Christmas is very likely the most celebrated holiday. I mean, there’s a flourishing Hollywood sub-genre dedicated to Christmas; the same goes for the music industry. The holiday has inspired numerous songs and movies with its ability to bring people together. As a result, there are tons and tons of Christmas songs in nearly every culture. Here’s a list of 10 Christmas songs that have stood the test of time, and they’re just a pinch in the ocean of Christmas Music.
All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey
If you did not see this coming, I'm shocked. The Queen of Christmas herself is telling you what is on her Christmas list and it is just one thing – you. All she wants this Christmas and for many to come is you. While we may not necessarily agree with Mariah, we still want all the material gifts that Christmas brings. Let's not forget to slow down and enjoy the people around us.
Last Christmas by Wham
This tune plucks at the heart as it recounts a Christmas heartbreak. But the song remains hopeful because it talks about giving someone special your heart. This line shows that the singer is still hoping to find love with someone special even though he had his heartbroken last Christmas. Although last Christmas sucked, this Christmas will be better. George Michael’s calming voice gives us hope for the next year.
It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams
We can all agree with Andy about Christmas being the most wonderful time of the year. It is the time we spend with people we love. It is when family comes together to share food, life, gifts, and time. It is the most wonderful time of the year and this song showcases all the things that make Christmas so special.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town by The Jackson Five
Before it was covered by Justin Bieber and others, this song was on their 1970 Christmas album, ‘Jackson 5 Christmas’. It is one of the best covers of this song written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie. It warns little children not to cry because Santa Claus is on his way to town and only nice kids get gifts from Santa.
The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You) by Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole's jazzy jingle is ‘the’ Christmas song. It encompasses all that Christmas means to Cole and others around. ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Yuletide carols being sung by a choir, And folks dressed up like Eskimos?’ While folks dressing up like Eskimos seems strange to some, it isn't to Cole. He is using this song to say ‘Merry Christmas’ even though it has been said many times and in many ways.
White Christmas by Bing Crosby
This song was originally written by Berlin for the musical movie, Holiday Inn. Since its release, it has been covered by many artists but Bing Crosby's version was the world's best-selling single. The song reminiscences about an old-fashioned Christmas.
Christmas Time is Here by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson
Christmas Time is Here was written by Vince and Lee for 1965’s ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’. It was originally written as an instrumental by jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi but producer Lee Mendelson thought the pretty melody needed words to go along with it and composed the lyrics for the song we now know and love. It reminds us to welcome Christmas with cheer.
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas by Meredith Wilson
This popular Christmas song was written by Meredith Wilson in 1951. It has been recorded by many other artists since. The song speaks about all the things the writer associates with Christmas. It touches on how the presence of these things makes it look like Christmas. We can all agree with this. There is something we all wait to see and until we do it doesn't really feel like Christmas has come.
Here Comes Santa Claus by Gene Autry
Here Comes Santa Claus is the popular Christmas song written and performed by Gene Autry. He got the idea while riding his horse during the 1946 Santa Claus Lane parade. This song reflects the parade with the line right down Santa Claus Lane.
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) is a Christmas rock song by Darlene Love. The song is a plea to a loved one to come home for Christmas. It highlights all the things that make Christmas; the snow coming down, people all around, church bells ringing in song, people singing Deck the Hall, but she goes on to say that “it's not like Christmas at all” because her baby is not home.
