The Top 10 Essential Christmas Songs (and a Holiday Playlist)

The Holiday Season is here. Time for setting up the Christmas tree, shopping for gifts, family, and time off from work and school. One of the things that truly sets the mood for the season is Christmas music. Songs like “Jingle Bells”, “Silent Night”, and “The Christmas Song” have been performed in countless variations by numerous musicians and singers. Also, the average human being will hear Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” at least 178 times by New Year’s Eve lol. This list celebrates these very Christmas songs that serve as the soundtrack to the season. Let’s dive into my “Top 10 Essential Christmas Songs”. Also check out my holiday playlist down below.

10. Happy Holidays to You – The Whispers

• Released: 1979
• Label: SOLAR Records
• Album: Happy Holidays to You

9. Driving Home for Christmas – Chris Rea

• Recorded: 1986
• Released: December 10, 1988
• Label: Magnet
• Album: New Light Through Old Windows

8. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas – Michael Buble

• Released: October 24, 2011
• Originally Written By: Meredith Willson in 1951
• Label: Reprise
• Album: Christmas

7. Let it Snow – Boyz II Men

• Released: September 28, 1993
• Songwriters: Wanya Morris, Brian McKnight
• Producers: Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight
• Label: Motown
• Album: Christmas Interpretations

6. Happy Xmas (War is Over) – John Lennon

• Released: December 1, 1971
• Songwriters: John Lennon, Yoko Ono
• Producers: Phil Spector, John Lennon, Yoko Ono
• Label: Apple

5. This Christmas – Donnie Hathaway

• Released: December 9, 1970
• Songwriters: Donny Hathaway and Nadine Theresa McKinnor
• Label: Atco Records

4. Christmas Time is Here (Vocal) – Vince Guaraldi Trio – A Charlie Brown Christmas

• Released: December 1965
• Composer: Vince Guaraldi
• Lyricist: Lee Mendelson
• Album: A Charlie Brown Christmas

3. Last Christmas – Wham!

• Released: December 3, 1984
• Songwriter: George Michael
• Producer: George Michael
• Label: Columbia, Epic
• Album: Music from the Edge of Heaven

2. The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole

• Recorded: Spring 1946
• Released: November 1946
• Songwriters: Robert Wells and Mel Tormé in 1945
• Producers: Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight
• Label: Capitol

1. Silent Night – The Temptations

• Released: October 30, 1970
• Label: Motown
• Album: Christmas

Thanks for reading! Check out my Christmas Playlist suitable for all holiday moods.