Tunes To Ring In The New Year: Happy New Year by ABBA

Released in 1980 from their Super Trouper album, Happy New Year by the Swedish group ABBA was released as a single in 1999 under the Universal Music Group label. Since 1999, this song consistently made the Top 100 charts worldwide with Number 75 in Germany, Number 34 in Sweden and 15 in the Netherlands. The Spanish language version called Felicidad ranked in the Top 5 in Argentina along with the South American versions of the Super Trouper album. In 2008 Happy New Year was released with charting number 25 in Denmark, 11 in Norway and 4 in Sweden and became number 5 on the Sweden and Norwegian charts the following year. In 2011, the song made the Dutch Top 10 charts. 

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Happy new year Composed by Andersson / Ulvaeus. Arranged by Robert Sund. For SATB choir, piano. En av de kanda ABBA-sangerna i arr av Robert Sund. Language: English. 12 pages. Published by Gehrmans Musikforlag (GH.GE-12065).

Songs of Christmas Past Part 7: Feliz Navidad

One of the most downloaded and aired Christmas song in the United States and Canada, Feliz Navidad is a simple and fun song that wishes you Marry Christmas in both English and Spanish. The tune, written by Puerto Rican singer-songwriter José Feliciano consists of only two lines of the lyrics. One line contains the lyrics Feliz Navidad, próspero año y Felicidad meaning "Merry Christmas, a prosperous year and happiness" in Spanish. The other line contains the words  "I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart" in English. Written and recorded in 1970 under the RCA record label, Feliciano recorded his version of the work on acoustic guitar and a Puerto Rican Cuatro with the help of drummer Paulinho Magalhaes and producer Rick Jarrard.

Numerous artists have covered Feliz Navidad since its release in 1970, and the tune is one of the top 25 most played recorded Christmas songs internationally according to ASCAP.

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Feliz Navidad For Piano/Vocal/Guitar. Piano Vocal. 4 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.351885).

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Alfred's Basic Piano Course - Top Hits! Christmas - Complete Levels 2 & 3 (For the Later Beginner). Edited by E. L. Lancaster and Morton Manus. Arranged by Various. For easy solo piano. Method/Instruction; Piano - Alfred's Basic Piano Course. Alfred's Basic Piano Library. Instructional and Christmas. SMP Level 2 (Late Elementary). Instructional songbook. Easy piano notation, fingerings and lyrics (does not include words to the songs). 31 pages. Published by Alfred Music (AP.17204).

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The Most Requested Christmas Songs Composed by Various. For Piano/Vocal/Guitar. Piano/Vocal/Guitar Songbook. Softcover. 256 pages. Published by Cherry Lane Music (HL.1563).

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Michael Buble - Christmas By Michael Buble. For Vocal. Vocal Piano. Softcover. 114 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.307364).

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Popular Performer -- A Christmas Just for You (10 Popular Songs of the Season). Arranged by Dennis Alexander. For Piano. Book; Piano Collection; Piano Supplemental. Popular Performer Series. Christmas; Secular; Winter. Advanced. 40 pages. Published by Alfred Music (AP.39044).

Songs of Christmas Past Part 6: Sleigh Ride

Composed by Leroy Anderson, Sleigh Ride has become a standard Christmas tune with concert bands and orchestras worldwide. This beloved piece conceived by Anderson in July of 1946 was finished in February of 1948 and recorded by the Boston Pops Orchestra under the baton of Arthur Fiedler in 1949. Sleigh Ride became an instant hit and became the orchestra's signature tune.  In 1950, Mitchell Parish wrote the lyrics to the piece about a person who excitedly invites another to ride a sleigh with them on a winter's day. In that same year, Anderson recorded his version of Sleigh Ride, and it hit Cashbox magazine's best sellers chart and re-released in 1952. The first known vocal performance of the tune was recorded by The Andrews Sisters in 1950.

Sleigh Ride consistently ranks in the top 10 most performed songs according to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

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Sleigh Ride Arranged by Michael Story. Concert Band. Concert Band. Belwin Young Band. Christmas; Winter. Grade 2. Conductor Score & Parts. 256 pages. Duration 2:27. Published by Belwin Music (AP.BD9942).

