The 22 Best Christmas Songs for an Epic Holiday Playlist
Alright, folks, the moment we've been waiting for has finally arrived: It's officially the holiday season, which means it's time to show off that range you've been working on all year long. And even if you can't hit those high notes, the best Christmas songs (and seasonal cocktails) will put everyone in a jolly enough mood to cheer you on when they'd otherwise plug their ears. Whether you’re planning a Christmas caroling party, putting together the ultimate party playlist, or you simply feel like grooving around your house, the 22 best Christmas songs ahead will set the right spirit.
“Jingle Bell Rock" — Daryl Hall & John Oates
Pull out your best Regina George look and cool mom camcorder for this one. Or better yet... maybe don't.
Sing along:
"What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go ridin' in a one-horse sleigh"
“White Christmas" — Bing Crosby
If this classic doesn't make you swoon over the holidays, we don't know what will. It's been on all the best Christmas playlists since 1941, so hop to if it isn't already on yours.
Sing along:
"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
Just like the ones I used to know
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white"
“Blue Christmas" — Elvis
For when you're feeling more blue than merry and bright, trade in Crosby's White Christmas for Elvis' blue one.
Sing along:
"And when those blue snowflakes start falling
That's when those blue memories start calling
You'll be doin' all right, with your Christmas of white
But I'll have a blue, blue blue blue Christmas"
“Last Christmas"— Wham!
Every time we hear this synth-pop banger we can't help but belt it out in all its over-the-top '80s glory.
Sing along:
"Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special"
“Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" — Brenda Lee
Playful! Fun! Cute! Just what the holiday mood should be.
Sing along:
"You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear
Voices singing, let's be jolly
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancin' merrily
In the new old-fashioned way"
“Deck the Halls" — Frank Sinatra & Bing Crosby
Simply an icon of a tune (and this version has a particularly charming retro sound to it).
Sing along:
"Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa la la la la, la la la la (fa la la la la, la la la la)
'Tis the season to be jolly
Fa la la la la, la la la la (fa la la la la, la la la la)
Don we now our gay apparel
Fa la la la la, la la la la (fa la la la la, la la la la)
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol
Fa la la la la, la la la la"
“Hard Candy Christmas" — Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton fans, stand on up—this one's for you.
Sing along:
"I'll be fine and dandy
Lord it's like a hard candy Christmas
I'm barely getting through tomorrow
But still I won't let
Sorrow get me way down"
“Angels We Have Heard on High" — The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
And now for a hardcore Christmas song, we bring the traditional Christian hymn you might have had to sing in middle school choir.
Sing along:
"Gloria in excelsis deo!
Gloria in excelsis deo!
come to Bethlehem, and see
Him whose birth the angels sing"
“Feliz Navidad" — Jose Feliciano
Upbeat and cheerful, you can't help but smile while singing this Christmas song.
Sing along:
"Feliz navidad
Feliz navidad
Feliz navidad
Prospero año y felicidad
I wanna wish you a merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart"
“Christmas Makes Me Cry" — Kacey Musgraves
Oh, Kacey, thank you for this. Commiserate with the broken hearts weeping at the sight of mistletoe and aching just a little extra this time of year.
Sing along:
"It's all red and gold and Nat King Cole and tinsel on the tree
It's all twinkle lights and snowy nights and the kids still believe
And I know that they say, "Have a happy holiday"
And every year, I sincerely try
Oh, but Christmas, it always makes me cry"
“Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!" — Dean Martin
The bad December weather outside getting you down? Sing this song enough and you just might inherit Dean Martin's cheery, look-on-the-bright-side attitude.
Sing along:
"Oh, the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow"
“Santa Tell Me" — Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande's sweet and upbeat voice matched with lyrics that reflect a more realistic outlook on holiday romance is the perfect Christmas song vibe for 2021.
Sing along:
"I've been down this road before
Fell in love on Christmas night
But on New Year's Day, I woke up and he wasn't by my side
Now I need someone to hold
Be my fire in the cold"
“Santa Baby" — Madonna
It's the holidays, flirt a little!
Sing along:
"Santa baby, an out-of-space convertible, too, light blue
I'll wait up for you, dear
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight"
“Little Drummer Boy" — Katherine Kennicott Davis
More like Little Drama Boy with all those dogged pa rum pum pum pums. Time to once again relive your middle school chorus dreams (or nightmares).
Sing along:
"Little baby
Pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too
Pa rum pum pum pum"
“Auld Lang Syne" — Sufjan Stevens
This is winter's counterpart to summer's "Mystery of Love." This reimagined classic is technically for New Year's, not Christmas, but it still feels appropriate. Full of banjo sounds and whistling, it's sweet, folksy, robust... all that good stuff.
Sing along:
"For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne"
“Lights On" — Tyler, the Creator Feat. Ryan Beaty and Santigold
Tyler the Creator curated the soundtrack for the Grinch (2018) and collaborated with Ryan Beaty and Santigold on this tune about the all-too-familiar anxiety of holiday travel delays and cancelations.
Sing along:
"Leave the lights on
It may take a while but I'm coming home
Lights on
It may take a while but I'm coming home
Unlock the door
I'm coming, I'm coming
No matter how far
Leave the lights on
It may take a while but I'm coming home"
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" — Judy Garland
The O.G. sad girl ballad that strikes the seasonal nostalgic chord. It gets us every time we watch Meet Me In St. Louis.
Sing along:
"Someday soon we all will be together
If the fates allow
Until then we'll have to muddle through somehow
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now"
“Puppies Are Forever" — Sia
So you like to break the mold but still enjoy a little Christmas cheer, huh? Grab your mic—this fun Sia song is your chance to shine.
Sing along:
"Puppies are forever, not just for Christmas
Puppies are forever, not just for Christmas
Puppies are forever, not just for Christmas
Puppies are forever, not just for Christmas
'Cause they're so cute and fluffy with shiny coats
But will you love 'em when they're old and slow?
Puppies are forever, not just for Christmas
Puppies are forever, puppies are forever
Oh, oh"
“Winter Wonderland" — Ella Fitzgerald
Here's another jazzy charmer we look forward to singing all year long.
Sing along:
"Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland"
“Father Christmas" — The Kinks
So you want your holiday music with a healthy side of anti-consumerism? Here ya go, my keen eyed-friend.
Sing along:
"Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys"
“Silent Night" — The Temptations
The ultimate Christmas song is even better when sung by the Temptations.
Sing along:
"Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother
and Child Holy Infant
so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace."
“All I Want for Christmas Is You" — Mariah Carey
You sure you're ready to hit those high notes? If you have Mariah Carey–level confidence, we believe in you.
Sing along:
"I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
Don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree"
Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.
You Might Also Like
