Top 40 Christmas Songs - The Classics

Nothing brings out the spirit of Christmas in others quite like the sounds of yesteryear. The songs of Christmas always stir the emotions and below is a Top 40 list of Christmas favorites. The Classics live on, and even today's contemporary artists just don't compare.

The stars of today will always mention these songs as among their own personal holiday favorites. There are so many songs that can be chosen for such a list as this, but I think I narrowed it down fairly well as to what you are likely to hear on the radio.

1. White Christmas (1942, 1947) - Bing Crosby

2. The Christmas Song (1946, 1953, 1961) - Nat King Cole

3. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) - Burl Ives

4. A Holly Jolly Christmas (1964) - Burl Ives

5. Do You Hear What I Hear (1963) - Bing Crosby

6. There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays (1954) - Perry Como

7. Frosty The Snowman (1950, 1969) - Jimmy Durante

8. It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas (1951) - Bing Crosby

9. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (1947) - Frank Sinatra

10. It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (1963) - Andy Williams

11. Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley 1957/1964

12. It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas (1986) - Johnny Mathis

13. Adeste Fidelis 'O Come All Ye Faithful' (1960) - Nat King Cole

14. I'll Be Home For Christmas (1957) - Frank Sinatra

15. Hark, The Herald Angels Sing (1960) - Nat King Cole

16. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (1960) - Peggy Lee

17. Winter Wonderland (1958) - Johnny Mathis

18. Baby It's Cold Outside (1959) - Dean Martin

19. White Christmas (1954) - Rosemary Clooney

20. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (1957) - Frank Sinatra

21. We Wish You The Merriest (1964) - Frank Sinatra & Bing Crosby

22. Winter Wonderland (1968) - Tony Bennett

23. Joy to the World (1960) - Nat King Cole

24. Toyland (1964) - Doris Day

25. It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (1986) - Johnny Mathis

26. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (1964) – Doris Day

27. Don't Forget To Feed The Reindeer 91960) – Peggy Lee

28. Silver Bells (1950) - Bing Crosby & Carol Richards

29. The Night Before Christmas Song (1952) - Gene Autry & Rosemary Clooney

30. Christmas Waltz (1954) - Frank Sinatra

31. There's No Christmas Like A Home Christmas (1950, 1968) - Perry Como

32. Deck The Halls (1960) - Nat King Cole

33. Frosty The Snowman (1950, 1969) - Jimmy Durante

34. Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow (1959) - Dean Martin

35. Happy Holiday (1942) - Bing Crosby

36. Snowfall (1968) - Tony Bennett

37. Feliz Navidad (1970) - José Feliciano

38. Here Comes Santa Claus (1948) - Gene Autry

39. T'was The Night Before Christmas (1942, 1950) - Fred Waring & The Pennsylvanians

40. It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas (1951) - Perry Como & the Fontane Sisters

Your own list of favorites will differ. This offering is just a reminder of what you are likely to hear on the radio while driving around shopping or visiting others during this holiday season. A few of these songs are listed twice, but by different performers. I'm sure you have heard them all before, these are regarded as the true Christmas Classics.

Happy Holidays To All

AC/DC - Rock or Bust - Review

Rock or Bust is the new album from AC/DC. It is the band's fifteenth international release to date.

This new album ignores the trend of other newer albums that suffer from too many songs. It's straight up 11 tracks. These new songs are reworked leftovers from their Black Ice sessions, and all of the songs are credited to Angus and Malcom Young. The songs are all good, but there isn't any that stand out as truly great. What may disappoint fans is that all of these tracks are are the short side. You will also notice that there are no new catchy lead licks, and this indicates that all of the songs are good, but average. Overall, it's basic AC/DC with the same sound and blend of Rock 'N Roll that they've been delivering for years.

It has the look and feel of an economical output, that doesn't try to be great. After a long wait since their last album some may be disappointed with this, but no one can deliver a masterpiece every time out.

