Irish Christmas Song My Family Is Worse Than Yours

Best Christmas songs
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The 60 best Christmas songs of all fourth dimension

Not all Christmas songs are ho-hum. These sixty pop-music carols are sure to brighten your holiday.

The mere idea of Christmas can get your senses abuzz, and we're not simply talking near the Christmas songs in this list. It's the gustation of gingerbread. The sight of your favourite vacation film. The common cold wintertime wind. The grating sound of a choir of tone-dead toddlers slogging through an off-key version of 'Jingle Bells' for the 74th time.

When most of u.s.a. think of Christmas songs, nosotros think of the worst ones. But in actuality, pop music has gifted the globe with its fair share of perennial bangers. You lot normally have to skip past The Beach Boys and Biebers to get in that location, but holiday cheer has constitute its manner into pop, hip-hop, R&B, metal, punk, indie… yous name it. And every bit a gift for you, we've assembled threescore Christmas songs so incredibly tricky, you just might want to listen all year round. Good luck finding the nog in Baronial though.

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Best Christmas songs, ranked

'All I Want For Christmas Is You' by Mariah Carey

Prototype: Columbia Records

1. 'All I Desire For Christmas Is You' by Mariah Carey

Information technology's difficult to believe, but there was a time when Mimi's inescapable ear worm was merely a forgotten novelty song from nevertheless some other standard-issue pop-vocaliser holiday album. At present, in a mailLove Actually world, hearing 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' for the outset fourth dimension in a year is i of the almost reliable signs that the holidays are here. The vocal came and went when released in 1995, merely snowballed in cultural cachet in the aughts, slowly climbing in popularity every year beforefinally topping US charts in 2019 and the United kingdom charts in 2020. Complaining about its ubiquity has become a pastime for killjoys at pubs, but it'south their loss: From the twinkly intro to Mariah'southward tour-de-force commitment, everything hither is as timeless as it is flawless.

'Last Christmas' by Wham!

Paradigm: Columbia Records

2. 'Last Christmas' by Wham!

A ballad of doomed romance, 'Last Christmas' features sleighbells and synths, plus some truly memorable knitwear in the video. But what really sets 'Final Christmas' apart is George Michael'due south center-on-sleeve commitment: his genuine heartbreak horror ('My God! I thought you were someone to rely on') and contemplative, sexy whispers. The words 'Merry Christmas' never sounded so sultry.

'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)' by Darlene Love

Epitome: Philles

three. 'Christmas (Baby Delight Come Home)' by Darlene Love

Is this the nigh moving Christmas melody of all time? Probably – the combination of Darlene Love'southward impeccable pleading vocal, Phil Spector'due south gloriously tinselly product and Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry's magical songwriting could make anyone, fifty-fifty the biggest Scrooge, melt like a snowman nether a hairdryer. Information technology's simply an absolutely perfect Christmas song.

'Stay Another Day' by East 17

Photograph: Lawrence Watson

4. 'Stay Some other Day' by East 17

Due east 17'southward all-time Christmas classic wasn't supposed to be a Christmas song at all. Every bit the Walthamstow, England group'southward songwriting fellow member Tony Mortimer told united states recently, it's actually an incredibly deplorable song inspired by his brother's suicide. That raw emotion seems to seep into the group'due south gorgeously sombre four-function harmonies and even the inevitable Christmas vocal sleigh bells, producing a peerless do in festive melancholy.

'White Christmas' by Bing Crosby

Image: Decca

5. 'White Christmas' by Bing Crosby

The power of Christmas nostalgia itself is greater than real memories. Hence, all of u.s.a. can hark back with Bing on this Irving Berlin-penned '40s number to a white Christmas just like the ones we used to know, even if our truthful past is total of crushing disappointments (Dec 25, 1993 – no Hornby train set).

'Fairytale of New York' by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl

Image: Island Records

half dozen. 'Fairytale of New York' by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl

When was the final time you properly listened to Kirsty MacColl and The Pogues' epic Large Apple-set up fable? Shut your eyes and requite it a become, and if you aren't a nervous wreck by the fade-out, your center (like that jumper from your nan) is two sizes besides pocket-size. 'Fairytale…' is a perfect 4-minute narrative of hope, despair and heartbreak – and, despite the profanity, it ends with love.

