25 Songs of Christmas, Day 2: Otis Redding, “Merry Christmas Baby”

Here at Soul In Stereo, we’re counting down to Christmas by featuring our favorite holiday tracks. Here’s today’s Christmas classic:

I’ll be honest with all of you.

Otis Redding is an R&B pioneer. But the man kind of gets on my nerves.

Those raspy adlibs he’s so famous for drive me crazy at times. Still, the one time of year I can tolerate Otis is during the holidays. Today, Audrey McDonald Atkins shares “Merry Christmas Baby,” and I believe that Otis has the definitive rendition.

Even though he pronounces “mistletoe” as “missahtohhhhh.”

Want to add your favorite Christmas songs to our monthlong playlist? Simply drop them off at soulinstereoblog@gmail.com, on our Facebook page, on Twitter @etbowser, or stop by the comments section. Merry Christmas, playas!