All the Best Christmas Songs You Need to Add to Your Playlist ASAP
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Nothing puts you in the holiday spirit quite like good ole Christmas music. It’s so easy to jingle all the way through the holiday season when you have a good Christmas playlist to make every occasion more musical. Even school drop-off and household chores aren’t that bad when you have Mariah Carey singing “All I Want for Christmas Is You” in your ears. If you’re still looking for the perfect songs to complete your ultimate Christmas playlist, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together 72 tunes that are arguably the best Christmas songs of all time. In no time they'll have you rockin' around the Christmas tree, dreaming of a white Christmas, and telling your mom you'll be home for Christmas.
Whether you have a soft spot for the classics, appreciate religious Christmas songs, or opt for pop or country Christmas tunes, there are so many songs to choose from. The days of relying on the radio DJ to curate just the right mix of Christmas classics and new favorites are behind us—it's all up to you now! Some on this list are among the most played at every shop and on every radio station around this time of year, while others are some of the most beautiful but less commonly heard.
Now get to listening, and have yourself a merry little Christmas now!
"O Come All Ye Faithful" by Carrie Underwood
One of the most moving Christmas hymns, performed by one of country music's most powerful voices from her album My Gift—try not to tear up.
Related: The Top 50 Carrie Underwood Songs We Listen to on Repeat
See the original post on Youtube
"Big Bulbs" by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
This song is pure holiday cheer tied with a big bow. The album It's A Holiday Soul Party (2015) happens to be one of our editors' all-time favorite Christmas albums, so it was hard to choose one track for this list. We pick this one!
See the original post on Youtube
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey
This track—which is the best-selling modern day Christmas song of all time—has earned Mariah Carey the title "Queen of Christmas."
See the original post on Youtube
"Last Christmas" by Wham!
This pop tune is the kind of Christmas song you can sing in the shower. Fun fact: Released in 1984, it didn't top the charts until 2017.
See the original post on Youtube
"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by Jackson 5
Jimmy Boyd's original version of this song is great, but Jackson 5's catchy cover will have everyone dancing and singing along to the funky beats.
See the original post on Youtube
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" by Harry Connick Jr.
There are so many versions of this Christmas classic, but we think Harry Connick Jr. does it best.
See the original post on Youtube
"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" by Michael Bublé
Michael Bublé has done it again. Listening to this Christmas hit is the best way to start out the season.
See the original post on Youtube
"The Little Drummer Boy (Peace on Earth)" by Bing Crosby & David Bowie
An unlikely pair, Bing and Bowie strike just the right note marrying the traditional and contemporary.
See the original post on Youtube
"(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays" by The Carpenters
Karen Carpenter's pure voice makes any song, especially this happy holiday tune, sound like home sweet home.
See the original post on Youtube
"Sleigh Ride" by The Ronettes
The Ronettes' version of this Christmas hit is the most popular and regularly makes the charts.
See the original post on Youtube
"Pretty Paper" by Willie Nelson
For country music lovers, no Christmas song is more classic than this twangy Willie tune.
See the original post on Youtube
"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" by Bruce Springsteen
They call Bruce Springsteen "The Boss" for a reason—and this version of "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" makes it easy to understand why.
See the original post on Youtube
"Winter Wonderland" by Ella Fitzgerald
One of the smoothest voices ever, Ella Fitzgerald brings a swinging, unique sound to this Christmas classic.
See the original post on Youtube
"Carol of the Bells" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
We like this intense and exciting musical performance with an equally exhilarating light show.
See the original post on Youtube
"The Most Wonderful Day of the Year" from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
This diddy is sung by the inhabitants of the Island of Misfit Toys in the 1964 stop-motion Christmas movie Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
See the original post on Youtube
"Believe" by Josh Groban
This song was written for the movie The Polar Express and has quickly become a Christmas favorite.
See the original post on Youtube
"Christmas in New Orleans" by Louis Armstrong
Perhaps best known for "What a Wonderful World," Louis's ode to New Orleans during the holidays captures his signature sound with a big brass band backing him up.
See the original post on Youtube
"Happy Holiday" by Peggy Lee
Happy is right! This swingin' song makes you feel like a martini at a fancy-dress holiday party.
See the original post on Youtube
"Christmas Wrapping" by The Spice Girls
It's practically impossible not to dance along to The Spice Girls' 1998 cover of this fun Christmas song.
See the original post on Youtube
"We Need a Little Christmas" by Angela Lansbury
This tune was written for the Broadway musical Mame in 1966 and was originally sung by Angela Lansbury.