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Sleigh Ride Composed by Leroy Anderson (1908-1975). Orchestra. Full Orchestra. Leroy Anderson Classic Full Orchestra (Concert Level). Christmas; Winter. Grade 3.5. Conductor Score & Parts. 144 pages. Duration 3:01. Published by Belwin Music (AP.81261).

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Sleigh Ride Composed by Leroy Anderson (1908-1975). Orchestra. Full Orchestra. Leroy Anderson Classic Full Orchestra (Concert Level). Christmas; Winter. Grade 3.5. Conductor Score. 28 pages. Published by Belwin Music (AP.81261C).

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Sleigh Ride Composed by Leroy Anderson (1908-1975). Concert Band. Concert Band; SmartMusic. Leroy Anderson Classics. Christmas; Winter. Grade 4. Conductor Score & Parts. 258 pages. Duration 3:09. Published by Belwin Music (AP.84181).

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Sleigh Ride By Mitchell Parish. For piano, voice and guitar (chords). Christmas; Winter. Piano/Vocal/Guitar. 6 pages. Published by Hal Leonard - Digital Sheet Music (HX.244540).

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Accent on Performance Holiday Collection (22 Full Band Arrangements Correlated to Accent on Achievement (Piano)). Arranged by John O'Reilly and Mark Williams. Concert Band. For Piano. Band Supplement; Book. Accent on Performance. Chanukah; Christmas; Winter. 48 pages. Published by Alfred Music (AP.41323).

Songs of Christmas Past Part 5: The Christmas Song

The Christmas Song, also known as Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire, is one of the most popular classic Christmas tunes composed by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells in 1944. Written during a hot summer this song originally named Merry Christmas To You, was an attempt to stay cool by thinking about the cold weather of the holidays.

 The Nat King Cole Trio, with singer and pianist Nat King Cole, bassist Johnny Miller and guitarist Oscar Moore recorded The Christmas Song on June 14, 1946 at WMCA Radio Studios, New York City. On August 19th that same year, a second recording was made along with the first record issue. Cole went on to make two more recordings of The Christmas Song, and Mel Torme made several recordings of the piece as well.

Since its first recording in 1946, The Christmas Song became the most performed Christmas song according to BMI.

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The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) (Piano/Vocal/Guitar). For Piano/Vocal/Guitar. Piano Vocal. Christmas and Standards. Difficulty: medium. Single. Vocal melody, piano accompaniment, lyrics, chord names and guitar chord diagrams. 2 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.380381).

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The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) By Mel Torme and Frank Sinatra. For piano, voice, and guitar (chords only). Christmas; Jazz; Standards. Piano/Vocal/Guitar. 3 pages. Published by Hal Leonard - Digital Sheet Music (HX.38459).

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The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) By Mel Torme and Nat "King" Cole. For piano and voice. Christmas; Jazz; Love; Standards. PV. 6 pages. Published by Hal Leonard - Digital Sheet Music (HX.189580).

Songs Of Christmas Past Part 4: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

 It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year is a happy tune about the activities associated with the Christmas season and getting together with relatives and friends. Among the activities is the old Victorian Christmas tradition of telling scary ghost stories. One of the stories that survived since that period was the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol.

Composed by Edward Pola and George Wyle in 1963, this song recorded and released by singer Andy Williams later that year and included in Williams first Christmas album. Over the years, it became a Holiday standard with it being one of Billboard's Top 10 Holiday Songs since 2001. Since its first release in 1963, numerous artists covered It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year as well as used in several commercials and movies.

Need some sheet music or recordings for your holiday party or to match your holiday mood? Click on the links below.

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It's Christmas! (for Advanced Piano). Arranged by Dan Coates. For solo piano. Piano - Intermediate / Advanced Collection; Piano Supplemental. Dan Coates Piano Favorites. Christmas. SMP Level 8 (Early Advanced). Collection. Standard notation (does not include words to the songs). 44 pages. Published by Alfred Music (AP.AFM0211A).

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The Complete Christmas Music Collection For voice, piano and guitar (chords only). This edition: Piano/Vocal/Chords. P/V/C Mixed Folio; Piano/Vocal/Chords. The Complete Collection Series. Sacred. SMP Level 5 (Intermediate). Songbook. Vocal melody, piano accompaniment, lyrics, chord names and guitar chord diagrams. 264 pages. Published by Alfred Music (AP.F3350SMD).

