10 Best Country Christmas Songs

Almost every classic Christmas carol has been covered by a slew of artists from differing music genres -- who would of thought Bob Dylan, Anne Murray and Enya would all cover the same carol? But country crooners, specifically, have taken Christmas music by storm, arranging some of the most enduring Christmas singles and albums from Christmas hymns such as 'Silent Night' and 'Winter Wonderland.' AOL Radio has created a list of the 10 Best Country Christmas songs as rated by our radio listeners. Check out the list and be sure to tell us what your favorite Christmas Country song is in the comments!

Reba McEntire Merry Christmas to You

10) Reba McEntire: 'I'll be Home for Christmas'

Did you know? An American Holiday classic recorded by big leagues Bing Crosby, Perry Como and Frank Sinatra, McEntire's version was included on her 1987 album, 'Merry Christmas to You,' which included singles that charted almost 10 years after its release.



Charley Pride Christmas in My Hometown9) Charley Pride: 'Deck the Halls'

Did you know? This country Christmas song is included in Pride's 1970 album, 'Christmas in My Hometown,' which peaked at No. 5 in the U.S. Billboard 200 in 1971.




Christmas Angels8) Jamie O'Neal: 'O Holy Night'

Did you know? On the 2005 'Christmas Angels' album, the 10-song compilation includes country crooners Alison Krauss, Deana Carter and Suzy Boggus.





Joe Nichols A Traditional Christmas7) Joe Nichols: 'Winter Wonderland'

Did you know? One of 10 country Christmas songs on Nichols' 2004 'A Traditional Christmas,' this tune was originally written by lyricist Richard B. Smith and composer Felix Bernard.



Martina McBride White Christmas6) Martina McBride: 'Away in a Manger'

Did you know? McBride's Christmas cover includes arrangements by James Ramsey Murray, John Thomas McFarland and William James Kirkpatrick. The song was included in her 1998 album 'White Christmas' as well as its re-release in 1999 (with two new tracks) and 2007 (with 4 new tracks). In 2007 the album went certified platinum, selling 1.2 million copies.


Billy Dean The Christ A Song for Joseph5) Billy Dean: 'What Child is This'

Did you know? A popular carol originally written by William Chatterton Dix in 1865, Dean's cover is included in his 2005 'The Christ (A song for Joseph)' -- comprised of eight covers of Christmas tunes (such as 'The Little Drummer Boy' and 'Silent Night') as well as two original tracks; one titled 'Just for Me and You,' is a duet with his daughter Hannah.


Alabama Christmas Volume II4) Alabama: 'O Little Town of Bethlehem'

Did you know? Alabama featured this song on their 1996 sophomore Christmas album. The original lyrics were written by Episcopal priest Phillips Brooks, three years after visiting the town of Bethlehem in 1865. Brooks gave the poem to his church organist Lewis Redner, who added music to the lyrics which he titled 'St. Louis.'


George Strait Merry Christmas Wherever You Are3) George Strait: 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'

Did you know? The classic story of Rudoulph was written by Robert L. May back in 1939, but the song -- composed by Johnny Marks -- wasn't written until almost ten years later, followed by the famous TV special in 1964. The lyric "All of the other reindeer" was often misheard as "Olive, the other reindeer" and thus the fictional character Olive was created for the TV special. Strait included this country Christmas song in one of his five successful Christmas albums.


Alan Jackson Let it Be Christmas2) Alan Jackson: 'Silent Night'

Did you know? World War I troops on both sides of the front line sang 'Silent Night' simultaneously in English and German during the Christmas Truce of 1914, for it was one of the few songs they both knew. In addition to Jackson's country cover, this song has been covered by Stevie Nicks, Bing Crosby, Enya and even an instrumental version by Mannheim Steamroller.



Anne Murray's Christmas Album1) Anne Murray: 'O Come All Ye Faithful'

Did you know? This hymn was written sometime in the 13th century entirely in Latin, later translated by Frederick Oakeley into the four-verse hymn we know today. Murray's country Christmas song is a favorite, as well as covers by Andrea Bocelli, Bob Dylan, Luciano Pavoratti, and Bing Crosby.






Filed under: Best Songs, Top 10 Lists

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