In my opinion, I'm stuck with rating this between 3-4 stars out of 5. It's really good, but not a 4. The songs I like the most are 'Rock the Blues Away' and 'Dogs of War.'

The group leaves us high and dry in the news without much of anything new. They say on their website that with or without Phil Rudd, they will Rock On.

In May of 2015, the band will begin their world tour to promote Rock or Bust which coincides with their 40th anniversary together. Stevie Young takes over for his recently retired uncle and it is not certain whether Phil Rudd will tour or remain with the band. Curiously, from their website, new band photos only include Brian, Angus, Cliff and Stevie. It should also be noted, that Phil did not participate in the new videos in support of the new album. I have a feeling, AC/DC is moving on without him, although it has not been made official yet.

Rock or Bust Track Listing

All songs composed by Angus Young and Malcolm Young

1. Rock or Bust – 3:03
2. Play Ball – 2:47
3. Rock the Blues Away – 3:24
4. Miss Adventure – 2:57
5. Dogs of War – 3:35
6. Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder – 3:22
7. Hard Times – 2:44
8. Baptism by Fire – 3:30
9. Rock the House – 2:42
10. Sweet Candy – 3:09
11. Emission Control – 3:41

Play Ball Video

Rock or Bust Video

AC/DC - Official Website

Top 5 Christmas Gift Ideas

Top 5 Christmas Gift Ideas

There's only another two weeks to go before Christmas arrives , and some of us still need to find that special something for someone. Shopping in the stores at this time of year is expected, and the merchants lay in wait like thieves preying on your generosity and vulnerability. I say, stay away! Go there, after the holidays and you'll have a better experience for sure. With that in mind, here are a few suggestions that might be of interest to you. These suggestions are all really great ideas that leave lasting memories. Lasting memories, is giving the gift of love that everyone can appreciate, and sharing in moments of togetherness.

1.A Nice Christmas Card...with CASH!

2.Property.

Nothing says I Love You more than a wad of CASH! On the other hand, maybe you want to impress someone in another way. Besides good 'ol cash and really expensive high end luxury items, you can procure for yourself or someone else an Extraterrestrial Passport and Nationality for only $14.99 Yep-It's real!

You can also choose to purchase an acre of land either on the Moon or Mars and there are other choices as well. Prices vary, but they are from $29.99-$39.99 and again, it's real, it even comes with a property deed. You can't beat that, The next best thing to cash, just might, be property, and as it's not yet a settled habitat, all acres are prime.

You can find out more here.

Buy an Acre of the Moon

3.Tickets To Shows.

Somewhere nearby there is a performance or show that you could buy advance tickets for. Since most people like to go out and participate in the festive season, giving tickets to a concert, play, or even a movie is a really good idea. It's also a way to engage with others if you should buy tickets for yourself, you're really encouraging someone you care about to, brave the cold, and go out and do something other than watching Jimmy Stewart again...EEKS!

4.Gift Cards and Gift Certificates.

After the mad frenzy of shredding Christmas gift wrapping paper, you'll want to rest for a while. As the disappointment sets in, because you didn't get what you really wanted, you can then do what you wanted to do all along, go shopping!

Restaurant gift certificates are great, but maybe even better would be to get gift cards to several shops or online merchants. Women are not enthused about a gift card from Walmart! You need to be more thoughtful and go to the Malls and get cards from multiple places. Women are not like men, they like shopping everywhere, when a man is more content to do all his shopping in one place.

5.Personalized Photo Gifts.

This is a really good idea because you can personalize so many things. You can really be creative if you like, by cropping/combining photos of your loved ones with famous peoples photos from the internet and add your personal touch with some special wording.

The best places for these gifts are on the internet, but in a pinch, you can also visit Costco, CVS, Walgreen's, and of course your nearby Walmart. These places all have their own Photo Centers and these gifts are unique and special.

T'is the season to be a big spender, so don't be stingy. Cheap never impresses anyone, so as you go for broke, keep in mind some gifts are NOT good ideas. Don't buy Dad a necktie, socks, etc. Don't buy Mom household items...that's really a BAD idea. And definitely don't buy kids or younger people anything predictable. Here's wishing you holiday success and happiness.

