Here’s a fun twist on edging in towards Christmas: the countdown. Not twelve days of showing off. The thing like I’m doing on my titlings, you know ten… nine… three… etc.

It can be done horridly, like with this English Christmas Chorale’s “Countdown to Christmas.” Suitable for parents above the age of fifty sung by their grandkids. Just another easy listening casualty.

It can be done mindlessly, like Gia Farrell’s “Christmas Everyday,” a pop attack that lists the day of the week that could be Christmas. Hoo boy.

It can be done awkwardly, like in ‘A Christmas Story, The Musical”s “Counting Down to Christmas” from the original Bway cast. Soaring, roaring, boring. Next.

The way to show us a show tune is to be unapologetically, brazenly, hopelessly– loud. Compare ‘Nativity 2, Danger in the Manger”s “Counting Down to Christmas” by cast. Takes it self less seriously, ergo entertaining.

Oscar the Grouch reprises his big hit ‘I Hate Christmas’ with the duet “Countdown Christmas.” It’s Street, with Stiller the Elf. (Gots the soft spot for the Street.)

Connor Ratliff ticks off the months in “Christmas is the Best.” His growly folk pop is acid, though. Maybe he doesn’t mean best like you and me do.

The best on topic (via wordplay) is clearly Lee Harris swinging the pop of “Christmas is Counting on Me.” Stinks of top 40, and yet i am moved. Sue me.

The excitement of Christmas coming spills out in joyous tellings through song and music. Sometimes that’s fun….

A Wild Frontier is anything but wild in “Almost Time for Christmas.” The restraint in their emo-pop is buzzkill no matter how gravelly loud they get.

Jouncing the pop just right David Meece sings up high (that means excited) for “Almost Christmastime,” a holiday anthem written (I believe) by a machine.

David Jones & Tom Howe get Britpop with their TV commercial jingle “Almost Christmas.” Infectious jive, but a bit annoying despite its brevity.

Just as UK-ey “Almost Christmas” from the original cast of ‘A Little Princess’ (the musical i guess) brightens up Victorian drama, but isn’t this from ‘Annie’? I can’t tell musicals apart!

Sean Wiggins peps up the merriness of jazz swing with “Almost Christmas.” The sass doesn’t overpower the umph here, so props.

I can be persuaded by a musical number, iffen i can identify the musical genre outside of ‘showtune.’ David George’s ‘Christmas Ain’t a Drag’ (2016) big band swings “Almost Christmas” with gusto and jazzy improv that raises spirits (and hackles, iffen i’m being honest).

Christmas is a time to shed some light on the meaning of life. So let’s up the wattage on love, shall we? I knew you’d want to.

Gwen Stefani is looking for love “Under the Christmas Lights.” Shoo bop.

Sia is looking for love “Under the Christmas Lights.” Oo-we-oo.

Cimorelli is falling like the snow (for you). “Christmas Lights” is so girly in love, i’m matching periods with it. Show pop.

Natalie Brown sounds a bit more grounded with her love letter “Christmas Lights.” She doesn’t need mistletoe with her jazzy slow pop, just some of the periphery –and you.

Switching to the male point of view (sorta), The Crystalairs doo wop the zoom to heaven with that Wintery “Light of Love.” Cooler than the girls?

Slidawg & The Redneck Ramblers get gooey romantic with the squeezebox serenade “The Lights on the Trailer.” Guys!

Well then, let the man do it. JD McPherson’s jazzabilly swings “Twinkle (Little Christmas Lights)” for the cool cats and kittens. Like butter.

So dammany bells for the holidays, the mere collision of clapper with shell foretells the season. Ring it out!

Can’t pass up a clever one: “Christmas Hmm That Rings a Bell” quips Dr. BLT with eclectic music fusion. You’re on notice.

Disney tells you what you want. Irina Menzel, Kristen Bell, and Josh Gad belt out a standard show tune (from that ‘Frozen’ holiday extra) “Ring in the Season” …and big finish.

Shuffling pop from Rubettes (feat. Alan Williams) hails us that “Bells Ring out on Christmas Day.” That’s how we know. (Well, that’s how YOU know, me i heard the songs back in Sept.)

Douglas Wagner brings us chorale arrangement for your school/church/prison in “Ring the Bells, It’s Christmas!” a showy show tune.

Twinkle Toes Music tends to downbeat this title. “Ring the Bells, It’s Christmas Time” here is a jazzy kidsong to proffer physical exercise. Sounds like London Bridge is Falling to me, though.

I like the persistent swing of Natalie Taylor’s “Holiday Bells.” Here’s a theme song for the season.

I won’t admit to getting my party pants on when i hear ‘Jingle Bells,’ but i guess it oughter be included with any but the most cynical Christmas bash (and i would accept an invitation to that). So let’s explore the connection of jingling with jubilating:

Stephen Colbert clashes his “Jingle Jingle Santa Party” with Run the Jewels pointing out that an urban man today gots more to worry about than silly fun.

Private Eye Music swings the instructions in “Jingle Jangle Mingle,” the short list of how-to let the hair down and funkalize. Getting together has a nice ring to it….

We may have mentioned the criminal aspect of Xmas, but as a reminder: CRIME DOESN’T GET PRESENTS.

Lulu Belle and Scotty from the late 1930s regale us with the tale of the lightfingered poor daddy, “The Empty Christmas Stocking.” This old country swing is no ‘Christmas Shoes’ (Thank God), but it does tug at the purse strings. [For something a little more 21st, allow the Celtic regrouping by Misty River.]

Santa’s just a guy, right. What if something comes up? Man gets busy, time flies… nothing for you.

Playful fake-out from Chris Bennett, “Santa Claus Forgot” is jazz foolishness set to make you appreciate what you get more than what you don’t.

Or he just doesn’t like those warmer climes?! Cabana Man shakes ragtime blues with jazz pop for another overwrought worry in “Come on Out da Chimney.” BTW, Santa can be lured with rum.

The Jordanaires turn their present absence into a teachable moment in the oompah-swing “Santa, You Forgot About Us Last Year.” The lesson, i think, is for all youngsters to mobilize to join some political action cause and forget crass materialism. I better listen to this again.

Shake off the night, time to cowboy up. Christmas don’t matter out on the range, ‘ceptin’ for that furious frame of mind you just can’t shake.

Feeling it from atop, Hugh Moffatt waxes cowboyetical with “Christmas in the Saddle.” His quiet western strumming far exceeds Jim Hogan‘s slicker country pop attempt.

“Saddle Up Your Pinto” and Mary Kaye with saddle up her bay (not ‘bae’). Sexy swing to get you off your feet.