'Christmas Wrapping' by The Waitresses

Image: Polydor

seven. 'Christmas Wrapping' by The Waitresses

If you love new wave bands like Blondie and Talking Heads, this is surely the Christmas song for y'all. It begins cynically with singer Patty Donahue declaring 'I retrieve I'll miss this ane this year,' before an unexpected romance blossoms in the endmost stages and warms her jaded cockles. Equally festive tunes go, this ane'due south as dry and delicious as champagne paid for by your boss.

'Do They Know It's Christmas?' by Band Aid

Image: Columbia Records

8. 'Practise They Know Information technology's Christmas?' past Ring Help

Bob Geldof and Midge Ure's 1984 reaction to the Ethiopian famine, with contributions from Phil Collins, Sting, Macca and Bono, was a publicity machine of epic proportions. It worked: 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' stayed at the top spot for 5 weeks, and was the biggest Britain chart success of the decade. Put that all aside, and it's also but a great (and surprisingly unconventional) pop vocal, meteorological misunderstandings about snow be damned.

'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' by Brenda Lee

Image: Decca

9. 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' by Brenda Lee

Being Jewish, songwriter Johnny Marks didn't celebrate Christmas, only in the '40s and '50s he wrote some of the greatest Christmas songs of all time. Among them are 'Rudolph, The Cerise-Nosed Reindeer,' 'I Heard The Bells of Christmas Day,' and this – an like shooting fish in a barrel-on-the-ear stone 'n' roll tune sung by a xiii-year-old Brenda Lee, which really needs no introduction.

'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)' by John Lennon & Yoko Ono

Image: Apple tree

x. 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)' past John Lennon & Yoko Ono

Euphoric and scathing, as hopeful every bit it is resigned, John Lennon and Yoko Ono'due south definitive festive peace-on-globe song has transcended its original anti-Vietnam State of war purpose to become a Christmas stalwart.

'Merry Christmas Baby' by Ike and Tina Turner

Photo: Rob Mieremet / Anefo

11. 'Merry Christmas Baby' by Ike and Tina Turner

Tina howls and growls her fashion through Christmas, R&B style, and tops it all off with a spirited freestyle nod to 'Jingle Bells' for good measure.

'Christmas Rappin'' by Kurtis Blow

Image: Mercury

12. 'Christmas Rappin'' past Kurtis Accident

At the beginning of this somewhat unlikely 1980 Christmas nail, you tin hear the moment at which hip hop arrived. Interrupting a starchy recital of 'A Visit from St Nicholas,' Kurtis Blow launches into his own inner city yarn about Santa showing upward to a Harlem Christmas party, producing a Yuletide archetype – and rap's first major-characterization hitting.

'Sleigh Ride' by The Ronettes

Image: Philles

13. 'Sleigh Ride' by The Ronettes

Ronnie Spector's distinctive and sensual vocals could easily melt whatever Christmas snow. On this highlight from the classic Phil Spector Christmas album, she purrs about getting cosy under a coating on a sleigh ride while her boyfriend Ronettes 'ring-a-ling-a-ling-a-ding-dong-ding' in the groundwork. Spector's system may exist full of trilling bells and clip-clopping hooves, but the melody's irrepressible warmth hints at the fact that this song was equanimous (by light orchestral maestro Leroy Anderson) during a July heatwave.

'Step Into Christmas' by Elton John

Image: MCA

14. 'Stride Into Christmas' past Elton John

Sir Elton annonces 'welcome to my Christmas vocal' at the top of this piano-driven banger, signaling to u.s. all that this is a Christmas song with nix alterior motives except to get a yuletide classic. Mission achieved.

'Driving Home for Christmas' by Chris Rea

Image: Magnet

xv. 'Driving Home for Christmas' by Chris Rea

This loungey number about beingness stuck in Christmas traffic from husky-voiced housewives' favourite Chris Rea has had surprisingly lasting entreatment. Not just has it charted twice in the Uk (reaching 53 in 1988 and 33 in 2007) simply it even cracked Norway'south Top Iii a few years ago. Conspicuously people of all generations and nationalities are able to enjoy this harmless slice of Christmas cheese.

'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' by the Jackson 5

Image: Motown Records

sixteen. 'Santa Claus is Coming to Boondocks' past the Jackson 5

There are versions of this song past everyone from Bieber to BublĂŠ, but Michael and the gang'due south attempt is the grooviest and the nigh fun. And since the song is mainly used every bit a bargaining tool by parents, it does brand sense to take kids on the mic.

