The Best Christmas Songs of All Time

It’s not long now before we're getting tipsy in the middle of the day and piling our plates high with pigs in blankets before falling asleep on the sofa watching Christmas movies. However, all of these antics need a matching soundtrack. So with that in mind, we thought we'd point you in the right direction with the greatest Christmas songs, in Skiddle's opinion. 

We asked the Skiddle team for their favourite Christmas songs. From the cheery to the aggressive, unhinged to wholesome, here are 21 of our favourites, that'll make the big day better. 

 

Fairytale of New York - The Pogues

We're in agreement here at Skiddle; it's the best Christmas song. Few others can get a whole pub singing along together in the festive season, and we're sure Shane MacGowan would have it no other way. RIP Shane! But of course, there's no ignoring 

 

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Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee

The definition of an “oldie but a goldie”. Brenda Lee was only 13 years old when she first recorded this festive banger. Despite her age, her voice is rich and full. And we’ll always welcome a saxophone solo with open arms. 

 

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I Believe In Father Christmas - Greg Lake 

“They said there'll be snow at Christmas / But instead it just kept on raining” - is there a more relatable Christmas lyric for Brits than this? At least for us in northern England, when was the last time we saw snow at Christmas? Although it's commonly considered a Christmas song, Lake said he wrote it in protest of the commercialisation of Christmas. Whether you listen to it for or against Christmas, it’s a tune. 

 

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Christmas In Hollis - Run-DMC

Christmas songs tend to lack swagger, but this Xmas track by Run-DMC definitely doesn’t. 'Christmas In Hollis' samples 'Back Door Santa', 'Frosty the Snowman', 'Jingle Bells', and 'Joy to the World'. A bit bizarre? Maybe. But it still bangs. And the lyrics are golden. Certainly one of the best Christmas songs of all time. 

 

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Last Christmas - Wham!

It's regularly at the top of the Charts when Christmas comes around, and we aren't complaining - it's a certified classic! We'll never give your heart away, Wham, because we just love this song far too much!

 

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Father Christmas - The Kinks

Another Christmas song with unusual lyrics, Father Christmas by The Kinks is about poor kids beating up a man dressed as Santa, telling him to give toys to the “little rich boys” and give them money instead. “Have yourself a merry merry Christmas / have yourself a good time / but remember the kids who got nothing / while you're drinking down your wine”.

 

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It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - Andy Williams

“Ding dong, ding dong.” What a tune! A proper old-school choice, this tune is as Christmassy as it gets, detailing sledging, carolling, spending time with loved ones and more. As blissful as it gets.

 

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Run Rudolph Run - Chuck Berry

Dripping in swagger, Chuck Berry’s 'Run Rudolph Run' is a 12-bar blues Christmas tune. A lovely change from those mellow Christmas songs that tend to sound the same, stick this one on your playlist to add a bit of soul and good vibes to your Xmas. 

 

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Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon

Another anti-war song, 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)', John Lennon said he wrote it because he was “sick of 'White Christmas'”. Fair play. WE think it'll always be considered one of the best Christmas songs of all time.

 

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Feliz Navidad - José Feliciano

A certified Christmas banger, 'Feliz Navidad' never misses. A completely different vibe from all other commercial Christmas songs, it has a lot more pep and energy, sounding genuinely excited for the holidays. 

 

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Christmas Riddim - Boy Better Know (Skepta, JME, Jammer, Frisco, Shorty)

If you don’t like Christmas songs, maybe it’s because the lyrics can be a bit cringey. So we’re grateful to have been blessed with this banger by Boy Better Know. With lyrics including, “Round here the bells don't jingle / Fly-kick the man with the beard and wrinkles”, we’ve got a Christmas tune without tired clichés. 

 

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Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Darlene Love

This one’s just huge. It’s larger than life and infused with magic. And, again, who doesn’t love a sax solo? Fun fact: Cher sang backing vocals on this track when she was just 17. 60 years later, the two performed it live together as a duet. 

 

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Mistletoe - Justin Bieber

A questionable suggestion? Yep. A serious suggestion? We’re not sure. But for those who grew up with Bieber fever, this is sure to bring back a lot of memories. 

 

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All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

Few songs signal the start of the holidays as this one. The first time we hear it, we know it's officially the festive season, and you can bet you'll be hearing it a lot more than once, too. Replayable and full of festive charm, it's definitely one of the all time greatest Christmas songs.

 

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Merry Christmas, Kiss My Ass - All Time Low

It’s not a phase! Maybe don’t blast this pop-punk Christmas banger when Grandma comes around. Or do… if you’re a little menace. 

 

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Underneath the Tree - Kelly Clarkson

What a voice! Kelly Clarkson smashed it with this one. We definitely prefer it to Mariah Carey’s contribution, purely because it hasn't been all over the radio and played at every shop. The big band, belting vocals, and feel-good vibe perfectly encapsulates holiday joy. 

 

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Stop The Cavalry - Jona Lewie 

Another anti-war song that became more of a Christmas tune than anything else, 'Stop The Cavalry' is a nice change since most popular Xmas songs are performed by Americans - so this one feels a bit more familiar. One poll revealed it as the fourth most popular Christmas song in Ireland. 

 

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Christmas Is Awesome - Reuben

Throw your horns in the sky and keep the hard riffs slamming through the holidays with 'Christmas Is Awesome'. If you want to scream about your love of Christmas at the top of your lungs, this is the perfect song to do so. 

 

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Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney

If anyone has a Christmassy voice, it’s Paul McCartney. The only problem is you’ll probably have this stuck in your head until NYE... sorry.

 

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Happy Holidays, You B*stard - Blink-182

Another one you probably shouldn’t play while the whole family tuck into Christmas dinner, this Blink tune is… well, a typical Blink tune. It perfectly encapsulates the chaos and panic the holidays Christmas can bring when you realise you’ve barely wrapped any presents. Extra points for being relatable. 

 

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Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses

Funky, bright, and with a seriously killer bassline, this one was first released in 1981, which is mad as it still sounds fresh today. Another relatable one, the lyrics talk about loving Christmas but how annoying certain parts of it can be like the freezing temperature, small turkeys, and forgetting to buy something so having to go out to a shop on Christmas Eve night. 

 

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Merry Christmas Baby - Elvis

Another bluesy pick, if you want a bit of swagger and a tipsy-sounding guitar in your Christmas celebrations, this is the one.  

 

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The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) - Alvin & The Chipmunks

What can we say? There are some truly unhinged members of the Skiddle team. 

 

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There you have the best Christmas songs of all time (at least in the Skiddle team’s opinion)! Christmas is many people’s favourite holiday so we hope these help elevate the big day higher. 

To make the most out of arguably the best holiday of the year, check out some incredible Christmas events near you. 

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

 

 

  

 

 

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