See the original post on Youtube
"Step Into Christmas" by Elton John
Elton John released his Christmas single in 1973, and it hit number 1 on the Billboard Christmas singles chart.
See the original post on Youtube
"The Merriest" by June Christy
This 1961 jazz piece might just be the merriest song we've ever heard.
See the original post on Youtube
"I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" by Wizzard
The '70s Christmas song by glam rock band Wizzard hit number 4 on the UK charts when it was first released.
See the original post on Youtube
"What Christmas Means to Me" by Stevie Wonder
Who doesn't love this upbeat Christmas hit? Stevie Wonder released his Someday at Christmas album, which featured this track, in 1967.
See the original post on Youtube
"You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch" by Thurl Ravenscroft
Dr. Seuss himself penned the lyrics for this Christmas track dating back to 1966, when it premiered in the TV special, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
See the original post on Youtube
"Please Come Home for Christmas" by the Eagles
The bluesy Christmas ballad was first released in 1960 by Charles Brown before the Eagles recorded and released this version as a single in 1978.
See the original post on Youtube
"Merry Christmas Darling" by The Carpenters
The Carpenters put out this song in 1970, and it hit number 1 on the Billboard Christmas singles charts for three years.
See the original post on Youtube
"Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid
The British supergroup Band Aid recorded this Christmas song as a benefit single to combat famine in Ethiopia. It features mega stars including Duran Duran, Phil Collins, Sting, and Boy George.
See the original post on Youtube
"River" by Joni Mitchell
The Christmas folk song from the Canadian singer-songwriter has become one of Joni Mitchell's most recorded tracks.
See the original post on Youtube
"Mele Kalikimaka" by Bing Crosby
Any fan of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation will be familiar with this Hawaiian-inspired Christmas song.
See the original post on Youtube
"Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" by Elmo & Patsy
While this novelty Christmas song is sure to get a laugh, it's become so popular that both a film and a Grey's Anatomy episode bear the same name.
See the original post on Youtube
"The Twelve Days of Christmas" by John Denver & The Muppets
The Muppets version of this classic Christmas carol from the 1700s has become a classic in its own right.
See the original post on Youtube
"When My Heart Finds Christmas" by Harry Connick Jr.
This song is one of the original tracks that appears on Harry Connick Jr.'s Christmas album of the same name, which went triple platinum.
See the original post on Youtube
"The Christmas Waltz" by Frank Sinatra
This song was written for Frank Sinatra in 1954, where it first appeared as a B-side recording on his cover of "White Christmas."
See the original post on Youtube
"Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues
Although the tune has faced controversy throughout its lifetime, the English Celtic punk band's Christmas song is still an inescapably catchy hit for many.
See the original post on Youtube
"Up on the House Top" by The Jackson 5
Dating back to 1864, this song is said to be the second oldest secular Christmas carol, according to The Christmas Carol Reader.
See the original post on Youtube
"Silver Bells" by She & Him
Bing Crosby's cover of this song made it a popular Christmas staple, and She & Him's cover gives it a contemporary twist. You'll recognize Zooey Deschanel's earthy sound.
See the original post on Youtube
"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" by The Chipmunks
The creator of this song, Ross Bagdasarian Sr., won three Grammy awards for this track in 1958.
See the original post on Youtube
"My Favorite Things" by Julie Andrews
Although not originally intended to be a Christmas song, this tune has gone on to be featured on several holiday albums, including those by Kelly Clarkson and Rod Stewart.
See the original post on Youtube
"Underneath the Tree" by Kelly Clarkson
Featured on her Christmas album Wrapped in Red, this single quickly became a top holiday hit.
See the original post on Youtube
"Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" by *NSYNC
This was the only single from *NSYNC's Christmas album, Home for Christmas, which was the band's second album ever.
See the original post on Youtube
"Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande's Christmas original, which was first released on the Japanese reissue of her Christmas EP Christmas Kisses, has become a modern favorite.
See the original post on Youtube
"My Only Wish (This Year)" by Britney Spears
Britney Spears released this original Christmas song for the 2000 compilation album Platinum Christmas, which featured fellow artists Christina Aguilera and Whitney Houston.
See the original post on Youtube
"I'd Like You For Christmas" by Julie London
Although not a well-known song, it's one that you'll want to add to your playlist for a low-key evening in.
See the original post on Youtube
"This Christmas" by Donny Hathaway
Although it didn't receive great success when it was first released, "This Christmas" has gone on to become a favorite of all time.