'Christmas in Hollis' by Run-DMC

Prototype: A&M

17. 'Christmas in Hollis' past Run-DMC

Certainly the most well-known Christmas hip hop tunes and 1 of the best, likewise, Run DMC'south witty Crimbo tale is the story of Run finding Santa's bill-stuffed wallet in the park on Christmas Eve. 'Merely I'd never steal from Santa, cause that ain't right,'says Run, in a fine show of festive spirit. Information technology all makes for an ultimately catchy number that provides you with a bit of bounciness if you're feeling flat afterwards too much Slade and Macca, or just besides many mince pies.

'Blue Christmas' by Elvis Presley

Image: RCA Victor

18. 'Blue Christmas' by Elvis Presley

The King adds some characteristic swagger to this encompass of the 1948 state original. Spawning plenty of tributes of its own, Presley sealed the deal for 'Bluish Christmas' – it's at present a festive staple.

'Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto' by James Brown

Prototype: Rex

xix. 'Santa Claus Get Directly to the Ghetto' by James Brown

The godfather of funk gives Father Christmas his marching orders, insisting he head straight to the ghetto and 'tell 'em James Dark-brown sent ya.' It may enhance a grin, in that location's something serious at the heart of this all-horns-blazing tune: JB wants the kids on the wrong side of the tracks to savour the sort of Christmas he never did.

'Wonderful Christmas Time' by Paul McCartney

Prototype: Columbia Records

20. 'Wonderful Christmas Fourth dimension' by Paul McCartney

Skillful old Macca. Whereas Lennon could be relied upon to brand impressive political statements (when he wasn't laying about in bed all day), McCartney is the master of the charmingly naĂŻve pop opus. This picayune ditty — which is essnetially Paul goofing around on a synth — isn't going to shake up your festive epitome, but information technology won't half stick in your head.

'Santa Tell Me' by Ariana Grande

Prototype: Republic

21. 'Santa Tell Me' by Ariana Grande

Ari didn't score a Mariah-level megahit with this peppy, upbeat ode to joy, but she came closer than about whatsoever other pop star in the xxx-ish years since 'All I Want for Christmas Is You.' Dissimilar Kelly Clarkson – who scored a memorable hit past channeling Darlene Honey – Ari's vocal fits right in her catalog of bops… meaning you can comfortably transition between this plea to St. Nick and her recent striking well-nigh a tardily-dark tantra session with relative ease.

'8 Days of Christmas' by Destiny's Child

Image: Columbia Records

22. '8 Days of Christmas' past Destiny'southward Child

With an injection of sass and unabashed materialism, BeyoncĂŠ, Kelly and Michelle turned a cosy onetime holiday favourite into a bumping R&B Christmas carol for our times. A fine achievement.

'Run Rudolph Run' by Chuck Berry

Prototype: Chess

23. 'Run Rudolph Run' past Chuck Berry

Recorded at the height of his powers, Chuck Berry rolls out his characteristic frenzied 12-bar dejection in reverence of everyone'due south favourite reindeer. Despite not fifty-fifty managing to break the top 50 when it was starting time released, information technology has become an enduring holiday favourite and spawned enough of covers.

'O Tannenbaum' by Vince Guaraldi Trio

Image: Fantasy

24. 'O Tannenbaum' by Vince Guaraldi Trio

A chip like the Frasier theme tune, it's incommunicable to mind to this version of 'O Tannenbaum' (from the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas) without doing the classic jazz lean-and-nod. Basically, printing play and you're suddenly cooler. This could be a skilful one to modify upwardly the vibe from Christmas lazing to some Christmas loving.

'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel' by Sufjan Stevens

Image: Asthmatic Kitty

25. 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel' by Sufjan Stevens

No ane does Christmas quite like our Sufjan. Not content with releasing a 42-runway Songs For Christmas album in 1996, this yr he put out Argent & Aureate – a whopping 101-song collection celebrating Jesus'southward birthday. Picking a favourite out of his festive back catalogue is tough, but nosotros charge per unit 'O Come up O Come Emmanuel' – a reworking of the traditional favourite on 'Songs For Christmas' – as our favourite rails. Thin and haunting, but also uplifting, it's a beautiful little telephone call to rejoice.

