http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.69042&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rssThis bandleader is famous for introducing the "hum-sing-hum" chorus to pop music. Conniff noticed how the public usually latches onto only fragments of a song's lyrics, so he crafted arrangements of standards and hit tunes that emphasized their most memorable refrains. He had his faceless, ever-perky choir (picture a New England dinner theatre production of <I>Night of the Living Dead</I>) hum most of the songs, only chiming in with the key lyrics. Not only did Conniff's concoctions move millions of units, but the style was widely copied by just about every easy listening and jazz act throughout the 1950s and '60s. While Conniff was a lounge music revolutionary, his earlier roots in hot jazz helped ensure that his own music was often much better and more fun than that of his many imitators. His thematically linked album covers (featuring lone blonde goddesses being courted -- or surrounded -- by a phalanx of WASP lotharios) are a joy to record collectors and smarmy indie rock ironists everywhere. The latter group has also embraced Conniff's hip-after-the-fact recordings of soft rock, disco and funk hits. - Nick DedinaInstrumental Popen720Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:57:28 -0800 http://static.realone.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.69042&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss This bandleader is famous for introducing the "hum-sing-hum" chorus to pop music. Conniff noticed how the public usually latches onto only fragments of a song's lyrics, so he crafted arrangements of standards and hit tunes that emphasized their most memorable refrains. He had his faceless, ever-perky choir (picture a New England dinner theatre production of <I>Night of the Living Dead</I>) hum most of the songs, only chiming in with the key lyrics. Not only did Conniff's concoctions move millions of units, but the style was widely copied by just about every easy listening and jazz act throughout the 1950s and '60s. While Conniff was a lounge music revolutionary, his earlier roots in hot jazz helped ensure that his own music was often much better and more fun than that of his many imitators. His thematically linked album covers (featuring lone blonde goddesses being courted -- or surrounded -- by a phalanx of WASP lotharios) are a joy to record collectors and smarmy indie rock ironists everywhere. The latter group has also embraced Conniff's hip-after-the-fact recordings of soft rock, disco and funk hits. - Nick Dedina http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2131370&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Mon, 1 Jan 1962 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 2131370 tra.2131370 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 We Wish You A Merry Christmas alb.109816 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/2/4/6/1336427_170x170.jpg 1988-07-15 00:00:00.0 1962-01-01 00:00:00.0 true The Twelve Days Of Christmas tra.2131370 259000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2131370&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2131370&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572985&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Mon, 1 Jan 1962 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 572985 tra.572985 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 We Wish You A Merry Christmas alb.109816 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/2/4/6/1336427_170x170.jpg 1988-07-15 00:00:00.0 1962-01-01 00:00:00.0 true Ring Christmas Bells tra.572985 149000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572985&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572985&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2131367&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Mon, 1 Jan 1962 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 2131367 tra.2131367 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 We Wish You A Merry Christmas alb.109816 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/2/4/6/1336427_170x170.jpg 1988-07-15 00:00:00.0 1962-01-01 00:00:00.0 true Medley: Jolly Old St. Nicholas/ The Little Drummer Boy tra.2131367 292000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2131367&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2131367&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572984&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Sun, 1 Jan 1961 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 572984 tra.572984 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas Album: Here We Come A-Caroling alb.196458 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/4/1/8/6/1306814_170x170.jpg 2004-08-24 00:00:00.0 1961-01-01 00:00:00.0 true Here We Come A-Caroling tra.572984 150000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572984&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572984&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955513&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Sun, 1 Nov 1959 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 2955513 tra.2955513 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas With Conniff alb.93380 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/0/5/0/0/1380050_170x170.jpg 1988-07-15 00:00:00.0 1959-11-01 00:00:00.0 true Jingle Bells tra.2955513 163000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955513&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955513&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955515&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Sun, 1 Nov 1959 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 2955515 tra.2955515 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas With Conniff alb.93380 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/0/5/0/0/1380050_170x170.jpg 1988-07-15 00:00:00.0 1959-11-01 00:00:00.0 true Frosty The Snowman tra.2955515 138000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955515&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955515&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572725&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Sun, 1 Jan 1967 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 572725 tra.572725 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Ray Conniff's World Of Hits alb.123275 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/9/9/4/4/1304499_170x170.jpg 1996-09-03 00:00:00.0 1967-01-01 00:00:00.0 true The Shadow Of Your Smile tra.572725 175000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572725&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572725&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.6432558&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Tue, 15 Sep 1992 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 6432558 tra.6432558 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas 16 Most Requested Songs alb.6432414 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/5/3/6/3/1263635_170x170.jpg 2004-08-24 00:00:00.0 1992-09-15 00:00:00.0 true Silver Bells tra.6432558 151000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.6432558&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.6432558&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955514&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Sun, 1 Nov 1959 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 2955514 tra.2955514 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas With Conniff alb.93380 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/0/5/0/0/1380050_170x170.jpg 1988-07-15 00:00:00.0 1959-11-01 00:00:00.0 true Silver Bells tra.2955514 147000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955514&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955514&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572009&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Sun, 1 Jan 1995 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 572009 tra.572009 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 16 Most Requested Songs alb.137268 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/4/0/5/1265041_170x170.jpg 1995-05-16 00:00:00.0 1995-01-01 00:00:00.0 true Seasons In The Sun tra.572009 214000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572009&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572009&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572742&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Easy Pop Sun, 1 Jan 1967 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 572742 tra.572742 