)
part of:
Billboard Hot 100: 2026-01-03 (number: 21), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-27 (number: 27), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-20 (number: 29), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-13 (number: 31) and Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-06 (number: 50)
cover recording of:
Blue Christmas (on 1957-09-05)
writer:
Bill Hayes (songwriter) and Jay Johnson (songwriter of “Blue Christmas”)
publisher:
Anglo-Pic Music Co. Ltd., Bibo Music Publishing, Inc., J. Albert & Son Pty. Ltd., PolyGram International Publishing, Inc. (renamed Universal PolyGram International Publishing, Inc. circa 1998), Universal PolyGram International Publishing, Inc. (existed only since ca. 1998) and Universal Polygram International, Inc.
Elvis Presley3.52:07
6Sleigh Ride
vocals:
Johnny Mathis (US pop/soul singer)
orchestra:
Percy Faith and His Orchestra (Faith’s orchestra before his death in 1976)
conductor:
Percy Faith
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Columbia Records (EMI‐owned 1931–1990, worldwide except US, CA, MX, ES, & JP; largely defunct since Jan 1973) (in 1958)
recording of:
Sleigh Ride
lyricist:
Mitchell Parish (in 1950)
composer:
Leroy Anderson (until 1948-02-10)
publisher:
EMI Harmonies Limited, EMI Mills Music Inc. (ASCAP-affiliated), EMI Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd (not for release label use!) and Woodbury Music (aka Woodbury Music Company)
version of:
Sleigh Ride (original instrumental version)
Johnny Mathis4.52:58
7Frosty the Snow Man
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1960-07-15)
orchestra:
Frank De Vol Orchestra (on 1960-07-15)
conductor:
Frank De Vol (on 1960-07-15)
arranger:
Frank De Vol
recorded at:
Columbia Studios in New York, New York, United States (on 1960-07-15)
cover recording of:
Frosty the Snow Man (on 1960-07-15)
writer:
Steve Nelson (US songwriter who co-wrote “Frosty the Snowman”) and Walter E. Rollins (songwriter)
publisher:
Carlin Music Corporation, J. Albert & Son Pty. Ltd., Warner/Chappell North America Limited (formerly incorporated as Marmalade Music Ltd., from 1968/09/19–1999/11/09), Chappell & Co. (in 1950) and Hill and Range Songs, Inc. (publisher) (on 1950-06-02)
Ella Fitzgerald42:12
8Cantique De Noël (O Holy Night)
recording engineer:
John Dunkerley (engineer) and James Lock (James Locke, engineer) (in 1976-01)
engineer:
John Dunkerley (engineer)
producer:
Ray Minshull (record producer)
tenor vocals:
Luciano Pavarotti (tenor) (in 1976-01)
orchestra:
National Philharmonic Orchestra (fka the London Promenade Orchestra until 1971, mostly film music and opera) (in 1976-01)
conductor:
Kurt Herbert Adler (conductor) (in 1976-01)
arranger and orchestrator:
Douglas Gamley (film composer)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Decca Records Company (The Decca Record Company Limited, not a release label; for copyrights use only) (in 1976)
recorded at:
All Saints’ Church (Petersham) in Richmond upon Thames, London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1976-01)
recording of:
O Holy Night (catch-all for arrangements)
composer:
Adolphe Adam (French composer)
arrangement of:
O Holy Night
Luciano Pavarotti4:11
9O Come All Ye Faithful
additional recording engineer:
David I. Ward, III (American R&B/soul engineer and producer)
recording engineer:
Ray Bardani (lead vocals), Dann Wojnar (Engineer) and Joe Ferla
executive producer:
Luther Vandross
producer:
Marcus Miller (jazz musician)
mixer:
Ray Bardani
editor:
Max Risenhoover
bass, Hammond organ [Hammond B-3 organ] and keyboard:
Marcus Miller (jazz musician)
drums (drum set):
Ivan Hampden
guitar:
Paul Jackson, Jr. (fusion/urban jazz composer, arranger, producer and guitarist)
piano:
Nat Adderley, Jr.