'Peace on Earth/The Little Drummer Boy' by Bing Crosby and David Bowie

26. 'Peace on Earth/The Footling Drummer Boy' by Bing Crosby and David Bowie

This surreal meet on Bing Crosby'south 42nd Christmas Special between The Thin White Knuckles and the good ol' boy of American family TV has become the stuff of fable. After Dave mistakes Bing for a butler and Bing jibes at Bowie's music gustatory modality, they launch into a medley of 'The Little Drummer Boy' and 'Peace On Earth.' The results are... phenomenal.

'Zat You, Santa Claus?' by Louis Armstrong

Image: Decca

27. 'Zat Y'all, Santa Claus?' by Louis Armstrong

Despite the fact information technology'southward recorded by ane of the greatest jazz musicians e'er to walk the planet, this Crimbo song keeps a surprisingly low profile when the Xmas tunes are rolled out. It didn't make also much of a splash for Louis, either, but y'all know what? It's him having fun, as shown by the jolly, derisive lyrics and jumpy trumpet lines that fuel the song. And when it comes down to it, Christmas should exist fun. Good on you lot, Louis, let's hope that Santa does indeed sideslip that pleasantly pleasant nowadays under your door, as requested.

'Jingle Bell Rock' by Bobby Helms

Image: Vacation

28. 'Jingle Bell Rock' past Bobby Helms

Following its release in 1957, this rockabilly ditty topped the Christmas charts five years in a row, making information technology a veritable holiday archetype even by the early '60s. Today it retains a towering presence in the Christmas canon, as synonymous with the holiday as tinsel and paper crowns.

'Underneath the Tree' by Kelly Clarkson

Image: RCA

29. 'Underneath the Tree' by Kelly Clarkson

Sure, Kelly Clarkson's foray into festive music is kind of a shameless attempt to write a new 'All I Desire for Christmas Is You lot' smashed together with Darlene Love's 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),' simply it gets away with it. Why? Partly because the songwriting offers only the right alloy of schmaltz and Spector-style sass, but also considering Clarkson'south superb vocal performance radiates a sincerity that's completely infectious. Oh, and her high note towards the end is a moment.

'Father Christmas' by The Kinks

Paradigm: Arista

30. 'Begetter Christmas' by The Kinks

In the particularly rollicking, punk-adjacent riot, Ray Davies not only spoils Santa'due south truthful identity, he likewise threatens to kicking his donkey if he doesn't give him some money. At its heart, it's a sad song nearly poor kids' disappointment on Christmas. It's as well a hilarious, snotty, overlooked piece of Christmas counter-programming from ane of rock's all time greats.

'River' by Joni Mitchell

Image: Reprise

31. 'River' past Joni Mitchell

Think you had a bad Christmas concluding year when you burned the turkey? Spare a thought for Joni Mitchell, who's heartbroken and wants to escape the Xmas merriment all effectually her. From the 'Jingle Bells'-drenched-in-melancholy piano opening, it'south clear this isn't going to exist a jolly ride, only it'south still cute and delicate. Past the terminate, all you'll want to practice is skate abroad with Joni (her oftentimes-repeated cry throughout the song) and help mend her cleaved center. Peradventure that's why it's 1 of her most covered songs, having been recorded by over 500 people.

'Dear Santa (Bring Me a Man This Christmas)' by The Weather Girls

Image: Columbia

32. 'Beloved Santa (Bring Me a Man This Christmas)' by The Conditions Girls

Information technology's not simply a drizzle of dudes that gets The Weather Girls going. From the aforementioned album equally 'It's Raining Men' (and pulling however moves with a festive twist), 'Dear Santa' is a seasonal stormer that represents the grooviest Christmas listing always written. Bonus points for the 'fa-la-la-la-la' bankroll vocals.

'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday' by Wizzard

Epitome: Repertoire Records

33. 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday' by Wizzard

You could just listen to this perfect piece of pure '70s popular, from the natural language-in-cheek 'ker-ching' of a ringing till to the fade-out of a children'south choir and twinkling bells. Yous could do that. Or take the plunge into the strange acid trip of Wizzard live and witness Roy Wood'due south haunted eyes set up in a face dripping with snowy glitter. Scary Christmas.

