10 Best Christmas Songs

When the best Christmas songs come to mind, most think of the classics performed by the distinguished Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Bing Crosby, who sing wintry themed tunes and folklore hits. The following 10 Best Christmas Songs mostly originate back in the 40s to the 60s, but sustained popularity over the years due to radio airplay during the Christmas season.

'Have a Holly Jolly Christmas'

Burl Ives

This Christmas song was written by American songwriter Johnny Marks, who wrote other contemporary Christmas hits such as 'Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,' 'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day' and 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.'

iTunes | Lyrics

'O Holy Night'

Nat King Cole

Adolphe Adam composed 'O Holy Night' in 1847, deriving from the French Christmas poem 'Minuit, chrétiens' ('Midnight, Christians') by Placide Cappeau. In 1906 Reginald Fessenden played a violin version of the tune, which ended up being the first music ever broadcasted over the radio.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!'

Dean Martin

The song was written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne in 1945 on one of the hottest July days recorded in Hollywood. The love tune never once mentions Christmas albeit the seasonal lyrics and holiday ambiance.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree'

Brenda Lee

Country singer Brenda Lee was only 13 when she was asked to record this Johnny Marks Christmas song with Hank Garland on the guitar. In its first release in 1958 it only sold 5,000 copies, but over the years has sold over 5 million copies.

iTunes | Lyrics

Brenda Lee Rockin Around the Christmas Tree

'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year'

Andy Williams

Despite the play time this Christmas song gets today, the song was never released as a single; Columbia Records instead promoted Andy Williams' cover of 'White Christmas' for his 1963 'The Andy Williams Christmas Album.' This song was also selected as the theme song for the Christmas Seals (seasonal mailing labels that raise funds for charities) in both 1968 and 1976.

iTunes | Lyrics

'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'

Frank Sinatra

This Christmas song first appeared in the movie 'Meet Me in St. Louis' with actress Judy Garland. Originally Garland objected to the song because it was depressing with lines such as, "Have yourself a merry little Christmas/ It may be your last." Revisions were made, resulting in the light-hearted ode we hear today.

iTunes | Lyrics | 10 Best Frank Sinatra Songs

'It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas'

Perry Como

Written in 1951 by Meredith Wilson, this song was later incorporated in Wilson's 1963 musical 'Here's Love,' an adaptation of the film "Miracle on 34th Street.'

iTunes | Lyrics

'Christmas Canon'

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

The song is based off Pachelbel's 'Canon in D Major,' with lyrics sung by the St. Bartholomew's Church Choir (in New York City). 'Christmas Canon' -- released on the 1998 album, 'The Christmas Attic' -- is TSO's most recognizable tune, featured in iTune's Top 100 most downloaded Holiday and Christmas songs.

iTunes | Lyrics

Trans Siberian Orchestra Christmas Canon

'The Christmas Song'

Nat King Cole

'The Christmas Song,' written by Mel Torme and Bob Wells, started by jotting down phrases, 'Chestnuts rolling...Jack Frost Nipping' in efforts to keep their mind off the hot summer day; forty minutes later the song was born. Cole has recorded four versions; the first version (in 1946) was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1974, but the final 1961 version with Orchestration by Ralph Carmichael is the version widely heard on radio stations today.

iTunes | Lyrics

'White Christmas'

Bing Crosby

Irving Berlin wrote this Christmas song in 1940 for the 1942 movie 'Holiday Inn' starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. The morning after he wrote the song Berlin told his secretary, "Grab your pen and take down this song. I just wrote the best song I've ever written- hell, I just wrote the best song that anybody's ever written!" The version we hear today is not the original recorded by Crosby in 1942 but a rerecording in 1947 due to damage of the master tape. Today there are over 500 versions in dozens of languages.

iTunes | Lyrics

What are Your Top 10 Christmas Songs?

Let us know what Christmas songs are your favorite in the comments. Also, don't miss our lists of the Best Funny Christmas Songs and Kids Christmas Songs.

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Filed under: Best Songs, Top 10 Lists, Christmas

Reader Comments

(Page 2)

51. This is a fine list but I miss Silent Night . Are there no great voices today and great new songs to play ?

Posted at 5:13AM on Dec 10th 2009 by Susan

52. Does anybody know what's the name of christmas song that say: "happy golden day"

From the movie, "Meet me in St Louis" sung by Judy Garland.

Have a Merry Little Christmas

No good times like the olden days, happy golden days of yore,
Faithful friends who were dear to us, will be near to us no more.

