There are just too many spectacular Christmas songs. I asked you last week to tell my your favorites on social media. I’ve condensed the list to share with you of the top vote getters. You voted. Here are 12 of your favorite Christmas songs.

Each one of these selections is legendary, in it’s own right. And your choices span pretty much all genres. From the standards of the 1940s to an 80s new wave rocker, country classics to contemporary classical. There are new and older renditions represented here, as well. You guys were all over the map! And why not, Christmas music is for everyone, from all walks of life and all tastes in music.

Below, you will find the song titles you voted for, and in some cases the various artists you mentioned performing them. There’s even a local artist that received enough votes to make this list! Admittedly, I’m a little bummed out that one of my favorites, “Baby It’s Cold Outside” didn’t make the list. But, there’s always next year!  Thanks for your participation and I wish you and your family a happiest of holiday seasons. Can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store for us.

And to the artists who create, cover and record Christmas songs, keep ’em coming! We could all use a cup of Christmas cheer.

• 1. Oh Holy Night

  “Oh Holy Night” received the most votes. Now, granted there are multiple versions listed from Josh Grobin, to the 1995 stunner from country artist John Berry. But it was Mr. Christmas, Brett Eldredge’s version that garnered the highest number of mentions.

• 2. Let It Be Christmas

  I feel partially responsible for this Alan Jackson original getting so many votes. I had mentioned in the comments that is was one of my favorites. It started a cavalcade of love. Jackson told CMT, he wasn’t planning on recording an original song for his Christmas album. It was just going to be the classics. Apparently, one night while on the road, he came up with “Let It Be Christmas.” His wife loved it. So, not only was it included in the album, but it became the title! Take a listen to this 2002 Christmas gift from AJ.

• 3. Last Christmas

  Of course Wham carved out their place in Christmas history after releasing this bop in 1986. In 2007, Taylor Swift, who grew up on a Christmas Tree farm, released an EP of Christmas songs. Her version of “Last Christmas” became an instant hit.

• 4. White Christmas

  Since it’s first release in 1942, “White Christmas” has been covered by many, many singers. Bing Crosby originally recorded the Irving Berlin song for the musical Holiday Inn. Here’s a fun fact to use at Christmas. His recorded is considered to be the best selling single in the history of recorded music. It spent 11 weeks at #1 the first time around and continues to pop up on the charts, this time of year. It’s estimated that it’s sold some 50 million physical copies worldwide. When you take into account other forms of music sharing, it likely is more in the 100 million sales area. 

  With multiple streaming platform  sales of the song exceed 100 million.^[4][5][6]

• 5. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

  Last week, 79 year old Brenda Lee, held the top song on the Billboard Hot 100, which features the pop hits of the week. “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” has become one of the world’s favorite holiday songs over the years. Lee was only 13 at the time she recorded the Christmas classic. Lee’s original version has sold more than 15 million copies, and it holds the distinction of having the 4th most digital downloads sold of any Christmas single.

• 6. Christmas Wrapping

  This one came a little as a surprise. Don’t get me wrong, it’s totally deserving. But apparently country music listeners appreciate a little 80’s rock in their Holiday hits playlist. The Waitresses’ 1981 jam first appeared on a Christmas compilation album called A Christmas Record. AllMusic called it “one of the best holiday pop tunes ever recorded.”

• 7. Jingle Bells

  A holiday classic with a totally modern spin, that’s what the female trio Shedaisy did for “Jingle Bells” in 2000. Sisters Kristyn, Kelsi and Kassidy weave their tight harmonies to create a little Christmas magic. They released a Christmas album, Brand New Year, also in 2000. And now you hear their versions everywhere you go. From the mall to celebrations, radio to streaming.

   

   

• 8. All I Want For Christmas Is You

  This one is tricky. There are 2 completely different songs with this exact title. There’s the ubiquitous Mariah Carey song, and there’s the popular go-to by Vince Vance and The Valiants. (Who are trying to sue Mariah for song title rights, as theirs was recorded first under that title in 1989.) Vince is the band leader, not the lead singer, FYI. He’s been through quite a few Valiants over the years. Lisa Layne sang the lead vocals on the recording before leaving the band.

  Here’s the Vince Vance and Valiants’ “All I Want For Christmas is You.”

   

  The Mariah Carey song of the same name was recently reinvented by Jon Pardi, putting his twangy Western Swing country vibe all over it. It’s from his new Christmas album, Merry Christmas From Jon Pardi.  Check it out here:

• 9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

  A beautifully folky version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” was released in 2004. Fellow Canadian artists Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan collaborated for BNL’s album, Barenaked For The Holidays. The artists first recorded it in 1996, live backstage at a radio station event. Just beautiful. I forgot about this version, thanks to our listeners for voting for this gem.

   

• 10. Mary Did You Know

  Many artists have covered this coveted Christmas song, that celebrates the true meaning of the holiday. But it was Carrie Underwood’s 2020 version that earned the most votes in my informal poll of Christmas favorites. You’ll find her stunning vocal performance of the Christmas classic on her holiday album, My Gift Christmas.  Check out her live televised performance from 2021’s CMA Country Christmas, here.

• 11. All My Love For Christmas

  I love that you guys casted quite a few votes for a local favorite! Samatha Rae recently dropped her first original Christmas song, and it was featured on my Local Catch segment on country1025.com. It’s really infectious, and obviously caught on with you.

• 12. Where Are You Christmas

  Any fan of the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas would know this Faith Hill song. It was actually written by Mariah Carey (the queen of Christmas), James Horner and Will Jennings. In fact, the he song was originally recorded by Mariah. However, because of legal battles with her ex, Tommy Mottola, it wasn’t released. Faith Hill was called to record it and it was released in December of 2000, from the soundtrack.

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