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Songs which are traditional, even some without a specific religious context, are often called Christmas carols. Songs with religious reference are also called Christmas hymns. For example, the Christian-centered "O Come All Ye Faithful" and the totally secular "Deck the Hall(s)" could easily both be found on Christmas-based record albums by choirs and other church-sounding artists.
Some songs of more recent vintage, often introduced in films, are specifically about Christmas, but are typically not overtly religious, and are not typically classified as Christmas carols. The archetypal example is 1942's "White Christmas", although many other holiday songs have become perennial favorites, such as Gene Autry's "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".
A significant subset of the secular songs are regarded as "Christmas" songs due to the time of year they are most often sung, despite never mentioning anything about Christmas or even about Santa Claus. These songs include traditional favorites such as "Winter Wonderland". These songs fall into the generic "winter holiday" classification, as they carry no religious connotation at all.
Another subset of the popular holiday songs, apart from the more sincere ones, are the many parodies or twists on existing songs, which are usually classified as "Novelty songs". They range from the cuteness of "The Chipmunk Song", by Alvin and the Chipmunks, to the Cold War gallows humor of "Christmas at Ground Zero" and the morbid humor of "The Night Santa Went Crazy", both by "Weird Al" Yankovic.
Some songs have little relationship to Christmas, but are hyped up over the period. Each year, record companies compete for the Christmas number one single spot, usually, but not always, with a Christmas-related song. This is parodied in the film Love Actually, whereby an artist records a cover version of a song and adds a Christmas twist to it, all the time admitting that it is "rubbish".
In the UK Cliff Richard is famed for his many attempts, with some success, to get the Christmas number one single.
Contents |
List of Christmas songs
General Christmas songs
The following songs are well known for being performed by more than one different artists:
"Blue Christmas" – Introduced by Ernest Tubb in 1949, though most famously recorded by Elvis Presley.
"The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" (1946) (composed by Mel Torme and first performed by Nat King Cole)
"The First Noel"
"Frosty the Snowman" (1950) – popularized by Gene Autry. Countless artists have recorded it in the years since.
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" – introduced by Judy Garland in the film 'Meet Me In St. Louis; covered by Luther Vandross and then later covered by Vince Gill (1996).
"Jingle Bells"
"Jingle Bell Rock" – best-known version is by Bobby Helms, released in 1957.
"Joy to the World" – covered by various artists which include Mariah Carey.
"Let it Snow"
"Little Drummer Boy" – The 1958 version by the Harry Simeone Chorale is the standard.
"Mary's Boy Child" – Harry Belafonte in 1957, Boney M in 1978 and re-released in 2005 by G4/Robin Gibb as "Mary's Boy Child/First of May".
"The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" – introduced by Andy Williams in 1963
"Merry Christmas Darling" – Introduced by The Carpenters in 1978 (on their album, A Christmas Portrait).
"Mistletoe and Holly" – co-written and popularised by Frank Sinatra
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1949).
"Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy" – Introduced by Buck Owens in 1965; re-popularized by Garth Brooks in 1992.
"Silent Night" – popularised by Frank Sinatra
"Twelve Days of Christmas"
"Up On the House Top" by Benjamin Hanby
"We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
"White Christmas" (first performed by Bing Crosby in the 1942 musical Holiday Inn)
Best known by one particular artist
The following songs are best known for being created and/or performed by one particular artist:
"50 Grand for Christmas" – Paul Holt
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" – Mariah Carey (1994)
"All Alone On Christmas" – Darlene Love (1963)
"Another Lonely Christmas" – Prince (1984)
"Another Rock And Roll Christmas" – Gary Glitter (1984)
"Candy Cane Children" – The White Stripes
"The Chanukah Song" – Adam Sandler (1994-2002)
"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" – Alvin and the Chipmunks (1958)
"Christmas" – King Diamond (2003)
"Christmas" – The Who (1969)
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love
"Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)" (aka "Carol of the Bells") – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
"A Christmas Kiss" – Daniel O'Donnell (1999)
"Christmas in Dixie" – Alabama, introduced in 1982. Lead singer Randy Owen re-recorded the song with Kenny Chesney in 2003.