Posted at 5:21AM on Dec 10th 2009 by Peter Hans

53. Casting Crowns' version of Silent Night is an excellent rendition, but there are some very good new Christmas songs that are mastered in the music and lyrics. My favorite of this year is "Joseph's Lullaby" by MercyMe.

As for this list, it's good, but it feels a bit outdated since only one is from a time after the 70s, and that one's just instrumental.

Posted at 1:47PM on Dec 10th 2009 by K-man

54. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is the one
which contains the line 'Here we are as in olden days, happy golden days of yore..."

Posted at 7:38AM on Dec 10th 2009 by Pam

55. jingle bells santa smells rudolph layed an egg
blow a fart or sniff there fart and suck my balls all night

Posted at 7:51AM on Dec 10th 2009 by heyrockme

56. Can't hardly argue with the list, except for "O Holy Night" by Nat King Cole. I believe that the Johnny Mathis version is a tad better...after all, his timeless Christmas album is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) sellers of all time.

Posted at 8:04AM on Dec 10th 2009 by Joe Belvedere

57. We always listen to Willie Nelson's Christmas songs while trimming the tree. It's a tradition.

Posted at 8:59AM on Dec 10th 2009 by Pat

58. Forgot "We Need a Little Christmas" from Mame and

Posted at 11:12AM on Dec 10th 2009 by andy

59. Elvis' Blue Christmas definitely should be on this list. I never heard of a couple of them!!!

Posted at 9:07AM on Dec 10th 2009 by marleigh

60. All of the above songs are good, some terrific, but for my money, NOTHING beats Mannheim Steamroller's rending of Silent Night. I believe the violinist is Arnie Roth, and if listening to him do Silent Night does not move you, your soul has gone missing.

Posted at 10:09AM on Dec 10th 2009 by tpansino

61. Like all "best of" lists, this is completely subjective. There are Christmas songs by tons of artists that are as good if not better than those mentioned. Anyway,Merry Christmas to all!

Posted at 9:44AM on Dec 10th 2009 by delacourte

62. What happened to Blue Christmas, or do you only have songs by old foggies?

Posted at 9:54AM on Dec 10th 2009 by k

63. I agree also but arnt we all lucky to have enjoyed some truly greattalents like Bing,Peery and Dean and Nat,truly no one ever will top them,I would like to add that a great version of Sata Baby by young Kellie Pickler is a wonderfully done song

Posted at 10:10AM on Dec 10th 2009 by john anderson

64. Figures that AOL listeners would choose commercialized crappy "seasonal" tunes and call the Christmas tunes. These songs have no more to do with the real meaning of Christmas than Obama has to do with being a real president! Oh, wait, the people who voted for those tunes probably voted for him... Hope you enjoy your fake Christmas trees, fake Christmas songs and spending too much money on garbage gifts!

Posted at 11:39AM on Dec 10th 2009 by Paddy

65. Great list. Love the traditional stuff and there were probably some you had trouble leaving off. Have to say, before I looked at the list I said to myself "if this list doesn't have 1 Tran Siberian Orchestra song its not legit." I know its not to everyones taste, but Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Rudolph and TSO!

Posted at 10:37AM on Dec 10th 2009 by FreddyC

66. Blow your mind, play all 10 at the same time!!!

Posted at 10:42AM on Dec 10th 2009 by Kewl

67. Not a bad list, but I agree with others - it's WRONG to not include something from the "Charlie Brown Christmas" album by Vince Guaraldi, especially "Christmastime is Here", my own favorite Christmas song. Another candidate - have you ever heard Bob Seger's rendition of "The Little Drummer Boy"? He does it in a classic style, and it turns out his voice is PERFECTLY suited to the song.

Posted at 10:55AM on Dec 10th 2009 by joeomar

68. Bah! Humbug!

Posted at 10:46AM on Dec 10th 2009 by Wish Belkin

69. I LOVE THEM ALL. BUT THE ONE THAT GIVES ME GOOSE BUMPS IS O HOLY NIGHT BY CELENE DEON.WHAT A VOICE.

Posted at 10:51AM on Dec 10th 2009 by GT.MAN

70. To all those who asked for Elvis - please! Do NOT include Blue Christmas. That is about the most depressing Christmas song ever. I would kick a couple of the list to make room for Silent Night and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Just off the top ten, but definitely crowding it would be Reba's The Christmas Guest.

