Christmas Songs and Carols: It’s Christmas and one definitely might have heard a number of Christmas songs enough times to make you want to perforate your eardrums with a candy cane, but many festive pop songs are great works of art. Here’s our countdown of the Top 10 Christmas songs, from ancient carols to the best Christmas. It’s the perfect soundtrack to your Christmas party.
Here’s the list of Top 10 Christmas Songs and Carols:
Harry Belafonte’s ‘Mary’s Boy Child’
This is the only song ever to hit Christmas Number One twice, for two totally different artists. ‘Mary’s Boy Child’ was recorded first by American calypso star Harry Belafonte in 1956 and it still delivers the same magic after 60 years. However, you’ll have to wait and see whether Boney M’s 1978 disco version can do the same.
https://youtu.be/WY3o4_iIudg
Stevie Wonder’s ‘What Christmas Means to Me’
If you can’t be bothered to listen and find out, it turns out that singing carols, decorating the tree and, of course, being with his baby is what Christmas means to Stevie. Give it a listen anyway, though, because with that irresistible Motown swing and a harmonica solo thrown in this is (ahem) a cracker.
Weather Girls’ ‘Dear Santa (Bring Me a Man This Christmas)’
It’s not just drizzle that gets The Weather Girls going. From the same album as ‘It’s Raining Men’ (and pulling all the same moves with a festive twist), ‘Dear Santa’ is a seasonal stormer that represents the grooviest Christmas list ever written. Bonus points for the ’fa-la-la-la-la’ backing vocals.
Paul McCartney’s ‘Wonderful Christmas Time’
Good old Macca. Whereas Lennon could be relied upon to make impressive political statements (when he wasn’t laying about in bed all day), McCartney is the master of the charmingly naïve pop opus. This little ditty isn’t going to shake up your festive paradigm, but it won’t half stick in your head.
Jackson 5’s ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’
There are versions of this song by everyone from Bieber to Bublé, but Michael and the gang’s effort is the grooviest and the most fun. And since the song is mainly used as a bargaining tool by parents, it does make sense to have kids on the mic.
Brenda Lee’s ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’
Being Jewish, songwriter Johnny Marks didn’t celebrate Christmas, but in the ’40s and ’50s he wrote some of the greatest Christmas songs of all time. Among them are ‘Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer’, ‘I Heard The Bells of Christmas Day’, and this – an easy-on-the-ear rock ’n’ roll tune sung by a 13-year-old Brenda Lee, which really needs no introduction.
https://youtu.be/_6xNuUEnh2g?t=3
Ike and Tina Turner’s ‘Merry Christmas Baby’
Tina howls and growls her way through Christmas, R&B style, and tops it all off with a spirited freestyle nod to ‘Jingle Bells’.
The Waitresses’ ‘Christmas Wrapping’
As we get older Christmas begins to feel like little more than an inconvenience, but this bouncy new wave gem reminds us to resist the impulse to scream ‘bah, humbug’ and simply go with it. It may be the end of a tiring year, you may even be facing the possibility of a Christmas dinner for one, but, one way or another, the festive spirit will see you through. And if this song’s stomping disco rhythm section doesn’t pep you up, nothing will.
John Lennon & Yoko Ono’s ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’
Euphoric and scathing, as hopeful as it is resigned, John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s definitive festive peace-on-earth song has transcended its original anti-Vietnam War purpose of becoming a Christmas stalwart.
Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’
Although it’s not the best-selling Christmas anthem and it didn’t even make it to Number One in the UK. Still, Mariah tops the list of the greatest ever festive songs for some good reason. Originally released in 1994, this selfless plea to be with a loved one has everything: sleigh bells, pop hooks, the right balance of schmaltz and soul, and uplifting vibes strong enough to launch a jump-jet.