Please forward this post to anyone you know that is in need of holiday shopping ideas.

 Be happy, be blessed, and may your Holidays be the best!

All Lives Matter - Kathleen McCartney - Smith College Students are Assholes!

College President Kathleen McCartney says she's sorry for saying “All lives matter.”

Kathleen McCartney The President of Smith College says she is sorry for writing "all lives matter" in an email she sent out. Her juvenile minded protege were outraged over her choice of words. They don't emphasize the racist thinking that prevails and many wrote back angry emails that showcase the lower level of intellect that is being cultivated in this school. Sad!

Apparently she wrote the phrase in the subject line of an e-mail she sent to students at the school. McCartney reiterated that she was attempting to show support for students protesting the grand jury decisions, where police officers were not charged in the deaths of unarmed black men.

With the cases of Michael Brown and Eric Garner in particular, the internet has been on fire with the phrase/hashtag "Black Lives Matter." McCartney's kinder interpretation of the phrase that read “All Lives Matter” offended those who wish to keep a focus on racism, claiming that her wording diminished the focus on the victimized black lives. This kind of rationale is disturbing to say the least.

“We are united in our insistence that all lives matter,” is what she wrote in the email that has created a racist frenzy. The rest seems to have been conveniently overlooked...she went on to say that she supported the protests by adding, the grand jury decisions...“led to a shared fury… We gather in vigil, we raise our voices in protest.”

It seems like a nice person can't write nice things to others privately anymore. The phrase “black lives matter” is itself racist and her wording was simply a nicer touch. The uproar over choice of words is an example of profound misunderstanding that is coming from the college level thinking that should be better than that. Claiming that she was invalidating the experience of black lives, by using a kinder phrase is bullshit!

Sadly Kathleen McCartney felt the need to apologize and did so in another email, stating that she had made a mistake “despite my best intentions.”

The real problem is not what she wrote, but how stupid people choose to interpret her message. Hashtags/phrases don't always refer to the same thing, anyone can use the trending topics to attach anything that they want to it, just to draw more attention. Even idiots know this!

Summing up this news item of no significance, it is becoming more and more difficult to be politically correct. All I can say is this, it's a sad day when a nice person has to apologize for writing something nice.

Political Correctness is Out of Control!

Top 10 Christmas Albums Then and Now!

Christmas is nearing, and holiday festivities are taking place everywhere. It's a time where Christmas music is being played around the clock in many places. All of your favorite shows will have Christmas themed episodes, and it's also a time to revisit some of your favorite cartoons, movies, and shows. Radio stations everywhere spin the classics of yesteryear because nothing compares to the best of the best. What's more, these particular Christmas Classics have a way of stirring the emotions. They will always remind us of the best of what the holiday seasons offer, now and for all time.

If you're the kind of person who appreciates albums as whole more than songs in the singles format, this list of albums is representative of the best of the best. It's a Top 10 Christmas Album List To Remember. Ho-Ho-Ho!

This list of albums can be streamed directly from YouTube with the following links.

1.Elvis Presley - Elvis' Christmas Album

Elvis' Christmas Album

2.Frank Sinatra - A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra

A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra

3.Johnny Mathis - Merry Christmas Johnny Mathis

Merry Christmas Johnny Mathis

4.The Carpenters - Carpenters Christmas Portrait

Carpenters Christmas Portrait

5.Nat King Cole - The Magic of Christmas 1960 re-issued as The Christmas Song in 1963

The Magic of Christmas

6.Bing Crosby White Christmas - previously released in 1945 with the title of Merry Christmas

Bing Crosby Merry Christmas

7.Andy Williams - The Andy Williams Christmas Album

The Andy Williams Christmas Album

8.Ray Conniff & the Ray Connif Singers - We Wish You A Merry Christmas - 1962

Ray Conniff & the Ray Connif Singers - We Wish You A Merry Christmas

9.Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration

A Christmas Celebration

10.Mannheim Steamroller - Christmas in the Aire

Christmas in the Aire

Six of this Top 10 list is in the Top 50 of Billboard's Holiday Chart at this present time. This list is some of the best that's ever been recorded and will live on forever. There's much more than this to be enjoyed, in fact most of your favorite artists have their own holiday albums and maybe you have many of these already. So, if the spirit of giving should be upon you, there's nothing better than giving the gift of music to the ones you love.

