Recommendations of the Editorial team
Most rock fans assume that Christmas music is inherently terrible. Most of the time that’s true. But every now and then a little Christmas miracle happens and a great holiday song is created. Some of the best examples can be found on Phil Spector’s Christmas Album from 1963. However, it had the misfortune of being released on the very day that John F. Kennedy was assassinated – and hardly anyone wanted to sing along to “Frosty the Snowman”. But if you missed it, you missed a Wall of Sound masterpiece, one of Spector’s strongest albums. Here’s a look at some of the best and most memorable Christmas songs of all time.
Run DMC, “Christmas In Hollis”
One of the first rap Christmas songs ever, a tribute to the group’s home in Queens. It appeared on a charity compilation in aid of the Special Olympics in 1987 – along with Christmas songs by U2, Bon Jovi and Sting.
John Lennon, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”
Also produced by Phil Spector, this 1971 piece is as much an anti-Vietnam war song as it is a Christmas song. At that time, Lennon and Yoko Ono had posters hanging in the USA with the inscription “WAR IS OVER! (If You Want It)”. Now a holiday classic, even if the original message is often lost.
Darlene Love, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
As Love himself said, it took three Jews (Phil Spector, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich) to write the greatest Christmas song of all time. There are numerous cover versions, but none achieve the emotional power of the original.
Bruce Springsteen, “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”
Recorded live on Long Island in 1975, it was released in 1985 as the B-side to “My Hometown” and quickly became a Christmas classic. Springsteen usually only plays it around the holidays, but occasionally at other times – legendary at Bonnaroo 2009 in June.
The Beach Boys, “Little Saint Nick”
Also released shortly after the JFK assassination, but still managed to be a hit. Musically it’s basically “Little Deuce Coupe” with new lyrics, but it has shown more staying power.
Chuck Berry, “Run Rudolph Run”
Recorded in 1958 at the height of Berry’s career, it is essentially a reinterpretation of “Little Queene” but has long since become a Berry classic. Covered by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hanson, Billy Idol and the Grateful Dead.
Adam Sandler, “Chanukah Song”
According to Sandler, “for all the nice Jewish kids who don’t listen to Chanukah songs.” Not a Christmas song, but the first Chanukah song since “I Have a Little Dreidel” to achieve pop culture status. Best version: the original from 1994.
The Ronettes, “Frosty the Snowman”
An evergreen, but the Ronettes’ version – recorded just three months after “Be My Baby” – is particularly atmospheric. An integral part of Ronnie Spector’s Christmas concerts to this day.
Band Aid, “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”
In 1984, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure initiated this charity song against the famine in Ethiopia – with Bono, Phil Collins, Boy George, Sting, George Michael and many more. Huge success, forerunner of Live Aid.
Paul McCartney, “Wonderful Christmastime”
Synth-heavy Christmas song from 1979, released shortly before McCartney’s arrest in Japan in 1980 for 7.7 ounces of marijuana.
Bobby Helms, “Jingle Bell Rock”
Probably the best rockabilly Christmas song, recorded in 1957, later successfully covered by Hall & Oates.
‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, “The Night Santa Went Crazy”
Unusually macabre for Weird Al – Santa sets reindeer on fire and eats blitzen. Released in 1996, melody based on “Black Gold” by Soul Asylum.
Darlene Love, “Christmastime for the Jews”
Recorded in 2005 for “Saturday Night Live” – an ironic song about the benefits of not celebrating Christmas.
Kanye West, “Christmas In Harlem”
Released in 2010, featuring Teyana Taylor, Cam’Ron, Jim Jones and Pusha T. Happy, detailed hip-hop tribute to winter in Harlem.
She & Him, “The Christmas Waltz”
Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward interpret the jazz Christmas classic by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne in their typical, playful style.
Mariah Carey, “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
Published in 1994, now a modern Christmas standard. In 2019, the song made it to the top of the Rolling Stone Top 100 for the first time.