Songs Of Christmas Past Part 3: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

One of the most popular songs and holiday television specials associated with childhood is the perineal classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Over the years, this song about a lovable reindeer, once ostracized for his red nose, has worked its way into the hearts of millions.  However, Rudolph did not get his start in a song or a Christmas special; he debuted in a book.

In 1939 creator Robert May was assigned to Chicago based department store Montgomery Ward. The shop, which previously bought and handed out coloring books, decided to create their book in order  to save money.  The story idea of Rudolph, initially rejected by the management due to the significance of a red nose being associated with alcoholism, needed the help of illustrator Denver Gillen to prove its innocence. Gillen, using zoo deer as models to draw the cute characters to the story. The management supported the idea after seeing his illustrations.  In its first year of publication, Montgomery Ward distributed 2.5 million copies of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

In 1949, May's brother in law Johnny Marks composed the well-known song based on the story of Rudolph with the first recording done by Gene Autry. Autry was reluctant to record the piece until his wife talked him into it which resulted in an excellent decision. Autry's performance of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer sold 2 million copies in 1949 and became the second biggest-selling Christmas song of all time.

If you would like sheet music or a recording of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, click on any of the links below.

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120 Best Known Christmas Songs (Piano/Vocal/Guitar). For voice, piano and guitar chords. This edition: Piano/Vocal/Guitar. P/V/C Mixed Folio; Piano/Vocal/Chords. Sacred. SMP Level 5 (Intermediate). Songbook. Vocal melody, piano accompaniment, lyrics, chord names and guitar chord diagrams. 192 pages. Published by Alfred Music (AP.VF1854A).

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At the Christmas Ball: Just Tracks (Karaoke CDG) Christmas. Karaoke CDG. Published by Pocket Songs (PS.JTG112).

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Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer & Other Carols (For 3 Recorders). Composed by Various. Standard notation. Published by Universal Edition (PR.UE031474).

Songs of Christmas Past Part 2: Home For The Holidays

There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays is a beloved Christmas song that tells of those who are heading to their relatives homes to spend the holidays with them. It is a song often associated with the Christmas  season.

Written by Robert Allen and lyricist Al Stillman, There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays was published in 1954 and recorded twice by singer Perry Como. The first recording was on  November 16, 1954 at RCA Records as a single for Christmas with the flip side being the tune Silk Stockings. This single reached number 8 the Billboard magazine chart in the United States. Home for the Holidays was released again the following Christmas  along with the flip side being the carol God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.  The second recording was done on July 15, 1959 in stereo with a different musical arrangement and released as a 33 1/3 single with the flip side being Winter Wonderland.

Many artists have performed a cover of Home for the Holidays including the Carpenters, Barry Manilow, as well as a duet by Cyndi Lauper and Norah Jones.

If you would like to have sheet music to Home for the Holidays or recordings of this fine piece, click on any of the links below.

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Home for the Holidays (A Medley). Arranged by Teena Chinn. Choir Secular. SATB choir. Choral Octavo. Christmas Pop Choral Series. Christmas; Secular; Winter. Grade 3. Choral Octavo. 16 pages. Published by Alfred Music (AP.C0272C1X).

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Home for the Holidays Composed by Robert Allen. Arranged by Larry Clark. String ensemble. For String Orchestra. Carl Fischer Young String Orchestra Series. Classical. Grade 2-2.5. Full Score. Standard notation. 8 pages. Published by Carl Fischer (CF.YAS18F).

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Piano Christmas - Keepsake Edition (The Complete Christmas Collection). Edited by Carol Tornquist. Arranged by Bill Wolaver, Bob Krogstad, Bruce Greer, Carol Tornquist, Mark Hayes, Phil Perkins, Richard Huggins, and Teresa Wilhelmi. For Piano. P/V/C. Christmas. Songbook. Vocal melody, lyrics, piano accompaniment, chord names and guitar chord diagrams. 248 pages. Word Music #080689434389. Published by Word Music (HL.311707).

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(There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays By Perry Como. For piano, voice, and guitar (chords only). Christmas; Love; Standards. 5 pages. Published by Hal Leonard - Digital Sheet Music (HX.12609).