Please share this article with someone you know. Be happy, be blessed, and may your holidays be the best!

Happy Holidays to you all.

The Top 10 Christmas Movies + Some More

T'is the season to be...well anyways if you find yourself between the better option of reading and with too much time on your hands you can watch some of these classic Christmas Holiday Movies. The Top 10 Christmas Movies to watch are mostly for kids. Although they'll moan and groan over a few of the b/w choices, the top pick will always be “It's A Wonderful Life.” After that, the rest are all kid favorites!

1.It's a Wonderful Life - (1946) James Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore
2.Miracle on 34th Street - (1947) Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O'Hara, and Natalie Wood

3.A Christmas Story - (1983) Darrin McGavin, Melinda Dillon, and Peter Billingsley

4.Christmas Vacation - (1989) Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, and Randy Quaid

5.Home Alone - (1990) Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern
6.Home Alone 2: Lost in New York - (1992) Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern

7.Scrooged - (1988) Bill Murray, John Forsythe, and Karen Allen

8.The Muppet Christmas Carol - (1992) Michael Caine, and Dave Goelz
9.Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) - (1951) Alastair Sim, Meryvn Johns, and Michael Hordern

10.The Nightmare Before Christmas - (1993) Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara

If the Top 10 grows tiresome and you are looking for more holiday cheer the following movies might also brighten your mood and lift those work weary spirits. Nothing beats the classics!

11.The Miracle of the Bells - (1948) Fred MacMurray, Frank Sinatra, and Lee J. Cobb
12.A Christmas Carol - (1938) Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart, and Leo G. Carroll

13.White Christmas - (1954) Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney
14.Holiday Inn - (1942) Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Marjorie Reynolds
15.The Bishop's Wife - (1947) Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven
16.Christmas in Connecticut - (1945) Barbara Stanwyck, Reginald Gardiner, and S.Z. Sakall

And finally there are just so many made for TV Christmas movies that are really good, I'd just suggest that you plug in your Chromecast dongle and go to YouTube and search for Christmas Movies, you're sure to find something to enjoy. Sometimes, it's even better when you discover something new for yourself.

These last two suggestions are better than most made for TV movies.

17.The Homecoming: A Christmas Story - (1971) Patricia Neal, Richard Thomas, and Edgar Bergen

18.A Christmas Without Snow - (1980) Michael Learned, and John Houseman

Another suggestion is to create a YouTube Playlist and search and tag all of your favorite Christmas Cartoons, then play them any time you like. There's more there than what you'll ever be able to sit and watch, but it's a better idea than watching regular TV programming. No Commercials-Yea!

Here's wishing you all the best of times and may you have the happiest of holidays.

The Top 10 Best Music Albums of 2014

Another year over and a new one will begin. Here we are in December and while reflecting on the closing year I think we will always remember 2014 as a great year in music. Many artists released some amazing, great albums that we'll enjoy for a long time to come.

Below is a list of the best music that came out this year. You may like some of these as well, and then again your opinions may vary.

The Top 10 Best Music Albums of 2014 That You Need To Have

1.Blondie – Ghost of Download

2.Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers – Hypnotic Eye

3.Suzanne Vega – Tales from the Realm of the Queen of Pentacles

4.Tove Lo – Queen of the Clouds

5.Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence

6.Pink Floyd – The Endless River

7.Joan Osborne – Love and Hate

8.Lindsey Stirling – Shatter Me

9.Sanna Nielsen - 7

10.Leonard Cohen – Popular Problems

Extra Pick

11.Ingrid Michaelson - Lights Out

The best comedy album was of course Weird Al Yankovic's – “Mandatory Fun” but really, there were many more really great albums this year such as...

