The Best Christmas Songs of All Time
Enjoy Skiddle's top twenty Christmas songs from wholesome family tunes to ones that'll make grandma spit out her Brussels sprouts.
Last updated: 14th Dec 2023
Originally published: 13th Dec 2023
It’s not long now before we get tipsy in the middle of the day, pile out plates high with pigs in blankets, and fall asleep on the sofa watching Christmas movies. However, all of these antics need a soundtrack, and that Christmas song playlist will need creating (if you haven't got one already), so with that in mind, we thought we'd point you in the right direction.
We asked the Skiddle team for their favourite Christmas songs. From the cheery to the aggressive, unhinged to the wholesome, here are 20 of our favourites, that simply HAVE to be in your playlist.
Fairytale of New York - The Pogues
We're in agreement here at Skiddle; it's the best Christmas song and we won't have any arguments. 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, we'll be singing it extra loud for you this year!
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee
The definition of “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.
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? 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.
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.
Last Christmas - WHAM!
It's regularly at the top of the Charts when Christmas comes around, and there's no surprise when it does, it's a certified classic! We'll never give your heart away Wham, because we just love this song far too much!
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”.
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.
Run Rudolph Run - Chuck Berry
Dripping in swagger, Chuck Berry’s Run Rudolph Run is a simple 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.
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. In 2012, a UK-wide poll revealed it to be our tenth favourite Christmas song.
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.
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.
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.
All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
Few songs signal it truly being Christmas time like the first time you hear this tune from Mariah Carey, and you can bet you'll be hearing it a lot more than once too. Repeatable and full of festive charm, we would love to be yours for Christmas Mariah!
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.
Underneath the Tree - Kelly Clarkson
What a voice! Kelly Clarkson smashed it with this one. We definitely prefer it to Mariah Carey’s overplayed contribution. The big band, belting vocals, and feel-good vibe perfectly encapsulates the joy the holidays bring.
Stop The Cavalry - Jona Lewie
Another anti-war song that became more of a Christmas tune than anything else, Stop The Cavalry is one of the most British Christmas songs to exist. One poll revealed it as the fourth most popular Christmas song in Ireland.
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.
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.
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… 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. Relatable.
The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) - The Chipmunks
What can we say? There are some truly unhinged members of the Skiddle team.
Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Click or tap here to kick your Christmas up a notch this year at some killer festive events.
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