Top 12 Christmas Songs of all time

This list is undisputed and I pondered for many hours in deep meditation to put together this ranking.  

12 – Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree By: Brenda Lee

Known for its use in the Christmas Classic Home Alone, Brenda Lee sets the tone for Christmas cheer in “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”. When this song is played, it is impossible to not feel the joy of the Ultide. 

11 – Carol of the Bells By: Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych, John Williams

Also a hit song in Home Alone, “Carol of the Bells” brings a more intense experience to the Christmas song genre. It is widely known for increasing your bench PR by nearly 12 ½ lbs when listening to it during a holiday workout session.

10 –  Run Rudolph Run By: Chuck Berry 

Chuck Berry’s magic is evident when listening to his lyrical masterpiece, “Run Rudolph Run”. Berry brings the listener a mix of pop/rock in this song that simply can not be matched. Some say the Pogue John B listens to this song like a good luck charm when trolling for Stripers in mid-December. 

9 – Underneath the Tree By: Kelly Clarkson

Coined the gift wrapping song of our generation, Kelly Clarkson brings us a holiday love song that simply is elite. Clarkson’s true passion and cheer for Christmas are unparalleled in her lyrics as she pioneers mixing Christmas and a love song. Many have tried to do this in the past, but none have been able to capture both genres and balance them like Clarkson was able to accomplish here. 

8 – Feliz Navidad By: José Feliciano

Although a very prominent Christmas tune, what many don’t know is that Feliciano is blind, and still able to be an extremely accomplished musician. As a young child, José possessed incredible talent and would teach himself to play the guitar by practicing for 14 hours a day in his room by listening to 50s Rock Stars.  “Feliz Navidad” continues to dominate the Christmas genre and be enjoyed by the masses. 

7 – Happy Xmas (War is Over) By: Céline Dion

Dion is able to bring her listeners a truly stunning performance in “War is Over”. By starting off with a rather somber tune and transforming it to a joyful jive, Dion shows the true heart of Christmas. Editor-in-chief Mr. Gaffney, A Christmas song Connoisseur, once exclaimed  “If your playlist does not have this song on it I simply can’t begin to understand you.”

6 – Mary Did You Know By: Pentatonix

I still can’t believe that it’s just their voices. The Pentatonix acapella group has put together a true masterpiece. “Mary Did You Know” makes the listener truly feel the passion of Christ at Christmas. This song represents the religious genre of Christmas music, and the Pentatonix version is simply immaculate. When listening to this tune expect goosebumps. 

5 – White Christmas By: Bing Crosby

Now we are getting into the nitty-gritty top 5 songs on the list. Bing Crosby starts us off here with a true classic. Bing Crosby aka Mr. Christmas aka Father tinsel, sings his heart out in White Christmas. When many people think of Christmas they think of a white bed of snow coating their homes on a brisk December morning. Hot cocoa, a crackling fire, and footsie PJs are the perfect combo for Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”. 

4 – The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) By: Michael Bublé 

Michael “the Hoss” Bublé is a true gentleman and a scholar; his work in the Christmas genre is nothing short of prolific. Although I, along with many others, are really unfamiliar with what a chestnut is, and why it is roasted on Christmas, I can’t imagine the Holidays without Michael’s melodic voice. 

3 – All I Want for Christmas Is You By: Mariah Carey

I feel like there is not much explanation as to why this is a top 3 pick. Mariah is truly awe-inspiring as she takes the crown for Christmas pop. The only person to do it better than Kelly Clarkson is Mariah Carey in her combining of Christmas, pop, and a love song. For decades they said it couldn’t be done. To combine all three on paper was a mess. But Carey knew what she was doing and simply knocked this one out of the ballpark.

2 – It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year By: Andy Williams

Williams said it best. Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year. And inspiring spirit to all other artists in the Christmas genre. Andy Williams is Christmas and Christmas is Andy Williams. He tells the story of the holiday season and all its joys through an eloquent and powerful tune. If you disagree with the choice, then you simply don’t know what Christmas is. 

Honorable Mentions

• Any Christmas song by Frank Sinatra
• Snow and Heat Miser’s song featured in the claymation a year without a Santa Claus.
• Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer 
• What Christmas Means to me By: Stevie Wonder
• Last Christmas By: Wham
• Wonderful Christmastime By: Paul McCartney
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town By: Bruce Springsteen

1 – Do They Know It’s Christmas? By: Band Aid 

I know many who play this song year-round because it is simply that good. Band Aid helps us take a step back and look at society in a selfless way. Do They Know It’s Christmas is the best Christmas song out there no doubt. This song is different from other tunes in the Holiday genre and it puts itself on a whole other level. There are no Christmas clichés or excessive bell ringing, it is just its own thing, and quite frankly it is unmatched in every way shape, and form.