'2000 Miles' by The Pretenders

Image: Sire

34. '2000 Miles' past The Pretenders

Information technology sounds similar a take on the classic 'it's Christmas , I miss you' theme, but Chrissie Hynde's frosty ballad gets much sadder when you know it was written for the band'southward guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, who had died the previous year. Honeyman-Scott's replacement Robbie McIntosh pays tribute with some gorgeous arpeggios: the closest a guitar gets to the sound of snowfall.

'In Dulci Jubilo' by Mike Oldfield

Image: Virgin Records

35. 'In Dulci Jubilo' by Mike Oldfield

If you lot needed any more proof that the '70s were a weird, weird time, consider this: one of the decade's most popular and indelible Christmas hits is a prog-folk version of a JS Bach setting of a carol dating dorsum to the fourteenth century. Sometimes the old tunes are the best.

'Glittery' by Kacey Musgraves

Image: Amazon

36. 'Glittery' by Kacey Musgraves

The alt-country icon managed a small phenomenon by turning the abysmal spoiled-deviling canticle 'I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas' into something listenable, only she besides managed to cleave out a identify on the yule playlist with this stripped-downwards slice of sweetness from her holiday special. It'southward a Christmas love song dripping in cute, and an expertly crafted irksome-dance amongst all the sleigh bells.

'Christmas in Harlem' by Kanye West featuring Cam'ron, Jim Jones, Vado, Cyhi Da Prynce & Pusha T

Image: Roc-A-Fella

37. 'Christmas in Harlem' by Kanye West featuring Cam'ron, Jim Jones, Vado, Cyhi Da Prynce & Pusha T

This GOOD Music Christmas posse track serves up just about everything you'd expect from Kanye and Ko (except massive delays). A pre-gospel-phase 'Ye raps about unwrapping (removing the knickers from) his Christmas nowadays, Jim Jones proposes we political party till dawn and Big Sean says… well, not much at all. But with a slick soul-sampling beat from Striking Male child and bags of braggadocious charm, this is a head-bobbing vacation treat.

'Just Like Christmas' by Low

Image: Kranky

38. 'Merely Similar Christmas' by Low

Crammed total of sleigh bells and lyrically sparse information technology may be, merely somehow indie rockers Low managed to practise the unthinkable in 1999: create a genuinely cool Christmas song. 'Only Similar Christmas' is a wistful, lo-fi, modern Christmas canticle.

'Merry Xmas Everybody' by Slade

Paradigm: Polydor

39. 'Merry Xmas Everybody' by Slade

Noddy Holder and his troupe of platform-wearers continue to blight our television set screens each Dec with their frightening fashion sense. There's a reason for that, of course. It'southward the blithesome simplicity of 1973'due south 'Merry Xmas Everybody,' which is guaranteed to inject that euphoric, slightly drunken, Christmas-love vibe into the festive season.

'Hey Sis, It's Christmas' by RuPaul

Image: RuCo Inc.

40. 'Hey Sis, It's Christmas' by RuPaul

This highlight from RuPaul's Christmas album isn't a spangly dance banger, but a bone-shaking festive bop with an old-schoolhouse hip hop season. It's also completely infectious, especially when Ru purrs: 'Hey sis, information technology's Christmas /You can cross me off of your wish listing.' Who could resist her?

'Santa Claus is Sometimes Brown'

Prototype: Sympathy for the Record Industry

41. 'Santa Claus is Sometimes Brown'

Robert Lopez of LA punk outfit The Zeroes wears his El Vez persona like a glove, and his Merry MeX-Mas album is chock full of classics in the waiting, from the honky-tonk 'Orange for Christmas' to his semi-embrace 'Brown Christmas.' But on 'Santa Claus is Sometimes Brown,' he filters the King's pur through a glass of tequila for a sultry blues explosion of come-here holiday charm.

'What Christmas Means to Me' by Stevie Wonder

Paradigm: Tamla

42. 'What Christmas Means to Me' by Stevie Wonder

If you tin't exist bothered to mind and find out, it turns out that singing carols, decorating the tree and, of course, existence with his baby is what Christmas means to Stevie. Give it a heed anyway, though, because with that irresistible Motown swing and a harmonica solo thrown in this is (ahem) a cracker.