"Christmas in Hollis" – Run DMC
"Christmas in My Hometown" – Charley Pride, issued in 1970. A different song of the same name was recorded by Sonny James in the late-1960s, and covered by Travis Tritt in 1992.
"Christmas is all around me" – Bill Mack (2003)
"Christmas Is Now Drawing Near" – Coil (1998)
"Christmas Round At Ours" – Girls Aloud (2005)
"Christmas Shoes" – NewSong (2002)
"Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)" – The Darkness (2003)
"Christmas with the Devil" – Spinal Tap (1992)
"Christmas Wrapping" – The Waitresses (1981)
"Christmastime" Billy Corgan
"Cruise into Christmas" – Jane McDonald (1998)
"December Will Be Magic Again" – Kate Bush
"Do They Know It's Christmas?" – released three times by Band Aid (1984), Band Aid II (1989) and Band Aid 20 (2004).
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" – Whitney Houston
"Driving Home For Christmas" – Chris Rea
"Fairytale of New York" – The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl (1987)
"Father Christmas" – The Kinks (1977)
"Feliz Navidad" – Jose Feliciano (1968)
"Give you one for Christmas" – Hot Pantz (2005)
"Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" Elmo and Patsy (1979)
"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" – John Lennon & Yoko Ono (1972) and later by The Idols in 2003
"Have a Cheeky Christmas" – The Cheeky Girls (2003)
"Here Comes Santa Claus" – Gene Autry (1947)
"Holly Jolly Christmas" – Burl Ives (1964)
"I Believe in Father Christmas" – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
"I Hope I Sell a Lot of Records at Christmastime" – Princess Superstar (2000)
"I Only Want You For Christmas" – Alan Jackson (1991)
"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" – Jimmy Boyd (1952)
"I Wish It Could Be A Wombling Merry Christmas Every Day" – The Wombles and Roy Wood (2000)
"I Won't Be Home For Christmas" – Blink-182 (2001)
"I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day" – Wizzard (1973)
"I'll Be Home for Christmas" (1943)
"It's Christmas All Over the World" – Sheena Easton (1987)
"Kentucky Homemade Christmas" – Kenny Rogers (1981)
"Last Christmas" – Wham! (1984) and later by Whigfield in 1995.
"Leroy the Redneck Reindeer" – Joe Diffie
"Let it Snow!" – Dean Martin (1945)
"Light of the Stable" – Emmylou Harris, introduced in 1976; includes backing vocals by Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt.
"Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth" – David Bowie & Bing Crosby
"Little Saint Nick" – The Beach Boys
"Lonely This Christmas" – Mud (1974)
"Merry Christmas Darling" – Carpenters (1978)
"Merry Christmas Everyone" – Shakin' Stevens (1985)
"Merry Christmas Santa Claus" – Max Headroom (1986)
"Merry Xmas Everybody" – Slade (1973), Dexy's Midnight Runners in (1982) and then Tony Christie in (2005).
"Mistletoe and Holly" – co-written and popularised by Frank Sinatra
"Mistletoe & Wine" – Cliff Richard (1988)
"Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo" – South Park (1999)
"My Only Wish" – Britney Spears (2004)
"Naughty Christmas (Goblin in the Office)" – Fat Les (1998)
"No Presents for Christmas" – King Diamond (1986)
"Oi to the World" – The Vandals (1996)
"An Old Christmas Card" – Jim Reeves (1963)
"Please Come Home for Christmas" – Jon Bon Jovi (1994)
"Proper Crimbo" – Bo' Selecta! (2003)
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" – Brenda Lee (1958).
"Rudi the Red Nose Reindeer" – Musical Youth
"Run Run Rudolph" – Chuck Berry (1958)
"Santa Baby" – Eartha Kitt (1952), later covered by Kylie Minogue.
"Santa Claus and Popcorn" – Merle Haggard, introduced in 1973.
