December 21, 2005

One of the best things about today's online music services is the opportunity to purchase individual songs for unlimited listening regardless of whether or not they have been released as a single. Each week I uncover some of the best pop tracks to download from online music services. The music will range widely across pop genres.

This week we have a special Christmas holiday edition.

Read lists from previous weeks.

1. Diana Krall - Christmas Time Is Here

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From her Christmas Songs, the top new Christmas album of this year, Diana Krall delivers a pleasingly smoky jazz interpretation of this song from the Charlie Brown Christmas TV special.

2. The Used - Alone This Holiday

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For melodic punk fans in a melancholy mood, the Used deliver the goods.

3. Il Divo - Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)

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The blend of pop and opera from these guys is perfect for traditional Christmas songs. This is a gorgeous addition to any holiday soundtrack.

4. Faith Evans - White Christmas

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The first lady of r&b sings a traditionally soulful version of one of the top Christmas classics of all time.

5. Kidz Bop Kidz - It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

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What kind of holiday would it be without the Kidz Bop Kidz? That friendly chorus will put you in the Christmas mood.

6. Chris Isaak - Let It Snow

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Chris Isaak is in a lounge mood and this track is perfect for holiday parties.

7. Regis Philbin - Marshmallow World

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Purely for smiles and laughs, who would have expected a Christmas album from the talk show host? On this Dean Martin classic, Regis gets a vocal assist from his bandleader Steve Tyrrell.

8. Anita Baker - Frosty's Rag (Frosty the Snowman)

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A welcome return for Anita Baker with a ragtime take on the snowman story tune.

9. Clay Aiken - The Christmas Song

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Clay's golden pipes wrap themselves around his heartfelt version of this holiday classic first made popular by Nat King Cole.

10. The Ronettes - Sleigh Ride

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Digging far back into the pop music vaults of the 60's for this outstanding Phil Spector production.