'Mary's Boy Child' by Harry Belafonte

Image: RCA Victor

43. 'Mary's Male child Child' by Harry Belafonte

Trivia fans take note: this is the only song always to striking Christmas  Number Ane twice, for two totally different artists. 'Mary'southward Boy Child' was recorded commencement by American calypso star Harry Belafonte in 1956. His slow-and-steady, ultra-classy arrangement was a massive hit and it still delivers the Christmas  magic 65 years later. You'll have to wait and come across whether Boney M's 1978 disco version can do the same.

'What Will Santa Claus Say (When He Finds Everybody Swinging)' by Louis Prima

Image: Brunswick Recording Corporation

44. 'What Volition Santa Claus Say (When He Finds Everybody Swinging)' past Louis Prima

Given his penchant for kissing mommy under the mistletoe, we'd imagine Santa'd be more than down for a little group love, honestly (yes, yeah, we know it's not that kind of political party). Jazz legend Prima'southward jaunty sing-forth is and then catchy that it fifty-fifty gives us a bonus rails: Kanye and Child Kudi sample 'What Will Santa Claus Say' as the backbone of '4th Dimension,' their haunting collaborative hit as Kids Run into Ghosts.

''tis the damn season' by Taylor Swift

Image: Commonwealth

45. ''tis the damn season' past Taylor Swift

Amid the many ghosts of Taylor Swift's pre-pop past is a Christmas album that will hopefully non get re-recorded by the artist a la Red and Fearless . None of the tracks from The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection hold a candle to 'tis the damn flavour,' from the post- folklore  and post-capitilisation anthologyevermore. In full storyteller mode, information technology finds the singer staying at her parents firm for the holidays, getting nostalgic for the small-town sights and a familiar touch. Tin can you chugalug it out like 'jingle bong stone?' Nah. Just it might inspire you to phone call your loftier-school crush for a stroll when yous're bored.

'Christmas Will Really Be Christmas' by Lou Rawls

Image: Capitol Records

46. 'Christmas Volition Really Be Christmas' by Lou Rawls

The great Lou Rawls's plea for equality and peace over the holidays has a certain urgency thanks to its soulful horns and the fact that his holiday wish remains just that… a wish. Give Lou a spin, then seek out Austin soul group Blackness Pumas take: an organ-heavy reworking of Rawls'due south disregarded archetype of downbeat optimism.

'Wonderful Christmas Time' by Diana Ross

Image: EMI

47. 'Wonderful Christmas Time' by Diana Ross

Ross'southward rendition of Macca's festive favourite is definitely a Supreme cover version — drenched in strings and sleigh bells, it sounds a little more than wholesome and sometime-timey than the trippy original, especially when yous factor in her nevertheless-magical Soprano. It'due south 1 to roast chestnuts to, for sure.

'Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)' by The Ramones

Image: Sire

48. 'Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)' by The Ramones

Joey Ramone'south plea to his lover to put their scrapping bated for the holidays is undoubtedly the punk Christmas anthem. Beneath its amenable lyrics, mind, is a typically peppery Ramones riff that's more than likely to fuel high tensions rather than ease them around a warring Christmas dinner tabular array.

'Christmas Vacation' by Mavis Staples

Paradigm: Warner Bros.

49. 'Christmas Vacation' by Mavis Staples

Yep, this is the theme to the Chevy Hunt classic of the same proper noun, but even the well-nigh ardent fans seldom realize that soul icon Mavis Staples is the one crooning out the somewhat corny 'Hip, hip hooray, for Christmas vacation.' That this isn't a staple (distressing) is admittedly shocking, given the pedigree backside the mic, the status of the film and the quality of the vocal itself.

'Frosty the Snowman' by Cocteau Twins

Image: 4AD

fifty. 'Frosty the Snowman' by Cocteau Twins

The 1950 classic gets an early on-'90s ethereal keyboard treatment courtesy of Scottish dreamers the Cocteau Twins. Singer Elizabeth Fraser could accept plumbed the aching sadness of snowman existence merely instead her vocals are all shimmering colours and dancing wood fairies. When the overlapping harmonies come in around 1:36 you know that this Christmas is going to be pretty magical.

'Little Things' by ABBA

Paradigm: Universal

51. 'Piddling Things' by ABBA

It took ABBA – or mayhap it was their digital hologängers – forty years to drop new music . Shockingly, it took them even longer to drop a Christmas song. For all its newness, 'Trivial Things' would accept sounded like a throwback even if it was released dorsum in the band'south heyday of 1973. Does that mean ABBA is timeless or that Christmas music is unchanging? Information technology doesn't matter: When ABBA does twinkly and sentimental, it's golden.

