The best Christmas songs of all time: Great festive bangers
Great Xmas songs to dance around the Christmas tree
Morgan Truder
It’s that moment every year when December rolls in, and suddenly everyone becomes deeply opinionated about Christmas music. The playlists come out, the debates begin, and long-standing friendships are tested over the correct festive soundtrack.
Are you a Last Christmas loyalist? Does Elton John’s Step Into Christmas flip the switch? Or are you firmly in the camp that believes Fairytale of New York remains untouchable, preferably enjoyed with a pint in hand and a mild sense of emotional ruin?
We’ve lined up 20 contenders in total. Some are joyful, some are ridiculous, and a few may have you questioning whether Christmas music is a blessing or a curse. But that’s all part of the deal. December is a time for excess, literal cheese, emotional indulgence and, naturally, a generous helping of musical nonsense.
You’ll find the big hitters, a few divisive curveballs and the odd deeper cut too, because this isn’t just a greatest hits dump. Think of it as festive crate-digging, with tinsel.
20. Driving Home For Christmas by Chris Rea
Look, it's a great Christmas song and definitely deserves to be on the list - so stop sighing! Putting the 'car' into 'carol', Chris Rea somehow manages to make the idea of being stuck in traffic a romantic Christmas song. Even though it is a well-played Christmas classic now, it didn't even reach the top 40 when first released in 1988.
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19. Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses
If there ever was a Christmas record to get your foot tapping, then Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses would be it. From its funky beat to its double meaning title this is one fun song. Given this one came out in 1981, it was inevitable that it was going to try and capitalise on the explosion of rap in America at that time.
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18. Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End) by The Darkness
![The Darkness - Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End) (Official Music Video) [HD] - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/lrVg1toMzuo/maxresdefault.jpg)
The obvious choice for rockers out for something released later than the 70s, Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End) was released in 2003. It narrowly missed out on a Christmas number one, beaten by a cover of Mad World by Gary Jules & Michael Andrew. But for operatic rock Christmas songs, this has to be no. 1.
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17. Step Into Christmas by Elton John
Elton John could have quite easily gone into crooner mode for his Christmas song, but he wanted to put the fun into Christmas, creating this classic toe-tapper. From the catchy guitar intro to the ever-excellent piano, Elton puts his all into getting us all up and dancing over the festive period. First released in 1973, this was written around the same time as Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and it shows.
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16. Lonely this Christmas by Mud
This song could have been dismissed as an Elvis Presley parody song, but it is earnest enough to stand up on its own and scored Mud their second number one, the first being Tiger Feet. We're happy the Glam Rockers decided to croon this one as, piss-take or not, it's a brilliant Christmas song.
15. Stay Another Day by East 17
East 17 went all out for their unofficial Christmas song. It was released in the festive period - mid November and managed to land the coveted Christmas number one spot - but doesn't actually mention anything Christmassy. Saying that, the white parkas the band wear in the music video have become just as memorable as the song and signify that it's chilly outside, so there is that. Amazingly, the song that Stay Another Day stopped getting the top spot was... All I want For Christmas Is You!
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14. Santa Claus is Coming to Town by the Jackson 5
Christmassy without being too... Christmassy, this is the ultimate bop for the festive season. Much cooler than many other songs of the genre, it's since been covered by a multitude of artists – but the original simply can't be beaten.
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13. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Darlene Love
Darlene Love features on this list a few times but this is her ultimate song - a perfect Phil Spector produced masterpiece that evokes the holiday season while being catchy as hell. It's such a rousing track that even if you are Scrooge-ing throughout the whole of the season, this one will put a smile on your face.
12. Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms
We are biased here as any song that appears in both Lethal Weapon and Home Alone is going to get our Christmas song seal of approval, but Jingle Bell Rock is a stunning festive track that adds a bit of rockabilly to the wintry season. From the opening riff to the 'rock around the clock' rhythm, this is just a brilliant song.
11. Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth by Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Bit of a weird combo, we'll allow it, because somehow it just... works. You might not have initially seen them as a particularly likely pair, but Bowie and Bing croon and soar with the best of them.
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10. Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano
We're sorry. It's already in your head isn't it? The Mariachi-style jingle, the repeating of Feliz Navidad like a Christmas chant. Look, we apologise, all we wanted to do was... wish you a Merry Christmas, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart. Feliz Navidad...
9. Sleigh Ride by the Ronettes
Heavy on the sleigh bells, as the name suggests, there's nothing better to get you in the mood for Christmas than this cool 1963 Ronettes tune written by composer Leroy Anderson.
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8. White Christmas by Bing Crosby
Irving Berlin's traditional Christmas song is a stunning, sombre tune that evokes Christmas most sentimentally. Bing Crosby sings the song best, and it is thanks to him that it's the world's best-selling single. The song made it on to the movie Holiday Inn, which is a bit confusing as it also turns up in the movie White Christmas some 10 years later, which also stars Crosby.
7. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday by Wizzard
![Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (Official Music Video) [HD] - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/IJPc7esgvsA/maxresdefault.jpg)
Another old favourite, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without this retro classic. Get your mulled wine, wrap yourself up on the sofa and whack on the Top of the Pops Christmas special.
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6. All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey
When you think of Christmas, you probably think of Mariah Carey. Every year this starts flying up the charts – and every year Mariah becomes more and more the complete embodiment of Christmas. Frankly, the song's so good she deserves it.
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5. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee
With over 25 million copies sold, this is one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time - and for good reason. Johnny Marks wrote the song (he was already Christmas famous thanks to penning Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer), but it's Brenda Lee's singing that elevates this song from good to greatness.
4. Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade
Alright, you're probably sick of it by now – you've heard it 9,000 times a year every year since before time began. But it wouldn't be Christmas without it, no matter how annoying.
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3. It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year by Andy Williams
Yes, yes it is, Mr Williams, and it is all because of your wonderful song.
2. Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
![The Pogues - Fairytale Of New York (Official Video) [HD Upgrade] - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/j9jbdgZidu8/maxresdefault.jpg)
It's pretty much the definitive Christmas song, isn't it? It's poignant, it's sad, it's moving – and it's a total banger to boot. There's a reason it's a classic, folks.
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1. Last Christmas by Wham!
It's always been part of the Christmas rotation, but Last Christmas has really come into its own over the last few years, and it's now considered to be the best of the bunch across the board. And why? Because it's really bloody good, that's why.
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