See the original post on Youtube
"Run Rudolph Run" by Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry's blues-inspired rock song proves that rock and roll and Christmas really do go hand in hand.
See the original post on Youtube
"Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney has said that the catchy, upbeat holiday jingle only took him 10 minutes to write.
See the original post on Youtube
"The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole
The nostalgic melody of Nat King Cole's Christmas tune is bound to make you want nothing more than a crackling fire on a frosty winter day.
See the original post on Youtube
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love
Darlene Love performed this song live every year (except one, due to a writer's strike) from 1986 to 2014 on Late Night with David Letterman.
See the original post on Youtube
"Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)" by Gene Autry
Few other songs get kids as excited to see old St. Nick than Gene Autry's cheery tune.
See the original post on Youtube
"Winter Wonderland" by Darlene Love
Of all the versions of this song, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and even Radiohead, we think Darlene Love comes out on top.
See the original post on Youtube
"Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms
Although this song released in 1957, it hit the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 chart in January 2019 at number eight. The song broke the record for longest wait time to get into the top 10 at over 60 years since its release.
See the original post on Youtube
"Feliz Navidad" by José Feliciano
Everyone knows how to say Merry Christmas in Spanish thanks to this classic penned by Puerto Rican musician and composer José Feliciano.
See the original post on Youtube
"Blue Christmas" by Elvis Presley
The King made this song famous with his rock and roll take on it.
See the original post on Youtube
"White Christmas" by Bing Crosby
We dream of a white, snowy Christmas every year thanks to this classic hit.
See the original post on Youtube
"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by The Crystals
We don't know about you, but nothing gets us into the Christmas Spirit quite like the opening lines "You better watch out, you better not cry..."
See the original post on Youtube
"I'll Be Home For Christmas" by Bing Crosby
Another tune by Bing Crosby worthy of playing on repeat proves he's the unofficial king of Christmas.
See the original post on Youtube
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Judy Garland
Judy Garland recorded this for the musical Meet Me in St. Louis, which should be required viewing around the holidays.
See the original post on Youtube
"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" by Frank Sinatra
Sing along to this jazzy holiday hit and remind yourself that snow is beautiful, even when your car gets stuck in it.
See the original post on Youtube
"Frosty the Snowman" by Gene Autry
Listening to this kid-friendly classic will immediately transport you back to your childhood.
See the original post on Youtube
"I'll Be Home for Christmas" by Michael Bublé
Sorry, Bing! Yours came first, but we love this version, too!
See the original post on Youtube
"Jingle Bells" by Dean Martin
There are countless versions of "Jingle Bells," but Dean Martin's rendition is a holiday staple.
See the original post on Youtube
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee
It's hard to believe Brenda Lee was just a teenager when she recorded this song—and it's still a fan favorite today.
See the original post on Youtube
"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" by John Lennon and Yoko Ono
John Lennon and Yoko Ono originally recorded this somewhat controversial tune with the Harlem Community Choir to protest the Vietnam War. Somewhere along the way, it became a beloved Christmas song.
See the original post on Youtube
"Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt
This holiday tune is one of Eartha Kitt's most well-known songs of all time. We recommend playing it for your husband right before Christmastime if you "want a yacht." 😉
See the original post on Youtube
"Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson
This famous instrumental tune by Leroy Anderson is the perfect background music to any holiday party.
See the original post on Youtube
"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Andy Williams
This happy song reminds us of all the reasons Christmas is the—you guessed it—most wonderful time of the year.
See the original post on Youtube
"A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives
This jolly song by Burl Ives is the leading track on his Christmas album for a reason. It's impossible to listen to it and not be in a good mood.
See the original post on Youtube
"Merry Christmas, Baby" by Otis Redding
Otis Redding's jazzy R&B version of this song will have all of your holiday party guests moving and grooving to the beat.
See the original post on Youtube
"Baby It's Cold Outside" by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors
Nothing beats a jazzy modern take on a certified holiday classic!
See the original post on Youtube
"Silver Bells" by Elvis Presley
While Blue Christmas may be is his most famous Christmas song, Elvis's crooning rendition of Silver Bells is just as good.
See the original post on Youtube
"Frosty the Snowman" by The Ronettes
Of all the certified classics on Phil Spector's iconic Christmas compilation album, the Ronettes vibrant performance of Frosty the Snowman is the most joyous by far. It's the perfect way to kick off the holiday season!
See the original post on Youtube
You Might Also Like