choir vocals:
Tawatha Agee, Vivian Cherry, Robin Clark (soul vocalist), Ada Dyer (American soul singer), Genobia Jeter, Katreese Barns, Yvonne Lewis, Paulette McWilliams, Kevin Owens, Valerie Simpson, Tamira Sanders and Fonzi Thornton
lead vocals:
Luther Vandross
conductor:
John Clayton (US jazz and classical double bassist) (strings) and Marcus Miller (jazz musician) (choir vocals)
strings arranger:
John Clayton (US jazz and classical double bassist)
arranger:
Marcus Miller (jazz musician)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment (NOT FOR RELEASE LABEL USE! company owned by Sony Corporation of America since Oct 1, 2008; operates worldwide except in JP) (in 1995)
mixed at:
The Hit Factory in Manhattan, New York, New York, United States
recording of:
O Come, All Ye Faithful (English version of Latin “Adeste fideles”)
lyricist and composer:
John Francis Wade (from 1740 until 1743)
translator:
Frederick Oakeley (in 1841)
arrangement of:
O Come, All Ye Faithful
translated version of:
Adeste fideles (original latin version)
Luther Vandross4:19
10Joy to the World
producer:
Whitney Houston and Mervyn Warren
lead vocals:
Whitney Houston
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
RCA/Jive Label Group (holding company, not a release label) (in 2003)
recording of:
Joy to the World (Christmas carol)
lyricist:
Isaac Watts (hymn writer) (in 1719)
composer:
George Frideric Handel (German‐British baroque composer)
arranger:
Lowell Mason (in 1839)
cover recording of:
Joy to the World (Christmas carol)
lyricist:
Isaac Watts (hymn writer) (in 1719)
composer:
George Frideric Handel (German‐British baroque composer)
arranger:
Lowell Mason (in 1839)
Whitney Houston44:40
11It’s Beginning to Look Like ChristmasDionne Warwick2:22
12Silver Bells
assistant engineer:
Noel Hazen
engineer:
Dana Jon Chappelle
producer:
Kenny G (saxophonist)
mixer:
Mick Guzauski
bass:
Randy Jackson (former bassist with Journey and American Idol judge)
drums (drum set):
John “JR” Robinson (session drummer)
organ:
Walter Afanasieff
piano:
Randy Waldman
tenor saxophone:
Kenny G (saxophonist)
arranger:
Walter Afanasieff and Kenny G (saxophonist)
instrumental recording of:
Silver Bells (Christmas song)
lyricist and composer:
Ray Evans (American songwriter) and Jay Livingston
publisher:
Famous Music Corporation (renamed since 2007‐05 as Sony/ATV Harmony/Melody), Famous Music Publishing Limited (renamed into BMG FM Music Ltd. on 2013-05-13), Jay Livingston Music Inc., Paramount Music Corporation, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd. and Sony/ATV Harmony (in 1950)
sub-publisher:
Sony/ATV Harmony Canada and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division)
instrumental cover recording of:
Silver Bells (Christmas song)
lyricist and composer:
Ray Evans (American songwriter) and Jay Livingston
publisher:
Famous Music Corporation (renamed since 2007‐05 as Sony/ATV Harmony/Melody), Famous Music Publishing Limited (renamed into BMG FM Music Ltd. on 2013-05-13), Jay Livingston Music Inc., Paramount Music Corporation, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd. and Sony/ATV Harmony (in 1950)
sub-publisher:
Sony/ATV Harmony Canada and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division)
Kenny G3:58
13Santa Baby
vocals:
Eartha Kitt (on 1953-10-05)
orchestra:
Henri René & His Orchestra (on 1953-10-05)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
RCA Victor (in 1953), Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Aug 5, 2004 – Oct 1, 2008) (in 1953) and Sony Music Entertainment (NOT FOR RELEASE LABEL USE! company owned by Sony Corporation of America since Oct 1, 2008; operates worldwide except in JP) (in 1953)
part of:
Billboard Hot 100: 2026-01-03 (number: 19), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-27 (number: 24), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-20 (number: 27), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-13 (number: 30) and Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-06 (number: 49)
recording of:
Santa Baby (on 1953-10-05)
writer:
Joan Javits, Anthony Springer (Tony Springer) and Philip Springer
publisher:
Carlin Music Corporation, Hello Mr. Wilson, Tamir Music, TM Music Ltd., Warner Chappell and Warner Chappell Music (holding behind all publishing activities of Warner Music Group, 2019–)
Eartha Kitt3.53:24
14The Night Before Christmas
Carly Simon3:40
15Jingle Bells
recording of:
Jingle Bells
lyricist and composer:
James Lord Pierpont (in 1850)
publisher:
Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
composed at and lyrics written at:
Simpson Tavern in Medford, Massachusetts, United States (in 1850)
Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass2:35
16Song for a Winter’s NightSarah McLachlan3.753:47
17Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
recorded in:
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1943-12-04)
producer:
Arthur Freed
vocals:
Judy Garland (on 1943-12-04)
orchestra:
M‐G‐M Studio Orchestra (on 1943-12-04)
conductor:
Georgie Stoll (on 1943-12-04)
recording of:
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (on 1943-12-04)
lyricist:
Ralph Blane (in 1943)
composer:
Hugh Martin (in 1943)
publisher:
EMI April Music Inc., EMI Feist Catalog Inc., EMI Music Publishing (do not use as a release label!), EMI Publishing, EMI United Partnership Ltd., J. Albert & Son, J. Albert & Son Pty. Ltd., Loew’s Incorporated (in 1943, in 1944) and Leo Feist, Inc. (in 1971, in 1972)
sub-publisher:
ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label), フジパシフィック音楽出版 SBK事業部 (Fujipacific Music Inc. SBK Division) (until 2014-12-31) and フジパシフィックミュージック SBK事業部 (Fujipacific Music SBK Department) (from 2015-01-01 to present)
part of:
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944 musical film soundtrack)
Judy Garland4.52:38