by Tom Arnold, ©2025
(Dec. 21, 2025) — The first of these two Christmas songs is a little-known one. However, many people who do know about it, and The Band (including blues men Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko and others over the years) say it may be the best Christmas song of all time. This particular version is from The Band’s 1977 album “Islands.” If you have any difficulty with the link (I have, but think I’ve got it right now), you can always search for the song at:
Christmas Must Be Tonight | The Band | OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO
The second is a Christmas favorite of mine. I play it over and over every Christmas. It’s obviously a lot more “commercial” than the first (above) truly Christmas song. I always used to watch the Late Show with David Letterman, which in my opinion was/is the best late-night show of its kind ever.
Thanks for that post. I never knew the Band did that song and I really liked it. It made me remember running around in my 57 Chevy with The Band’s Greatest Hits jammed into my 8-track. Merry Christmas Tom, and Happy New Year!!! Keep those posts coming.
All best wishes for a Blessed Christmas, Sharon, to you, staff, readers and contributors. You give us a gift of insight every day all year long.
Thank you, sir, and the same to you and yours!