Posted at 10:56AM on Dec 10th 2009 by John F.C. Taylor

71. They forgot Gene Autrey Rudolph the red nose reindeer and Elvis Presley's Here Comes Santa Claus

Posted at 11:11AM on Dec 10th 2009 by Jeannett Rook

72. This list should Include the Ramones "Merry Christmas(I don't wanna fight tonight)" as well as Joey Ramone's "Christmas(Please Baby Come Home)" off his "Christmas Spirit in my House" album.

Posted at 11:18AM on Dec 10th 2009 by Matt

73. I think you may have forgotten about one of the best christmas albums of all times. The original version of "THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY" from (THE HARRY SIMEONE CHORALE). Its an all time classic. Every song on there is wonderful and reminds me of my childhood.

Posted at 11:29AM on Dec 10th 2009 by continentaltone

74. To Number 20, it's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"

Posted at 1:46PM on Dec 10th 2009 by Dale

75. Its a peculiar thing that not one of the 10 best Christmas songs listed here celebrates the reason for the season,the Christ in Christmas

What about "O Holy Night" ?

Posted at 12:19PM on Dec 10th 2009 by Melody

76. The selection has many beautiful songs. I enjoyed listening to them. Others could have been added but you had a limit of 10.

Posted at 12:24PM on Dec 10th 2009 by Neil Crosby

77. I do agree with all the songs, except "O Holy Night." I think that "Silent Night" would have been a better choice as far as traditional Christmas carols go. The rest of the songs are great, although I don't totally agree with the versions of the songs you chose. For example, Frank Sinatra was an awesome singer, but I'm not sure his version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," is the best version out there.

Posted at 12:20PM on Dec 10th 2009 by Melody

78. Where the hell is Adam Sandlers "the Chanukah Song"????? By far the best LMAO

Posted at 1:01PM on Dec 10th 2009 by OU812?

79. The 10 BEST EVER???? Who's opinion is this? AOL Listeners LIST???When was the vote?? How come i wasn't informed of this??? I demand a recount.. I think we should vote AGAIN...Wheres the chipmonks??? Anyone seen Alvin??? ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLVVVVIIIIINNNNNN!

Posted at 1:07PM on Dec 10th 2009 by New Yawk, New Yawk

80. God please bless our troops here and abroad.Merry Christmas eveyone.

Posted at 1:30PM on Dec 10th 2009 by Robert Cavanaugh

81. Yeah, I agree the Elvis stuff is the best, especially the roadhouse, bluesy "Santa Claus is Back in Town". Next time it plays at "Toys r Us", try to listen to the slightly sexy (for its time) third verse: :"Hang up your pretty stockings-Turn offa' light, Santa Claus is coming... down your chim-i-neeee tonight! Oh oh oh, Pretty Baby, Snow's fallin' on the ground. Well you be a good little girl, uh huh huh HUH!, Santa Claus is Back in Town..." I don't see a "Silent Night" coming anytime soon in THAT house. (Whoa! I think I just figured out what a "Blue Christmas" (without you) is! Let's just be grateful for all the great songs and the uplifting voices that bring them to us. A Merry and a Happy to all, and to all a "Good Night".

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Posted at 3:13PM on Dec 10th 2009 by r.a.burla

82. I agree: why wasn't I notified about this vote? Most of it seems to be voted on before I was born. Which would be pre-ethernet.

Whatever. It doesn't feel like Christmas to me until I hear the Beach Boys singing "Little St. Nick". After that, I agree that there needs to be more songs on the reason for the season.

Posted at 2:39AM on Dec 11th 2009 by Mark

83. Hard to narrow it down to just 10 - I've just published my listing of top TWENTY best Christmas songs of all time! http://www.2habitsaweek.com/358/the-definitive-list-of-the-top-20-christmas-songs/

Posted at 8:20AM on Dec 13th 2009 by Linda

84. Like many others I feel Elvis should be in the top 10. His "Blue Christmas" has been a nation wide favorite for over 40 years.

Posted at 6:00AM on Dec 14th 2009 by Joe Morgan

85. What about arguably the best Christmas song ever; "Do You Hear What I Hear" by Perry Como?

Posted at 3:30AM on Dec 15th 2009 by Sam W

86. First I would put Christmas Carols in a seperate category from Modern Popular Christmas Songs, so I don't think "O Holy Night" should be included on this list. How about another list of The Ten Best Christmas Carols?
I might have included either Bobby Helms "Jingle Bell Rock", Elvis' "Blue Christmas", some version of "Winter Wonderland" or the Country version of "Please, Come Home For Christmas".