'I Believe in Father Christmas' by Greg Lake

Image: Manticore

52. 'I Believe in Father Christmas' past Greg Lake

This is Christmas pessimism at its most tuneful. Intended equally a denouncement of the increasing commercialisation of the festive season, Greg Lake inadvertently crafted a folk-prog Christmas classic. Ironically, it's now i of the go-to songs for greenbacks-cow Christmas compilations.

'Santa's Got A Bag Of Soul' by Soul-Saints Orchestra

Prototype: Hotpie & Processed Records

53. 'Santa'south Got A Bag Of Soul' past Soul-Saints Orchestra

This funky-every bit-you-like number might sound like rare groove from '60s America, but is really the product of mid-'90s German language band The Poets of Rhythm, playing under a different name. Who cares about the provenance, nonetheless, when the beats are this big?

'Christmas at Ground Zero' by 'Weird Al' Yankovic

Image: Scotti Brothers

54. 'Christmas at Ground Zero' by 'Weird Al' Yankovic

Only Al Yankovic could find Christmas cheer amid nuclear anything. Al recorded this early hit using Phil Spector'due south patented 'wall of sound' product in an effort to replicate the Darlene Love and Ronettes classics… and oh past golly worked. Al's jaunty song – complete with air-raid sirens harmonizing with jingle bells – sounds completely authentic despite his vintage Common cold War paranoia and talk of nuclear mutants roaming the Globe. In fact, it makes a strong instance for an Omega Man holiday special.

'It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas' by Pet Shop Boys

Epitome: Parlophone

55. 'It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas' past Pet Shop Boys

Originally released as a fanclub-only single in 1997, Tennant and Lowe's Christmas offering is a sweetly sardonic dance banger which name-checks Bing Crosby and 'this year's festive number ane.' It captures the mix of ambivalence and warmth that Christmas can somehow conjure upwards pretty perfectly.

'Dominick the Donkey' By Lou Monte

Paradigm: Roulette

56. 'Dominick the Ass' Past Lou Monte

Novelty songwriter Lou Monte – with a rumoured assist from the Gambino crime famil y – was looking for a Rudolph-level hitting with this tale almost a donkey enlisted by Santa to climb the hills of Italia. That… didn't happen. But in crafting a vocal specifically for Italian Americans – and in legendary lines similar ' A pair of shoes for Louie and a wearing apparel for Josephine / The label on the inside says they're made in Brook-a-leen' – he entered the obscure novelty song hall of fame. A karaoke banger for those who truly bang.

'Carol of the Bells' by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Epitome: Atlantic

57. 'Carol of the Bells' past the Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Neither Siberian nor an Orchestra, the TSO nonetheless gave the globe something nobody else knew information technology needed: a fist-pumping, steadium-set up, doomy metallic version of 'Carol of the Bells' consummate with needling synth lines, chugging guitars and ripping guitar solos of the Slash variety. It'due south Christmas. The nog'south flowing. Fourth dimension to become a little hardcore with your cheer.

'Never Felt Like Christmas' by Lizzo

Image: Lizzo

58. 'Never Felt Like Christmas' past Lizzo

Lizzo brings the same smashing vibes she brought to the haters-be-damned anthem 'Skillful as Hell' to this soulful, surprisingly straightforward Christmas throwback punched up by horns (but shockingly no flute). Information technology's essentially the tale of beingness un-Grinched by beloved. Even the fruitcake gets newfound respect.

'Twelve Days of Christmas' by Bob and Doug McKenzie

Paradigm: Mercury

59. 'Twelve Days of Christmas' by Bob and Doug McKenzie

Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis's contribution to the Christmas canon is a riff on the holiday classic performed as their well-lubricated change egos Bob & Doug McKenzie. The start insurrection? Replacing a partridge in a pear tree with an off-time 'a beer.' It's a boozy, rambling boom from the Strange Brew stars.

'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer' by DMX

Image: Spotify Studios

threescore. 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer' by DMX

And lo, an angel came down and said 'allow us celebrate the season by having a legendary rapper best known for songs well-nigh excessive partying and necrophelia scream-sing one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time.' Then the late DMX barked out 'Rudolph' with his signature growl and swagger. And it was good.

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Source: https://www.timeout.com/music/best-christmas-songs

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