Natalie Merchant – Natalie Merchant

Tori Amos – Unrepentant Geraldines

Eric Clapton & Friends – The Breeze An Appreciation of JJ Cale

Imogen Heap – Sparks

Sinead O'Connor – I'm Not Bossy, I'm the Boss

Ella Henderson – Chapter One

Bob Seger – Ride Out

and last but not least AC/DC – Rock or Bust

The worst of 2014 would include anything country, gospel, rap and the following...

Mike Oldfield - Man On The Rocks

Robert Plant - Lullaby... and the Ceaseless Roar

Yanni – Inspirato

There's always good and bad, call it the yin and yang of life and this short article is focused on the best of the best. If you are Holiday Sopping, break out those cards and get the top 10 listed here.

Kenyan Police Bust Chinese Cyber Spies

Kenyan Police say they have busted a Cyber-Crime ring that consists of 77 Chinese Nationals in the Capital of Nairobi. The Police think that they were involved in hacking and money laundering. The group has been arrested and are in custody while further investigation takes place.

The Foreign Ministry is presently discussing the arrests with Chinese Officials. The Chinese Officials said that they are co-operating with the ongoing investigations. They are checking to determine if the 77 are in fact Chinese and if they are in the country legally.

Apparently the raids and the ensuing arrests were in response to a fire that broke out and caused at least one death. The fire seemed to have been caused by one of the servers that was being operated illegally.

The Kenyan Police discovered that the 77 lived in 'Military-style dormitories' and had possession of communication equipment, telephone headsets, computers, and monitors. Equipment capable of infiltrating the country's communication systems and possibly the banking system.

"The suspects are being interrogated to establish their mission in the country and what they wanted to do with the communication gadgets." - Mr Muhoro

So far the charges against the 77 include - being in the country illegally and operating radio equipment without the required permits. Chinese Officials have expressed their shock over these developments and have promised to send investigators to work with Kenyan authorities.

This story comes at a time when many Chinese companies are investing heavily in Kenya, so they don't want to rock the boat too much. The Kenyan government has many bilateral agreements with China and Chinese nationals have roles in government programs and also in higher education.

It's a simple case of getting caught red-handed and the only real shock to the Chinese is that they were caught! As for sending investigators to co-operate and assist the Kenyans you can bet they'll be arriving with lots of cash!

Cyber Insurance is Coming!

Cyber Insurance is not new. It has been around for about 10 years, but most security professionals are not even aware that it exists, and if they do, they don't elaborate on it because they just don't know enough. But, the times they are a changing.

It seems these days that the news is reporting data breaches more and more frequently. Global cyber hacking, cyber extortion, and cyber terrorism is here, and it's not going away any time soon. It seems that no one is really safe. It has hit Home Depot, Kmart, Target, and even JP Morgan Chase.

Presently Cyber Insurance is one of the fastest growing sectors in the insurance business. Cyber Insurance Policies serve business needs only, but when you consider how many individuals have personal websites I can foresee how Personal Cyber Insurance will soon be as essential as auto insurance or anything else to the average person. It's coming. It's only a matter of time before some of the responsibility gets shifted away from larger conglomerates and passed on to the average person.

"Data breaches are now a fact of life, just like death and taxes" 

Sadly, there are no set rules and standards yet in cyber insurance dealings, so the best thing you can do right now is to speak with an insurance broker first, not an insurance agent.

If you want to learn more, you can find additional information with the provided link below.

Cyber Insurance Information

Recap: Personal Cyber-insurance is only for businesses. In the future, it may be required of all and may become as essential as any other insurance.

India's Secret - Female Pop Singers of Bollywood Films and Shows

The Most Popular Female Singers of Bollywood Films and Shows.