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 This Is My Song And Other Great Hits alb.127109 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/3/5/4/1304531_170x170.jpg 1996-09-03 00:00:00.0 1967-01-01 00:00:00.0 true Georgy Girl tra.572742 165000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572742&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572742&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955517&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Sun, 1 Nov 1959 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 2955517 tra.2955517 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas With Conniff alb.93380 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/0/5/0/0/1380050_170x170.jpg 1988-07-15 00:00:00.0 1959-11-01 00:00:00.0 true Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town tra.2955517 146000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955517&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955517&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955519&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Sun, 1 Nov 1959 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 2955519 tra.2955519 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas With Conniff alb.93380 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/0/5/0/0/1380050_170x170.jpg 1988-07-15 00:00:00.0 1959-11-01 00:00:00.0 true Here Comes Santa Claus tra.2955519 142000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955519&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955519&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3035725&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Tue, 1 Jan 1985 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 3035725 tra.3035725 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas Caroling alb.313198 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/0/2/5/1305203_170x170.jpg 1985-11-12 00:00:00.0 1985-01-01 00:00:00.0 true The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) tra.3035725 170000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3035725&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3035725&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955520&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Sun, 1 Nov 1959 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 2955520 tra.2955520 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas With Conniff alb.93380 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/0/5/0/0/1380050_170x170.jpg 1988-07-15 00:00:00.0 1959-11-01 00:00:00.0 true Winter Wonderland tra.2955520 156000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955520&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955520&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.571511&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Sun, 1 Jan 1978 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 571511 tra.571511 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Always In My Heart alb.194795 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/8/2/9/3/1303928_170x170.jpg 1988-02-09 00:00:00.0 1978-01-01 00:00:00.0 true La Vie En Rose tra.571511 206000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.571511&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.571511&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3035715&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Tue, 1 Jan 1985 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 3035715 tra.3035715 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas Caroling alb.313198 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/0/2/5/1305203_170x170.jpg 1985-11-12 00:00:00.0 1985-01-01 00:00:00.0 true Jingle Bells tra.3035715 166000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3035715&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3035715&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572979&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Sun, 1 Jan 1961 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 572979 tra.572979 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas Album: Here We Come A-Caroling alb.196458 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/4/1/8/6/1306814_170x170.jpg 2004-08-24 00:00:00.0 1961-01-01 00:00:00.0 true Joy To The World tra.572979 134000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572979&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572979&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955516&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Sun, 1 Nov 1959 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 2955516 tra.2955516 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas With Conniff alb.93380 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/0/5/0/0/1380050_170x170.jpg 1988-07-15 00:00:00.0 1959-11-01 00:00:00.0 true White Christmas tra.2955516 166000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955516&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955516&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3035721&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Tue, 1 Jan 1985 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 3035721 tra.3035721 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas Caroling alb.313198 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/0/2/5/1305203_170x170.jpg 1985-11-12 00:00:00.0 1985-01-01 00:00:00.0 true God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen tra.3035721 164000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3035721&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3035721&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955524&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Sun, 1 Nov 1959 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 2955524 tra.2955524 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas With Conniff alb.93380 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/0/5/0/0/1380050_170x170.jpg 1988-07-15 00:00:00.0 1959-11-01 00:00:00.0 true Greensleeves (What Child Is This) tra.2955524 149000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955524&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955524&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955523&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Sun, 1 Nov 1959 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 2955523 tra.2955523 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas With Conniff alb.93380 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/0/5/0/0/1380050_170x170.jpg 1988-07-15 00:00:00.0 1959-11-01 00:00:00.0 true Sleigh Ride tra.2955523 148000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955523&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2955523&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572978&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Sun, 1 Jan 1961 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 572978 tra.572978 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas Album: Here We Come A-Caroling alb.196458 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/4/1/8/6/1306814_170x170.jpg 2004-08-24 00:00:00.0 1961-01-01 00:00:00.0 true God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen tra.572978 164000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572978&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.572978&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2124251&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Sun, 1 Jan 1961 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 2124251 tra.2124251 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas Album: Here We Come A-Caroling alb.196458 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/4/1/8/6/1306814_170x170.jpg 2004-08-24 00:00:00.0 1961-01-01 00:00:00.0 true The Real Meaning Of Christmas tra.2124251 129000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2124251&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.2124251&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3035711&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss Instrumental Pop Tue, 1 Jan 1985 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Ray Conniff on Rhapsody Online 3035711 tra.3035711 Ray Conniff art.69042 0.99 Christmas Caroling alb.313198 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/0/2/5/1305203_170x170.jpg 1985-11-12 00:00:00.0 1985-01-01 00:00:00.0 true White Christmas tra.3035711 167000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3035711&variant=play&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.3035711&variant=data&rws=%2Fray-conniff%2Ftop-tracks.rss