"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" – Jackson 5 (1970)
"Saviour's Day" – Cliff Richard (1990)
"Silver Bells" (1950)
"Six White Boomers" – Rolf Harris
"Sleigh Ride" (1950)
"Step Into Christmas" – Elton John (1973)
"Thank God For Kids" – The Oak Ridge Boys (1982)
"Thank God It's Christmas" – Queen
"The Greatest Gift Of All" – Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton (1984)
"The Man Who Would Be Santa - Matt Scannell, Vertical Horizon
"The Night Before Christmas" - Carly Simon (1994)
"The Old Man's Back In Town" – Garth Brooks (1992)
"'Til Santa's Gone (Milk and Cookies)" – Clint Black (1991)
"Under the Tree" – The Waterbabies (2005)
"Upon a Christmas night" – Michael Learns To Rock
"What Christmas Means to me" – Stevie Wonder
"Who Would Imagine A King" – Whitney Houston (1996)
"Winter Wonderland" – Johnny Mathis (1958) and then Perry Como (1946)
"Winter Wonderland/Sleigh Ride" – a medley of the two Christmas favorites by Dolly Parton (1984)
"Wombling Merry Christmas" – The Wombles (1974)
"Wonderful Christmas Time" – Paul McCartney (1979)
"XMas Ketchup Song" – Las Ketchup
"Yule Shoot Your Eye Out"- Fall Out Boy
Not intended as a Christmas song
Some songs are frequently associated with Christmas because of the time they were released rather than explicit references to the holiday. They are sometimes given a Christmas feel by adding sleigh bells or by recording a Christmas video.
"Can we Fix it?" – Bob the Builder (2000)
"If We Make it Through December," Merle Haggard (1973). The song is a lament of a father who loses his job at the factory just as the holidays are approaching. Depressed over his predicament during what normally should be a "happy time of year," he observes that his little girl "don't understand why Daddy can't afford no Christmas cheer." The song reached No. 1 on Billboard magazine's Hot Country Singles chart on December 22, 1973 ... just in time for Christmas.
"Mad World" – Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules (2003) (this Tears for Fears cover is included on several Christmas compilation albums. It was Christmas Number One in the UK in 2003, ahead of the livelier "Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)" by British rock band The Darkness.)
My Decmeber – Linkin Park
"The Power of Love" – Frankie Goes to Hollywood (1984) (was released close to Christmas 1984, and was thus given a Nativity themed video and album cover. The song could be argued to be more suited to Halloween, with its references to vampires.)
"Somethin' Stupid" – Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman (2001) (reached no. 1 in the UK christmas charts, therefore commonly associated with christmas)
"Sound of the Underground" – Girls Aloud (2002) (reached no. 1 in the UK christmas charts, therefore commonly associated with christmas)
"Stop The Cavalry" – Jona Lewie (1980) (released in late November when the record company spotted the line "Wish I was at home for Christmas")
"Stay Another Day" – East 17 (1994) (added sleigh bells)
"Last Christmas" – Wham! (1984) (reached no. 2 in the UK christmas charts, beaten by Band Aid- Feed the World) George Michael originally wrote the song "Last Easter",the record company asked him to change it to Christmas as it would catch a larger audience
Christmas albums
Some artists record albums dedicated to Christmas or winter. These collections often contain covers of well-known Christmas songs or carols.
8 Days of Christmas – Destiny's Child
A Christmas Gift To You From Phil Spector
A Very Special Christmas compilation series – Various Artists
Ashanti's Christmas – Ashanti
Barenaked for the Holidays – Barenaked Ladies
The Beach Boys' Christmas Album – The Beach Boys
A Charlie Brown Christmas - soundtrack album of the classic TV special.
