Christmas music encompasses a wide range of styles and eras, including mid-century standards, traditional carols, contemporary pop hits, and humorous novelty tracks.
Top-Selling & Modern Pop Classics
These songs are holiday chart staples:
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" – Mariah Carey (1994)
"White Christmas" – Bing Crosby (1942); the best-selling single globally
"Last Christmas" – Wham! (1984)
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" – Brenda Lee (1958)
"Jingle Bell Rock" – Bobby Helms (1957)
"Santa Tell Me" – Ariana Grande (2014)
"Underneath the Tree" – Kelly Clarkson (2013)
Traditional Carols & Religious Songs
These songs highlight the historical and spiritual aspects of Christmas:
"Silent Night" – Popularized by Bing Crosby
"O Holy Night" – Traditional
"The First Noel" – Traditional
"Away in a Manger" – Often a first song for children
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" – Traditional
"Joy to the World" – Traditional
Mid-Century Standards (Golden Age Hits)
Many beloved holiday tunes emerged between the 1940s and 1960s:
"The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" – Nat King Cole (1961)
"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" – Andy Williams (1963)
"A Holly Jolly Christmas" – Burl Ives (1964)
"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" – Dean Martin (1959)
"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" – Perry Como (1951) or Michael Bublé (2011)
"Feliz Navidad" – José Feliciano (1970)
"Sleigh Ride" – The Ronettes (1963)
Novelty & Funny Christmas Songs
These tracks bring a humorous touch to the holidays:
"Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" – Elmo & Patsy
"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" – Thurl Ravenscroft
"I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" – Gayla Peevey
"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" – Alvin and the Chipmunks
"Dominick the Donkey" – Lou Monte
Kid-Friendly Classics
Simple, memorable songs often introduced to children:
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" – Gene Autry
"Frosty the Snowman" – Gene Autry
"Jingle Bells" – Traditional
"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" – Often by Jackson 5 or Bruce Springsteen
"The 12 Days of Christmas" – Traditional
