From now until Christmas Day we will feature the countdown of 10 of the most popular versions of the beloved Christmas carol, “It Came upon the Midnight Clear.” To compare apples to apples, we chose 10 soloists, all male. Our staff members ranked the videos, and here are the results – from 10 to 1. Some comments from the judges are included (including my own two cents). How did we do? Please let us know – and, most of all, enjoy!

Italian pop tenor Sergio Franchi was a big hit  in the 1970s, but no so much with the TNH crowd – at least not for his rendition of “Midnight Clear.” He only finished 9th out of 10, with votes all over the place. As high as third place – I was one of those, as I think his vocal instrument is superb – and as low as last, with one judge saying “I’m sorry, but I don’t want to hear American Christmas carols with an accent.”

Up next in our countdown, #8 – stay tuned!