Posted at 9:26AM on Dec 15th 2009 by sandy k.

87. no.1 should b fairytale by new york :@

Posted at 11:56AM on Dec 16th 2009 by chris

88. Bing's renditions of "Silent Night", "Little Drummer Boy", and "Do You Hear What I Hear"
should be included in any catalogue of Christmas
songs. There are really too many great renditions of Christmas songs by Bing, Perry, Judy, Andy and all of the others to list.

Posted at 11:08AM on Dec 16th 2009 by john fusco

89. I like this songs! But i thought here should be more song about Jesus, or isn't there alot of people thinking about Jesus at the Christmas? All artist want to just do Christmas as drinking day and just a big party, mens i think we should try making new songs for Jesus on Christmas! Silent night is a good song, very good, but this song is-believe me, better in russian!

Posted at 3:25PM on Dec 17th 2009 by Christian

90. Please add to your list "O Holy Night" by Johnny Mathis & Kathy Matea's Christmas album, "Good News", with one of the earliest & purist versions of "Mary did You Know?" The songs on both of these albums are arranged & sung with beautiful instruments/ orchastra WITHOUT gimmicks- you know what I mean ...no sharpes or flats or change of notes to suit the singer. I love Josh Grobin but if you listen to his Christmas album he BUTCHERS Silent Night! (shame on you David Foster)& it goes on forever repeating the same line. That in itself should be a capital offense. Donny Osmond last Christmas album a few years ago is in the same vein

Posted at 5:55AM on Dec 18th 2009 by Dx3

91. This is probably the best Top 10 Christmas songs I've ever seen compiled. The first 2 slots are given. Nat King Cole's Christmas Song and Crosby's White Christmas are unquestionably 1 & 2.
I am surprised at some of comments regarding which songs or artists should be on the list. This list is hard to argue with.

Posted at 8:34AM on Dec 18th 2009 by Steve

92. Yeah this list is great, IF UR AMERICAN! WHERE Are the GOOD christmas songs like The Pogues feat. Kirsty McColl, Slade, Mud, Wizzard, Band Aid, Wham! etc. These are songs for people who reflect on their old christmases, bit sad really but...no, these songs are Just awful.

Posted at 10:44AM on Dec 18th 2009 by Georg

93. YEAH these song are great, IF YOUR AMERICAN. where are the good songs like Slade, Mud, Kirsty Mcoll & the Pogues, Wizzard, Wham! and Band Aid. These songs are terrible, I've only heard some of these songs on furniture and bed adverts. This list is crap, email me if you did this list.

Posted at 10:48AM on Dec 18th 2009 by Georg

94. YEAH these song are great, IF YOUR AMERICAN. where are the good songs like Slade, Mud, Kirsty Mcoll & the Pogues, Wizzard, Wham! and Band Aid. These songs are terrible, I've only heard some of these songs on furniture and bed adverts. This list is crap, email me if you did this list.

Posted at 10:49AM on Dec 18th 2009 by Georg

95. YEAH these song are great, IF YOUR AMERICAN. where are the good songs like Slade, Mud, Kirsty Mcoll & the Pogues, Wizzard, Wham! and Band Aid. These songs are terrible, I've only heard some of these songs on furniture and bed adverts. This list is crap and only good for 50 year olds in America or just plain cheesey people. email me if you did this list. I'll give you the best christmas song list.

Posted at 10:53AM on Dec 18th 2009 by Georg

96. I have not been feeling the Christmas spirit, but these sounds always make me change my mind. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Posted at 7:18PM on Dec 18th 2009 by Bernadette

97. These Christmas songs always make me get into the Christmas spirit, when I'm pretending not to care that the season is here. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Posted at 7:18PM on Dec 18th 2009 by Bernadette

98. I'm finally beginning to get in the Christmas Spirit. Thanks, and Happy Holidays to all.

Posted at 7:18PM on Dec 18th 2009 by Bernadette

99. one of my Favorite Christmas song that brings tears to my eyes when I hear it, which is Hardly Ever, is little Drummer boy Sung by Bing Crosby With David Bowie

Posted at 10:54PM on Dec 18th 2009 by John

100. I Love the song Little Drummer boy when sung by Bing Crosby but done as a duo with David Bowie. It brings tears to my eyes even still and I'm just about 57 years old. I guess some songs have meaning our whole lives

Posted at 10:59PM on Dec 18th 2009 by John

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