When is it really too early to listen to Christmas music? It’s a common debate (Tessa thinks after Halloween), but what does it really matter? It’s December now, so in the wise words of Mariah Carey “it’s timeeeee” (for our top 10 holiday songs).
#1 – All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey
Every holiday season, the Queen of Christmas herself tops the charts with this classic. Released in 1994, All I Want For Christmas has been the Christmas song ever since. Everybody is instantly launched into the holiday spirit from the moment the twinkling bells start, followed by Carey’s iconic vocals.
#2 – Last Christmas by Wham!
This 80s synth pop hit features George Michael’s heartwrenching vocals as he describes a christmastime heartbreak. Despite not directly being about Christmas, Last Christmas never fails to reenter the charts during the holiday season, whether it’s the Wham! version or one of the many covers by pop icons like Taylor Swift or Ariana Grande.
#3 – Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee
A radio station’s holiday staple is found in Brenda Lee’s 1958 single. Featuring an iconic guitar and saxophone solo this song instantly brings people back to holiday seasons of years past. This song is the perfect mix of corporate holiday party and nostalgia to carry you through every holiday occasion. (It’s also the perfect song to decorate your tree to!)
#4 – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love
Originally sung and released by Darlene Love in 1963, this song embodies holiday nostalgia. There’s nothing like when you first turn on this pop classic and you are serenaded by christmassy bells and emotional vocals.
#5 – Santa Clause is Comin’ to Town by The Jackson 5
Originally sung by Harry Reser and his Orchestra in 1934, this song is undeniably a classic Christmas song, with over 200 covers by various artists including Mariah Carey, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra. The Jackson 5’s 1970 cover of this song stands out among the others because it’s sung in the band’s classic R&B style, a unique version of this frequently told story about Santa.
#6 – Carol of the Bells
Carol of the Bells has a rich history as a Ukrainian New Year’s song called “Shchedryk”. The lyrics to this carol were written later on by American composer Peter Wilhousky in 1936. Most famously, John William’s 1990 arrangement of the carol is used in Home Alone when Kevin meets Old Man Marley.
#7 – Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson
In this song by Kelly Clarkson, her powerful voice, catchy lyrics, and Christmasy-background music come together perfectly. It’s the kind of song you hear on the radio the morning after Thanksgiving when you know you can officially pull out your old Christmas playlist, bringing joy back into your life and ringing in the start of another holiday season.
#8 – Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms
First sung by Bobby Helms in 1957, with various covers by other artists, Jingle Bell Rock is a popular Christmas song, and with its iconic feature in Mean Girls, it’s undeniably a classic.
#9 – Like It’s Christmas by the Jonas Brothers
While maybe not a classic, the Jonas Brothers Christmas music is the perfect anthem to get into holiday spirit. Released in 2020, this original song is a great representation of the joyful feelings that come with the holiday season, relating it to happiness and the feeling of being around loved ones.
#10 – Happy Joyous Hanukkah by the Indigo Girls
There’s a lot of Christmas songs on this list, but it’s important to recognize other holidays too! This 2010 song by the Indigo Girls perfectly tells the story of Hanukkah. It’s an upbeat tune describing the 8 nights and 8 candles of Hanukkah.
We hope you enjoyed our list. If you take issue with it, sorry to break it to you but you are the Grinch–please don’t steal Christmas from us! If you liked our ranking, be sure to check out our official JR Beacon Holiday Playlist because to end it with another Christmas icon’s words, “The best way to spread holiday cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” (Buddy the Elf).
Playlist:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/library/playlist/p.NJZrEvRhl30LR8d?l=en-US