Chemistry – Girls Aloud (An special limited edition version of the album released contained a Xmas album)
Chicago 25: The Christmas Album – Chicago
Christmas Eve and Other Stories, The Christmas Attic, and The Lost Christmas Eve – Trans-Siberian Orchestra (containing traditional and original Christmas songs)
Christmas Is Almost Here Again – Carly Simon (2003)
Christmas Island (album) – Jimmy Buffett (1996)
Christmas Peace (along with other variations) – Elvis Presley
Cliff at Christmas – Cliff Richard
Deck the Halls, Bruise Your Hand – Relient K
Ding! Dong! Songs for Christmas - Vol. III – Sufjan Stevens
Hark! Songs for Christmas - Vol. II – Sufjan Stevens
Ho, Ho, Ho – RuPaul
Iceland – All About Eve
The Jethro Tull Christmas Album – Jethro Tull
Jingle All The Way – Crash Test Dummies
Joy - A Holiday Collection – Jewel
Merry Christmas (album) – Mariah Carey
My Kind of Christmas – [[Christina Aguilera
Noel! Songs for Christmas - Vol. I – Sufjan Stevens
One Wish: The Holiday Album – Whitney Houston
Rejoyce: The Christmas Album – Jessica Simpson
Strings of Christmas – Russell Shead
Taste Of Christmas – Various Artists
Some bands produce Christmas albums exclusively for their fan clubs, including The Beatles who first released such an album in 1963 [1]. Also popular are the Various Artists collections such as The Best Christmas Album in the World...Ever!.
Christmas songs introduced in movies and other popular media
"Star of Bethlehem" and "Somewhere in My Memory" – John Williams from the Home Alone soundtrack.
"White Christmas" – Irving Berlin from Holiday Inn
"Happy Holidays" - also from Holiday Inn
"We Need a Little Christmas" - by Jerry Herman, from the Broadway play, Mame
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" – from Meet Me in St. Louis
French language Christmas songs
"Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris"
"Douce nuit, sainte nuit" (Silent Night)
"Il est né le divin enfant"
"La Marche des rois"
"Les Anges dans nos campagnes"
"Minuit chrétien"
"Noël nouvelet"
"Venez divin Messie"
"Peuple fidèle" (Adeste fideles)
"Dans une étable obscure"
"C'est le jour de la Noël"
"Bergers, l'enfant sommeille"
"Noël de la paix" (Ô divin enfançon)
German language Christmas songs
German language Christmas carols tend to be less blitheful and more ceremonious than English ones:
"Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" (Lo How a Rose 'Ere Blooming)
"Heiligste Nacht" (Dutch song!)
"Ihr Kinderlein kommet"
"Menschen, die ihr wart verloren"
"O du fröhliche"
"Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht" (Silent Night)
"Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her"
"Zu Bethlehem geboren"
"Alle Jahre wieder"
"Kling Glöckchen"
"Lasst uns froh und munter sein"
"Leise rieselt der Schnee"
"Morgen, Kinder, wird's was geben"
"O Tannenbaum" (O Christmas Tree)
"Süßer die Glocken nie klingen"
"Wir sagen euch an"
"Es wird scho glei dumper"
"Es hat sich heut' eröffnet"
Occitan language Christmas songs
La Cambo mi fa mau
Guihaume, Tòni, Pèire (William, Tony, Peter), tune attributed to Nicolas Saboly. Frédéric Mistral composed the provençal anthem Coupo santo (The Holy Cup) according to this Christmas carol. Lyrics, Midi file and music sheet.
Nouvé dòu pastre (Christmas carol for the shepherd). Lyrics, Midi file and music sheet.
L'Ouferta de Calèna (The Christmas' offering). Lyrics, Midi file and music sheet.
Pastre dei mountagno (Shepherd from the mountains).
Swedish language Christmas songs
December is the darkest month of the year in Sweden, so candles are often the theme in Swedish Christmas songs. Ljus is the Swedish word for candle.
"Nu tändas tusen juleljus"
"När ljusen tändas därhemma"
External links
- World wide Christmas songs. A collection of the most known Christmas carols from the whole world (English, Spanish, Latin, German, Italian and French), including both the lyrics and the melody in MIDI format.
- The Christmas Music Fanlisting
- German Christmas Carols Lyrics and melodies of German Christmas songs, a brief history, CDs of German Christmas music.
- Scandinavian Christmas Music Free lyrics and sound samples.
- Christmas Broadband Free online Christmas music 365 days a year.
- Christmas Notes
- Jewish Christmas Music An article about Jewish composers who have penned famous Christmas songs.
- Santa Claus lives in Finland - a less known Christmas song in English and in Hungarian.
- Traditional carols from County of Nice, (France). Lyrics, Midi files and music sheets.