If you do the same things as everyone else, you'll end up like everyone else. In order to be different you have to want to do different things and enjoy new experiences. You don't want to relive the same experiences as others or else you'll be like everyone else and probably not as happy as you want to be. You only need to reach out a very little and you will find so much more.

A world away you'll find India and their own Bollywood industry is much like our own entertainment industry. Many of Bollywood's films have voice over artists such as the list below that perform the songs you'll hear in Bollywood films and shows.

Below is a list of popular female singers that I think are important and they are artists that you'll also like, so check them out.

Try out some of their performances from the links included below and see what you think. At the very least you'll have done something different, and that's a great start towards expanding your horizons and experiencing something other than the same 'ol - same 'ol.

Anaida

Popular Tracks:

Oova Ova

http://youtu.be/GqkrkDcHc0k?list=RDGqkrkDcHc0k

Hoo Hallo Ho

http://youtu.be/Pkr61XiYt64?list=RDGqkrkDcHc0k

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anaida/34708272544?sk=timeline

Sunidhi Chauhan
Popular Tracks:
Bin Tere, Ainvayi Ainvayi, Ishq Sufiyana, Mehboob Mere, Sheila Ki Jawani, Beedi Jalayi Le, Shut-Up and Bounce, Challiya, Chor Bazaari, and Deedaar De.

She has a number of hits and has been popular for a long time. She will steal your heart with her live performances, truly an amazing artist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Uls9v1nnss&index=10&list=RDHCo1evg1kuEDU

Shreya Ghoshal

Popular Tracks:
Barso Re, Bairi Piya, Noor E Khuda, Piyu Bole, Pal Pal Har Pal, Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai, and Teri Ore.

http://www.shreyaghoshal.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCipAHTw7hY

It would be a mistake not to also mention some of the other amazing talent who perform the songs featured in entertainment behind some of Bollywood's famous leading ladies.

Please forgive me if I botched-up any of the names and or song titles, I am weak in foreign language, but I do excel in sarcasm.

Monali Thakur
Popular Tracks:
Zara Zara Touch Me, Khwab Dekhe, Khudaya Khair, Hip Hop Pammi, Sawaar Loon, and Laila

Sneha Khanwalkar
Popular Tracks:
Songs from films - Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, and Gangs of Wasseypur.

Harshdeep Kaur
Popular Tracks:
Bari Barsi, Heer, Bari Barsi, Kabira, and Katiya Karun.

Sona Mahapatra
Popular Tracks:
Ambarsariya, Bahara , Daav Laga, Lori , Bedardi Raja, Chaayi Madhoshiyaan, and Jiya Lage Na.

Shalmali Kholgade
Popular Tracks:
Aga Bai, Daaru Desi, Pareshaan, Balam Pichkari, and Lat Lag Gayi.

Shweta Pandit
Top Tracks:
Bandhane Lagi, Charha De Rang, Jhini Jhini, Farewell, Soni Soni, and You-re My Love.

Neeti Mohan
Popular Tracks:
Ishq Wala Love, Jiya Re, Saddi Galli Aaja, Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari, and Nazar Laaye.

Alyssa Mendonsa
Popular Tracks:
Uff Teri Adaa, Papa Jag Jayega, Adhoore, Baby When You Talk To Me, and Khaabon Ke Parinday.

Richa Sharma
Popular Tracks:
Ni Main Samajh Gayi, Dil Mile Bina, Billo Rani, Kal Ho Na Ho, and Zor Ka Jhatka.

Shilpa Rao
Popular Tracks:
Aisi Saaza, Dhol Yaara Dhol, Ek Lau, I Feel Good, Ishq Shava, Tosey Naina Lagey, and Saiyaan Re.

Saba Azad
Popular Tracks:
Dhak Dhak Karne Laga and Dil Ki Toh Lag Gayi.

Neha Bhasin
Popular Tracks:
Ek Look Ek Look, Dhunki, and You and Me.

Many of these artists can be found on YouTube and and on other free streaming services, just copy and paste a name and see where that leads you.

Enjoy!