Once you start hearing Christmas songs in the malls, on the radio, and even in the privacy of your own head, you know that the festive season has begun. And though it feels like it begins earlier and earlier each year, it’s actually right after Thanksgiving that merchants and disc jockeys flip through their record collection, blow off the dust from the ones that had been sitting on the highest shelf all year, and joyfully bring back the earworms to create a merry atmosphere to your day. As you’re about to see, it isn’t just the last millennia whose holiday seasons were marked by carols and cheerful ditties. One of the oldest specimens of Christmas songs on our list has its roots hidden somewhere in the 16th century, with the newest addition being that of the sweet-voiced Mariah in 1994. From jazzy arrangement to prog-rock and even metal, there’s truly a festive song for anyone’s taste.
Still not sure about our last statement? Well, then grab a mug of hot toddy, curl up in front of a merrily crackling fireplace (or play a video of a fireplace on your screen), open up a music streaming platform of your preference, and check each mirthful submission on our list! Some of these festive songs will remind you of your childhood Christmases, others will be new to your ears, but they are all guaranteed to make you feel that festive spirit stronger than ever. Don’t forget to tell us which of these carols pluck at your heartstrings the strongest, and don’t forget to share this article with your friends. Even the Grinch himself would have a change of heart after listening to these joyous Christmas songs.
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#21 "Last Christmas" By Wham!
Last Christmas is, as you know, a song by the British duo Wham! that was released in December 1984. What you might not know is that George Michael (he and Andrew Ridgley formed the band) wrote, produced, and played every single instrument on this showstopper hit. Although this song represents every single detail of the '80s songwriting and culture, it truly has everlasting relevancy - a sweet and cheerful melody, tainted by the bitterness of unrequited love, is always something that we can relate to; Christmas or not.
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36points
#22 "Rudoph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" By Gene Autry
Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, as a character, was created in 1939 by Robert L. May. It was a part of an assignment for Montgomery Ward - a pioneering mail-order business. The song about the same jolly reindeer was released a decade later in 1949, and though Gene Autry’s performance of this song wasn’t the first, it was his recording that hit the number 1 spot on US pop charts during Christmas of the same year. The frolicky nature of this song made it into an ever-popular chant among kids of various ages, and even popular musicians couldn’t resist covering this song. Besides Gene Autry’s version, the most notable renditions would be those of Spike Jones and his City Slickers, Burl Ives, and The Temptations.
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36points
#23 "Feliz Navidad" By José Feliciano
Feliz Navidad was written, performed, and released by Puerto Rican singer-songwriter José Feliciano in the 1970s. As he has stated himself, he wrote this song missing his family and their traditional way of celebrating Christmas together. Out of his blues came one of the most cheerful, quite simplistic yet memorable Christmas pop songs. Feliz Navidad’s catchy melody made it a tempting piece to cover in various styles, so if you’re not really into pop, there’s a ska version, a Euro-Caribbean, and even a symphonic metal one, too.
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33points
#24 "Christmas Time Is Here" By Vince Guaraldi Trio
Christmas Time Is Here, a jazz standard written by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson, first aired in 1965 as a part of an animated TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas. Although it was originally written as an instrumental piece, Lee Mendelson decided to write lyrics for it and got the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s children’s choir to sing it. The beautiful, heartwarming jazz melody soon became one of the most popular Christmas jazz compositions - a mesmerizingly soft and kinda blue tune to watch gracefully falling snow to.
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32points
#25 "The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)" By Nat King Cole
The Christmas Song was written by Robert Wells and Mel Torme during a blistering hot summer of 1945. Creating a Christmas song during a heatwave was the composers’ idea of staying cool, and that mindset made the way more than cool. Once Nat King Cole Trio's record hit the shelves, The Christmas Song became an instant hit and a staple tune of the holidays. In the decades to come, this joyous composition was covered by stars such as Ariana Grande, Celine Dion, John Legend, and even Mary J. Blige.
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32points
#26 "Baby It's Cold Outside" By She & Him
Baby, It’s Cold Outside was written by Frank Loesser in 1944, and although there’s no mention of Christmas throughout the song, its winter theme made it perfect for the holidays. The piece was written to be sung by Loesser and his wife, Lynn Garland, during their housewarming party in New York, as was expected of socially apt Hollywoodites of the time. Their original duet made them into instant parlor room entertainment stars and granted them plenty of invitations to perform in various house parties of the rich and the famous. Although it’s probably the Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan version that you’re best acquainted with, try She & Him’s cover this year. We promise you, it’s good!
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28points
#27 "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" By Dean Martin
Nearing the end of our list, there’s a conclusion that can be drawn - it’s either ancient carols that make the best Christmas tunes or songs written during a scorcher of a summer. Let It Snow! proves the point once more, as it was also written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne dreaming of cooler conditions during an unbearably hot 1945 July. Of course, this merry tune became an instant success with various covers; it’s Dean Martin’s version that’s the dearest to our ears.
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27points
#28 "Frosty The Snowman" By Jimmy Durante
1950 Frosty The Snowman was written by Walter “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson, first recorded by Gene Autry in the same year. Just a short while later, Jimmy Durante made his version of the song, and his vaudeville spirit-filled rendition jumped right onto our list. Frosty was created because of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer’s success a year before, and same as Rudolph, Frosty The Snowman soon got his own place in various media and an appearance on a TV special.
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27points
#29 "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" By Jackson 5
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town was written by J. Fred Coots and the legendary Haven Gillespie, who supplied songs to such icons as Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, and Bruce Springsteen. Surprisingly, the earliest known recording of this song was by banjoist Harry Reser and his band in 1934. And though such fast popularity in such a year sounds far-fetched, it is known that 500,000 copies of sheet music were ordered, and 30,000 records were sold in the first 24 hours of this mega hit’s release. It’s a cold hard fact stated in a 2010 book by Ace Collins called Stories Behind The Greatest Hits Of Christmas - might that be a gift idea for holiday music fanatics? Anyhow, along the decades, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town was covered by well over 200 famous artists. And though there’s plenty to choose from, The Jackson 5’s version is by far our favorite one.
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25points
#30 "It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" By Andy Williams
It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year was written by Edward Pola and George Wyle in 1963. The song employs an unusual feat compared to other songs on our list - a triple time. Ever heard a waltz? Well, it’s the same three-beat rhythm, just with a fancier name. So, the next time you hear It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, ask your sweetheart for a waltz under the mistletoe, and who knows - the combo of Andy William’s soft voice, your dance moves, and the spirit of generosity might turn your risky move into a Christmas miracle.
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24points
